Stock routes Guide
The Queensland stock route network has a long and rich history of supporting landholders.
Today, it is mainly used for moving stock, pasture for emergency agistment and long-term grazing.
The stock route network is also valued for its native flora and fauna and remnant vegetation, as well as for its Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultural heritage. Stock routes contain major infrastructure for the transport of water, power and for communication.
To use the stock route network, you need permits for:
- travelling stock on foot
- grazing (agistment) of stock
- using water facilities.
Stock routes include 72,000km of roads, reserves, and corridors on pastoral leases and unallocated state land. Together with dedicated reserves for travelling stock, they make up the 2.6 million hectare Queensland stock route network.
This guide explains how the stock route network is managed and the permits you need to use the stock route.
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About the Queensland stock route network
Stock routes have no separate title or tenure from the underlying road. The same roads are used for walking and agisting stock and vehicular transport. Reserves for travelling stock include camping and water reserves, pasture reserves and trucking reserves.
The network is primarily used by the pastoral industry:
- as an alternative to transporting stock by rail or road
- for pasture for emergency agistment
- for short-term grazing.
A stock route can be a road or route identified as a stock route on the stock route map, or it may simply be any route that is customarily used for walking stock.
History
Stock routes have been part of Queensland's rural history for more than 150 years, evolving as settlers drove stock along corridors that followed river systems, Indigenous trade routes and trails.
Between 1860 and 1890, established stock routes were recognised and dedicated as roads. Use declined in the 1950s and 1960s when road improvements made road transport more convenient and efficient.
Increases in fuel prices and recurring droughts have made the stock route network a cost-effective alternative for moving stock and a vital source of pasture for emergency grazing.
Cultural heritage
The stock route network contains significant Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultural heritage and has been celebrated in the works of Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson. The Combo Waterhole at Winton is thought to be the location of the story that inspired Waltzing Matilda.
Environmental value
The stock route network has significant environmental value, in part because its unique interconnectedness and geographical extent allows for the movement of wildlife.
Many stock routes are in highly cleared landscapes and are adjacent to waterways, providing habitat for threatened species.
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Stock route maps
Viewing the stock route map in PDF
The PDF maps provide a broad overview of the state’s stock route locations in an easily accessible format. A separate map is also provided that only shows the changes applied since the previous map:
Alternatively, to view the map in greater detail or compare the stock route with other boundaries and features, you can use the Queensland Globe interactive mapping tool.
Viewing the stock route map in Queensland Globe
- Go to Queensland Globe. Agree to the terms and conditions, then click Get started. It may take some time to fully load.
- Select Topics from the upper left margin.
- On the newly displayed menu, select Natural resources, then scroll down to Stock routes and click the blue arrow.
- Click Launch topic and Replace current topic. The stock route map should load and be displayed on the screen.
- On the left margin of the screen, click Layers to display the default layer names. To the left of each layer name is an eye icon
. Click on the eye icon to toggle a layer on or off. Blue indicates it is turned on. Note that some layers will only display when zoomed in to an appropriate level. - On the far right-centre of the screen, there is a small grey box containing a left arrow. Click this arrow to display the legend for the stock category names.
- To add other layers:
- Ensure the Layers tab is still selected in the left margin. Click Add layers.
- Scroll down to find the desired layer, noting that many layers can be expanded by clicking the down arrow to the right of the layer name. Also note that stock routes are under the Farming layer. Each layer can be de-selected and selected for display, as required.
Tip: Due to the large data volumes being displayed, it may be better to zoom into your area of interest before selecting and deselecting layers.
Visit the Queensland Globe help section to access help guides, tutorial videos and advanced feature documentation.
Previous Queensland stock route map
Links to historical stock route PDF maps are listed below.
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Stock route management
The Queensland Government manages the stock route network with local governments under the Stock Route Management Act 2002. Some grazing access is administered under the Land Act 1994, while the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 also includes relevant provisions.
Local governments are responsible for:
- day-to-day administration and management
- some network maintenance.
