Diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer, Patrick Foley (William Holden) has returned to his native Australia to die in the peace and quiet of the wilderness. His simple plan is complicated, however, when he meets Shawn Daley (Ricky Schroder), a young boy who has just lost his parents in an accident, and takes him under his wing. Located far from any civilization, Patrick continues on his mission, but decides to teach Shawn the skills that he'll need to survive after his mentor is dead.