From dust bowl to lush green land: photographer captures farms' recovery from drought

One year after photographer Brook Mitchell captured the drought-stricken fields on two NSW farms, he has returned to record their striking transformation after heavy winter rains.

Last year at the start of the drought, Sydney-based Mr Mitchell travelled to two properties near Coonabarabran in central NSW.

His images captured fields turned to dust bowls with no sign of crops growing or animals grazing as soaring temperatures and months without rain left farmers devastated.

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But Mr Mitchell returned this year to find the landscaped transformed.

"Driving into the region it was just a relief to see how green the place was. After the events of this year, any good news feels great to cover," he told Nine.com.au

"The difference from previous years was night and day. From dust storms and dead livestock to the lush green you can see in the photos."

One of his striking images was taken at 'Windy Hill', a property just outside Coonabarabran, run by the Taylor family.

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A photo from last year showed their young son Harry wearing a bone mask and standing in a parched field under heavy grey skies. 

But 12 months on, he is standing among a sea of green, lush crops and the property's dam has risen from just 10 per cent full last year to nearly 100 per cent.

Mr Mitchell said he felt it was important to record the good times as well as the bad.

"When people are willing to share during their worst moments it feels like the right thing to do to share some of the joy they have when things turnaround."  

Spring and winter rain across Australia's agricultural regions has boosted crop production forecasts.

And Mr Mitchell said after years of drought and favourable weather forecasts, farmers are hopeful about this year's harvest.

"The farmers in the region are optimistic, with many saying it's been the best season in 20 years.  With the favourable La Nina forecast, they are really hoping the good run continues."