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

• Notable Victorian holding makes $35m+
• Record $26,000/ha for Upper Murray grazing
• South west QLD exclusion property makes $15.5m
• Collinsville’s Desmond Station makes $4.6m at auction

Notable Victorian holding makes $35m+

Three local Merino sheep and wool producers have paid more than $35 million for one of Western Victoria’s most notable rural holdings.

Craig and Judy Carpenter’s historic Buln Gherin (pictured above) is a versatile mixed farming operation ideally suited to wool, prime lamb, cattle and cropping pursuits.

Two hours from Melbourne, the enterprise is situated 15km south west of Beaufort and 62km west of Ballarat and enjoys spectacular views of Mount Cole and Mount Langi Ghiran.

Settled more than 100 years ago, Buln Gherin (which means Black Cockatoo) once formed part of the historic Western Victorian grazing property Mawallok, and has been owned by just two families, including the Carpenters.

Spanning 1881ha, the aggregation comprises three contiguous land holdings – 1089ha Buln Gherin, 267ha Buln Gherin North and 525ha Ellimatta.

The property boasts a productive combination of black/red volcanic and grey loam soils that can carry 28,000 DSE, with scope to increase with further development.

Buln Gherin has an extensive list of outstanding structural improvements, including a state-of-the-art six-stand woolshed complex and undercover yards with a 4000 sheep capacity.

There is an abundance of natural water stored in a 2.6ml rainwater tank, as well as bores and numerous catchment dams.

Buln Gherin was sold as three separate parcels to the individual farming entities following an expressions of interest campaign handled by Sean Simpson and Nick Myer from Elders.

Record $26,000/ha for Upper Murray grazing

A local seeking expansion has paid a record $3.3 million ($26,000/ha) for tightly-held Upper Murray grazing country in New South Wales’ south east.

Located 28km north of Corryong and 145km north east of Albury/Wodonga, the 127ha Myora was auctioned online by Elders due to the restrictions posed by COVID-19.

Situated in a reliable rainfall region, the gentle and moderate undulating country features a substantial plateau basin area, with a small portion of hill grazing.

Conservatively carrying 130 cows, Myora is also suited to prime lamb, wool and fodder production. There is a good balance of improved and native pastures, together with an excellent fertiliser history.

Myora enjoys secure water with significant dams in all paddocks, as well as a permanent creek.

Henry Mackinnon from Elders described the sale as unexpected and very strong.

“Demand for the Upper Murray has been very strong over the past 10 years with the region boasting highly fertile river and rising country. Rainfall is high and reliable, and the seasons are consistent, with a wet winter carrying through to a longer and very good spring period,” he said.

Mr Mackinnon said most of the interest for Myora came from locals, southern New South Wales and Victorian producers seeking country for grass fed beef.

“Country is hard to come by. There are about half a dozen larger parcels in the Upper Murray district and a couple have recently transacted off market. This week, the 375ha Woonoona will be offered for sale (see this week’s Properties for Sale report).”

South west QLD exclusion-fenced property makes $15.5m

Wallumbilla’s Scott Bates and family have paid a record $15.5 million ($2474/ha) for the fully exclusion fenced Plevna Downs East in south west Queensland.

Located 34km east of Augathella, the 6263ha holding is currently running organic Dorpers, but is also suited to running 11,000 mixed sheep.

The country also lends itself to a breeding operation with an estimated carrying capacity of 1550 backgrounding cattle.

The country consists of developed scrub country and black soil downs growing prolific stands of buffel, Mitchell, Flinders, blue grass and an abundance of herbages in season.

Around 890ha have been blade ploughed and there is 150ha of cultivation country ready to plant with a summer crop.

Plevna Downs is watered by five bores, eight dams with 38km of polyline supplying 50 concrete troughs.

The sale of Plevna Downs East was handled by Bruce Douglas and Mark Minnis from Ray White Rural.

Collinsville’s Desmond Station makes $4.6m at auction

North Queensland grazing property Desmond Station sold for $4.6 million at a Nutrien Harcourts Queensland Rural auction last week, representing an area value of around $1140/ha.

Offered by the Hoffmann family, the 4051ha  holding north of Collinsville attracted five bidders.

New owners are the Cormack family, who operate the nearby Glen Bowen and Johnny Cake stations.

The freehold property has been destocked since September last year and was being presented with a good body of feed.

Soils are predominately black, brown, and grey loams with scattered red sandy areas on the northern boundary and waterways.

The property is well established to Indian couch as well as scattered areas of buffel, urochloa, forest blue, black spear, kangaroo and other useful native species. Some areas are established to seca and verano stylo. Timbered country is mainly in the valleys and waterways, with scattered timber across the property and areas of cleared, open country.

There are six main paddocks supported by holding paddocks and watering squares, and a laneway system. The cattle yards are of mainly steel and have a covered drafting pound.

Water is supplied from bores servicing tanks and troughs, semi-permanent water holes and springs.

Improvements include a four bedroom homestead, sheds and horse yards.

Handling the sale was David Buckley, Nutrien Harcourts Queensland Rural.

 

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