Most of far western – southern/central Queensland has an average rainfall of around 6″ (150mm), but in Australia average rainfall figures are usually misleading. In many years Queensland’s channel country only receives 1-2″ (25-50mm) and in other years they get 10-15″ or more (250-375mm). Cattle stations in the channel country have had a fair old hiding over the last decade or so, with almost every year being way below average – and what rain did fall, fell in a number of very small amounts. I.e. next to useless, for growing plants. It’s just the occasional floodwater coming down creeks and rivers from the north and north east, that has kept these cattle stations functioning.
This year is a catch-up year. Check out these amazing photographs taken on Morney Plains Station, on Agmates. It’s a sea of water. Even in very arid country, it pays to always put buildings on legs. Here’s hoping all the cattle made it onto sand ridges.