THIS week’s property review includes this wrap-up of interesting recent listings across the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland, and separate articles on listings in Victoria and South Australia, plus a wrap-up of recent sales.
- $30m to $40m sought for NT’s Claravale
- RFM lists WA opportunity
- WA’s Gunapin Ridge attracts international attention
- Mackenzie River grazing country lists
- EOI for Winton’s Webb Station
Brahman cattle on feed at Claravale, north of Katherine
$30m to $40m sought for NT’s Claravale
After a massive capital injection over the past four years, the Northern Territory’s Claravale Station and Claravale Farm have returned to the market with a $30-$40 million price guide.
Situated 89km north of Katherine, in the productive Douglas Daly region, the 61,382ha Claravale Station is a perpetual pastoral lease fronting the Fergusson River. The neighbouring 6310ha freehold Claravale Farm fronts the Daly River.
Offered by Dalby-based Michael Simmich and Clayton Coleman who own the Top End Pastoral Co, the sale will include 4000 head of cattle.
In April 2021, the two Queensland businessmen paid between $8m and $9m (walk-in walk-out including 230 head of cattle) for the two largely undeveloped pastoral properties owned by Pine Creek identity Eddie Ah Toy.
The Claravale Aggregation is situated in an area reviewed by the NT Farmers Association for future development – to the north is the established Douglas Daly agricultural district and to south-west lies the Edith / Florina regions.
JLL’s Chris Holgar said Claravale was a standout example of what is possible in Northern Australia when the right location, scale and operational investment come together.
“The property has been thoughtfully developed into a large-scale dual-purpose enterprise, supporting both cattle and cropping operations with the infrastructure, design and scale to match,” he said.
Since its acquisition in 2021, Claravale has received an injection of significant capital expenditure to support a diversified production base, including the establishment of 1421ha of cultivation now used for grain, hay, silage and most recently cotton production.
A current permit to clear another 1408ha has been obtained, with more than 4500ha identified for potential expansion (application pending).
The cropping country has fertile soils with the operation supported by three 2000-tonne silage pits and high-quality shedding and offers ongoing potential for continued development.
Claravale’s livestock enterprise comprises extensive grazing areas, supported by centrally located infrastructure.
Based on current cropping areas and a cattle-focused feed program, it is estimated the operation has the potential to supplementary feed more than 20,000 head of cattle annually.
Across the aggregation, there are permanent waterholes, dams, new solar powered bores, as well as 80km of frontage to the Daly and Fergusson Rivers.
The extensive residential and operational infrastructure includes a main homestead, staff cottages, accommodation dongas, ablution blocks, powered camp sites, numerous sheds, cattle yards and feed pens which are nearing completion.
The Claravale Aggregation is being sold by JLL Agribusiness agents Chris Holgar, Geoff Warriner and Clayton Smith, together with Andrew Gray of Gray Land and Livestock. The expressions of interest campaign closes on December 4.
RFM lists WA opportunity
In the mid-west region of Western Australia, Rural Funds Management is selling a mixed farming asset underpinned by a long-term lease.
The 6191ha High Hill, Willara and Petro are non-adjoining holdings near Badgingarra, operating as a beef breeding, backgrounding and irrigated and dryland cropping opportunity.
LAWD agents Simon Wilkinson and Elizabeth Doyle have been appointed to sell the asset but were unable to disclose a price guide, however Beef Central understands offers above $30m are being sought.
Leased to Wagyu supplier Stone Axe Pastoral Co until February 2030, the aggregation comprises 1597ha High Hill (1543ha arable), 1653ha Willara (1648ha arable) and 2942ha Petro (2411ha arable).
In addition, Petro has 200ha of centre pivot irrigation supported by 3080ML of water entitlements.
The portfolio is securely boundary fenced, including extensive new exclusion fencing.
Benefitted by secure rainfall, the aggregation is underpinned by bores, soaks and dams.
Infrastructure includes a home, a manager’s residence, a worker’s cottage, transportable workers accommodation, as well as numerous sheds, grain storage and cattle yards.
The High Hill, Willara and Petro portfolio is being offered for sale by expressions of interest closing on November 27.
The 6191ha High Hill, Willara and Petro are non-adjoining holdings near Badgingarra, operating as a beef breeding, backgrounding and irrigated and dryland cropping opportunity.
WA’s Gunapin Ridge attracts international attention
In Western Australia’s Wheatbelt, a mixed farm offering diverse income streams, a world class water supply and a $30 million price guide, is attracting local, national and overseas attention.
Listed by the Rasheed family after 18 years of ownership, the 3050ha Gunapin Ridge is located on the Perth side of York and Beverley (35km), 64km from Perth and surrounded by the Wandoo State Forest.
