Police officers Trevor Darling and Nikki Iceton have to escort a young Aboriginal woman to the NSW outback to stand trial. Kath is accused of murdering a publican who tried to rape her. Trevor is a disgraced drug squad detective who was accused of shooting an Aboriginal youth; Nikki is a new recruit who thinks he is a racist. They become stranded in the desert when he decides to take a shortcut. Kath saves them with her local knowledge, but they're being followed by an Aboriginal man in a purple car. Forced to rely on each other, the lines blur between police officers and prisoner. By the time they are rescued, both Nikki and Trevor believe Kath is innocent. They are determined to get the proof.