Who owns Australia’s biggest farms? Top 165 stations and their owners

Scale is king when it comes to Australian agriculture but who exactly owns our biggest farms? See the full list of more than 165 properties and their owners.

FAMILIES still rule when it comes to the ownership of Australia’s biggest farms.

A special investigation by The Weekly Times can reveal 13 of the nation’s top 25 properties are owned by individuals or family companies with 11 held by foreign-backed pastoral companies and one by the Federal Government.

The 2.4 million hectare Anna Creek Station near Coober Pedy in South Australia is the nation’s biggest farm. It was purchased by the Williams family of Williams Cattle Company from pastoral giant S Kidman and Co in 2016.

The second-biggest property is the 1.65 million hectare Clifton Hills Station, also in South Australia on the Birdsville Track, which was purchased by the Oldfield and Costello families of Crown Point Pastoral last year.

The investigation found more than 20 stations were at least one million hectares in size.

Of the 25 biggest stations, three belong to partially-Chinese owned S Kidman and Co and ASX-listed Australian Agricultural Company with Crown Pastoral and Macquarie Bank fund Paraway Pastoral each holding two.

Others are owned by the likes of Queensland Investment Corporation-backed North Australian Pastoral Company, Hughes Pastoral, Western Grazing and Jumbuck Pastoral Company.

Australia’s biggest properties and their owners

1. Anna Creek Station and The Peake, Coober Pedy SA — 2,367,700ha
Williams Cattle Company

2. Clifton Hills, South Australia — 1,650,000ha
Crown Point Pastoral Company

3. Alexandria Station, Camooweal NT — 1,641,416ha
North Australian Pastoral Company

4. Lake Nash Station, Barkly Tableland NT — 1,600,000ha
Hughes Pastoral

5. Davenport Downs, Winton QLD — 1,510,000ha
Paraway Pastoral/Macquarie Ag

6. Innamincka Station, Leigh Creek SA — 1,355,000ha
S Kidman and Co

7. Home Valley, WA — 1,316,400ha
Indigenous Land Corporation

8. Marion Downs Station, Boulia QLD — 1,287,000ha
North Australian Pastoral Company

9. Brunette Downs Station, Tennant Creek NT — 1,221,200ha
Australian Agricultural Company

Huge holding: Brunette Downs in the Northern Territory.

