Graziers in the Canberra region have been pleasantly surprised by April's rain but say much more is needed to break the drought.

Geoff Mitchell from Larkhill property in Goulburn received 50 millimetres on the weekend, nearly half of the total rainfall he has received all year.  "This rainfall is going to give us something we never expected," he said.

Michael Retallack from Uriarra Crossing also received 50 millimetres.  "We hopefully will get a little bit of growth - we're obviously still feeding sheep and we will be all winter, but some paddocks that I've had locked up have spurred on the glover [grass], which will be very helpful," he said.  "Now we need the follow up - let's hope this has broken the cycle."

Canberra Airport received 27.6 millimetres over April, with most of that falling last weekend.  More rain is expected in the ACT on Thursday.