THIS week’s property review includes this wrap-up of interesting recent listings in Queensland and two separate articles on recent listings and sales elsewhere.

• Historic Warroo Station relists
• Doug Slack to auction Glenalba
• $14m for high rainfall grazing
• CQ’s Bluegrass Plains offers diversity
• EOI for Wavering Downs close next week

Historic Warroo Station relists

After nearly 180 years in the one family, the owners of a distinguished place in Australia’s pastoral history are bringing the southern Queensland property back to the market as part of a planned transition to new interests.

Situated between Goondiwindi, Warwick and Stanthorpe, Warroo Station is 40km from Inglewood and close to major saleyards, feedlots and meat processing facilities.

The property has remained in continuous family ownership since original settlement, across seven generations.

Warroo Station was originally settled in 1849 by wool-industry pioneer Frederick Bracker who is credited with establishing the first stud breeding program in Queensland. Today, it is regarded as an important part of Australia’s pastoral history, with longstanding ties to the Red Angus cattle breed and to the sheep and wool industry.

The decision to sell follows the Goodrich family’s succession planning, allowing them to pursue other interests.

In October 2023, the family offered 14,435ha to the market via an expression of interest campaign. After it failed to sell, the property was listed again the following year with a $35m plus price guide.

Since then, 5078ha have been carved off, with two portions under contract and additional areas listed separately for sale.

Even so, it remains one of the largest freehold landholdings within a 200km radius of Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the North Coast of New South Wales.

The remaining 9357ha will be auctioned on May 14 on a walk-in walk-out basis (including station plant and equipment) by Elders Real Estate QLD/NT agent Phillip Kelly, together with LJ Hooker Warwick agent Rob Finlay.

Mr Kelly said properties of this size and quality are rarely offered to the open market, particularly in Queensland’s Southern Downs.

“This property has been tightly held through long-term family ownership, which means opportunities to acquire land of this scale, with this level of proven production, simply don’t come along very often.”

“Warroo Station has played a significant role in the evolution of Australia’s sheep, wool and beef industries, with a deep production pedigree and a proven track record across multiple agricultural cycles,” Mr Kelly said.

Mr Kelly reports strong early interest from across the board, including cattle and sheep producers as well as investors.

“Warroo Station comprises 15 freehold titles, many with public road access, creating flexibility for large scale beef or sheep operations, as well as future land banking and strategic investment opportunities.”

The mostly open, lightly timbered natural grazing country has expansive alluvial flats rising to gentle low hills, capable of running 1600 breeders or 20,000DSE.

Around 1675ha, historically under lucerne, is arable and could be returned to cultivation.

Warroo is watered by eight bores, 47 dams, spring fed gullies and numerous creeks, with semi-permanent waterholes in a 660mm rainfall region.

Bracker Creek (double frontage) provides seasonal flows and contains several larger waterholes, with the potential to bring underground streams to the surface via excavation.

Infrastructure includes a five-bedroom circa 1800s homestead, a manager’s residence, a cottage and quarters, three cattle yards and three sheep yards, plus extensive machinery and storage sheds.

Mr Kelly indicated two long-term staff members will remain if required.

Doug Slack to auction Glenalba

Well grassed breeding or backgrounding country in Queensland’s south-west has been listed for sale by Surat’s Doug Slack.

The 9726ha Glenalba is described as a low-cost, low-input property located 18km south of Mitchell and 105km from Roma.

Presented in tidy condition with fresh feed, Glenalba can run 1000AE across open Mitchell, Flinders and bluegrass country along the creek flats. It also grows abundant winter herbages, including crow’s foot, clover and lamb’s tongue.

Timbers include brigalow, bottle tree, womal and box, along with bendee ridges.

Large areas of cleared and cutter-barred country with heavy red and chocolate soils offer farming potential.

Nutrien Harcourts GDL agent Nick Dunsdon has fielded strong early interest, saying Glenalba will appeal to buyers seeking a backgrounding block close to saleyards, producers chasing grass or those looking for a low-cost, high-output operation amid rising costs.

Water is supplied by 20 dams, three sub-artesian bores (two equipped) and four creek systems with semi-permanent waterholes, supported by an annual average rainfall of 570mm.

Mr Dunsdon said the property’s undulating country provides plenty of run-off, with potential to develop additional dams.

