Bowen Downs Station

[4] The first Europeans to visit the area were the explorers William Landsborough and Nathaniel Buchanan, who passed through in 1860.

The property was established in 1862, and was the last post at which people travelling further inland could purchase provisions.

Following a period of drought, Buchanan walked off Bowen Downs in 1867, abandoning his one eighth share to Morehead.

[1] By 1870 the run was regarded as one of the finest in Australia stretching over 200 kilometres (124 mi) across the plains of Central Queensland and covered with Mitchell grass supporting a herd of 60,000 cattle.

[7] Harry Redford and his accomplices George Dewdney and William Rooke stole between 600 and 1,000 cattle, then overlanded the stock approximately 1,300 kilometres (808 mi) down Cooper Creek to outback South Australia.