Diggers Rest Muster

Diggers Rest Muster — East Kimberley, WA

There are few experiences in regional Australia that feel as elemental as a station muster. On a recent trip to the East Kimberley, I had the privilege of spending time at Diggers Rest Station, documenting the annual cattle muster — a place where tradition, labour and connection to country come together in a way that’s both vivid and quietly humbling.

Diggers Rest sits on the banks of the tidal King River, framed by the Cockburn and Erskine ranges — a landscape that feels ancient and unchanging. Here, the land isn’t just a backdrop. It dictates the rhythm of the day, the movement of stock, and the way people work within it.

Mornings began slowly. Coffee warming our hands in cast iron cups, a low fire crackling as the sun rose over the Cockburn Ranges. Camp cooking never tasted so good, the birdlife never sounding louder, as we sat in this ancient country — still, listening — before the dust and movement of the day began.

Then came the work. Long, hard days in the saddle, horses moving carefully over the rocks, reading the country as much as the riders above them. Each step deliberate, shaped by the terrain beneath their feet. The occasional angry Brahman mum kept us honest, watching closely and reminding us not to drift too near when she thought her calves were at risk.

A standout of the muster was the extraordinary skill of the Aboriginal stockmen, whose deep understanding of country shaped every part of the day. Finding cattle across this vast landscape isn’t guesswork — it’s knowledge passed down, read in tracks, movement, wind and terrain. Watching them work, both on horseback and from bull buggies, was to witness a precision that comes from lived experience and an intimate relationship with country.

In the yards, their bravery was unmistakable. Calm, focused and completely in control, they worked cattle with a confidence that left me in awe — doing things I would never have dreamed of attempting. It was a powerful reminder that mustering here is not just physical work, but cultural knowledge, instinct and respect for both stock and country.

As the days unfolded, horses, people and machinery moved seamlessly across the station. Bull buggies pushed into harder country while riders guided stock with quiet authority. Every decision felt measured, shaped by an understanding of how this land behaves at different times of day and season.

This is why I’m drawn to documenting moments like this. Not just for the visual texture — the dust, the light, the movement — but for the stories held within them. The quiet resilience, the teamwork, the humour, and the deep connection between people and place that can’t be staged or rushed.

These photographs are a small attempt to capture the atmosphere of the Diggers Rest Muster — the hard work and the still moments, the skill and knowledge that underpin each decision, and the way life on the land continues in rhythm with country.

If you’ve ever witnessed a muster — anywhere in Australia — you’ll know how deeply these days stay with you. And if you haven’t, I hope these images offer a glimpse into a world shaped by respect, skill and a deep understanding of place.