In 1796 Ireland, the Mulvanes are oppressed by British laws and taxes. Daughter Mary seeks to rescue the family's impounded cow with the aid of beau, Michael Connor. Connor is killed. Mary's sentenced to be transported for 7 years.
Mary now a convicted criminal, boards the convict ship 'Britania' for the arduous voyage to Sydney. On board she meets Polly, the boss of the female prisoners and Greville, sinister officer of the NSW Corp
Mary and Polly survive the sea voyage and are assigned on their arrival in Sydney. Capt Greville still smarting at Mary's rebuke sets out to make her life as difficult as possible
Mary and Polly begin to settle into their various situations in the new colony. Jonathan falls afoul of the cruel overseer Pike, and pays for his slip in judgment
Time passes in the colony. Jonathon begins to have genuine feelings for Mary, thinking of the future he learns to read and write. Greville expands his empire and is prepared to eliminate anyone how gets in his way
Dinny, although wounded, escapes the slaughter and hides at Jonathan's house. Meanwhile, their old adversary Ensign Greville has taken over the neighbouring farm.
Dinny finds an Aboriginal wife and, as he is a wanted man, has to live rough in the bush with her. Mary gives birth to a son. Dinny is spotted by the military and shot dead.
Crops are bad at Jonathan's farm and the military want to take advantage of this and buy the crops off his farm. Jonathan finally has no choice but to sell. Later he finds out the payment is only given out in rum.
Jonathan is sentenced to six months jail for writing a letter to the Governor exposing the corruption of the overseers after he refuses to do as the new "government" orders.