[2] The plot revolves around an itinerant rural worker and fighter — sometimes described as a "swagman" or "swaggie" — named Macauley (Bryan Brown) who unexpectedly finds himself taking responsibility for his child.
A loner formerly from the city, Macauley finds himself in a small country town where he falls for the local butcher's daughter, Lily (Noni Hazlehurst).
Their romance is thwarted, however, by a jealous rival and after a misunderstanding Macauley finds himself back on the road and later working as a boxer in a travelling carnival.
Devastated, he turns to a fellow carnival-worker, Marge, and promises to marry her and move to the city, much to the concern of his friends who can see he doesn't love her and that the relationship is set to fail.
While looking for work, finding it difficult with a child in tow, Macauley meets up again with Lily who reveals her husband has died in an accident and her father is gravely ill, leaving her to run their farm.
As she battles for her life in hospital, Macauley must dash to Adelaide to oppose his wife's court bid for custody of the child as he admits he wants to keep her.