In the late 19th century in Paterson's Ridge, a small town set in the mountains near Melbourne, Matt McGregor, one of the richest and most influential in town, is as widower father of three children: Colin, who's the town preacher, Rob and Danni, the tomboy youngest daughter. Unresolved sexual tension comes in the shape of Matt's childhood independent, free-spirited friend, the recently widowed Kathleen, who's returned to Paterson's Ridge with her son after having spent many years in England