Esty Maher's family is uprooted and torn apart during the Irish potato famine - 'the Hunger'. Esty is sent into service, but dreams of going to Australia to find gold, and manages to get assisted passage for her family and friends. However, when they reach Ballarat, her dream and hard work nearly turn to dust in the midst of scavenging and rebellion - but thanks to their self-reliance and ingenuity, the Mahers family turns up trumps.