THIS week’s property review includes this wrap-up of interesting recent listings across Queensland, and a separate article of recent listings across New South Wales and Victoria.

• Last of Sinclair Hill’s Qld properties for sale
• $22.5m for CQ bullock country
• Exclusion fenced aggregation lists for $40m
• Ievers family offers NQ’s Marathon
• UK family offloads Charleville’s Raceview Station
• Versatile SQ grazing heads to auction
• Coastal breeder block presents well
• SQ’s Belmont offers cash flow possibilities
• Western Downs grazing priced at $6.2m

 

Last of Sinclair Hill’s Qld properties for sale

VETERAN cattleman and horse identity Sinclair Hill has listed his last remaining grazing properties for sale.

His three three-property Boanbirra Aggregation, 40,236ha southwest of Bollon  in southwest Queensland is the last of his once extensive empire stretching across western Queensland into NSW.

The offering, pictured above,  includes options to purchase 10,000 Dorper ewes, existing plant and machinery and commercial quantities of feral goats.

The Boanbirra Aggregation consists of Boanbirra, Fernlee and Donna Downs, and features an extensive water system, secure fencing and productive pasture improvements.

A skilled horseman and renowned 10-goal polo player who schooled King Charles III in the finer points of the game, Mr Hill has spent a lifetime purchasing grazing properties and developing them through improvements to waters, fencing and pastures.

The Boanbirra Aggregation is the final lot to be sold from a portfolio of 16 holdings, including the NSW properties, Berwicks at Willow Tree, and Terlings and Dundenoon near Moree, which are currently held by Mr Hill’s daughter Carina and husband Ed Shannon.

Mr Hill’s Queensland holdings once comprised Newstead at Ilfracombe, Babbiloora at Tambo, Redford and Tooloombilla near Mitchell, Hoganthulla near Augathella, Winneba, Taylors Plains and Juandah Downs near Mungallala, Spring Creek at Bollon and Bridgeman Downs near Roma.

He was educated at The King’s School, Parramatta and at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, England. He played polo representing England in France, Argentina and America, and continued to play polo on his return to Australia for a number of years.

At the age of 89, Mr Hill said he saw a bright future for agriculture in Australia, and had no compunction in selling the last of his extensive holdings.

“The introduction of exclusion fencing, capped bore water and Dorper sheep have revolutionised grazing in western areas,” he said.

The Boanbirra aggregation was transformed from a beef breeding and finishing enterprise into a large Dorper prime lamb business, and the grazing country is currently carrying a big body of buffel and native grass after receiving plentiful summer rain.

The aggregation is a mix of open and semi-open country timbered with brigalow, gidgee, coolibah, box and wilga timber, and benefits from the exclusion of wild dogs, with the three properties enclosed by the 158km Fernlee Cluster Fence.

Near-new secure internal fencing of paddocks, holding paddocks and laneways is considered ‘Dorper proof’, while the extensive watering system consists of bore water piped to more than 140 poly tanks and troughs complemented with generous surface dams.

The aggregation has previously run 2000 breeder cows and a portion is currently agisted to cattle, with potential for the arrangement to carry over to the new buyers.

The Boanbirra Aggregation was last listed for sale in the drought year of 2019, but LAWD director Simon Cudmore said 2024 was “a very different season.”

“The properties are looking a picture after excellent summer rain. It’s just another example of Mr Hill’s ability to buy second-tier assets and upgrade them by investing in large-scale improvements to water, pasture and fencing,” he said.

“This is low-cost, low-input, productive land types with a diversity of climate and soil, a secure piped water supply, creating a very cost-effective grazing enterprise.”

Given the scale of the opportunity, strong interest is anticipated from both institutional investors and expanding local farming enterprises.

The Boanbirra Aggregation is for sale by expression of interest, closing on Wednesday 8 May.

 

$22.5m for CQ bullock country

Wandoan producer Karen Howe, Hillside, is seeking around $22.5 million for sought-after bullock country in Central Queensland.

The 4242ha Mayfield is located 32km from Dingo, 150km from Rockhampton, with good access to saleyards at Gracemere and Emerald and abattoirs at Mackay, Rockhampton, and Biloela.

Ms Howe said Mayfield was being offered for genuine sale.

“An opportunity has arisen to purchase another property closer to my home base and that is the reason I am selling the fully-developed, turnkey operation,” she said.

The backgrounding, breeding and finishing country runs around 1400AE, representing an asking price of $16,000 per beast area, with the vendor running breeders through to bullocks on a balance of scrub soils that are well grassed.

Since 2017, Mayfield has been extensively developed, with 2592ha of the country certified organic, EU and grasslands accredited. The balance will be certified organic from 2025.

@AG agent Damien Freney is fielding good inquiry from locals and producers, from as far north as Hughenden and as far south as Kingaroy.

Mayfield is well watered by 13 dams and three equipped bores supported by average annual rainfall of 617mm.

