Meredith Appleton (Miranda Otto) arrives on South Solitary island with her uncle George Wadsworth (Barry Otto), who has taken over as the new Head Lighthouse Keeper. She befriends Nettie (Annie Martin) and Alma Stanley (Essie Davis), and meets Harry Stanley (Rohan Nichol), who seduces her. As the uncle's health deteriorates, Meredith and Jack Fleet (Marton Csokas), the previous lighthouse keeper, form a bond, with Jack providing support during Meredith's stay on the island, and she learning about the lighthouse's operation.