What we do
Water bore drilling, done properly
Water bore drilling is the process of drilling a lined hole into an underground aquifer so groundwater can be pumped to the surface for stock, domestic, irrigation, commercial or industrial use.
Darr Drilling has been sinking bores across southern and south west Queensland for more than forty years. Every bore is drilled by a fully licensed water driller, constructed in line with the Minimum Construction Requirements for Water Bores in Australia, and built to keep delivering long after the rig leaves the paddock.
A bore is a long-term investment in your property. Get the siting, the depth and the casing right and it will run for decades. Get it wrong and you pay for it every year after. That is the difference four decades of local drilling records makes.
Who we drill for
Bores for every property type
From a single house bore on a residential block through to multi-rig programmes for resource clients, the same crews and the same standards apply.
Capability
Bores for every property type
From a single house bore on a residential block through to multi-rig programmes for resource clients, the same crews and the same standards apply.
Start to finish
How a bore gets drilled
| Site assessment | We look at your property, your water requirement, nearby registered bore records and the local geology to work out where — and how deep — to drill. |
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| Approvals & compliance | We confirm what entitlements or approvals apply to your property and intended water use, so the bore is legal from the first metre. |
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| Mobilisation | The right rig for the ground conditions is mobilised from Roma or Miles, with crew accommodation and support gear sorted before we arrive. |
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| Drilling | The hole is drilled to target depth, logging the formations we pass through and identifying water-bearing zones as we go. |
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| Construction & casing | Casing, screens and gravel pack are installed and the bore is sealed to prevent surface water or contaminants entering the aquifer. |
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| Development & testing | The bore is developed to clear the formation and flow tested so you know what it actually yields before you size a pump. |
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| Handover | You receive the bore record and construction details, and we can advise on pump selection, installation and ongoing maintenance. |
Where we drill
Our Queensland service area
Darr Drilling operates from bases at Roma and Miles. The districts below are within standard service range for water bore drilling, with fast mobilisation times.
Maranoa
- Roma
- Mitchell
- Injune
- Morven
- Surat
- Wallumbilla
Western Downs & Darling Downs
- Miles
- Chinchilla
- Condamine
- Taroom
- Tara
- Dalby
- Wandoan
South West Queensland
- Charleville
- Augathella
- Quilpie
- Cunnamulla
- Eromanga
- Thargomindah
- Tambo
- Blackall
Balonne & Border
- St George
- Dirranbandi
- Bollon
- Goondiwindi
- Mungindi
Outside these districts? We take on larger contract, multi-rig and long-term drilling programmes more widely across Queensland — we’ve worked in 152 Queensland towns. For single bores, we service the districts listed above. Give us a call and we’ll tell you straight away whether your job is one
for us.
Common questions
Water bore drilling questions
Cost depends on depth, hole diameter, casing, ground conditions and site access, so every bore is quoted individually. Agree the terms in writing before you start, including the charge for a dry hole versus a completed bore. Our quotes are free and we respond within 24 hours.
Cost depends on depth, hole diameter, casing, ground conditions and site access, so every bore is quoted individually. Agree the terms in writing before you start, including the charge for a dry hole versus a completed bore. Our quotes are free and we respond within 24 hours.
Taking groundwater for stock and domestic use is permitted anywhere in Queensland. Other uses, such as irrigation or commercial supply, generally need a water licence in declared groundwater management areas, and you may also need a development approval to construct the bore. Any bore deeper than 6 metres must be drilled by a licensed water bore driller.
It depends entirely on the aquifer beneath your property, and the range across this part of Queensland is wide. Shallow subartesian bores sit at one end, deep artesian bores into the Great Artesian Basin at the other. Nearby bore records are the best guide before a site assessment.
It depends on depth, ground conditions and travel to site. Hard rock and deeper artesian bores take considerably longer than shallow bores in soft country. We give you a realistic timeframe with your quote.
Not automatically. Quality varies by aquifer and needs testing before anyone drinks it. We also recommend disinfecting new bores with a sterilising agent, because iron bacteria can be carried between bores and are very difficult to clear once established.
No driller can guarantee volume or quality, because both depend on the aquifer. What we can do is use four decades of regional drilling records and a proper site assessment to give you the best possible chance, and agree the terms for a dry hole up front.
We complete a drill log for every bore, plus a cementing report in the GABORA area, and lodge them with the department. Ask for your copy, as it holds construction details that help diagnose problems years later. Test yield and quality before sizing a pump, then we can handle ongoing maintenance.
We operate from Roma and Miles across the Maranoa, Western Downs, Darling Downs, Balonne and south west Queensland, including Charleville, Mitchell, St George, Chinchilla, Dalby, Taroom, Condamine, Cunnamulla and Quilpie. Larger contract and multi rig projects are undertaken more widely across the state.
Ready to Get Your Water Bore Started?
We’ll get back to you within 24 hours with a free, no-obligation quote.
Get in touch
Contact Our Team
Whether you need a new water bore, maintenance on an existing system, or expert advice — our team is ready to help.
