Ian Bradley

Orphaned after a shipwreck off the Victorian coast of Australia, the spirited Philadelphia Gordon finds both love and adventure aboard a paddle-steamer on the Murray River.

Sister Honour Langtree (Wendy Hughes), is in charge of a military hospital for psychiatric patients. She however transgresses boundaries by developing a sexual attraction for a new patient.

At the turn of the century, new roads and railway lines threaten the very existence of the once thriving river boat trade. While trying to mediate in the dispute between the shearers and the riverboat skippers, Brenton Edwards is framed and sentenced to imprisonment in Melbourne. Without Brenton, Delie is faced with a custody battle over her children and the not altogether unwanted attentions of Cyrus James, a charming, but mysterious overseas entrepreneur. Alone she must fight to keep her family and the riverboat "Philadelphia".

Drama and tensions rise as two determined partners in a successful Australian fashion empire will stop at nothing to achieve individual success.

Following the death of his wife, mountain cattleman, Ben Lomax leaves the high country but is forced to return when he learns his prize stallion is to be run in a race that will break him.

A man tries to rehabilitate his alcoholic friend by entering them both into the Australian national rowing championships.

Liz Price, a young divorced financial consultant, turns over in bed and goes back to sleep after her married lover and business partner, Dave Wyatt gets up to go home to his wife. But Wyatt never makes it home, he is gunned down outside his door. Liz finds herself plunged into a web of intrigue and murder.