Bigger than a small country: Australia’s largest cattle stations for sale

Australia’s largest cattle stations - some running up to 20,000 livestock and boasting 20-plus dams - are on the market. More than 1.8 million hectares - larger than a small country - are up for grabs.

Northern Australian cattle station owners are taking advantage of improved weather conditions to put their properties on the market with hundreds of thousands of square kilometres of land and large herds of livestock on offer.

While southern Australia is suffering from drought, JLL director of Agribusiness Geoff Warriner said rainfall in northern Australia over the past couple of months, has played well into vendors’ hands improving conditions and working to assist sellers to realise sales.

“Purchasers have also benefited with the rainfall providing improved conditions when forecasting cashflows during the first 12 to 18 months of new ownership,” he said.

“The market for A grade properties remains strong and we’re not predicting any downturn in this area.”

Mr Warriner said while the number of buyers was reducing, ultimate price realisations for premium properties remain at or around levels seen over the last 12 months.

“B and C grade properties are seeing increased transaction times, this however is not uncommon during periods of uncertainty as generated by the current geopolitical climate,” he said.

The biggest cattle stations on the market total up to the size of a small country, with 1.8 million hectares for sale just from the stations listed below.

Some have more than 20 dams and run up to 20,000 cattle while others are expected to fetch up to $40 million.

See Australia’s biggest cattle stations for sale.

Benmara

With price expectations of around $40m renowned Northern Territory cattle station Benmara has been listed for sale on behalf of Hartree Partners.

Spanning an area of about 451,176ha, with an estimated carrying capacity of 17,500 cattle the station offers substantial potential for further development and expansion.

On the Barkly Tablelands, about 100km west of the Queensland/Northern Territory border, Benmara has been marketed as a rare opportunity to acquire a large-scale cattle breeding property with significant growth and income diversification potential.

CBRE Agribusiness’ Andrew Loughnan and John Harrison, who are managing the expressions of interest campaign, said the property, along with its clean skin livestock, will be sold on an “As Is, Where Is” basis.

Renowned Northern Territory cattle station Benmara has been listed for sale on behalf of Hartree Partners

Interest is expected from Australian pastoralists, institutions, overseas investors, and high-net-worth domestic investors, particularly those seeking a large-scale breeding operation to support a broader domestic supply chain.

“Benmara has been largely destocked over the past 18 months. During this period, the property has benefited from good rainfall and better pasture growth, making the clean skin cattle an attractive prospect for an astute operator,” Mr Loughnan said.

Existing improvements include a well-appointed homestead compound comprising two residences, staff quarters, a kitchen, a storage shed, machinery shedding and a cattle yard.

Hartree is jointly owned by its senior management, along with funds managed by Oaktree, an arm of funds giant Brookfield, which specialises in alternative investments and has around $320bn in assets under management.is a global commodities trader and carbon player, part-owned by funds giant Brookfield.

Hartree took over Benmara in May last year on its own after its original partner for the property, the Wealthcheck agricultural investment platform led by Sam Mitchell, collapsed.

The expressions of interest campaign closed on May 1.

May Downs

After 38 years in the same hands James and Marjorie Lord have put their cattle breeding and finishing property May Downs in far north Queensland on the market.

The 233,000ha property is 28km west of Mount Isa and included in the walk-in walkout sale is a handover muster of 8000 head will be guaranteed for the first round, with an estimated 9500 head expected.

Stockplace Marketing agents Luke Westaway and James Coates have been appointed to handle the sale, of the tick free pastoral holding.

May Downs has been meticulously maintained as a rangeland system aimed at creating an ecologically sustainable mix of native and introduced pastures, along with extensive ground cover and regenerative woodlands.

The property is watered by 23 bores, 24 dams, as well as seasonal waterholes along the Templeton River and the Mingera, Wilfred and Sherrin Creeks, supported by 400mm of annual average rainfall. Infrastructure includes a home, a number of dwellings, numerous sheds and multiple cattle yards.

May Downs will be auctioned on May 29.

the 233,000ha May Downs station is 28km west of Mount Isa is up for auction

Kallanda

A Northern Territory property bought 20 years ago in an underdeveloped state has been put on the market by long-term owners Lach and Penny Thomson.

They embarked on an extensive and targeted development program which transformed Kallanda – 90km west of Ingham in north Queensland – into the productive asset.

The 27,700ha property on a single rolling term lease has 35 secure water supplies, 19 paddocks and sustainably runs a herd of more than 2300 mixed cattle.

This EU accredited property is well suited to breeding and backgrounding and would integrate well into a larger breeding operation or as the supply hub for a backgrounding/fattening operation.

The property is being sold partially stocked with over 520 quality brahman breeders and replacement heifers, providing an opportunity for any purchaser to relocate additional cattle if required.

It’s estimated that the property will sustainably run 1750 breeders and followers plus 300 replacement heifers and is offered to the market partially stocked with over 520 highly regarded cattle.

Nutrien Harcourts agent David Woodhouse said Kallanda has been the beneficiary of over 20 years of extensive and targeted development to ensure strong productivity and comfortable living in all seasons.

“With a central location to most markets, the benefit of a substantial secondary income – the property positions itself above its peers in the market and would be a beneficial addition to any existing operation or stand alone as it has done for over 20 years,” he said.

Kallanda will be auctioned on May 15.

One of the dams at Kallanda Station which is on the market.

Murrunji and Neutral Junction

The Pickersgill family’s Bunderra Cattle Company is consolidating its assets and has put two large-scale Northern Territory breeding properties spanning more than 900,000ha and running around 20,000 cattle on the market.