Improvements include a five-bedroom Queenslander, a renovated cottage, numerous sheds, cattle yards and steel weaner yards.

 

Exclusion fenced aggregation lists for $40m

Will Grimwade’s well developed, fully exclusion-fenced grazing aggregation in south-west Queensland’s highly regarded ‘Salad Bowl’ region has been listed for $40 million ($494/ha).

The 80,877ha Talbalba straddles the border between Queensland and New South Wales, between the two major east coast goat processors at Charleville and Bourke.

It comprises four holdings – Talbalba, Barrygowan, Mintaka and Dunsandle Station – located 130km south-east of Cunnamulla and 140km north-east of Bourke.

Equally suited to a sheep and goat breeding and growing, the enterprise is capable of running 40,000DSE. The aggregation is currently running a Dorper flock and harvesting rangeland goats.

Talbalba offers alluvial floodplains and higher gidgee and mulga, supporting a body of dry feed including Mitchell, Flinders and buffel grasses, as well as herbages with capacity to respond to winter and summer rainfall.

The country also benefits from flood-out areas from the Noorama and Widgeegoara creek systems.

Mr Grimwade said significant investment over the past five years had developed Talbalba into a substantial turnkey livestock aggregation.

“The family has been running Dorper sheep on the western part of the aggregation, as well as 50,000 rangelands goats (with a sprinkling of Boer genetics), along with large numbers of agisted cattle following beneficial flood events.”

Situated in a 397mm average annual rainfall region, Talbalba is watered by 11 capped and piped bores supplying a system of 56 tanks and 71 troughs.

Infrastructure includes two renovated homes, staff quarters, governess quarters, two shearing sheds, five sheep and goat yards, two cattle yards and numerous sheds.

The successful buyer will have the option to purchase around 50,000 goats.

LAWD agents Col Medway and Simon Cudmore believe Talbalba will attract investors and natural capital groups looking to develop future projects.

 

Ievers family offers NQ’s Marathon

After more than 50 years of ownership, the Ievers family is selling its North Queensland breeding, backgrounding and finishing operation with direct access to the Flinders River.

The 19,248ha Marathon is located north of the tick line, 40km east of Richmond and 70km west of Hughenden, centrally located between Townsville and Mt Isa.

Richmond is one of Australia’s most prolific fossil localities. In 1989, Ian Ievers and his brother discovered the fossilised Kunbarrasaurus Ieversi on Marathon Station, following his discovery of an almost complete marine reptile skeleton, the Richmond pliosaur.

With more than 20km of Flinders Highway frontage, the well-improved asset offers access to one of the region’s main freight routes and an easy commute to regional centres.

Marathon offers highly-regarded Flinders River grazing capable of running 3900 adult equivalents.

It is currently running 1700 cows and calves, 40 bulls and 1000 replacement heifers on Mitchell, Flinders and blue grass pastures with substantial areas of buffel, summer herbages and legumes.

The walk-in, walk-out sale includes plant and equipment and 2000 head of cattle, with final numbers to be negotiated with the successful purchaser.

Situated in a 450mm average annual rainfall region and offering abundant water and diverse soils, Marathon is situated in an emerging cropping area (cotton, legume and fodder crops) but its cropping potential is unknown.

The heavy carrying capacity country has around 10,000ha of fertile river flats, 3100ha of black basalt tableland and 5000ha of undulating black soil downs.

Marathon is benefitted by more than 20km of double frontage to the Flinders River, supported by numerous watercourses including the Walkers, Sloans and Codfish Creeks, four bores and two dams.

Infrastructure includes a five-bedroom home, a cottage, numerous sheds, a shearing shed and cattle yards.

Stockplace agents Ashley Naclerio, Luke Westaway and James Coates are handling the sale.

 

UK family offloads Charleville’s Raceview Station

The UK-based Mellstrom family is selling south-west Queensland’s Raceview Station after 30 years of ownership.

Purchased by the late property tycoon and Surrey farmer Graham Mellstrom, Raceview Station is believed to be the last remaining Australian asset held by the family following the sale of its Brisbane commercial property portfolio.

Described as one of the most productive properties in the district, the 39,550ha of country is adjacent to Western Meat Exporters and 3km north-east of Charleville.

Boasting 33km of Warrego River frontage, Raceview is heavily pastured with buffel across 40 percent of the property, with strong stands of edible mulga.

Suited to cattle breeding and finishing, or sheep and goats, the property has been running 1800 cows and calves and more recently, 1400 goats and progeny.

Adcock Partners Property & Livestock agent Andrew Adcock said there had been good interest from established local producers keen to expand.

“The scale, location, diversity of pastures and access would suit a northern operator to grow cattle out without deviating off the north-south route,” he said.

In addition to the Warrego River, Raceview is watered by the Wellwater and Crooked Creeks, and Bradleys Gully with permanent and semi-permanent waterholes, four bores and 13 dams, supported by 482mm of rainfall a year.

