Brighton Downs is a 1 million acre(4,206 sq. Km) cattle station straddling the Diamantina River. It stretches from the
Nisbet Range, in the east, past the McCartney Ranges, to within a few kilometres of the
Winton-
Boulia road.
Depending on the seasons, carrying capacity can be as high as 10,000 head, with staff numbers of 8-10 people. Cattle are "grown-out" here, before being trucked to other stations in the Central Highlands, or to a feedlot in the same area.
The station complex has been situated on a red gravel ridge,
well above flood height, and has an all weather
airstrip that runs through the buildings. During major flood events, the Diamantina surrounds the station, giving the residents a taste of "island living". 240V power is supplied by diesel generators, that run 24 hours/day. Diesel fuel capacity is 55kL, as fuel deliveries can be scarce when the Diamantina is in flood.