This time last week, Western Queensland grazier Cameron Kennedy was desperately praying for rain - now all he wants is for it to stop.
His Castle Hill property outside Winton is now an island surrounded by an inland sea after receiving "bloody heaps" of rain, some 348mm since Tuesday.
Graziers across Queensland's channel country are celebrating with falls in excess of 100mm in drought declared regions including Julia Creek, Cloncurry, May Downs and Mount Isa.
"We've been desperate for rain, just probably not this much," Mr Kennedy said.
"It was well and truly needed. A lot of people have been struggling with the lack of rain."
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Mr Kennedy says he expects his property to be isolated for more than a week.
"It will take 10 days at least for this to get away but we'll get a decent feed out of this for sure."
He's worried about how the 1200 head of cattle on the property are coping with the big wet.
"I have no idea, I can't get around to have a look. We'll have to do that by air."
Winton Mayor Gavin Baskett said most properties throughout the region had received "good soaking rain" and the Diamantina River was two metres over the road in places.
"It has been bloody fantastic; the graziers are just loving it and the grass is already starting to come through."
Further south, Angus Emmott said it had been nine years since any decent summer rains at his Noonbah Station southwest of Longreach which welcomed more than 80mm this week.
"We're pretty happy about it, I have to tell you," he said.
Cattle numbers at the station have dwindled from several thousand to 300 during the tough conditions.
Mr Emmott said the country needed time to recover and follow-up rain in coming months would still be needed.
"When the country's ready, we'll think about restocking," he said.
Bureau of Meteorology Queensland State Manager Bruce Gunn said heavy rain and damaging winds were expected with 75-125mm possible in a six-hour period.
"That's some good news, actually, for people out there because of the drought conditions that have been persistent for so long, so it is welcome rain."
