THIS week’s property review includes this wrap-up of interesting listings in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and South Australia, separate two articles on recently listed properties in New South Wales and Queensland.

• Kimberley’s Dampier Downs to be sold WIWO
• $30m to $40m for NT’s Claravale Aggregation
• SA’s Loch Winnoch offers expansion

Spanning 262,000ha, Dampier Downs is located south-east of Broome and close to the live export supply chain

Kimberley’s Dampier Downs to be sold WIWO

After more than 60 years of family ownership, Mike De Long and his partner Anne Marie Huey are selling Dampier Downs in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.

Spanning 262,000ha, the station is located south-east of Broome and close to the live export supply chain, including Roebuck Export Depot and Broome’s newly completed floating wharf.

Rated to run 12,105 adult equivalents, Dampier Downs is currently carrying between 12,000 and 15,000 head of mixed-age, Brahman and crossbred cattle managed with a focus on fertility, adaptability and temperament.

Presently enjoying a standout wet season, the property will be sold on a walk-in walk-out basis with final cattle numbers yet to be confirmed.

Colliers agents Jesse Manuel and Rawdon Briggs have been appointed to handle the sale and expect strong interest from the wider beef industry.

“It is an exceptional opportunity for buyers seeking a standalone operation or a northern calf factory to support a southern or eastern supply chain enterprise,” Mr Briggs said.

The station has undergone substantial development, with major investment in water infrastructure, fencing and cattle handling facilities.

Dampier Downs features more than 40 solar‑equipped, Farmbot‑monitored bores supported by pipelines and seasonal dams, allowing for flexible grazing management and easy spelling.

More than 50 paddocks and laneways further enhance operational efficiency, with trapping options offering potential to reduce operating costs.

It is well set up for large‑scale logistics, with three main trucking yards capable of handling triple road trains, plus a further 14 strategically located trucking yards designed to minimise mustering time and expense.

The agents have identified scope to lift production and margins beyond current levels.

“While Dampier Downs is already extensively developed, an approved diversification permit allows for the planting of stylo grass species,” Mr Manuel said.

“Cotton trials in the 1990s, combined with areas of soft country, shallow flood‑out zones and abundant underground water, point to further diversification potential,” he said.

Livestock marketing options have also been strengthened and expanded by recent investment and planned upgrades to the Kimberley Meat Co abattoir.

$30m to $40m for NT’s Claravale Aggregation

After failing to secure a buyer through an expressions of interest campaign that closed in December last year, the Northern Territory’s Claravale Aggregation has returned to the market with a $30 million to $40 million price guide.

The aggregation comprises Claravale Station and Claravale Farm, located 89km north of Katherine in the productive Douglas Daly region. Claravale Station spans 61,382ha under a perpetual pastoral lease with frontage to the Fergusson River, while the neighbouring 6310ha Claravale Farm is freehold and fronts the Daly River.

The properties are owned by Dalby-based businessmen Michael Simmich and Clayton Coleman of Top End Pastoral Co, who purchased the largely undeveloped assets in April 2021 for between $8m and $9m on a walk-in, walk-out basis, including 230 head of cattle.

Since that time, the aggregation has undergone a significant capital investment program, transforming it into a large-scale, dual-purpose enterprise supporting both livestock and cropping operations. The sale includes 4000 head of cattle.

JLL Agribusiness agent Chris Holgar said Claravale was a standout example of what could be achieved in northern Australia when scale, location and investment are aligned.

“The property has been thoughtfully developed into a diversified operation, with the infrastructure, design and scale to support both cattle and cropping at a commercial level.”

The livestock operation is underpinned by extensive grazing country and centrally located infrastructure. Based on current cropping areas and a cattle-focused feed program, the aggregation has the potential to supplementary feed more than 20,000 head of cattle annually.

More than 1420ha has been developed for cultivation and currently used for grain, hay, silage and most recently, cotton production. A further 1408ha has approval to be cleared, with an additional 4500ha identified for potential future development, subject to approval.

In total, about 4000ha has already been cleared or approved for clearing, with a further 1800ha pending final approval, bringing the total developed area to around 5800ha.

The cropping country features fertile soils and is supported by three 2000-tonne silage pits, high-quality shedding and extensive operational infrastructure, providing ongoing scope for expansion.

Water security is a key feature, with permanent waterholes, dams, new solar-powered bores and 80km of frontage to the Daly and Fergusson Rivers across the aggregation.

Residential and operational improvements include a main homestead, staff cottages, accommodation dongas, ablution blocks, powered camp sites, multiple sheds, cattle yards and feed pens.

Claravale is being offered for sale by JLL Agribusiness agents Chris Holgar, Geoff Warriner and Clayton Smith, in conjunction with Andrew Gray of Gray Land and Livestock.

Claravale Station and Claravale Farm sit on top of aquifers that will entice producers or investors seeking irrigation and / or development opportunities.

SA’s Loch Winnoch offers expansion

Asset consolidation has prompted the Wilson family to list the 7950ha Loch Winnoch in South Australia’s north-east after four years of ownership.

The crown lease is located near Warnes and adjoins AJ & PA McBride’s 131,210ha Braemar Station, 75km north-east of Burra.

Elders agent Adam Chilcott and Phil Schell Real Estate agent Phil Schell have been appointed to auction Loch Winnoch on a bare basis on April 15.

While they were unable to offer a price guide, they said inspections have been delayed following the recent widespread rain event, with 225mm recorded at the neighbouring Braemar Station – the highest rainfall registered.

“Access to the property is currently limited but we anticipate inspections will commence from March 23. Current photography has also been difficult with images on the website taken prior to the rain.”

Mr Chilcott said the property offered established infrastructure and sound grazing country suited to both sheep and cattle, offering flexibility as either a standalone holding or an add-on opportunity.

Mr Schell said Loch Winnoch would appeal to neighbouring landholders or local producers seeking a manageable expansion block, as well as Mid North or Yorke Peninsula family operations looking for a reliable livestock holding.

“It would suit operators wanting to run a stock block for Dorpers or Merino ewes. Loch Winnoch would be an ideal place to run around 1000 ewes over winter, using the strong pasture coverage before returning lambs home in November.”

Water is sourced from dams, two equipped bores and two unequipped bores.

Infrastructure includes an older homestead, sheep/cattle yards, a shearing shed and an older storage shed.

Old outbuildings on Loch Winnoch