10. De Grey Station, Port Headland WA — 1,214,100ha
Bettini Bros

11. Quinyambie Station, Broken Hill NSW — 1,206,500ha
Mutooroo Pastoral Company

12. Wave Hill Station, Victoria River NT — 1,200,000ha
Western Grazing Company

13. Macumba Station, Oodnadatta SA — 1,100,000ha
S Kidman and Co

14. Andado Station, Alice Springs NT — 1,085,000ha
Crown Point Pastoral Company

15. Newcastle Waters Station, Newcastle Waters NT — 1,033,101ha
Consolidated Pastoral Company

16. Headingly Station, Mt Isa QLD — 1,003,200ha
Australian Agricultural Company

17. Tanbar Station, Windorah QLD — 1,021,904ha
Paraway Pastoral/Macquarie Ag

18. Rawlinna Station, Rawlinna WA — 1,011,714ha
Jumbuck Pastoral

19. Mt Freeling Station, Lyndhurst SA — 1,002,000ha

20. Barkly Downs, Camooweal QLD — 1,000,000ha
Australian Country Choice/Acton Land and Cattle

21. Commonwealth Hill, Coober Pedy SA — 1,000,000ha
Jumbuck Pastoral

22. Walhallow/Cresswell Downs, Tennant Creek NT. 999,700ha
Brett Blundy Retail Capital

23. Anthony Lagoon/Eva Downs, Tennant Creek NT — 934,900ha
Australian Agricultural Company

24. Strathmore, Croydon QLD. 931,000ha
Scott Harris

25. Durham Downs Station, Eromanga QLD — 891,000ha
S Kidman and Co

26. Adria Downs, Birdsville QLD — 870,000ha
Brook Proprietors

27. Avon and Austral Downs, Camooweal QLD — 863,100ha
Australian Agricultural Company

28. Nockatunga Station, Thargomindah QLD — 852,000ha
Cleveland Agriculture

29. Yougawalla, Kimberley WA — 843,800ha
Hui Wing Mau — China

30. Flora Valley, Kimberley WA — 824,400ha
Heytesbury Cattle Company

31. Cordillo Downs, Birdsville QLD — 780,000ha
Brook Pastoral Company

32. Dunbar Station, Maramie QLD — 777,000ha
McDonald Holdings

33. Naryilco Station, Tibooburra QLD — 751,000ha
S Kidman and Co

34. Mount Doreen Station, Papunya NT — 733,700ha
Passchendaele Cattle Company

35. Nappa Merrie Station, Thargomindah QLD — 720,000ha
Morella Agriculture

36. Todmorden Station, Oodnadatta SA — 716,860ha
Todmorden Cattle Company

37. Madura Plains, Nullarbor Plain WA — 708,200ha
CC Cooper and Co

38. Beetaloo Station and OT Downs, Elliot NT — 707,800ha
Brett Blundy Retail Capital

39. Wollogorang/Wentworth, Gulf of Carpentaria QLD — 705,198ha
McMillan Pastoral Company

40. Hamilton Station, Coober Pedy SA — 701,000ha
Williams Cattle Company

41. Keeroongooloo and Yeppera, Cooper Creek QLD — 700,000ha
Hughes Pastoral

42. Mittiebah Station, Camooweal NT — 695,500ha
North Australian Pastoral Co

43. Glenormiston Station, Boulia QLD — 692,000ha
North Australian Pastoral Co

44. Manners Creek Station, Alice Springs NT — 687,900ha
Gibson Grazing

45. Birrindudu Station, Katherine NT — 673,000ha
Heytesbury Cattle Company

46. Balladonia Aggregation, Norseman WA — 671,277ha
Chinese owners, under offer to sell

47. Pandie Pandie, Birdsville Track SA — 662,500ha
Crown Point Pastoral Company

48. Durrie Station, Birdsville QLD — 660,000ha
S Kidman and Co

49. Tieyon Station, Kulgera SA — 652,730ha
Paul and Jo Smith

50. Balfour Downs, Roy Hill WA — 639,500ha
TBG Agri Holdings

51. Coorabulka Station, Boulia QLD — 637,000ha
North Australian Pastoral Co

52. Morney Plains Station, Windorah QLD — 623,000ha
S Kidman and Co

53. Doongan/Theda Stations, Kimberley WA — 610,000ha
Dunkeld Pastoral Company

54. Frome Downs, Yunta SA. 607,899ha
Tom Brinkworth

55. Wrotham Park Station, Cairns QLD — 596,880ha
Consolidated Pastoral

56. Helen Springs Station, Tennant Creek NT — 570,000ha
S Kidman and Co

57. Nilpanna Station, Coober Pedy SA — 565,800ha
Williams Cattle Company

58. Mulka Station, Marree SA — 560,000ha
Gary Overton

59. Tanumbirini Station, NT — 559,370ha
Rallen Australia

60. Glengyle Station, Birdsville QLD — 550,000ha
S Kidman and Co

61. Inverway and Riveren Station, Victoria River NT — 550,000ha
Hancock Prospecting/Gina Rinehart

Beef baron: Riveren Station owned by billionaire Gina Rinehart.

62. Napperby Station, Alice Springs NT — 550,000ha
Tim and Emily Edmunds

63. Cluny Station, Bedourie QLD — 546,000ha
Arrabury Pastoral Company

64. Killarney Station, Katherine NT — 541,400ha
Jumbuck Pastoral

65. Mulgathing, Coober Pedy — 530,700ha
Jumbuck Pastoral

66. Henbury Station, Alice Springs NT — 527,300ha
Henbury Unit Trust

67. Limbunya, Katherine NT — 520,000ha
North Star Pastoral

68. Meda Station, Derby WA — 505,857ha
Jumbuck Pastoral

69. Mt Willoughby Station, Coober Pedy SA — 507,500ha
Tjirilya Aboriginal Corporation (managed by the Lennon family)

70. Billa Kalina, Woomera SA — 500,000ha
Greenfield family

71. Canobie Station, Cloncurry QLD — 492,100ha
Australian Agricultural Co

72. Mt Barry Station, Coober Pedy SA — 492,000ha
Williams Cattle Company

73. Nanutarra/Uaroo, Onslow WA — 490,000ha
Minderoo Group/Twiggy Forrest

74. South Galway Station, Windorah QLD — 487,600ha
Australian Agricultural Co

75. Montejinni Station, Victoria River NT — 485,623ha
Australian Agricultural Co

76. Abingdon Downs, Georgetown QLD — 484,000ha
Gunn Agri Partners

77. Calvert Hills, Borroloola NT — 481,000ha
McMillan Pastoral Company

78. Ruby Plains Station, Halls Creek WA — 480,000ha
S Kidman and Co

79. Carlton Hill Station, Kununurra WA — 475,745ha
Shanghai Zhongfu — China

Northern gem: Carlton Hill Station.

