"A system moving through like this doesn't break the drought, it provides relief, but we really need a month of this type of rain," federation president David Crombie told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

"We need to fill water tables that have been depleted over the years, that will in turn run creeks and rivers and, of course, fill dams.

"So, you know, there's a fair way to go yet, but what we've received is very, very welcome and we'd like more."

The rainfall, as high as 70 millimetres in some parts, surprised those living in some rural areas where roads have become waterlogged and schools have been forced to cancel sporting activities because of the deluge.

"It's just nice to see that it still can rain," said Anne Arnold of Condobolin in New South Wales' central west.

Mark Pickford from Yeoval, southwest of Sydney, described himself as happy as a "dog with two tails."

"It's still showering, yes, beautiful, grass will grow," he said.

In southern Victoria state, more heavy rain is expected later Friday and across the weekend.

"Things have been extremely dry, we've been eating dust for a long time like everyone else, (it's) just great," said Linda Sommerville of Rochester in central Victoria.

But the rain clouds have bypassed most of South Australia and along the Murray-Darling river system in eastern Australia, the country's main agricultural zone, the rain had minimal impact on water storage levels.

The Murray-Darling Basin Commission said there was little increased stream flow, and water storage remained at six percent of capacity.

"There may be some direct effect on the river in reduced evaporation but we won't be able to tell that for a couple of days," commission chief executive Wendy Craik said. "We need lots more."

Prime Minister John Howard, who last month warned that farmers in the Murray Darling would be stripped of irrigation water unless it rained by June, welcomed the downpour.

"Some of our prayers have been answered," he said.

"We need days, weeks more of that to say that the drought has ended."

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