A nomadic family struggles to maintain their independence and bond while traversing the rugged Australian outback during the 1920s. Paddy Carmody, a shearer, prefers the freedom of the open road, while his wife Ida and son Sean yearn for the stability of a permanent home. As they move from station to station, the family faces the harsh realities of the landscape, economic instability, and the internal tension between Paddy's wanderlust and his family's needs. The narrative follows their seasonal migration, capturing the physical toll of their labor and the evolving dynamics of their relationships.

This work is widely regarded as a definitive portrait of the Australian itinerant lifestyle during the interwar period. Critics often highlight the author's ability to balance the harshness of the environment with the warmth of the family's internal connections. The narrative is frequently praised for its authentic rendering of the shearing culture and the specific challenges faced by those living on the margins of society. It remains a significant entry in Australian literature for its grounded, unsentimental approach to the themes of home and identity.