THIS week’s property review includes this wrap-up of interesting recent listings across the country, and a separate article of recently completed transactions.

• Blue ribbon New England portfolio
• Guyra breeder block offers potential
• $8m+ for Murrumbidgee’s Carraman Station
• Southern Pastoral offloads Victorian block for $13m+
• Beef & irrigation opportunity on SE Qld’s Wivenhoe Dam
• High rainfall grass factory near Noosa

Blue ribbon New England portfolio

A blue-ribbon New England breeding or finishing aggregation is one of three properties set to test the higher end of the market in northern New South Wales.

The 1011ha The Eulabah Aggregation, comprising Eulabah, Balnagowan and Glen View, is situated near Niangala, 45km south of Walcha and 80km east of Tamworth.

It is being sold by the Haggarty family’s Goonoo Goonoo Pastoral Co after six years ownership, prompted by the retirement of its long-term manager.

It is understood the Haggartys have recently added 1821ha of adjoining country (originally part of the Goonoo Goonoo Station) to its historic holding.

The country ranges from level creek and river frontage to undulating and rolling hills, with rich basalt soils timbered with peppermint and white gums.

The Eulabah Aggregation is close to the 2668ha backgrounding and finishing operation Upton Farms (comprising four nearby farms). The ‘green pasture feedlot’ was purchased in April 2022 by Queensland producer Adam Rea for $88 million WIWO (including 4500 head of cattle) and features heavy red and chocolate basalt soils capable of running 6000 steers or 4000 cows or 60,000 dry sheep equivalents.

Jim Lyons Agency agent said Eulabah was one of the best properties he has ever marketed.

“Elevated around 1200m above sea level, the productive beef operation offers high rainfall grazing (1000mm). The vendor has been running and finishing 1500 steers with the last ones averaging 400kg dressed weight, topping at 460kg,” he said.

Inquiry is mostly coming from corporates and Wagyu producers.

The aggregation boasts 1.6km of frontage to the McDonald River and 1.2km of frontage to the Halls Creek and is watered by 42 dams, many of which are spring fed.

Infrastructure includes a four-bedroom home, two cattle yards, a shed and many kilometres of new fencing.

The other two New England properties set to test the market are:

• 5003ha Wirrabilla, 20km south-west of Walcha
• 2734ha St Aubyns Station, 33km south of Walcha

Guyra breeder block has potential

A breeder block in the heart of the renowned New England region of northern New South Wales is anticipated to make around $3 million when it is auctioned on December 11.

After 30 years of ownership, Caroline Schaefer is consolidating her assets and selling the 436ha Tobermory, 44km east of Guyra and 60km north-east of Armidale.

Nutrien Harcourts agent Joel Fleming said the only infrastructure is new steel cattle yards, which makes it a perfect bolt-on acquisition.

“The area is tightly held with many third, fourth and fifth generation grazing families,” he said.

Boasting fertile granite soils, typical of the country in the Wards Mistake and Aberfoyle area, the undulating grazing country has been cleared and pasture-improved with scattered areas of timber providing natural shelter for livestock during the winter months.

Currently running 90 cows and calves, the carrying capacity on Tobermory could be lifted by renovating and expanding pastures and applying regular fertiliser.

Water security is a feature, with frontage to the permanent Nowlands Backwater in an 825-875mm average annual rainfall region.

$8m+ for Murrumbidgee’s Carraman Station

The Murrumbidgee’s Carraman Station, situated in the heart of New South Wales’ Riverina region, has been listed for sale with hopes of raising more than $8 million.

The 1327ha holding, 8km east of Narrandera and 65km north-west of Wagga Wagga, is being sold by a local producer who is consolidating his assets after four years of ownership.

Currently running cattle, Carraman has an estimated carrying capacity of 7500 dry sheep equivalents.

The productive river country features soils that are mostly red and brown and grey medium to heavy textured alluvial clays growing some irrigated and dryland crops.

Boasting 9km of Murrumbidgee River and 7km Bundidgerry Creek frontages, Carraman is offered with 360ML of water entitlements.

Infrastructure includes a home, a cottage, steel cattle yards, sheds and silos. The irrigation infrastructure includes a bore and two centre pivots.

