When Jack McLeod passes away, his two daughters inherit Drovers Run, a vast cattle ranch in the Australian outback. Ultimately, Tess and Claire decide to run the ranch together, with their housekeeper, Meg, her teenage daughter, Jodi, and a local girl, Becky. Their lives are hard and the obstacles many, but the rewards are every bit as grand as the wild open land they've inherited.
The third season of the television series McLeod's Daughters originally aired from 12 February 2003 to 29 October 2003 and consisted of 30 episodes.
Claire is finally released from hospital and driven home by 'father-to-be' Alex. Her first day back does not go as smoothly as the doctor would have intended and Claire realises that some things may have to change. She must also contend with the effects of the lie about Alex being the baby's father.
Claire and Alex's lie about the baby causes a major upset between the sisters. Jodi is back, but wants to continue travelling. Becky does not give up hope for Brick. Claire eventually tells Liz the truth.
Becky's search for Brick comes to an end while Jodi's dream of a big wedding causes tension.
Tess believes Sally is cheating on Nick, while Alberto calls off the wedding after discovering Jodi had a fling overseas.
At Jodi's hens night, a game of truth or dare reveals far more than was intended.
Unexpected events result in an unlikely outcome on Jodi and Alberto's much anticipated wedding day.
An incident with a prized stallion leads to intrigue regarding Jake's past, while he and Becky get closer. Alex and Meg must contend with an emotional Claire and there's a change in Meg's domestic situation.
Claire discovers a hidden treasure which brings back ghostly memories of her mother and unleashes a gnawing fear that she too will die in childbirth.
A thirtieth wedding anniversary is no protection for Liz when Harry, suspicious about Claire's baby, discovers an even bigger lie. Liz is preparing for her thirtieth wedding anniversary lunch, and Harry, still very much in love, has given her a beautiful strand of pearls. But it soon all starts unravelling. Brick's sister arrives and is unhappy at the thought of Becky moving on. Becky assures her she hasn't forgotten about him, but notes she's still into Jake.
As Harry and Alex battle each other, Tess finds it hard to resist her attraction to Dave the vet.
When a heartbroken journalist friend of Tess comes to Drovers Run the private lives of all the women and their men become very public.
Becky and Jake's relationship is tested when his real background is revealed, causing shock waves which impact eveyone on Drover's.
The charade of being the father of Claire's baby is causing Alex problems especially when Sandra Kinsella appears on the scene.
When Jodi receives a chain letter, she tears it up and throws it away, and then misfortune strikes Drover's. Has she unleashed a curse?
Nick and Alex must face the awful truth of their father's new girlfriend whilst they argue over Harry's proposal for a stock route through Drover's Run
Min Min lights are seen by Claire and Tess over Drover's. Tess is determined to believe they are a good omen, but Claire, restless and uneasy in the last stages of pregnancy, insists they're natural phenomena but trouble awaits.
It's been a week since Baby McLeod was born, but she remains nameless. Claire isn't too worried - she'll know the right name when she thinks of it. But she is suffering a bad case of cabin fever as she struggles to balance running Drover's with motherhood.
Claire is having a naming ceremony for Charlotte Prudence McLeod with her friends and family when Peter arrives. Claire has written to him after the birth, telling him he is a father. Peter is justifiably angry. Not only did Claire and Alex lie to him as to who was the father, but Claire did not advise him until after the birth. Without Claire's knowledge Becky and Jodi leave the sheep on Harry Ryan's property for the night. But during the night they are sheared and the is wool stolen. Becky and Jodi investigate only to find that it's Craig who owes money from gambling.
Meg is dedicating herself to her studies in order to prove herself at TAFE, and is thoroughly immersed in ‘Pride and Prejudice'. The misjudgements and misunderstandings of character that drive that classic echo through everyone's dealings at Drovers Run. Jodi is determined to succeed at the CFS training weekend despite feeling that Nick is not doing anything to help her. Her original enthusiasm is slowly destroyed as she is put through her paces and exhaustion sets in. A flirtation with another trainee, Toby, turns to animosity when she realises he does not want to be teamed up with a girl. She begins to feel that Nick is unfairly picking on her and pushing her to fail. Overnight she confides these feelings in Becky and Tess. Tess is quick to jump to Nick's defence much to Dave's bemusement. Becky gives a pep talk encouraging enough to propel her back to the second day of training determined to succeed.
Becky and Jake go into Stud partnership with Claire but when things don't go as planned, whose side will Becky take? And, there's a speed dating session at Drovers, who will find love?
Alex and Nick fight over a gorgeous stanger named Elly and the competition heats up as they both try to win her over. And should Meg be having such a good time while Terry is away?
A quarantine on Drovers leads Claire to a new career, meanwhile Sandra is making a nuisance of herself. Also, Jodi accepts a date with Toby, but whom does she really have her eye on?
When Claire and Alex hit the big smoke, a long lost father is found, and a hidden passion is finally ignited.
With Claire and Alex still in Melbourne with Charlotte, enjoying their new found love, Tess tries to deal with a pressing health matter alone.
Has Sandra overstepped the mark with Harry? Tess's biopsy brings unexpected consequences. And, who's Jodi's secret admirer?
The Young Farmer of the Year contest comes to Drovers Run, bringing difficult choices for both Claire and Becky about the men they love. Drovers Run hosts the Regional Young Farmer of the Year Award, and Becky is surprised to learn that Jake has entered. He tells her he's going to win her back. They compete neck and neck and slowly Becky is won over by his persistence and charm and the old spark between them returns. When Jake asks her to come and live with him on the property he's leased, Becky is truly torn between the man she loves and Drovers Run...
Tess's upcoming operation has thoughts of mortality creeping in so she begins to write a letter to Charlotte so that her niece can know her should Tess no longer be around. Claire reminiscences when an old friend turns up unexpectedly.
Tragedy befalls Drover's Run, in the wake of celebration, as the lives of all connected with Drover's are turned upside down.
Claire's death has everyone is dealing with it in their own way. Tess tries to keep her emotions in check, unable to deal with her grief and burdened by survivor's guilt. A surprise visitor at Drovers Run helps Tess when she needs it most.
Tess and Stevie continue to clash this week, and all the competitive ill-fellings come to the surface when a private investigator turns up at Drover's Run. Tess accepts Stevie's explanations at first (something about witnessing a rodeo accident up north), but gets suspicious again when Stevie is caught packing her bags. Still refusing to reveal the truth, she offers her resignation and Tess accepts with more than a little relief. As Stevie loads up her car, Jodi, Meg and Tess discover little Charlotte has been bitten by a redback spider. Fearing for Charlotte's life, Tess accepts a ride from Stevie to the hospital, but it turns out to be far from a straightforward trip. With the private investigator in hot pursuit, things get worse when Charlotte has a heat-induced fit. It looks like they are not going to make it to the hospital in time so Stevie steals a plane to speed the trip up. Charlotte's young life is in the balance and Tess is terrified that she is going to lose the one link sh