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

• Colin Ross offloads last NT pastoral lease
• Macquarie River powerhouse lists
• Isaac region grazing running 4500AE
• EOI for Blackall’s Woodbine closes June 5
• CW Qld’s Lara offers grazing & tourism
• North Burnett expansion block

Cattle on Hodgson River, southeast of Katherine

Colin Ross offloads last NT pastoral lease

Colin Ross (North Star Pastoral) is selling the last of his Northern Territory pastoral holdings, with hopes of raising more than $20 million.

The 111,000ha Hodgson River Station is located in the Roper region, 130km from Mataranka and 230km south-east of Katherine.

The well-established cattle breeding operation was purchased by North Star Pastoral in 2016 and added to company’s portfolio, which at the time included the nearby Maryfield Station and Limbunya in the Victoria River district.

In September 2022, Mr Ross sold Maryfield and Limbunya to funds manager Sam Mitchell from Sydney-based Wealthcheck.

Then, in February 2024, they returned to the market after Mr Mitchell’s assets were placed in the hands of receivers.

Hodgson River Station neighbours the 204,000ha Vermelha Station (adjoining Maryfield) which is being offered for sale on a walk-in, walk-out basis, with around 15,000 Brahman-based cattle. Listed in August last year by its Vietnamese owners, it is anticipated to make above $40 million.

During his ownership of Hodgson River, Mr Ross has invested significant funds into increasing the property’s carrying capacity by upgrading fencing and waters, as well as applying more than 50 tonnes of premium pasture and legume mix across the property to extend available grazing protein into the dry season.

It features open savannah eucalyptus woodlands growing native grass species, expansive flat plains with fertile black soils, well-drained basalt rock plateaus and low sandstone-capped hills.

There are spectacular natural features, including lost city formations, swimming holes, seasonal waterfalls and extensive river systems ideal for barramundi fishing – all of which present an opportunity for tourism.

Located in a high-rainfall region, water is supplied by 12 equipped bores, three waterholes and numerous permanent creeks and river systems, including the Hodgson and Arnold Rivers.

These permanent water sources present potential future opportunities for irrigation development.

LAWD agents Olivia Thompson, Danny Thomas and Eline Wesselink are handling the expressions of interest campaign, which closes on June 12. The sale will include 6800 head of high-quality Brahman and Brangus female cattle.

The agents are reporting strong interest from a range of buyers, including eastern and southern state producers looking for a breeder block to finish cattle and locals wanting to expand their existing portfolio.

Infrastructure includes a four-bedroom home, a three-bedroom manager’s cottage, staff accommodation, numerous sheds and two cattle yards.

Homestead complex on Hodgson River

Macquarie River mixed farming/grazing operation lists

Mark and Sally Carter have listed their agricultural holding on the Macquarie River in central western New South Wales after 14 years of ownership.

The 596ha Strathmore is located 25km from Geurie and 37km from Dubbo and is suited to a mix of irrigation, dryland cropping and livestock production.

Situated in a 635mm rainfall region with 5km of Macquarie River frontage, four centre pivots irrigate 179ha, and 416ha are used for dryland cropping.

The Carters grow dual purpose winter cereal crops and sweet corn in the summer, as well as trade cattle and sheep (season dependent).

Elders agent Richard Gemmell said Strathmore’s versatility gives the vendors the ability to adapt and pivot with the market and the seasons.

“The turnkey enterprise is regarded as one of the district’s most productive and well-developed properties, offering flexible year-round income streams,” he said.

“It is attracting early interest from producers with western country who want a fodder factory to finish livestock given its water security, locals seeking expansion and those looking at intensive crop production,” Mr Gemmell said.

Infrastructure includes a five-bedroom home, a three-bedroom cottage, a recreation riverside hut, numerous sheds, a two-stand shearing shed, steel sheep and cattle yards and six silos with more than 300-tonnes of grain capacity.

Expressions of interest for Strathmore close on June 18, with offers for the 582ML groundwater licence to be considered separately.

Isaac region grazing running 4500AE

The Jones family is selling its well-developed breeding, backgrounding and finishing opportunity in the Isaac region of Central Queensland.

The 14,574ha Myra is located 84km west of Moranbah and 126km north of Clermont.

LAWD agent Grant Veivers said Myra was a powerhouse property in a region renowned for its quality cattle.

“Over the past 20 years, significant capital has been invested in land class development including 3237ha of blade ploughing, and clearing and re-pulling the majority of unrestricted vegetation, which make up 91 percent of the property.”

“The property’s ability to run 4500 adult equivalents is attracting good interest from corporates and local families,” he reported.

Mr Veivers was unable to discuss a price guide for Myra, however the nearby 7915ha Pasha recently sold to a local expanding their existing holdings for $30m ($3790/ha).

The country comprises 11,897ha of developed gidgee and brigalow with melon holes, 1110ha of alluvial flats, 1060ha of poplar box and 507ha of ironbark and rosewood.

The productive mix of soils are growing dense buffel stands, with areas of improved pastures.