The property is also home to abundant native wildlife, potentially offering opportunities for further biodiversity conservation and environmental projects.

Colliers Agribusiness and Wagga Regional Livestock are selling Carraman Station via offers to purchase closing on November 27.

Southern Pastoral offloads Victorian block for $13m+

More than $13 million ($24,710/ha) is anticipated for Southern Pastoral’s productive grazing block in central Victoria.

The 529ha Balboora is located near Pastoria, 13km from Kyneton and 54km from Bendigo.

Suited to both sheep and cattle, the property currently joins 2600 crossbred ewes in a self-replacing and trade/store lamb production system on improved perennial grass and clover pastures.

While the property is carrying a huge body of dry feed carried over from previous years, during the drier months, sheep are typically supplemented with hay and silage.

Water is sourced from a solar equipped bore and dams, in a reliable 760mm annual rainfall region.

Infrastructure includes two architecturally designed four-bedroom, two-bathroom homes and numerous sheds.

LAWD agent Patrick Kerr said an additional 1376ha of adjoining land is available for (off market) sale to prospective purchasers upon request.

The 529ha Balboora is located near Pastoria, 13km from Kyneton and 54km from Bendigo.

Beef & irrigation opportunity on SE Qld’s Wivenhoe Dam

A beef and irrigation opportunity on south-east Queensland’s Wivenhoe Dam will be auctioned on December 10 by Resolute Property Group.

Suited to cattle, cropping or the lifestyle market, the 85ha Wivenhoe Farm is located 5km from Coominya, 20km from Fernvale and 70km from Brisbane.

It is offered with a 47ha land lease (between the dam water level and freehold boundary), as well as a 96ML water licence.

Resolute Property Group agent Ben Forrest said Wivenhoe Farm was attracting good inquiry from local rural operators looking to expand their existing country, interstate producers interested in fodder cropping, downsizers and city-based lifestylers.

In addition to the Wivenhoe Dam frontage, the block as a 20ML dam and pump station.

Historically, 38ha has been irrigated (18ha to olive trees and 20ha to hedgerow trees) and while a further 10ha is available for planting, these areas are ripe for redevelopment.

Improvements includes a two-bedroom home, sheds, timber cattle yards and irrigation infrastructure.

Wivenhoe Farm will be auctioned on December 10.

High rainfall grass factory near Noosa

A high rainfall grass factory in Noosa’s hinterland is attracting interest from Queensland producers looking to downsize, Victorian dairy farmers and lifestylers.

Anticipated to achieve under $3 million, the 71ha property is located near Neusavale, eight minutes from Kin Kin and 35 minutes from Noosa.

Situated in a private valley and neighboured by larger cattle enterprises, it is able to run 120 breeders and progeny to weaning.

Across the road, country owned by Nolans Meats is also backgrounding cattle before being sent to meatworks.

Engeman Realty agent Daniel Engeman said the property’s high carrying capacity is due to a number of factors.

“With 1524mm of rain a year, promoting grass growth for finishing, 769 Neusavale Road is virtually drought proof. It also has an efficient layout of paddocks and laneways which allow for cell grazing, as well as improved pastures,” he said.

Owned by Chris and Julie Leacy, the block was attracting interest from mostly Queenslanders, Mr Engeman said.

“Some people from central and western Queensland, the Lockyer Valley, Beaudesert and Brisbane are looking to downsize, others are looking to expand, while several Victorian dairy farmers are considering relocating.”

While Mr Engeman was unable to disclose a price guide, he said similar properties of that size, carrying capacity, level of infrastructure and location are making under $3 million.

While mostly flat, the softly undulating improved pastures are not susceptible to flooding.

The block is watered by a bore, a dam, the Tinana Creek and a spring-fed stream.

Improvements includes a three-bedroom home, cattle yards, sheds, an old dairy shed, equestrian facilities and some irrigation infrastructure.

Neusavale Road is offered for sale by tender closing on December 6.

Anticipated to achieve under $3 million, the 71ha property is located near Neusavale, eight minutes from Kin Kin and 35 minutes from Noosa.