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Covering 95,000 square kilometres (twice the size of Denmark) Diamantina Shire lies within the region known as the Channel Country in far southwestern Queensland Australia. This area consists of a network of western Queensland rivers which vary greatly in dry seasons but hundreds of square kilometres are flooded after rain stretching out across the floodplains like fingers hence the name Channel Country, after rain this area is covered with wildflowers, yellow, pink and blue.
As harsh as the country may seem, it is rated as having some of the best cattle fattening areas in Australia with some of the Channel Country now accredited with " Organic Beef Certification". Many of the 14 stations in the Shire have descendents of the early settlers working them, one being the Kidman Company founded by Sir Sydney Kidman, known as the Cattle King. The Year of the Outback 2002 saw cattle donated by the different stations for the Outback Cattle Drive from Birdsville to Marree, down the historic Birdsville Track where many a drover had gone before and braved the elements.
In 2005, the Diamantina Shire once again participated in the Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive, where celebrations were held in Birdsville to commence the opening of this amazing event.
The 14 cattle Stations within the Shire boundaries are:
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Cluny, Mount Leonard and Arrabury - Arrabury Pastoral Company
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Durrie, Glengyle and Sandringham - Kidman Company
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Adria, Kamaran Downs - Brook Proprietors
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Coorabulka and Monkira - Napco
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Springvale - Sterling Buntine
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Davenport Downs- Georgina Pastoral Company
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Ethabuka - Australian Bush Heritage Fund
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Roseberth - Lyle & Geoff Morton
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