Myra has abundant natural water including dual frontage to the Myra, Nibbereena and Sullivan Creeks, numerous waterholes plus nine dams in a 587mm average annual rainfall region.

Infrastructure includes two four-bedroom homes, two sets of quarters, two cattle yards, an extensive laneway system and numerous sheds.

Myra is being offered for sale via expressions of interest closing on June 19. Kennedy Livestock & Property agent Jake Kennedy and LAWD agents Grant Veivers and Simon Cudmore are handling the sale.

EOI for Blackall’s Woodbine closes June 5

Meantime, the Phelps family has listed its turnkey backgrounding opportunity in central western Queensland.

The 4703ha Woodbine is located in the Blackall-Tambo region, 15km north of Blackall and 82km south of Barcaldine, in a 526mm average annual rainfall area.

It is understood the Phelps family is selling the property, which it purchased in in 2019, after securing two properties offered earlier as part of the Ray Scott portfolio.

LAWD agent Grant Veivers said there has been interest from locals, Central Queensland and northern producers (around Cloncurry) seeking a well-located depot.

The country on Woodbine is mostly shaded downs with bauhinia, gidgee and vine tree, with open alluvial plains associated with the Douglas Ponds and Skelton Creeks, as well as ashy downs.

The vendor estimates a conservative carrying capacity of 815 Adult Equivalents, reflecting 1AE/6ha.

The productive mix of pastures, grass species and land types support a variety of stocking rates to suit different paddocks across the property.

The red and deep clay loams and alluvial soils along traversing creeks and watercourses support dense stands of buffel grass and areas of Mitchell, Flinders and Queensland blue grasses, plus a variety of seasonal herbages.

Woodbine owns a one-third share in a capped artesian bore situated on the property, supported by a dam and numerous seasonal waterholes in the Douglas Ponds and Skeleton Creeks.

Infrastructure includes a three-bedroom home, a five-stand shearing shed, shearing quarters, sheep and cattle yards and a shed.

Woodbine is being offered for sale by expressions of interest closing on June 5.

Woodbine’s vendor estimates a conservative carrying capacity of 815 Adult Equivalents, reflecting 1AE/6ha.

CW Qld’s Lara offers grazing & tourism

After five years of ownership, Jodie Muntelwit is selling her grazing and tourism business in Queensland’s central west.

The 5386ha (freehold) property Lara is located 30km from Barcaldine and 80km from Blackall and has the benefit of a 722ha leasehold permit to occupy.

It is one of the first properties in the district to list since the neighbouring The Patrick changed hands five years ago, and should attract family operators and locals wanting backgrounding and breeding country.

Lara has areas of soft open Mitchell and Flinders grass downs, as well as several small swamps, with the balance sweet pebbly gidgee, leopardwood and sandalwood country.

Located in a 500mm average rainfall region, the property has received just over 200mm this year.

Nutrien Harcourt GDL agent Andrew McCallum and Brodie Agencies agent Tom Brodie report even though the season has been light, the pasture is in excellent condition due to the vendors’ rotational grazing management.

Lara has a mix of mostly timbered, quick-responding, sandy loam country that has been conservatively running 500 cows and calves. In early April, most of the cattle were sold and trucked, allowing the pastures to respond.

The Alice and The Patrick Creeks junction in the River paddock. A recent, small flood along this river course has resulted in a good stand of buffel and native pastures.

Lara is watered by a flowing artesian bore, seasonal waterholes along the creeks, as well as a dam that was desilted in 2024.

Infrastructure includes a four-bedroom home, a staff cottage, numerous sheds, and cattle yards. Around 31.5km of exclusion boundary fencing have been recently erected.

Additionally, passive income is sourced from the Lara Wetlands and Bush Camp which is situated 800m from the Lara homestead complex.

The campground and its walking tracks accommodate thousands of campers a year, with 5000 in the 2024 season.

Management is in place to continue the low maintenance, minimal up-keep tourism operation, with all the plant and equipment used to run the campground included in the sale.

Lara will be offered bare of livestock, with some plant and equipment. Expressions of interest close on June 12.

Waters on Lara

North Burnett expansion block spells opportunity

Retiring Ray and Anne Drayton are selling their grazing country in Queensland’s tightly held North Burnett region.

The 3318ha Lochaber is centrally located between Mundubbera, Gayndah and Eidsvold and is being auctioned for the second time since it was selected in 1927.

It has B-double access and is close to major selling facilities, including Eidsvold and Monto.

Offered with a reliable breeder and bullock production history, Lochaber has historically run between 450 and 480 breeders, with past capacity exceeding 500 head.

Aussie Land and Livestock agent James Bredhauer said good inquiry was coming from local and North Burnett producers seeking an additional breeder block with the ability to finish cattle.

Lochaber has 1416ha of cleared to semi-cleared, undulating grazing country growing native grasses, with around 809ha of development potential for improved pastures.

It is watered by 18 dams, five equipped bores, a well and a permanent spring.

Infrastructure includes cattle yards, additional portable yards and a shed.

Lochaber will be auctioned bare of livestock on June 26.

Country on Lochabar, near Mundubbera in the North Burnett