The Queensland Government is responsible for:
- providing policy and legislative advice
- operational guidelines
- compliance support
- reviewing decisions
- managing asset maintenance
- training local government stock route officers.
Management strategy
The Stock Route Network Management Strategy 2021–2025 (PDF, 890KB) sets out a clear plan of actions for state and local governments with practical guidance to support the effective management and administration of the stock route network.
We are currently reviewing the effectiveness of the strategy before its expiry on 31 December 2025.
Stock route categories
To enable the prioritisation of activities and funding, stock routes are categorised into 3 categories. The criteria for inclusion in these categories are provided below.
Stock route network management plans
The following local governments in central and western Queensland are required to have local management plans for their area of the stock route network. Contact the relevant local government listed below to view a copy of their plan.
- Balonne Shire Council
- Banana Shire Council
- Barcaldine Regional Council
- Barcoo Shire Council
- Blackall Tambo Regional Council
- Boulia Shire Council
- Central Highlands Regional Council
- Diamantina Shire Council
- Flinders Shire Council
- Goondiwindi Regional Council
- Isaac Regional Council
- Longreach Regional Council
- Maranoa Regional Council
- McKinlay Shire Council
- Murweh Shire Council
- Paroo Shire Council
- Richmond Shire Council
- Western Downs Regional Council
- Winton Shire Council
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Stock route travel permits
You must apply to the relevant local government for an appropriate permit to move or graze stock on the stock route network.
When you’ll need a travel permit
You must apply for a stock route travel permit to move stock on foot on:
- stock routes
- reserves for travelling stock
- roads and other land under local government control
- unallocated state land adjoining any of these listed land types.
Exemptions
You do not need a permit when moving stock between properties if all the following apply:
- the properties are owned by the same landowner and worked as a single enterprise
- travel occurs during a single day in daylight hours
- travel is for animal husbandry or property management purposes only.
You also do not need a stock route network travel permit to transport stock by truck or rail, but other legal requirements when transporting animals may apply.
Before you apply
Before moving stock, ensure that you:
- Understand the regulations for transporting stock.
- Contact all the relevant local governments and consider inspecting the proposed route to determine its condition and suitability for travel.
- Apply for a grazing (agistment) permit if stock require spelling.
- Complete/create a movement record.
Who can apply
Any stock owner or their authorised agent can apply for a travel permit.
You do not need to live in the local government area where the application is submitted. The stock owner is the holder of the permit.
Fees
Application fee of fee 37116 per application paid to the relevant local government/s.
The fee is calculated by the local government when the application is approved and must be paid before the permit is issued.
For each day eligible stock is being moved on foot under the permit, there is a fee of fee 6133 for each group of:
- up to 20 head of large stock
- up to 140 head of small stock.
Definitions
In relation to a permit fee for a permit:
- eligible large stock means alpacas, asses, buffaloes, camels, cattle, deer, donkeys, horses, llamas, mules or vicunas.
- eligible small stock means goats and sheep.
Exceptions
Under a travel permit, permit fees are not charged for the permit for:
- unweaned stock that is less than 6 months old travelling with their mother
- stock travelling to a gymkhana or rodeo
- horses used for droving stock.
Conditions
In the case of infant stock, the application must demonstrate that any infants are travelling with, and reliant on, their mother. Young stock that are grazing and not reliant on their mother for feed and nutrients will not meet this criterion.
All stock must be fit and able to travel at the minimum permitted rate.
How to apply
- Complete the Application for a stock route travel permit .
- Lodge it with the relevant local government at least 7 days before travel is to start.
- Payment of the relevant application fee.
Note: Applications can generally be lodged in person or by post, fax or email (check with the local council).
Stock welfare
If for health reasons stock require spelling, the permit holder will need to apply for a 7-day grazing (agistment) permit.
Alternative arrangements should be made for agistment or spelling in case a grazing (agistment) permit cannot be issued.
