Brunette Downs Station

200 Years of the Australian Agricultural Company

Brunette Downs Station is situated in the Barkly Tablelands of the Northern Territory and is 350 km northeast of the nearest town, Tennant Creek. The station’s main service town is Mount Isa, located 660km away in Queensland. 

In 1904, J.C. and F.C. White bought the property, going into partnership with Alfred J. Cotton in 1912, before then buying Cotton out in 1928. In 1958 Brunette Downs was purchased by the King Ranch Pastoral Company, who ran the property until 1979, when it was purchased by the Australian Agricultural Company. 

Brunette Downs has a connection with the infamous bushranger Harry Redford (Readford), one of the inspirations for the Captain Starlight character created by Rolf Boldrewood for his 1883 novel Robbery Under Arms. In 1869, Redford travelled to Queensland, where he established a carrier business transporting produce from Tambo to Bowen Downs, one of the greatest cattle runs in Queensland (Monument Australia 2010). Redford was working as a stockman at Bowen Downs Station in 1870 when he and his associates George Dewdney and William Rooke devised a plan to steal 1,000 head of cattle. Remarkably, they managed to steal the cattle undetected and drove them 800 miles (1,287 km) to South Australia, where they sold them for £5,000. Even more remarkably, despite being arrested in Sydney in 1872 and facing trial in Queensland, Redford impressed the jury so much with his achievements that he was found not guilty. However, in 1881 he was arrested again for horse stealing and this time spent 18 months in prison. After his release, Redford again found work droving and was responsible for the delivery of the first mob of cattle to Brunette Downs, where he had taken up the position as Station Manager. In 1901, Redford set out from Brunette Downs to explore the surrounding country but drowned while trying to cross the flooded Corella Creek. 

At 1,230,500 hectares, Brunette Downs is the Australian Agricultural Company’s largest property and today breeds Mitchell and Wagyu breeds of cattle. 

Each June, Brunette Downs hosts the Brunette races, an outback racing carnival that attracts attendees from across Australia. 

 

References

Monument Australia 2010, Henry Arthur Readford (Redford), <https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/settlement/display/80060-henry-arthur-readford-redford> 

 

Cattle at the Paradise Bore, Brunette Downs Station, Northern Territory, 24 July 1934 (Z241-211).

Cattle at the Paradise Bore, Brunette Downs Station, Northern Territory, 24 July 1934 (Z241-211).

Cattle at the Paradise Bore, Brunette Downs Station, Northern Territory, 24 July 1934 (Z241-211).
Cattle at the Paradise Bore, Brunette Downs Station, Northern Territory, 24 July 1934 (Z241-211).
Homestead and outbuildings, Brunette Downs Station, Northern Territory, 24 July 1934 (Z241-211).

Homestead and outbuildings, Brunette Downs Station, Northern Territory, 24 July 1934 (Z241-211).

Homestead and outbuildings, Brunette Downs Station, Northern Territory, 24 July 1934 (Z241-211).
Homestead and outbuildings, Brunette Downs Station, Northern Territory, 24 July 1934 (Z241-211).
Brunette Downs Station, Northern Territory, 2016 (Courtesy of the Courier Mail).

Brunette Downs Station, Northern Territory, 2016 (Courtesy of the Courier Mail).

Brunette Downs Station, Northern Territory, 2016 (Courtesy of the Courier Mail).
Brunette Downs Station, Northern Territory, 2016 (Courtesy of the Courier Mail).
Wagyu calves, Brunette Downs, Station, Northern Territory, 2020. Photographer - Hugh Killen (Courtesy of the Australian Agricultural Company).

Wagyu calves, Brunette Downs, Station, Northern Territory, 2021. Photographer - Hugh Killen (Courtesy of the Australian Agricultural Company).

Wagyu calves, Brunette Downs, Station, Northern Territory, 2020. Photographer - Hugh Killen (Courtesy of the Australian Agricultural Company).
Wagyu calves, Brunette Downs, Station, Northern Territory, 2021. Photographer - Hugh Killen (Courtesy of the Australian Agricultural Company).
Brunette Downs Station, Northern Territory, 2022 (Courtesy of the Australian Agricultural Company).

Brunette Downs Station, Northern Territory, 2022 (Courtesy of the Australian Agricultural Company).

Brunette Downs Station, Northern Territory, 2022 (Courtesy of the Australian Agricultural Company).
Brunette Downs Station, Northern Territory, 2022 (Courtesy of the Australian Agricultural Company).
Map of Brunette Downs Station, Northern Territory, 1969 (C0262).

Map of Brunette Downs Station, Northern Territory, 1969 (C0262).

Map of Brunette Downs Station, Northern Territory, 1969 (C0262).
Map of Brunette Downs Station, Northern Territory, 1969 (C0262).