Environmental factors influencing cattle's water consumption at offstream watering points in rangeland beef cattle

•Water availability influences cattle drinking behaviour and distribution.•Cattle consume approximately half of their daily requirements from offstream watering points where they have river access.•Rainfall events affects both vegetation and cattle drinking water quality and is a significant factor influencing water consumption from offstream watering points.•Overall rangeland beef cattle use offstream watering points differently in paddocks with and without river access.