Historic NSW Riverina station changes hands

A western NSW Riverina station spanning 4100ha near Swan Hill has been sold for the first time in more than 50 years.

After a half a century in the hands of a single family, a historic Riverina homestead and expansive grazing and cropping station have changed hands in a recent deal.

The 4140ha Mellool Station, once part of the expansive Murray Downs Station, has been sold by the Martin family after a 50-year tenure.

Located in the western NSW Riverina Mellool district, the property is about 25km east of Swan Hill and home to a 150-year-old homestead, as well as more than 1200ha of irrigated cropping

It is understood that a western NSW Riverina farmer has acquired the property, adding it to their existing landholdings in the greater Swan Hill-Deniliquin region.

The value of the transaction remains undisclosed.

The Mellool Station was expected to attract offers worth $10 million-plus when the property was listed for sale in March this year.

The Martin family have curated landscaped gardens surrounding the Mellool Station homestead.

Vendors Russell and Clare Martin moved into the circa-1875 homestead in 1988, after Mr Martin’s parents, Ian and Fay, bought the property in 1973.

The homestead was previously gutted by fire and later restored with exactly the same layout using second hand materials, although the original jarrah posts survived.

The 58 sqm mud and fire brick homestead features four bedrooms including a master bedroom with ensuite, ex-servants’ quarters, dining room, and an external laundry.

The Mellool Station is located in the western NSW Riverina, about 25km east of Swan Hill.

The Mellool Station property also fronts the Murray River for 7km, while the Bullockhide and Waddy Creeks meander through the property, with 1214ha laid out for irrigation which includes about 404ha suitable for rice, 404ha of dryland cropping, 1881ha of dryland grazing and 1404ha of timber.

Also included in the offering was 32ML of Stock and Domestic Water and 30ML of General Security Water Zone 11 Murray NSW and BLR.

Nutrien Harcourts BRC Agents Swan Hill agent Joe O’Reilly handled the transaction.

Earlier this year a Victorian-based pastoralist has offloaded their 2700ha Deniliquin property, Yaloke, splitting the expansive cropping and grazing holding between two separate buyers.