Land Watch in the Territory: A Journey through the Top End

Our latest adventure took us to the Northern Territory, where we flew from Brisbane to Darwin. The flight felt longer than expected, especially with no food offered by Virgin Australia (come on, Virgin!). But we were pleasantly surprised by Darwin Airport. It’s bigger than we imagined and looks like it’s had a fresh renovation – quite impressive!

Car hire was a breeze, and soon we were in our trusty steed for the trip: a Mazda BT-50. I was hoping for a Hilux with a bulbar, but we’ll see how this one handles the dust of the outback!

First Stop: Mount Bundy Station

After a quick pit stop at Bunnings to pick up some concrete for an installation at Mary River West Station, we made our way to Mount Bundy Station near Adelaide River. But not without a stop at Berry Springs for a swim! If you haven’t been, put it on your list. The water was clean, clear, and warmer than expected – a popular spot for good reason. I’d highly recommend a dip.

We arrived at Mount Bundy Station and settled into our cabin before heading to the famous Adelaide River Pub for dinner. The pub is a gem with good food and great atmosphere. The 5.5-meter-long taxidermied crocodile and the real-life (taxidermy) buffalo from Crocodile Dundee are just a couple of the quirky features that make this place unique.

Security on the Stations

The next morning, we were up at first light and off to our first station to meet the manager and confirm the plan for their Stage 1 security camera installation. This station is no small fry – it’s about 1.2 million acres across a couple of blocks and has been facing issues with unwanted visitors. Poachers have been sneaking in, not just shooting feral animals but also the occasional Brahman, just for fun – and not even taking the meat!

Our goal was to get cameras set up at the two main entrances, but we needed repeater stations to make it work. Thankfully, the property had some existing UHF repeater towers, which will be perfect for maintaining line of sight. Starlink at the office should do the trick for connectivity.

On the way out, we got a little taste of adventure with a few water crossings. The “Beware of Crocodile” signs were a stark reminder that we’re a long way from the Sunshine Coast!

Lunch and More Adventures

Lunch was at the Lazy Lizard – great food and a unique venue with all sorts of paraphernalia and even a car and bike museum out back, which made for a nice break.

Our next destination was a station with new owner’s keen to protect their investment and improve efficiency. The station is off a long, dead-end gravel road, making it crucial to have a record of anyone on the road. They had massive fuel storage on site that needed monitoring, and extending Wi-Fi coverage around the complex was key. After some in-depth discussions about their operations and how our systems could help, we were on our way.

Our accommodation for the night was at Mary River West, a station of around 250,000 acres. With a roadhouse on the highway, it felt like a perfect home away from home. Two of our install team were on site, completing a water and trap monitoring camera project – the first stage of a comprehensive monitoring and connectivity plan.

South to Mataranka

Thursday morning saw us heading south past Katherine and Mataranka to another enormous station. Connectivity was crucial here for keeping an eye on the avgas to prevent any unwanted chopper refuelling and securing the yards and grids, given its proximity to Daly Waters. Naturally, a visit to the famous Daly Waters Pub was a must-do.

On the way back, we stopped at Bitter Springs just outside Mataranka. What an oasis! The clearest water I’ve ever seen, floating along with just a handful of tourists, after driving through a dry, fire-scorched highway. It was surreal.

Wrapping Up the Trip

Friday was dedicated to exploring the area and the station we were on, planning the next stages of our installation. We had a bit of fun with the local wildlife and met some friendly folks along the way.

Saturday was all about helping wrap up the install before heading back to Darwin. A quick (and much-needed) car wash for the Mazda – not sure rental cars are meant to get quite that dirty! – then it was off to the airport. Just made it in time, though our flight was delayed.

Final Thoughts

The Northern Territory was everything I hoped it would be – vast, rugged stations, larger-than-life characters, and that thrilling 130 km/h speed limit on the open road. It’s a place where every trip is an adventure, and I can’t wait to get back out there. Until next time, Territory!

The post Land Watch in the Territory: A Journey through the Top End appeared first on Land Watch Australia.

Listen below from minute 34!

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We were recently featured on the Seven News channels across Queensland, showcasing what Land Watch systems are doing for crime in rural areas.

We are always grateful to be given a platform to share our beginnings and bring awareness to the growing need for farm security, while also educating those on how to protect their properties.

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Though simple cameras and video feeds might not seem like the kind of amazing, futuristic tech that really gets people excited, these tools – paired with the processing and detective power of AI and machine learning – have the possibility to unlock a ton of value without huge capital investments. 

Today, we’re learning more about one business here in Australia that’s tackling the farm security space, and seeing it grow and transform rapidly before their eyes. Our guest is John Hill, Co-founder and Chief Storyteller at Land Watch Australia, who discusses:

• Why simple video monitoring is becoming even more valuable as climate change advances, for detecting biosecurity issues, water and land risks, and discouraging bad actors
• What farm security is, what value it offers to farmers and other rural property owners, and how it’s grown
• How he and his family have built a business model to serve regional Australia in the farm security space, and how he expects it to transform with the help of advanced software tools.

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Farmbot Security – powered by Land Watch, offers additional security while working alongside Farmbot’s water monitoring products

Australian Ag-tech brands Farmbot and Land Watch Australia have launched their new partnership Farmbot Security, powered by Land Watch, at Beef 2024 in Rockhampton.

Using Land Watch’s farm security systems, Farmbot will be able to provide self-installed 4G-powered security solutions to its customers.

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On 22 June 2024, the International Society for the Study of Rural Crime and the UNE Centre for Rural Criminology hosted an engaging roundtable discussion on “The Role of Ag-Tech in Preventing and Policing Rural Crime”.

This event explored how cutting-edge agricultural technologies can enhance crime prevention and policing efforts in rural areas. Experts from academia, industry, and law enforcement shared insights and innovations aimed at fostering a collaborative approach to tackling rural crime.

Watch John below from minute 36!

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On this episode Andrew Coppin and John Hill unveil an innovative partnership that directly addresses the growing demand for farm and station security.

This seamless solution integrates cameras and water monitoring systems, providing comprehensive protection and connectivity for your farm. Enhance the security of your machinery, property, and livestock with this cutting-edge technology.

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The hottest farm commodity among thieves is fuel; Landcruiser’s go walkabout more than any other vehicle and the crime that hurts the most is stolen livestock.

Who is doing the stealing?

Pig shooters and roo hunters, the odd person who just happens to drive by and, unfortunately, farm employees.

These were some of the fascinating insights to come from one of the country’s leading farm surveillance mobs, Land Watch, during a presentation on rural crime at the Australian Brahman Breeders’ Association in Brisbane this month.

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Farmers are going to extra lengths to secure their properties from criminal activity, the founder of a rural farming surveillance company has said.

Land Watch Australia’s John Hill, whose enterprise provides on-farm surveillance technology to rural and remote producers, said demand for his company’s cameras had grown noticeably over the past two months.

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Daniel Allan, lead technician with Land Watch Australia, was at Farm Fest 2022 to explain the company’s systems for security, farm monitoring and property automation including automatic gates, turning pumps on and off, and other remote property control.

The company was established in 2015 by two young brothers on the Sunshine Coast who spend holidays on a cattle property at Blackall, Queensland.

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