[1][2] The climate is semi-arid, featuring low rainfall, very hot summer temperatures and cool nights in winter.
[3] [4] However, the Paroo River at this point has a number of wetlands, which makes the parish somewhat of an oasis in the otherwise arid landscape.
From the 1850s however a shortage of white labour caused by the exodus to the gold fields saw many in the Aboriginal communities join the pastoral workforce.
Aboriginal people continued to be a significant part of this work force for many decades whilst still maintaining their cultural traditions and attending local and regional ceremonies until the 1910s.
[6]From the 1880s to the 1910 drought, overstocking and rabbit infestation led to massive damage to land, soil and native plants and animals.