Braitling family to sell 700,000ha Mount Doreen cattle station

A 700,000ha cattle station in the NT has been listed for sale for the first time in 90 years, with a $50m price tag.

One of Central Australia’a largest organic cattle stations is on the market for the first time since its establishment more than 90 years ago.

The Braitling family are selling the 728,434ha Mt Doreen Station, located on the Tanami Road, around 380km northwest of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.

The cattle station was established in 1932 by William and Doreen Braitling, and has grown to carry 30,000 head of cattle through years of average rainfall.

The farm is being sold by Colliers International via a walk-in, walk-out expression of interest sale, with an expected price tag around $50m.

Any potential sale would include the land, capital and plant equipment and cattle on the property.

Colliers director of agribusiness transactions Jesse Manuel said he expects investors will be willing to pay top dollar for the renowned cattle station, with a price of at least $2000 per cow equivalent expected for the land.

The station can run 22,000 cows.

“A station of the quality of Mount Doreen, with its economies of scale, sits in a market of its own and will attract a premium price,” Mr Manuel said.

Mt Doreen cattle station is for sale for the first time in its 90-year establishment.

“There’s never been a better time to offer a cattle property of this calibre for sale.”

The farm runs over 18,000 head of mixed age, branded cattle on Mt Doreen and with the cattle on Mount Doreen, based on a Poll Hereford herd with Droughtmaster, Santa Gertrudis, and Angus heritage.

Mr Manuel said Mount Doreen station offered a very appealing opportunity for investors to acquire a substantial pastoral holding, while reducing the costs associated with freight and the challenges involved in purchasing new stock.

The Mt Doreen cattle station runs 30,000 head of cattle during average rainfall years.

“The great advantage of this diversity and scale is that Mount Doreen Station is largely self-sustaining and can maintain a core herd during periods of drought,” he said.

“Its location and organic status also provide multiple domestic and export market options.”

Mount Doreen station was established by William Braitling and his wife Doreen in 1932.

William Braitling was born in Springsure, Queensland and left home at the age of 16 to work on cattle properties in the Victoria River District and Kimberley region.

He was a WWI veteran, who on his return to Australia, devoted his life to running cattle throughout Central Australia and eventually creating the Mount Doreen station.

Earlier in February a 634,000ha premier cattle station in Western Australia’s Pilbara region was sold to one of Australia’s richest families for at least $32m.