In a far-flung corner of Queensland, past long roads, endless dust and beyond the last flicker of phone reception sits a homestead with bright green lawns, a peacock and river views. It is an unlikely oasis in the desert — the heart of station life.
At Adria Downs, an 875,000-hectare organic cattle property 135 kilometres from Birdsville, work is the rhythm of life. It is hard work that shapes those who take it on.
Young ringers from across the country and overseas rise before sunrise, move cattle through the heat and roll back in at dusk.
After five years of generous rain and consistent floods, spirits are high at Adria Downs as staff come together to celebrate Christmas.
Waterholes are full, feed is plentiful, and cattle have been trucked out of the station almost every week this year.
The station is also challenging industry stereotypes, having the same number of male and female workers for the first time.
It is a world 21-year-old Sophie Bruce, from Bathurst in New South Wales, stepped into a year and a half ago.
"I'd seen heaps of things on Instagram or social media so came out here and I absolutely love it," she said. "It's so different when you're actually living in the lifestyle."
Station Life
About 10 ringers and station hands make up the backbone of Adria Downs, steered by manager Don Raymont, kept organised by his wife Judy, and fed by station cook Rhonda Heslin.
Ms Bruce said with such a large crew, it was not isolating, but could be testing. "You definitely get annoyed at each other from time to time — that's just how it is living, breathing and working in the same space."
In summer, temperatures can reach the high 40s, part and parcel of living in far western Queensland.
"We live in the heat … same as people live in north Queensland with cyclones," Mr Raymont said.
A Sunday off is often spent swimming or in the aircon. "If it's too hot, we'll sit in our rooms, watch some shows and we play a lot of card and board games," Ms Bruce said.
"We've got Starlink so everyone can call their parents. It's kind of like a boarding school, I suppose."
Storm Foxwell, 23, hopped off a plane from New Zealand last year and drove straight into station life.
"I think the fact that it's a big desert and people still live here, I was intrigued," she said.
"It's so hard to describe this place, how big it is, what you see in a day … being out here has changed so much for me."
"We always eat together it's like going and having dinner with your family … lots of steak believe it or not."
UK backpacker Matthew Carter said he was drawn to rural work after coming to Australia three years ago. "It's hard work, it's early mornings, it's hot days and I think that's what brings people … people that want to prove to themselves they can do hard work and people that love that kind of work," he said. "I think station work is the essence of Australia."
It is still work head stockman Wilson Love enjoys, after being at Adria since 2022. "There's everything I love here … the people, the lifestyle that comes with it," he said. "We get a lot of backpackers come out … we've had seven different nationalities this year."
"People normally leave here a little bit better than what they came; makes it rewarding."
And of course, it is only natural plenty of romance kicks off — blame the sunsets and solitude. "When you work so closely with people, it's very easy to see it as a Love Island type of scene or after one too many beers," Mr Carter joked.
The Homestead
Adria Downs is one of several properties owned by the Brook family. The collection of houses and accommodation that make up the homestead has been developed over the past two decades. Before that, station operations were run out of Birdsville.
David Brook's great-grandfather purchased the pastoral lease in 1939.
"We've been through the whole process of bringing the first homestead in and then slowly building up around that," Nell Brook said. "It's a perfect spot."
Donny and Judy Raymont have been there since it became a working homestead in 2005. "It's come along way, we've done a lot of work with the Brook family," Mr Raymont said. "We've never had to advertise for staff."
Teaching young people about the industry is what Mr Raymont said motivated him to get out of bed every morning.
"To know you've played a small part in guiding those kids, boys and girls, to be better people is what keeps me going every day."
While some will stay to keep the station running over Christmas, most will escape the heat and head to their respective homes.
But for Sophie Bruce, she has decided it is time to leave the desert behind … for now.
"I've learnt so many things from in the shed, to out mustering and a lot with how to interact with people too," she said. "I will miss it so much."
Comments
Join Our Community
Sign up to share your thoughts, engage with others, and become part of our growing community.
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts and start the conversation!