The sale of the 447,500ha Murrunji Station, southwest of Daly Waters and the 460,900ha Neutral Junction near Barrow Creek is being run via an expressions of interest campaign by

Andrew Gray of Andrew Gray Land & Livestock and JLL Agribusiness’ Mr Warriner and Chris Holgar.

During their five year ownership of Murrunji Station, the Pickersgills have undertaken extensive improvements including new fencing and laneways, installing a further seven cattle yards and an additional ten bores. Around 14,000 breeders are expected to be included in the Murrunji sale.

Established in 1907 and grazed since 1884, Neutral Junction will be sold with around 5400 breeders plus followers. In addition to the 25 equipped bores, 20 water tanks, ten turkey nests and five dams, a 1654ML underground water extraction licence feeds two centre pivots spanning 120ha of reclaimer Rhodes grass.

Murranji and Neutral Junction stations is on the market.

Douglas West

The Tipperary Group’s Northern Territory holding Douglas West is back on the market after a deal 12 months ago failed to transact.

The 42,300ha property is 166km south of Darwin and while its highest and best use is cattle production, Douglas West is also suited to dryland and irrigated cropping.

It once formed part of Douglas Station which was subdivided by the Tipperary Group into Douglas, Douglas South (both since sold) and Douglas West.

The reasonably undeveloped block is carrying a significant volume of native and improved pastures, offering potential for further development. It has abundant natural water with significant underground aquifers and permanent and semipermanent above ground springs.

The Tipperary Group is owned and operated by the Booloomani Corporation (a group of strategic investors) and Branir Pty Ltd – owned by prominent barrister and businessman Allan Myers.

It also owns the neighbouring 209,842ha Tipperary East and West and the adjoining 133,859ha Litchfield.

Over the past five years, the group has invested significant funds into the development of

Douglas West is being offered for sale via expressions of interest closing on May 30.

Tipperary Group's Douglas West Station in the Northern Territory.

Tulmur Aggregation

Cattle identity Stirling Buntine is seeking to offload his large-scale breeding, backgrounding and finishing aggregation in central western Queensland that has returned to the market after three years.

The 54,300ha Tulmur, 14,140ha Tranby and 6220ha Owens Creek were offered for sale in April 2022 after less than three years ownership but were withdrawn one month later following good rain.

JLL Agribusiness and RPL have been appointed to sell the 74,660ha aggregation that sits on the banks of the Diamantina River about 100km southwest of Winton.

It has been reported that there are price expectations of about $20m.

The aggregation is estimated to run around 4000 adult equivalents or 3000 breeders plus progeny.

JLL’s Mr Holgar said the land and soil types are complimentary yet productive and what make the central west region of Queensland desirable, providing the ability to produce cattle, sheep meat and wool.

Infrastructure includes two homestead complexes (Tulmur and Tranby), quality fencing and three cattle yards.

Buntine’s is a renowned name in northern Australia and Stirling’s father Noel, after whom the Buntine Highway in northern Australia is named, created a transport and pastoral empire in the north.

Nine years ago, Sterling Buntine was part of a consortium of four major family graziers bidding against Gina Rinehart for Australia’s largest landholder, S Kidman & Co.

The Tulmur, Tranby and Owens Creek Aggregation is offered for sale bare of livestock, plant and equipment, via an expressions of interest process closing on May 29.

Tulmur Aggregation owner Stirling Buntine.

Wadeholme

After 42 years of ownership two stations in breeding, backgrounding and finishing country in southwest Queensland is being offered for sale.

For the second time in 100 years by the 19,733ha Wadeholme is 90km west of Augathella is on the market.

In a 450mm rainfall area, the property has established to buffet pastures, soft natural grasses and a mixture of salines and herbages. Extensive mulga areas pushed over the years are also growing buffet, as well as extensive low mulga regrowth reserves.

Wadeholme is watered by 14 dams, numerous semipermanent waterholes, a new sub-bore and two older bores.

Infrastructure includes a three-bedroom home, a two-bedroom cottage, cattle yards, an old shearing shed and two sheds.

Bare of stock but with some plant and equipment Elders will auction Wadeholme on June 18.

The lush grass at Wadeholme in Queensland's south west.

Valley of Lagoons and Reedybrook

Two north Queensland cattle stations owned by the same person have been put on the market as separate sales.

Patrick Sheahan is offering two picturesque and adjoining cattle stations for separate private sales in North Queensland.

The 51,829ha historic Valley of Lagoons boasts 28km of Burdekin River frontage and is being offered to the market with more than 4000 grey and red Brahmans, although it has the capacity to run around 6000 head.

Believed to be North Queensland’s first settled cattle station, it is 250km north of Charters Towers and offers spectacular scenery encompassing waterfalls, picturesque escarpments and extensive lake systems.

Stockplace Marketing agent Luke Westaway said Valley of Lagoons is known for its reliable rainfall, the property is experiencing a perfect wet season with lush pastures and abundant water prepared for the 2025 year ahead.

An aerial of Valley of Lagoons station.

The adjoining 9387ha freehold Reedybrook Station which is a breeding and finishing block with abundant natural water.

Capable of running 2000 Adult Equivalents, the sale includes more than 900 head of mostly red Brahman cattle, as well as plant.

The diverse landscape includes sheltered valleys, basalt and undulating conglomerate and granite country.

Reedybrook boasts 24km of single and double frontage to the Burdekin River, with the spring-fed Expedition and Reedybrook Creek systems creating additional natural watering points.