Application assessment
The local government will assess the application by considering:
- pasture levels on the route
- availability and suitability of water
- likelihood the stock’s travel will spread a declared pest or notifiable disease
- whether the minimum travel rate of 10km per day can be met by the stock
or
if a lesser rate is permitted, whether the lesser rate can be sustained for the entire journey - impacts on road traffic infrastructure and road safety.
Once the application has been assessed, you will receive a written notice of the decision.
Related links
Read about review of local government decisions.
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Grazing (agistment) permits for travelling stock
You must apply to the relevant local government for an appropriate permit to move or graze stock on the stock route network.
When you’ll need a grazing (agistment) permit
A stock route grazing (agistment) permit is required to agist stock on:
- stock routes
- reserves for travelling stock
- roads under local government control.
The purpose of the permit is to provide short-term relief while longer term strategies are put in place.
Grazing (agistment) permits issued for travelling stock under a stock route travel permit are valid for a maximum of 7 days and cannot be renewed. Permits for other stock are issued for a maximum for 28 days and can be renewed once only.
Before you apply
Contact the relevant local government for the preferred agistment locations.
Who can apply
You are eligible for a grazing (agistment) permit if you:
- are a landowner whose land is adversely affected by drought, fire or flood
or - hold a stock route travel permit and the stock require agistment for branding, crutching, dipping, drenching, jetting, shearing or trucking
or - spell the stock to comply with an obligation imposed by animal welfare legislation
or - are responding to a notice by local government inviting applications for agistment of stock.
You are not eligible to apply if you have held a grazing (agistment) permit for the land in the 3 months immediately before the date of application.
You do not need to reside in the local government area where the application is submitted.
Fees
Application fee of fee 37117 per application paid to the local government.
When deciding the fee, local government considers the:
- characteristics of the land such as topography, vegetation
- number and type of stock to be agisted under the permit
- reason for the agistment of stock
- weather conditions forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology for the term of the permit
- quality of pasture available for agistment
- accessibility of water at the agistment site
- proposed use of travelling stock facilities (including water facilities)
- commercial agistment rates in the local government area for the type of stock to be agisted.
Once a permit has been issued, you must pay the local government the amount shown on the permit.
The fee range set by legislation is given below.
Type of stock Minimum fee per week (or part of week) Maximum fee per week (or part of week) For each head of eligible large stock fee 6127 fee 6128 For each 5 head (or part) of eligible small stock fee 6130 fee 6131 Exceptions
Fees are not charged for the agistment permit if the stock is travelling to a gymkhana or rodeo under a stock route travel permit and you need to agist the stock to:
- brand, crutch, dip, drench, jet, shear, or truck; or
- spell the stock to comply with an obligation imposed by animal welfare legislation.
Definitions
- Eligible large stock means alpacas, asses, buffaloes, camels, cattle, deer, donkeys, horses, llamas, mules or vicuna.
- Eligible small stock means goats and sheep.
How to apply
- Complete the Application for a stock route grazing (agistment) permit .
- Lodge it with the relevant local government.
- Payment of the relevant application fee.
Note: Applications can generally be lodged in person or by post, fax or email (check with the local council).
Conditions
- If responding to a local government notice, you must lodge your application within 7 days.
- If applying for agistment of travelling stock, apply at least 3 days before the proposed agistment period.
- If applying for other reasons, allow at least 7 days for your application to be processed.
Application assessment
The local government will assess the application by considering the:
- likely requirements of travelling stock for pasture and water
- local stock route network management plan
- likelihood that agistment will introduce or spread a declared pest or degrade the land
- impacts on road safety.
Once the application has been assessed, you will receive a written notice of the decision.
Related links
Read about review of local government decisions.
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Review of local government decisions
You can apply for a review of a local government decision if you are not satisfied with a decision to:
- refuse to grant a permit
- refuse to renew a permit
- impose conditions on the permit
- refuse to amend conditions on the permit
- cancel the permit.
Apply for a review
- Complete the Application for a review of a local government decision .
