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Who’s a Pretty Boy Then? The Story Behind Mickey Bulls

12 Mar, 2026

Image by Cassandra Clark - caught up at Kendall River Station in Cape York, QLD in 2018 - btw he was ear tagged and horn tipped in the truck after he was caught! Who's a pretty boy then? If you've been front and centre with a Mickey Bull like this fella above - you know there's a solid yard railing between you and him. I've heard many a war story of 'Mickey' encounters either in the yards, on a bike or on horseback - mostly close...

The Best Smoko You've Ever Had: Station Cooks & Their Legendary Feeds

08 Feb, 2026

There’s something sacred about smoko on a cattle station—whether it’s out on stockcamp, fencing, or back at the homestead. Smoko is often a morning ritual, providing a moment of hope and connection for the crew. It’s not just a tea break—it’s a moment of respite in a long, dusty day, a chance to refuel body and spirit, have a yarn, a chance to go over the morning’s tasks or further plan for the day; and often the highlight that gets you...

Working on a Feedlot in Australia: Jobs, Skills and What to Expect

01 Feb, 2026

When people think about working with cattle in Australia, they often picture big stations, horses and helicopters mustering across vast country. But another major part of the Australian beef industry is the feedlot sector , and it offers a wide range of rewarding jobs for people who enjoy working with livestock, machinery and practical hands-on tasks. Feedlots play an important role in finishing cattle on grain diets before they go...

The Ultimate Collection of Aussie Nicknames

27 Jan, 2026

When I was working on a station most of us had a nickname... Longfella (he was tall), Hank (Quilty), Woody (Allen), Tiny (Yes, he was big), Turtle (It's a long story), Rambo (Big knife on his belt) and Burner (tanned easily)... I was lucky, I liked wearing cheap 'Servo Sunny' aviator sunglasses, so I copped 'Mav' as in Maverick... The art of the nickname. Whether you're a ringer, chopper pilot, cook, truck driver - or even the boss, chances...

How To Get A Job On A Cattle Station?

11 Jan, 2026

So you’ve heard the stories from those who have experienced working on an Australian cattle station – it could be Mum or Dad or brothers or sisters or mates… or some old fella ‘holding up the bar’ down the pub telling a few bronco branding yarns from his ringing days on a Kimberley cattle station. People love to talk about their time on stations, sharing tales of hard work, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments. Working on a cattle...

What To Bring To A Cattle Station: Packing List

01 Jan, 2026

Heading to a cattle station for the first time can feel daunting, especially when it comes to knowing what gear to pack. If you’re wondering what to bring to a cattle station, you’re not alone—many first-timers have the same question. With the help of RFTTE members and a few stations, we’ve put together a list of essential items and recommendations to make life easier. For example, if you’re flying in, you may be limited to one checked...

Station Hand Salary Range: How Much Do You Get Paid on a Cattle Station?

01 Jan, 2026

Here's a question from an RFTTE member regarding pay for a Station Hand and one of the responses from another member on the RFTTE.com facebook group in November 2025: Ben Semour: Is $155 day rate, for a 9 hour day, 1st year, food and accommodation provided, not too bad? Bryan Leeson: At $17.22 per hr with everything supplied. Just to give you an example my son is an electrical apprentice in Brisbane on $16 an...

Why some stations don't take dogs

01 Jan, 2026

Here's a succinctly and well written piece telling us why a lot of properties won’t allow you to bring your dogs with you. In a nutshell, some employers do take dogs and some don't... it's a simple case of asking before you go... so there are no surprises! NO DOGS ALLOWED Let's talk about dogs. Everyone loves them, and so do we. The 'no dogs' condition is very common on cattle stations and every time we advertise a position vacant, we...

Humpty Doo Digger! Vale. Ted Egan.

25 Dec, 2025

"I have no great skills in life but I'm a very good observer and I get my pleasure - and my income - from writing books and songs principally about exciting and interesting people..." Ted Egan, aged 90. I must admit Ted Egan's song's didn't get into my top song's playlist for 2025 - but 'Drovers Boy' has always stirred up emotions - it's a classic; many of you may have been lucky enough to hear Ted play it on a beer carton (he called it...

What Does 'Ringers from the Top End' Mean? History & Modern Jobs Explained

24 Dec, 2025

If you’ve spent any time in the Australian outback or working in agriculture, you’ve probably heard the phrase ' Ringers from the Top End.' But what does it really mean, and where does it come from? In this post, we’ll explore the history, the modern meaning, and the jobs associated with this iconic outback term. What is a “Ringer from the Top End”? A 'ringer from the top end' refers to a highly skilled stock worker, or ringer ,...

Should I work on a cattle station?

24 Dec, 2025

3 Ringers | Wave Hill Station 2022 by Emma Moss Former Kimberley-based ringer Emma Moss shares her advice for those seeking to work on cattle stations ‘up north’… Maybe you have left high school, finished university, had a quarter life crisis, watched ‘Territory’ on Netflix, or want to find yourself a dinky-di cowboy or cowgirl. So, now what? You may find yourself asking: Should I go up north? Okay, the idea of uprooting your life to a...

Your Actions Will Dictate What Jobs You Get on a Cattle Station

08 Dec, 2025

Ben Reardon at Stanbroke's Kamilaroi Station, QLD Ben Reardon was the Head Stockman at Kamilaroi Station, one of Stanbroke's 7 stations in far north Queensland, which together comprised over 1.2 million hectares of prime grazing country. Each year, prior to a new season commencing, Ben sent his new charges a few words of wisdom that he had developed over the years from his experiences on several cattle stations. He owes much of this...

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