The English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley (played by Nicole Kidman), travels to northern Australia to convince her husband to sell their ranch, Faraway Downs. Upon arrival, she discovers that her husband has been murdered, and the ranch is in financial trouble. Against her better judgement, Lady Ashley teams up with a rough-around-the-edges stock-man named Drover (played by Hugh Jackman) to drive their cattle across the harsh Australian outback to the nearest port, where they can be sold and save her ranch.
The journey is fraught with danger, as they battle harsh terrain, hostile Indigenous groups, and sabotage from a rival cattle baron who wants to take control of Faraway Downs. Along the way, Lady Ashley develops a close bond with Drover and learns to appreciate the beauty and resilience of the Australian landscape, as well as its Indigenous culture.
As they near the port, they witness the bombing of Darwin by Japanese forces, which shakes them to their core and forces them to confront the reality of the war raging around them. The experience brings Lady Ashley and Drover closer than ever, but also forces them to question their priorities and decide what kind of future they want for themselves and the country.