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Plant composition (relative frequency) and ground cover data were collected from typically grazed black speargrass (Heteropogon contortus) and Aristida/Bothriochloa pasture community sites in the semi-arid woodlands of north-east Queensland. After a prolonged drought, desirable decreaser perennial grass frequency was low on the majority of sites but this did not relate, to a larger than expected frequency of undesirable increaser Aristida spp. The intermediate grass Chrysopogon fallax had moderate frequencies. Cover was low regardless of community. The data are presented as a benchmark of condition with regard to previous surveys, state and transition models and the inherent variability of these rangelands.