Oulnina Park, farm at centre of Tanja Ebert’s disappearance, up for lease

THE farm at the centre of the disappearance of Tanja Ebert is up for lease only months after police conducted yet another search of the sprawling 40,000ha station.

• Mother of Michael Burdon accuses police of breach of duty of care
• Police relaunch search for Tanja Ebert
• How her smile hid secret pain of unhappiness
• Police search husband Michael Burdon’s sheep station
• Husband kills himself as police investigate wife’s presumed murder
• The backpacker, the grazier and a tragic mystery

THE sprawling farm property at the centre of the mystery disappearance of Tanja Ebert is up for lease only months after police divers were called in to search dams and ponds for signs of the missing woman.

The historic remote property, Oulnina Park, 22km south of Mannahill, on the Barrier Highway between Peterborough and Broken Hill has been the focus of investigations by Major Crime detectives since the 23-year-old disappeared in August 8, 2017.

Her husband, Michael Burdon, 41, said the last time he saw his wife was when she walked away from the car about 7pm on August 8 after an argument near Roseworthy.

Tanja Ebert and Michael Burdon during their wedding at Oulnina Park Station. Picture: Supplied

The homestead at Oulnina Park Station. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Police searched for Ms Ebert throughout the scrub on the outskirts of Roseworthy but found no trace of the woman.

The focus of the search turned to Oulnina Park and as detectives descended on the rural property to interview Mr Burdon and search its sprawling expanse, the farmer killed himself with police officers only metres away.

Police have searched the property three times, using mounted police to cover the rough terrain and divers to comb the property’s dams and lakes.

They have not ruled out further searches of the property where the young couple were married in February 2017.

Since his death a close friend of Mr Burdon became caretaker of the station.

Now the property is up for long-term lease with the enormous property advertised as having “several water courses, surrounding lower hills and undulating areas which open to generally flat pastured lands”.

The chained entrance of Oulnina Park station in SA. Picture: David Geraghty / The Australian.

The view from the top of the hill where Tanja and Michael were married. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Principal realtor Geoff Schell said the property had an excellent production record and was subject to a rare long-term lease.

Ms Schell said he did not wish to comment on the the property’s history but said he had high hopes for its future profitability.

The almost-40,000ha farm includes a five-bedroom homestead, staff quarters, numerous outbuildings and thousands of dollars worth of farm equipment.

The probable murder-suicide is not the first tragedy for the Burdon family. Michael’s brother Mark took his own life in May 1997, and his father Peter died after a brain tumour in April 2014.

Real estate agents Ray White are asking for expressions of interest into the farm, which has a maximum pastoral limit of 6000 sheep.

For help with depression, suicidal thoughts or personal problems, call Lifeline on 13 11 15 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636