It has 1200ha of cropping land and 1100ha of grazing country capable of running up to 10,000 head of sheep or 1000 head of cattle.
Mark Hay Realty Group principal Mark Hay believes the property’s best and highest use is grazing but is also suited to several biodiversity practices, with further upside available from irrigating.
“This is one of the most unique farms to hit the WA market for many decades. It screams opportunity for many different entrepreneurial ventures and farmers who will capitalise on the unbelievable water supply, location, scale and unique private farming location.”
Gunapin Ridge is watered by 26 dams and a bore with access to an enormous and largely untapped underground aquifer which runs for 4km across the property. It has been flow tested at around two million litres a day.
Mr Hay said the landholding falls outside the prescribed water licence area and beckons future development.
“Sinking further bores to harness the immense water assets offers huge potential for horticulture, lotfeeding, strip grazing, irrigated lucerne, hay and clover farming and even aquaculture,” he said.
Infrastructure includes a six-bedroom home, a three-bedroom cottage, a four-stand shearing shed, sheep and cattle yards, silos and numerous sheds.
The entire 26km boundary has been recently re-fenced with a high quality 1.85-metre-high vermin-proof fence costing around $1 million.
Gunapin Ridge is being offered by expressions of interest closing in the coming weeks.
Mackenzie River grazing country lists
Highly sought-after Mackenzie River grazing country is attracting good inquiry from locals for expansion, as well as producers from north Queensland and coastal areas.
The Central Queensland finishing property Carnangarra spans 4313ha and is located 28km north of Comet, 64km from Blackwater and 69km from Emerald. Four export abattoirs, saleyard selling centres, feedlots, grain handling facilities are located within 300km.
Held by Scott and Julia-Ann Brown since 2012, for the past ten years the property has been running 1700AE to feeder weights on buffel, Rhodes, blue grass, Flinders, panic and a mix of legumes and native pastures.
The country comprises 3278ha of improved mixed brigalow, coolibah and softwood scrubs varieties, 748ha of improved mountain coolibah, bloodwood, box, ironbark loam to red clay ridges and 283ha of bendee and lancewood red ridges.
RBV agent Matt Beard said Carnangarra is well positioned to take advantage of the upcoming summer season.
“The vendors stick-raked the property and are currently re-pulling existing regrowth, together with keeping up to date with timber control and time controlled rotational grazing practices.”
Mr Beard said the property has one of the most impressive sets of steel cattle yards around.
“It is well-constructed with six concrete troughs, three built-in hay feeders, a hay shed, a round yard, stables and a tack room. The undercover work area has a long race leading to a hydraulic vet crush and a separate race to a calf cradle. A double deck loading ramp has an extensive range of options to draft and sort.”
Carnangarra has 8km of Mackenzie River frontage and 18 dams. Other infrastructure includes a four-bedroom home and a shed.
It will be auctioned online commencing on November 18.
EOI for Winton’s Webb Station
A breeding, backgrounding and finishing opportunity in central western Queensland is being sold by the family of the late John Little to finalise his estate.
The 15,898ha Webb Station (7838ha leasehold and 8059ha freehold) is 60km north-west of Winton and 190km from Hughenden in a tick free area.
It has good access to live export cattle markets in Townsville and Cloncurry, as well as meat works, feedlots and store cattle markets to the south.
The open and undulating Mitchell and Flinders grass downs country has fertile pebbly chocolate and brown soil that is 100 percent useable.
There is an infestation of prickly acacia mostly around the dams and small creek systems.
Brodie Agencies principal Tom Brodie said it will produce high weight gains for any market.
“Webb had an excellent summer season and has a good body of quality hayed off summer pastures. The last of the cattle were sold in early October which means early access could be negotiated with the successful purchaser.”
Mr Brodie said the property requires considerable infrastructure improvements, especially water.
“It owns a 25 percent share with the neighbouring (Strathfillan) flowing artesian bore, however it has not been piped to the boundary. The blank canvas will allow the new owner to implement both new water and fencing improvements to suit their requirements.”
Mr Brodie believes Webb Station is a perfect expansion opportunity for neighbours and locals, with interest coming from North Queensland and southern operators.
Webb is also watered by nine dams supported by 400mm of annual rainfall.
Infrastructure includes steel cattle and sheep yards, a shearing shed, a shearer’s quarters and a shed.
Webb Station is offered for sale bare of livestock, plant and equipment via expressions of interest on November 17.
The 15,900ha Webb Station is 60km north-west of Winton and 190km from Hughenden in a tick free area.