80. Wilgena, Tarcoola SA — 474,194ha
AJ & PA McBride Pty Ltd

81. Mount Margaret and Berellem, Eromanga QLD — 470,504ha
Usher Pastoral Company

82. Idracowra Station, Alice Springs NT — 462,800ha
Angus and Kimberley McKay

83. Brunchilly Station, Tennant Creek NT — 457,200ha
S Kidman and Co

84. Benmara Station, Elliot NT — 450,000ha
Cleveland Agriculture

85. Dungowan Station, Katherine NT — 445,400ha
Consolidated Pastoral

86. Arrabury Station, Betoota QLD. 418,000ha
Arrabury Pastoral Company

87. Curtin Springs Station, Alice Springs NT — 416,400ha
Severin family

88. Auvergne Station, Katherine NT — 414,200ha
Clean Agriculture and International Tourism — Vietnam

89. Mobella, Coober Pedy SA — 413,200ha
Jumbuck Pastoral

90. Aileron, Alice Springs NT — 408,000ha
Caason Group

91. Esmeralda Station, Richmond QLD — 406,000ha
Gunn Agri Partners

92. Drysdale River Station, Kununurra WA — 404,686ha
Sunlight Holdings

93. Banjawarn Station, Laverton WA — 404,000ha

94. North Well, Kingoonya SA — 403,943ha
AJ & PA McBride

95. Moola Bulla, Kimberleys WA — 402,000ha
Consolidated Australian Pastoral Holdings — China

96. Alroy Downs Station, Tennant Creek NT. 400,000ha
Sterling Buntine/Baldy Bay

97. Fossil Downs Station, Fitzroy Crossing WA — 400,000ha
Hancock Prospecting/Gina Rinehart

98. Napier Downs Station, Derby WA — 400,000ha
Kerry Stokes

100. Tipperary Group, NT — 386,001ha
Dunkeld Pastoral Company

101. Mulga Downs Station, Pilbara WA — 384,451ha
Hancock Prospecting/Gina Rinehart

102. Suplejack Station, Alice Springs NT — 381,700ha
Savage family

103. Old Mt Bundey, Darwin NT — 380,000ha
Tony and Julie Harrower

104. Manbulloo Station, Katherine NT — 379,130ha
Buratovich family — Argentina

105. Lambina Station, Marla SA — 378,100ha
AW&K Fennell

106. Kalala Station, Daly Waters NT — 376,000ha
Langenhoven family

107. Monkira Station, Windorah QLD — 373,000ha
North Australian Pastoral Co

108. Wintinna, Coober Pedy SA — 372,500ha
J&F Fennell

109. Gogo Station, Fitzroy Crossing WA — 370,000ha
Cleveland Agriculture

110. Mount Lyndhurst Station, Leigh Creek SA — 348,900ha
Peter Litchfield and family

111. Mungabroom Station, Elliot NT — 346,900ha
Brett Blundy Retail Capital

112. Arcoona Station, Woomera SA — 343,000ha
Handbury Group

113. Millungera Station, Julia Creek QLD — 342,000ha
Australian Country Choice/Acton Land and Cattle

114. Welbourn Hill, Marla SA — 338,700ha
Sampson family

115. Mt Leonard Station, Betoota QLD — 337,000ha
Arrabury Pastoral Company

116. Mulyungarie Station, Cockburn SA — 336,600ha
Mutooroo Pastoral Company

117. Ambalindum, Alice Springs NT — 331,000ha
Hewitt Cattle/PSP Investments

118. Maryvale Station, Alice Springs NT — 324,000ha
Crown Point Pastoral Company

119. Amungee Amungee, Elliot NT — 316,900ha
Brett Blundy Retail Capital

120. Bulgunnia, Coober Pedy SA — 309,600ha
Jumbuck Pastoral

121. Milly Milly Station, Murchison WA — 308,641ha
Milly Milly Pastoral

122. Mt Skinner Station, Alice Springs NT — 303,605ha
McCormack family

123. Delamere Station, Victoria River NT — 300,300ha
Australian Agricultural Co

124. Magowra Station, Normanton QLD — 294,000ha
Western Grazing Company

125. Legune Station, Kununurra NT — 285,270ha
Seafarms Group Limited

126. Victoria River Downs, Victoria River NT — 282,400ha
Heytesbury Cattle Company

128. Camfield Station, Victoria River NT — 279,000ha
Australian Agricultural Co

129. Roebuck Plains Station, Broome WA — 276,000ha
Indigenous Land Corporation

