Red and Grey Brahman herd on Moroak

NORTH of $50 million is anticipated for the Hoar family’s well-established, large-scale breeding operation in the Northern Territory’s renowned Roper River region.

The neighbouring 142,700ha Moroak and the 90,200ha Goondooloo Stations are located 70km from Mataranka and 160km east of Katherine.

The properties were purchased in 2015 by the late cattleman Don Hoar from well-known Central Australian cattle producers Tony and Pam Davis. It is understood the Hoar family is selling the aggregation to finalise his estate.

Moroak was for many years owned and operated by Les McFarlane, at one time the member for Elsey in the NT Government, and family.

LAWD agent Olivia Thompson was unable to disclose the vendor or the price guide for Moroak and Goondooloo, however in 2023, WealthCheck’s Sam Mitchell was believed to be the key player for both stations in an off-market deal that failed to transact, worth around $60 million.

The most recent and comparable NT sale occurred in October last year when Clermont’s Richard and Dyan Hughes and family secured the 559,500ha Murray Downs Station in the lower Barkly region, around 195km south of Tennant Creek.

The $46.5m walk-in walk-out sale included 10,000 quality Santa Gertrudis cows, heifers and followers.

Currently operating as a cattle breeding enterprise, the 232,900ha Moroak and Goondooloo offer a 25,000 adult equivalent carrying capacity, equating to one AE/9ha.

Since acquiring the properties, the vendor has made substantial investments to improve herd genetics, focusing on breeding for quality and productivity. Included in the sale are 16,000 high-quality Brahman cattle.

The country is mostly flat with open grassy plains, woodlands and some hilly areas and equipped with more than 700km of quality fencing and configured into 28 main paddocks, supported by an extensive laneway system.

Ms Thompson said the properties were an ideal investment for those looking to expand or establish a northern breeding operation with long-term potential.

“The location provides direct access to the northern live export cattle market via the Port of Darwin and the potential to transport weaners to the eastern or southern states for finishing,” she said.

Additionally, Moroak and Goondooloo have approval to create Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) under the Flying Fox River Carbon Project using the Human Induced Regeneration (HIR) Methodology.

The aggregation is watered by five bores (three are equipped) supported by 56 dams, numerous waterholes and creeks, with the Roper River meandering through Moroak Station.

Infrastructure across the operation includes a four-bedroom home (overlooking the River), staff accommodation, numerous sheds and five sets of cattle yards.

Moroak and Goondooloo Stations are being sold by expressions of interest closing on April 16.