The Morrell clan turn up to settle an old score with Matt. As luck would have it Matt has left town leaving either Rob or Colin to fight in the duel - if they don't, the Morrell's will burn the town down.

After a long absence, Victoria Blackwood returns to Patterson's Ridge, only to find that the land is gone and she has been left with nothing.

Jessie McClusky turns up in Paterson's Ridge to run the Railway Hotel. While much of the town doesn't like Jessie, it is Emily's reaction which has Colin worried. It takes a real heart-to-heart for Emily to reveal her secret.

When Matt allows visiting soldiers to camp on his land, Michael and Josh get swept up in the romanticism of the military - and Josh sets his sights on carrying a gun.

Spanish gypsies pass through Paterson's Ridge, and Danni falls in love with Carlos, while Hannah loves Carlos' older brother. Then the town turns against the gypsies after several robberies take place.

Nell Frampton sells Matt a bull called 'The Grand Duke', but soon after the bull vanishes and another bull turns up dead. Meanwhile, Emily and Colin move into their home.

Two teenagers go missing in the scrub so Matt and Colin set off to find them. In town, a man has arrived to see Jessie one last time before he dies.

Oliver Blackwood becomes part owner of the bank and is delighted to learn that Langara's deeds are security against Matt's loan. Luke proposes to Victoria Blackwood to the dismay of her father who refuses to support the union. When Luke and Victoria persist, Oliver tells his daughter she will be completely disinherited if she marries a McGregor. Matt wins the election.

Dave Turner arrives at Emily and Colin's to claim Josh and take him back to his family. Emily is upset and Josh believes that now Emily is pregnant, she and Colin won't want him around.

Matt's old flame Anita Hargreaves returns to town after 25 years away just as her father suffers a heart attack. Matt is dumbfounded by her hospitality towards him — and Kathleen's coldness. A bitter Anita forcloses on Matt's loan, only to learn that she had not been jilted by Matt years ago, but tricked by her father. Luke strikes gold.

Foundation Day has arrived and with it brings Henry Wagner to town. Henry is in Patterson Ridge to catch a rabid dog. Danni agrees to meet up with him to help him hunt the dog.

Matt and Oliver become lost in the desert while returning to Paterson's Ridge from buying stock. Matt accepts the help of an Aboriginal and his wife, but Oliver refuses.

Miss Hannah Kirov opens a Russian tea room at the back of the general store to generate more income. The hotel owner though isn't happy with the business he is losing, so he cuts his prices in half.

Duncan leaves town just before Rob returns. In town, the stables are going up for auction and Rob wants to buy them, but can't afford it on his own. He must try and convince Colin that they are a good buy.

The stables are proving to be hard to financially manage as Rob and Colin get behind in the bank re-payments. Victoria turns down another proposal.

Frank steals a substantial amount of gold from Luke, only to have it taken from him by gentleman bushranger Harry Roebuck. Meanwhile Luke, already mortgaged to the hilt, falls further into Blackwood's debt. Blackwood arrogantly makes Matt an offer for Langara, saying he has plans to marry Anita.

Everyone is excited that the railway is coming to Paterson's Ridge, except Kathleen, because it will run straight through the middle of her property. She decides to go to Melbourne to argue her case. Matt is also going to the city to be sworn in as a new Member of Parliament. They travel together and Matt takes Kathleen to the ceremony where she pleads her case to the governor and then to a ball. They dance together and, filled with emotion, he tells her he loves her. Meanwhile, Oliver hires a mining engineer to conduct an assay of Luke's mine and Vernoica is sent to England.

Montana's new horse is stolen by rustler Seb Holgate after she bests him in a shooting competition. Montana sets out after him and is joined by Kathleen.

During Paterson Ridge's charity sale, a book belonging to Mr. Elliott is accidentally sold. Kathleen finds - and publishes - a love poem that falls from the book but who is the lady of Herbert's dreams?

Duncan Jones, an old friend of Rob's turns up while Rob is away. Danni is suspicious of him though as he seems nervous. The Race is being re-run and none of the McGregor's are going to be competing.

Danni McGregor secretly enters the electrifying and dangerous Snowy River cross-country race — an annual race created in honour of her father's famous ride years before. Then, a mysterious American appears, determined not only to win the race at any cost, but also to challenge Matt McGregor himself in the original death-filled ride down the mountainside.

Luke is again pursuing a more than willing Victoria as she helps him search for a new house. Oliver Blackwood inadvertantly nominates a reluctant Matt to run for state parliament forcing him to get Luke to run against him. Danni experiences first love when she falls for an accused cattle rustler. Colin and Emily marry but Matt seems to have eyes only for Kathleen.

Edward Dengate is the new constable in Paterson's Ridge, which he hates because he would rather be a farmer. Matt convinces Edward's father that he cannot choose his son's life for him, and Edward leaves to fulfill his dream.

The notorious Reilly gang turns up in Paterson's Ridge in an attempt to evade being captured by the state troopers. While Matt and Rob are away mustering, the Reillys arrive at Langara and take Colin, Emily and Danni captive.

Matt is held responsible by an angry landowner when the government decides to take his land to dam the valley.