Jill Blake arrives in the dusty one-horse town of Paringa, but things get off to a rocky start for the enthusiastic young vet when she meets her new boss Kate McDonald, who has a reputation for being difficult.

The austerity of life in drought-stricken Paringa proves difficult for Jill to come to terms with. The local farmers and Kate appear to be unwilling to admit the dire position they are in.

Fears arise among the community that an Iraqi agronomist in town for a study tour will report on the condition of local sheep. Kate and Jill make plans to hide the problem until the flood breaks.

Jill takes over in the practice after Kate gets injured in a cattle yard accident. Together they treat Larry, who suffers from a gunshot wound, performing a highly illegal life-saving surgery.

A horrific attack by a pack of dogs on the Balfour farm leads Jill to show her true worth. Kate unexpectedly rewards her by making a confession about the night her husband died.

Jill suggests a radical plan that might save the farmers of Paringa while also allowing Kate to embrace a happy and guilt free future.