Aussie famers desperate to leave their cattle stations and nip the couple of hundred kilometres to the nearest net-enabled boozer to down a few cold ones might soon benefit from an internet remote-monitoring system which allows absent Outbackers to keep an eye on things back at the ranch.

The technology - developed by researchers at The University of New England in rural New South Wales state and Telstra - offers both real-time security surveillance of farm gates and the possibility of security alerts to mobile phones if anyone - or rogue cattle, presumably - passes through these portals.

Brendan Doyle, assistant director of the New England uni's Institute for Rural Futures, told Reuters: "The system sends back a text message via mobile phone if anyone goes through the gate," adding that the net monitoring facility "could save farmers travel time and fuel expenses". ®