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CLICK ON THE REGION TO THE LEFT TO VIEW THE STATION PHOTOS FOR THAT AREA.
Please note: We endeavour to ensure that all names are entered correctly. It is difficult to get everything right, with so many photos taken each year, of so many people. We apologise for mistakes made. Please let us know if you notice any wrong names or spelling errors so that we can make corrections.
A geographical look at Australia's Cattle Stations
Although Australia's cattle stations cover a vast geographical area, the number of people are relatively few. Station people often know each other, if not personally, by reputation, keeping in contact through rodeos, campdrafts, other social occasions and over the bush telegraph. Major pastoral companies own stations all over northern Australia and station staff often transfer between stations. Consequently there is a sense of community across the regions. The Outback of Australia is a vast country but a small community of people.
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The main geographical areas in which Australia's large cattle stations are located:
The Channel Country of south west Queensland
North Queensland and the Gulf Country
The Northern Territory
The Kimberley Region of Western Australia
There are also many Travelling Drovers and Contractors.
Select a gallery from the menu on the left to view photos. |
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THE CHANNEL COUNTRY OF SOUTH WEST QUEENSLAND |
The Channel Country of south west Queensland is made up of large areas of stony and sandhill country, with channels and lakes in which, when the rivers flow, water spreads out for many kilometres and provides for the lush growth of the Lignum plant and other cattle feed. |
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The Channel Country is often referred to as sweet country and is a popular destination for cattle which are brought by drovers and road trains from northern cattle stations. Because of Australia's irregular weather patterns, the rivers may not always flow, and cattle stations may have to be destocked, sometimes for years at a time.
NORTH QUEENSLAND AND THE GULF COUNTRY |
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This is generally a fairly reliable rainfall area, being more coastal. There is some quite rough terrain, and when rivers are running the cattle stations can be cut off from service facilities for weeks at a time. Goods and services are flown in and provided by plane or helicopter. |
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THE NORTHERN TERRITORY |
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The Northern Territory can be divided into three main cattle breeding areas:
The Barkly Tableland which consists of vast flat and open grasslands with occasional timbered areas. A female ringer once mentioned to us that if a girl wanted a bit of privacy while out mustering she needed to have trained her horse to lie down.
The Alice Springs Area is associated with the famous Uluru (Ayer's Rock). Cattle stations in this area are mostly family owned and run.
The Victoria River Area is one of Lyle's favorite places - home of Humbert River Station where he worked in the 1960's. It is beautiful country with rivers, mountain ranges and gorges.
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THE KIMBERLEY REGION OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
This is a unique area in which are found rivers, mountain ranges (home of Purnululu, Bungle Bungle National Park), deep gorges and fascinating rock formations. To the south the ranges give way to desert areas. |
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