Historic South Australia farming properties Red Creek and Karinya Station put on the market
Two well-known farming brothers have decided to sell historic properties near the Barossa Valley — including one which has been in their family for five generations.
SA News
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Two brothers have decided to dissolve their farming partnership by putting two properties — including one which has been in their family for five generations — on the market.
Agents acting for sheep and cattle breeders Joe and Graham Keynes are seeking expressions of interest in Red Creek and Karinya Station at Keyneton, near the Barossa Valley.
Red Creek was established by one of their ancestors, Joseph Keynes, in the 1840s while Karinya Station has been operating since 1910.
Joe Keynes, the president of Livestock SA, said his daughter and her husband would keep farming another nearby property, Keyneton Estate, while Graham had decided to sell up because none of his children wanted to take over.
“My brother and I have been in a long-term partnership operating the land and, as happens with succession, we are going through a business restructure,” he said.
“We are retaining one of the properties while the other two will be sold.”
Graham Keynes said he and his wife had reluctantly decided to sell their farm because none of their children — two sons and a daughter — were interested in agriculture.
Mr Keynes said it had been a difficult decision but he was looking forward to retirement after working the land for three decades.
“I am 61 now and looking to do something different,” he said.
“The reality is that none of my children are interesting in farming and we didn’t want to put any pressure on them to take over.”
Mr Keynes said he had mixed feelings about selling a farm which had been in his family for five generations.
“It’s been a beautiful lifestyle for the past 35 years and there are days when I am really sad but it’s just time to explore something else,” he said.
Red Creek and Karinya Station are neighbouring properties which cover a total of 4596ha in the eastern Barossa Ranges.
Approximately 30 kilometres of stone walls traverse the two properties, which feature natural springs, gorges, open grazing hills and multiple dams.
Selling agent Jesse Manuel, of Colliers International, said the farms were renowned for producing high quality Merino wool and Angus beef cattle.
Mr Manuel said the centrepiece of Karinya Station was a 100-year-old homestead while another home on the property recently had been renovated.
Expressions of interest are being sought.