In 1831 Charles Adare arrives in colonial New South Wales and hopes to make his fortune in an exciting new land of opportunity. The nephew of the territorial governor Charles endears himself to rich landowner Sam Flusky in the hope of securing his future. In his grand pursuit of property Charles is invited to stay with Sam and encounters his troubled wife Henrietta and devious housekeeper Milly entering a tumultuous passage of existence that will test his heart and sharpen his resolve.