In 1961, when Laurie McKenzie arrives in Darwin to take up a position as a constable, the Superintendent of Police informs her that because of an administrative error, she is the first and only female to be appointed as a police officer in the Northern Territory of Australia.

Laurie is posted to the outback mining town of Rabbit Creek where, as part of her job, she must deal with murders, a paedophile, a wife-beater and crocodile poachers, as she strives to earn the respect of the townspeople and her male colleagues.