Pastoral Stations 1970-2001

Between 1970 and 2000 sheep numbers on stations dwindled, with many stations in the Kimberley and Pilbara switching to cattle. In pastoral districts sheep numbers fell from 3 million in 1960, or 18.4% of the total Western Australian flock, to 2.2 million in 1995, or 7.4%.

The pastoral industry, so long dependent on Aboriginal stockmen and station hands on horseback, moved to using light aircraft, helicopters and motorcycles for mustering. During the second half of the twentieth century pastoral stations became increasingly corporatised as absentee owners and corporations took over pastoral leases.