When Ryan's father goes to investigate a scientific research facility based on an off-shore island, he finds himself stranded with a group of strangers. When nobody returns from the island, Ryan receives a cryptic message from his dad, instructing him to cut off communications isolating the base camp from the island, the outside world, and leaving them all trapped!

Josh dumps Ryan in the middle of the mysterious forbidden zone to pay him back for cutting off their communications. Shocked by his actions, the girls insist on rescuing him. Meanwhile, Maggie leaves Rob in charge of the kids in a desperate attempt to keep them all occupied and out of trouble.

With their parents still not back, Ryan tries to enlist Natasha's help to retrieve the walkie talkie from Maggie. However, he still has a lot of making up to do before she will give him the time of day. Meanwhile, tired of being bullied by his older sister, Jarrah, Zuke takes off, setting up camp in a cave. Unbeknownst to him, he is not alone! Ryan receives a call from his father explaining they won't be back until week's end.

Jarrah takes a stand when Maggie demands that the kids all move onto the veranda where they can be better suppervised. However, self-sufficiency doesn't offer the others the same creature comforts as Maggie. Meanwhile, Natasha discovers that Josh has a secret.

Natasha attempts to teach Josh how to read without the others finding out. Emma makes a startling discovery about her sister while searching for a food thief with Zuke.

Zuke's fears are brought to the surface when he discovers something spooky in the bush. Jarrah wants to split up Josh and Natasha.

Despite Em's shock over Lily's secret, the sisters find a way to deal with the situation during their parents' absence. Meanwhile, Jarrah challenges the boys to a fishing competition with amusing results.

Natasha realises her true feelings for Ryan, but has she left it too late to say anything? As it is Ryan's last day at base camp, Jarrah doubles her efforts to make an impression. Unfortunately, an accident is not what she had in mind.

Frustrated and confused that his Dad still hasn't returned from the island, Ryan decides to go to the island himself.

Josh dares the kids to enter the forbidden zone. What they find in there, however, is worse than they could ever have imagined.