Infrastructure includes renovated three-bedroom quarters, a four-bedroom cabin, two cattle yards, an old five-stand shearing shed and two sheds.

Glenalba will be auctioned on May 14.

The 9726ha Glenalba is described as a low-cost, low-input property located 18km south of Mitchell and 105km from Roma.

$14m for high rainfall grazing

Retirement has prompted John Driver to list his high-rainfall breeding and backgrounding enterprise near Bundaberg in Central Queensland for around $14 million.

Aggregated over 22 years, the 3675ha Crescent Valley aggregation is located 30km west of Gin Gin and 80km from Bundaberg.

Aussie Land & Livestock agent James Bredhauer said inspections have resumed following recent heavy rain.

“The well-managed, well-improved grazing enterprise boasts extensive creek frontages and quality infrastructure and as a result, is attracting strong interest from local buyers, Central Queensland operators and New South Wales producers seeking value breeding country in a reliable 1000mm rainfall area.”

In addition, Mr Bredhauer said the multiple titles provide flexibility for expansion, future divestment options or additional income from timber.

Crescent Valley is currently running more than 2100 head of mixed cattle. The vendors believe that as a dedicated breeder operation it would comfortably carry around 1200 cows.

The property comprises undulating forest country interspersed with open valleys, offering a balance of grazing and shelter.

More than 2000ha have been cleared and established to improved pastures, with a further 1600ha cleared and sown to legumes, with potential to also grow leucaena.

Crescent Valley is well watered by 17km of double frontage to Gin Gin Creek, including permanent waterholes, as well as 2km of Dinner Creek frontage, 18 dams and an equipped bore.

Infrastructure includes a four-bedroom home, a three-bedroom home, workers’ accommodation, four cattle yards and numerous sheds.

Crescent Valley is being sold on a bare basis, with cattle available to the successful purchaser.

CQ’s Bluegrass Plains offers diversity

Charles Curran is selling his scenic highly productive dryland cropping and grazing enterprise in the Peak Downs district of Queensland’s Central Highlands after 70 years of family ownership.

The 1922ha Bluegrass Plains is located 28km north-east of Capella and 56km from Clermont. It was originally secured by Mr Curran’s father, Dennis, after being drawn in a ballot in 1956.

The undulating country has areas of brigalow scrub and semi-open downs. Its black, grey and chocolate soils have a strong moisture profile following recent beneficial rain.

Around 1000ha are cultivated and contoured, with a typical rotation of sorghum and some mung beans in summer, followed by wheat and chickpeas through the winter.

RBV Rural agent Terry Ray said the incoming buyer could move quickly, with the entire cultivation area ready to plant.

“The vendors are willing, subject to an unconditional contract and deposit, to provide early access for winter crop preparation and sowing.”

The balance of the property, including 200ha of Capella Creek finishing country, supports grazing of around 300 head of cattle on established buffel stands and native grasses.

Mr Ray said the new owner could run considerably higher numbers if the cash crops were converted to fodder production.

“A steady flow of inquiry is coming from mostly locals with Bluegrass Plains offering scale, versatility and proven production in a tightly held district.”

The enterprise is watered by two dams and a bore.

Infrastructure includes a two-bedroom home, donga accommodation, cattle yards, numerous sheds and 633-tonnes of silo storage.

Bluegrass Plains will be offered via online auction starting on April 29.

The 1922ha Bluegrass Plains is located 28km north-east of Capella and 56km from Clermont.

EOI for Wavering Downs close next week

The Cormack family’s highly improved backgrounding property in Central Queensland is attracting widespread interest.

The EU-accredited Wavering Downs spanning 7616ha is located near Pasha, 58km from Moranbah and 178km from Clermont.

Originally drawn as a brigalow ballot block 53 years ago, Wavering Downs typically backgrounds weaners from the family’s other properties where they breed high quality Brangus.

The country comprises developed brigalow, belah, gidgee and yellow wood, with prolific stands of buffel grass that run between 3000 and 3500 head.

Water is supplied by four dams and seasonal waterholes in the Suttor River and three other creek systems.

Infrastructure includes a five-bedroom home, a three-bedroom home, workers accommodation, a school room, two steel cattle yards, equine facilities and extensive shedding.

Expressions of interest for Wavering Downs close on April 23. Ray White Rural agents Bruce Douglas and Netty Wendt are handling the sale.