Around 35km are exclusion fenced encloses an area of 13,354ha.

Infrastructure includes a four-bedroom home, a shed, a shearing shed, two cattle yards and a goat yard.

Raceview Station will be auctioned on May 2.

 

Versatile SQ grazing heads to auction

Versatile grazing country suitable for breeding or backgrounding in southern Queensland will be auctioned on April 18.

The 1886ha Tarawindi is 37km west of Moonie and 150km south-west of Dalby.

Owned by the Mulhare and Moore families since 2012, Eastern Rural agent Roger Lyne said the property is presenting with abundant feed and full dams.

“While inspections were delayed due to the rain, there has been good interest from locals and south western and northern producers seeking a bolt-on acquisition and a block with farming potential,” Mr Lyne said.

Tarawindi is mostly brigalow and belah with the wilga soils growing native and improved pastures running up to 450 breeders.

It is watered by nine dams with the Bendee Creek, which runs through property, supplying six of those dams.

Improvements includes a four-bedroom home, steel cattle yards, numerous sheds and two silos.

 

Coastal breeder block presents well

After 47 years, Trevor Pullen has decided to downsize and offer to the market his large scale breeder block in a coastal rainfall area of Central Queensland.

The 12,990ha Montrose (8260ha freehold and 4730ha leasehold) is located 40km north of Marlborough and 150km north of Rockhampton.

It is close to two export abattoirs at Rockhampton, one in Mackay, feedlots and saleyards near Gracemere, Emerald, Nebo and Sarina.

Featuring developed open flats running into undulating hills growing improved pastures and areas of legumes and native pastures, Montrose has historically run between 2500 to 3000AE.

In recent years, Montrose has been conservatively running around 1400 head of cattle which are included in the walk-in walk-out sale.

Ray White Rural agent Richard Brosnan said the property was presenting like a picture.

“Montrose is very well grassed and the cattle are in good order, with mustering now completed and calves weaned – ready for the incoming purchaser,” he said.

“Good interest is coming from across Queensland because the property is well located, has reliable rainfall area and scale.”

Water is provided by five dams, eight bores (six are equipped) and natural creeks with permanent holes.

Infrastructure includes a four-bedroom home, a two-bedroom cottage, numerous sheds and cattle yards.

Montrose will be auctioned on April 24 by Ray White Rural, Elders and Brian Dawson Auctions.

 

SQ’s Belmont offers cash flow possibilities

Expressions of interest are being sought for southern Queensland’s Belmont Aggregation.

The 1519ha holding comprises three properties – Belmont, Kurrabah, and Cedar View – situated near Bell, 50km Dalby and 65km from Kingaroy.

Owned by the McClelland family for around 150 years, vendors Brenden and Madelene McClelland are selling to pursue a new direction.

The mostly coolabah basalt grazing country is mostly destocked and carrying a large body of feed including blue, buffel and kangaroo grasses.

Elders agents Mick Cuskelly and Trevor Leishman said the aggregation offered numerous cash flow possibilities.

“Belmont and Kurrabah have been developed to 38 cell grazing paddocks (ranging in size from 12ha to 30ha) allowing the incoming purchaser to potentially take advantage of carbon credits.”

Mr Leishman said an isolated building currently used as an AI facility would make an excellent feedlot site subject to council approval.

“The AI complex is elevated and private with good set-back from neighbouring homes. It also has road frontage, power and water connected.”

Around 390ha of soft fertile dark brown to black soils can be cultivated. At present, around 250ha are fallow with 200ha set aside for summer crops (including grain sorghum, millet and mung beans) and the remaining 46ha for winter cropping.

The Belmont Aggregation is watered by a 40ML intensive livestock licence, three bores, a spring, a permanent waterhole and a dam.

Infrastructure includes four homes, two cattle yards, numerous sheds, a piggery complex with a 3714 SPU piggery licence and 769 tonnes of grain storage.

 

Western Downs grazing priced at $6.2m

Prime grazing country on Queensland’s Western Downs has been listed for $6.2 million by Ron and Coralie Austin after nine years of ownership.

The 1123ha Kendall Park is situated near Hannaford, 28km from Meandarra and 135km from Dalby.

Nutrien Harcourts Dalby agent Ross Murray said after recent rain, there was prolific feed across the property making it a productive backgrounding block.

The Austins purchased Kendall Park in 2015 and during their ownership have upgraded water security, removed and controlled regrowth, and improved pastures and fencing where needed.

Around 80 percent is brigalow, belah, flat clay plains growing a balance of established native and improved pastures divided into 10 paddocks, each serviced by a trough or dam.

Kendall Park is traversed by the Forks Creek, with water secured by 10 dams and 130,000l of rainwater storage supported by 600mm of average rainfall.

Infrastructure includes a three-bedroom home, three steel sheds (one new), two silos, two molasses tanks and cattle yards.

• See today’s separate item on recent southern states property listings