130. Arckaringa Station, Coober Pedy SA — 274,500ha
Williams Cattle Company

131. Bulka, Kimberley WA — 273,163ha
Hui Wing Mau — China

132. Minilya Station, Coral Bay WA — 273,000ha
Minderoo Group/Twiggy Forrest

133. Pine Hill Station, Alice Springs NT — 270,000ha
Napier Pastoral Company

134. Gregory Downs Station, Mt Isa QLD — 266,425ha
Paraway Pastoral/Macquarie Ag

135. Epenarra Station, Barkly Tablelands NT — 265,000ha
Bass Cattle Company

136. Liveringa Station, Looma WA — 265,000ha
Hancock Prospecting/Gina Rinehart

137. Oban Station, Mt Isa QLD — 261,000ha
Western Grazing Company

138. Mt Amhurst Station, Fitzroy Crossing WA — 260,000ha
Consolidated Australian Pastoral Holdings — China

139. Broadmere, Borroloola NT — 259,000ha
Peter Sherwin

140. Wertaloona Station, Blinman SA — 257,000ha
Princess Royal

Historic holding: Wertaloona Station.

141. Blina Station, Fitzroy Crossing WA — 254,648ha
Jumbuck Pastoral

142. Wondoola Station, Normanton QLD — 252,500ha
Australian Agricultural Co

143. Muttooroo Station, via Broken Hill SA — 250,300ha
Mutooroo Pastoral Company

144. Tolarno Station, Menindee NSW — 250,000ha
Robert McBride

145. Eildon Park, Winton QLD — 249,800ha
Chris Skelton

146. Mt Sanford NT — 249,700ha
Heytesbury Cattle Company

147. Isis Downs Station, Isisford QLD — 246,057ha
Consolidated Pastoral

148. Newry Station, NT — 246,700ha
Clean Agriculture and International Tourism — Vietnam

149. Ucharonidge Station, Tennant Creek NT — 245,550ha
Cleveland Agriculture

Road north: Ucharonidge Station.

150. Minderoo Station, Onslow WA — 240,000ha
Minderoo Group/Twiggy Forrest

151. Babbiloora Station, Augathella QLD — 237,325ha
Australian Country Choice/Acton Land and Cattle

152. Evelyn Downs, Coober Pedy SA — 234,500ha
Caroline Thomas & John Knight

153. May Downs, Mt Isa QLD — 234,000ha
Lord Cattle

154. Yambah Station, Alice Springs NT — 231,000ha
Gorey family

155. Kirkimbie Station, Victoria River NT — 230,400ha
Consolidated Pastoral

156. Brick House Station, Carnarvon WA — 225,000ha
Minderoo Group/Twiggy Forrest

157. Mt Sarah Station, Coober Pedy SA — 224,800ha
Williams Cattle Company

158. Narndee Station, Paynes Find WA — 223,101ha
Robert and Julie Broadhurst

159. Boolbie and Archervale, Winton QLD — 219,676ha
Grummitt and Reddan families

160. Margaret River, Kimberley WA — 214,483ha
Hui Wing Mau — China

161. Clonagh Station, Cloncurry QLD — 214,270ha
Paraway Pastoral/Macquarie Ag

162. Armraynald Station, Burketown QLD — 214,090ha
Paraway Pastoral/Macquarie Ag

163. Coolullah Station, Cloncurry QLD — 214,000ha
North Australian Pastoral Co

164. Crown Point Station, SA — 209,000ha
Crown Point Pastoral Company

165. McDonald Downs NT — 207,000ha
Scott Cattle Company

166. Beefwood Park Station, Fitzroy Crossing WA — 206,000ha
Consolidated Australian Pastoral Holdings — China

167. Moolooloo, Victoria River NT — 203,600ha
Heytesbury Cattle Company

168. Nerrima Station, Looma WA — 203,000ha
Hancock Prospecting/Gina Rinehart

169. Numery, Alice Springs NT — 202,200ha
Hewitt Cattle/PSP Investments

170. Amburla Station, Alice Springs — 202,000ha
Amburla Nominees

171. Mt Elizabeth Station, Fitzroy Crossing WA — 200,000ha
Shanghai Zenith — China

172. Baladjie aggregation, Bodallin WA — 200,000ha
Saudi Agricultural Livestock Investment Company

173. Pardoo Station, Port Hedland WA — 200,000ha
Pardoo Beef Corporation — Singapore

174. Vermelha Station NT — 200,000ha
An Vien Pastoral Holding and Ag — Vietnam

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