The Harvey family is persuaded to leave the UK for a dream life in the Australian outback. But when they arrive in the small mining settlement of Akarula they begin to realise how much of the dream is in the mind of their Uncle Eddie, who owns the land.The disappearance of youngest daughter Georgie, as witnessed by her older sister Monica, is the trigger to the disintegration of the family and the town itself as it becomes clear how much Eddie has hidden from his brother and his family. Events are observed by enigmatic Mr M, the last aborigine in the land, who becomes a focus for the town's fears.