Sprawling 233,000ha Qld cattle station sells for almost $50m

A massive outback Queensland cattle station – bigger than 25 countries including Singapore and Hong Kong – has sold at auction for the first time in 40 years.

The sprawling cattle station sold for almost $50m. Pic: Stockplace Marketing

A sprawling Queensland cattle station that’s bigger than more than 20 individual countries around the world has sold for almost $50m.

May Downs Station, 28km west of Mt Isa, was snapped up for $47.5m at auction on Thursday.

Owned by James and Marjorie Lord, the 233,000ha (2330 sq km) property is bigger than 25 countries including Singapore, Hong Kong and Mauritius.

The property, which was offered for sale for the first time in almost 40 years, was bought by Cloncurry-based McMillan Pastoral Pty Ltd to add to a two million hectare portfolio including seven cattle stations in Queensland and one in the Northern Territory.

May Downs boasted 8000 head of cattle, working plant and “extensive water development and infrastructure”.

The station is a whopping 233,000ha. Pic: Stockplace Marketing

It sold amid “lively bidding” at a packed auction at the Ibis Mt Isa, according to selling agent Stockplace Marketing.

“Inquiries came from across Queensland, the Northern Territory and NSW, along with international interest,” Stockplace said.

“Strong bidding started at $40m and (the property) sold under the hammer at $47.5m.”

Agent Luke Westaway said the sale highlighted the continued strength of the rural land sector.

“May Downs is a quality asset that has positively performed in the current market,” he said.

Auctioneer Phil Black, of the Gold Coast, said the sale was “one of the absolute highlights” of his career.

“The strength and energy in the room was dynamic,” he said.

Mr Lord said: “We were interested in presenting our property to the market and accepting the result on the day. We are very happy.”

Originally published as Sprawling 233,000ha Qld cattle station sells for almost $50m