Bowen Downs Station
| Company type | Pastoral lease |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agriculture |
| Founded | 1862 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Queensland outback |
| Products | Cattle, sheep |
Bowen Downs Station operates as a pastoral lease serving both as a cattle station and sheep station. It is situated approximately east of Muttaburra and northwest of Aramac within Queensland's remote outback. The property benefits from water sources including the Thomson River along with its tributaries, Reedy Creek and Cornish Creek.
History
The land traditionally belongs to the Iningai people, whose linguistic territory encompasses Bowen Downs and nearby regions within the Longreach and Barcaldine areas.
European exploration in this region commenced in 1860 when William Landsborough and Nathaniel Buchanan arrived, naming the locale Bowen Downs in honor of Queensland Governor Sir George Bowen. By 1861, they sought the lease in partnership with Robert Morehead and Matthew Young of the Scottish Australian Investment Company, alongside Edward Cornish who helped finance the venture.
Founded in 1862, Bowen Downs quickly became an important supply hub for travelers heading inland. Buchanan initially took on management duties, introducing 3,000 cattle across . The adjacent Aramac Station was established a year later in 1863. Following a severe drought in 1867, Buchanan relinquished his share to Morehead.
By 1870, the property had expanded beyond , supporting a herd of 60,000 cattle grazing on Mitchell grass plains. A significant historical event involved Harry Redford and his accomplices stealing nearly 1,000 cattle from Bowen Downs. They drove the herd roughly to South Australia where they sold the animals for £5,000 before being caught.
During the late 1800s, much of the workforce at Bowen Downs consisted of blackbirded South Sea Islander laborers, many of whom perished during the difficult journey from coastal regions.
In 2013, the Hartley family purchased the station for AUD 9.7 million. This acquisition was added to their existing properties after divesting their assets in Barcaldine.