- Email to: stockroutemanagement@nrmmrrd.qld.gov.au; or
- Post to:
Manager
State Land and Stock Route Management
PO Box 9454
WILSONTON QLD 4350
Permit cancellation
A current permit may be cancelled if:
- you supplied false or misleading information in your application
- you breach the permit conditions
- the stock route can no longer provide enough pasture or water for the travelling stock
- the land can no longer provide enough pasture for grazing stock (including the likely needs of travelling stock).
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Stock route water facility agreements
You must apply to the local government before taking water from a stock route water facility. Taking water without an agreement or permit is an offence.
Stock route water facilities
Stock route water facilities are established water points located along the stock route network and include:
- artesian bores
- sub-artesian bores
- dams
- wells.
These facilities may be located either:
- on reserves for travelling stock
or - on a road or route identified as a stock route on the stock route map.
Landowner use of stock route water facilities
Water facilities are mainly for the use of travelling stock. However, where the capacity of a facility exceeds the needs of travelling stock, nearby landowners wanting to take water may apply for a stock route water facility agreement. These agreements are contracts between:
- the landowner
- a local government
- the Queensland Government.
Types of agreements
Agreements are required to:
- access a supply of water from a stock route facility for stock or domestic purposes, with an option to perform facility maintenance
- supply water to a stock route facility from a landholder's private facility
- water travelling stock at a landowner's private water facility
- construct a water facility on either the stock route network or the landowner's property.
Fees
Domestic purposes
Water accessed for domestic purposes is charged at a flat fee, which is indexed annually.
Stock watering purposes
Stock watering fees are calculated according to the area watered method.
This applies the following equation: Annual fee = Potential benefited area x Indexed rate.
The potential benefited area is the radial area surrounding a water point (5km radius for cattle and 2.5km radius for sheep), which represents the relative benefit a landholder is getting from accessing water from the stock route water facility. The indexed rate is linked to the average property value per hectare, which is calculated by dividing the unimproved property valuation by the total area of the property.
A minimum stock watering fee applies, which is indexed annually.
Combined domestic and stock purposes
In cases where water is being taken for both domestic and stock purposes, the calculated fee for stock is added to the flat fee for domestic use to determine the total amount payable.
Waiving or reduction in fees
Fees may be waived or reduced if:
- there is temporary loss of water or diminished supply
or - the landholder negotiates with the local government to undertake regular maintenance of the facility.
How to apply
- Complete the Application for a stock route water facility agreement .
- Lodge it with relevant local government.
Note: Applications can generally be lodged in person or by post, fax or email (check with the local council).
Application assessment
The local government will assess the application and contact you when this has been completed.
Review of water agreements
Water agreements are reviewed every 5 years, but any of the parties to the agreement can ask for a review at any time.
Termination of water agreements
Water agreements are automatically terminated when the landholder's property is sold or transferred. New owners wishing to continue with arrangements must make a new agreement.
Agreements can also be terminated:
- by agreement
or - by any party giving 90 days’ notice
or - if the facility loses its water source permanently.
Register of water agreements
Local governments are required to maintain a register of water agreements, which can be accessed by the public for a fee. Contact the relevant local government for details.
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Stock Route Management System (SRMS)
Access to the online Stock Route Management System (SRMS) is only available to local government. The system is not available to the public.
SRMS provides access to a map-based electronic system for local governments to:
- create stock route travel permits
- create grazing (agistment) permits
- create water agreements
- calculate fees.
The system stores data and information including:
- travel route
- contact details
- stock details
- fees.
The water agreement component stores billing information so reports can be generated for annual billing schedules.
Access the SRMS
Local governments can access the SRMS online.
Training in a test version
For training purposes, local government access is available to a test version of the SRMS.
Permits created in the test system will not be saved.
Stock routes, 28 May 2025, [https://www.qldgovau.staging-services.qld.gov.au/environment/land/access/stock-routes]
This document is uncontrolled when printed. Before using the information in this document you should verify the current content on https://www.qldgovau.staging-services.qld.gov.au/environment/land/access/stock-routes.