Breeds of Katherine and the Victoria River District
Northern Territory cattle country of huge stations, where the 1966 Wave Hill walk-off changed Australian history.
Breeds of this place
Best time: May to September, the dry season; August for the Freedom Day festival.
South and west of Katherine, the Victoria River District holds some of the largest cattle stations in Australia, among them Victoria River Downs, once called the Big Run. Herds of Brahman-cross cattle graze open savanna between the wet and dry seasons. Katherine, on the Stuart Highway, is the service town for the region.
The stations
Stations here were set up from the 1880s, first with Shorthorn cattle walked in from Queensland. Today most herds are Brahman or Brahman-cross, suited to the tropical heat and ticks. Many cattle are trucked to Darwin and shipped live to Indonesia and other Asian countries, a trade that has been both important and debated.
The Wave Hill walk-off
In 1966 Gurindji stockmen and their families, led by Vincent Lingiari, walked off Wave Hill station in protest at pay and conditions. Their strike grew into a claim for their land. In 1975 the Prime Minister poured soil into Lingiari's hand, returning part of the land, and the event helped lead to Aboriginal land rights law. It is remembered each year at Kalkaringi.
A trail idea for Katherine and the Victoria River District
- Katherine The town on the Katherine River, service centre for the stations.
- Nitmiluk Gorge Sandstone gorges on the Katherine River.
- Kalkaringi The community where the Wave Hill walk-off is remembered.
Written by the EveryCow desk with AI assistance. Background: "Victoria River Downs Station" on Wikipedia. Fair dates, markets and visiting rules change; check locally before travelling, and keep a respectful distance from working animals. If something is wrong, tell us.
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