We were very fortunate to be welcomed for a few days stop at Lakefield Station, a large cattle station in the Northern Territory (south of Katherine) owned by the Riggs Family. Garry and Michelle let us wander around the farm, watching, learning and sometimes even helping (the boys mainly) about life on a cattle station, and the skill of rearing Brahman cattle on this difficult terrain. In UK terms the Station is vast, covering 59,000 hectares (approx. 145,000 acres) with about 6,500 cattle. Ollie was particularly delighted to see they also have goats (with day-old kids they got to hold), horses, a donkey, working dogs and friendly family dog called Dexter. Cameron found the Riggs’ kids bicycles and explored the farm- yard and paddocks.
Garry and Michelle, along with Sam their young stockman, took us up to the stockyard, and the boys helped count the young calves (weaners), Michelle herding them on horseback, Garry checking out their physical condition, while Sam sprayed them for ticks, approx. 650 in all. It was dry, dusty work but we all loved it!
Dinners around the homestead table were both tasty (very fresh beef!) and informative, as Garry was more than happy to answer our thousand and one questions about the farm and the cattle industry over a few glasses of wine, and we were surprised to learn that most of the cattle will head off to Indonesia from the Darwin ports. We also left with an esky full of delicious beef and fruit, as they also have 1,000 Mango trees on the property.
Meeting ‘Dude’ Garry’s pet cow!
It was a long dusty 38 km drive from the homestead to the stunning Lake Duggan at the north-west boundary of the property. This ranks as one of the most beautiful and unspoilt places that we’ve visited since we began our travels; the flocks of galahs, scores of water birds and brightly coloured bee-eaters were a joy to behold. Not to mention the huge red kangaroos that we saw hopping through the bush!
Cattle farming in the Territory is clearly challenging, but farmers like Garry and Michelle, who respect the land and clearly love what they do, deserve our admiration, and we were sad to leave. Its quite humbling to think that they bought the land as completely undeveloped bush-land fifteen years ago and then built all of the necessary infrastructure including a homestead, 250 kms of roads, 400kms of fencing and 36 dams! No wonder Lakefield Station won the Australian Government’s Innovation in Sustainable Practices Award last year.
Wow that farm was absolutely giant!
With all of those cows in it eating the grass I can imagine it being very dusty.
The cows where also quite big looking at the one that Cameron was standing next to.
From Joe W
What a fantastic time you lot are having. Keep the reports coming – they make for a great read. I’m actually leaving the village myself in a few weeks to take Rebecca to Mansfield for a couple of days. Is it likely to be as exotic there?
Hi Richard, his lordship is delegatingto me to reply, glad you are enjoying the blogs, they take some doing when you’re in the bush- a couple of cups and a piece of string just won’t cut it! Good luck in Mansfield, hope the natives are friendly. Ax
What an amazing trip – fascinating place to stay! Lily would have been in her element with all the different animals! Can’t wait to see where you go next. Sending lots of love to you all. Sal x
Thank you Sally, great to hear from you, and yes it was pretty special! There is so much to see in the Northern Territory and it’s all so different from our normal lives. Cameron says a big hi to Joe, Lily & Jessie, (and Duncan of course) hope you are all enjoying the summer holidays.
Thanks Joe for your great comment, I really like hearing from you. There was lots of dust at the Station, most of it went up my nose when we were counting the waners. We got a ride on the quad bike with Sam the stockman when he was herding the cattle too. Ollie and I had a great time chatting to Gary & Michelle during ‘smoko’ which is what they call morning tea (toasties and Milo-yum). Hope you are enjoying your holiday and send me a photo if you can. Hello to Tom too. From Cam
Adele I’m sorry but I have to say that hat you are sporting looks reminiscent of a Christmas present you received some years ago ! Please tell me you haven’t been wearing the wrap around dress and apron to ?!
So rude Sharon Smith- I love that hat. Wait till I wear the apron!
Ben,
Cricket….. Just talk about the cricket….
I know mate…finally!!