Andrew ‘Twiggy’ and Nicola Forrest to buy Balfour Downs cattle station in WA

A 634,000ha premier cattle station in Western Australia’s Pilbara region has been bought by one of Australia’s richest families for at least $32m.

One of Western Australia’s largest cattle stations will return to Australian ownership after billionaires Andrew ‘Twiggy’ and Nicola Forrest announced their intention to purchase the property for $32m-plus.

Balfour Downs pastoral station, which spans 634,000ha, has been purchased by the Forrest family’s agribusiness company, Harvest Road.

The deal is subject to approval by the Western Australian Minister for Lands.

Balfour Downs was listed for sale by Chinese businessman Xingfa Ma in March last year, with a price tag between $32m and $40m.

The station, which has rarely changed hands in the past 100 years, is located in WA’s Pilbara region and includes three separate pastoral leases.

Tattarang chief investment officer John Hartman said Balfour Downs will form an important part of Harvest Road’s beef producing plans.

“For more than a century, Balfour Downs has been an important part of the development of Australia’s cattle industry,” he said.

“We are committed to preserving this legacy and investing in its future to further enhance this iconic property’s status as some of the most productive pastoral lands in WA.”

For the past six years TBG Agribusiness have managed the stations.

Managing Director of TBG Agribusiness Andrew Blythe said he was extremely pleased to see the legacy of Balfour Down continued by the Forrest family.

“Over the past six years, TBG Group has proudly operated Balfour Downs, investing in its future and reinforcing its status as one of the most respected breeding stations in Australia,” he said.

“We couldn’t think of more perfect new custodians than the Forrests to safeguard the future of the station for many generations to come.”

The eight-figure sale includes approximately 12,000 head of cattle, predominantly Brahman with some Droughtmaster cattle.

Modern infrastructure including a newly built homestead, staff quarters, sheds and 3,000 head capacity steel cattle yards.

Earlier in February one of Australia’s biggest landholders completed a major land deal that included four NT stations at 1.1m ha.

Originally published as Andrew ‘Twiggy’ and Nicola Forrest to buy Balfour Downs cattle station in WA