Each week, we take the pulse of rural property — from sales data to who’s making headlines. Check out this week's report from Kylie Dulhunty.
Size: 8,400ha
Location: New England region, NSW
Sale price: $150 million-plus
Global investment manager New Forests has taken a half stake in McPhee Beef Farms, one of Australia’s largest Wagyu beef operations, in a transaction expected to exceed $150 million.
The New England property, near Yarrowitch and Walcha, spans almost 8400ha across the Benditi Aggregation and Glen Eagle holdings.
Built up by the McPhee family over three decades, it is home to the Maria River Cattle Company’s Angus herd, crossed with full-blood Wagyu bulls to produce F1 Wagyu.
The operation can run around 15,000 steers annually, making it a significant supplier to premium beef markets.
Under the deal, the enterprise will be known as Benditi Pastoral Company.
Existing staff and management will remain in place through a new vendor-formed company, maintaining business continuity and relationships.
The acquisition will be managed under New Forests’ Australia New Zealand Landscapes and Forestry Fund (ANZLAFF), a $600 million vehicle backed by heavyweight institutional investors including Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation, Japan’s Kyushu Electric Power, Germany’s BVK and Sweden’s AP2.
It is the fund’s fourth Australian investment, following a series of central tablelands acquisitions.
David Shelton, Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand, and Global Head of Investments at New Forests, said the acquisition would align with the fund manager’s broader strategy.
"The McPhee asset is a quality business which aligns perfectly with our whole of landscape approach where we can position investors to benefit from the best use of the landscape, while combining additional revenue streams such as carbon and biodiversity,” he said.
The McPhee family, long active in both agriculture and logistics, previously sold a major portfolio of freight properties to Dexus for about $190 million in 2021.
This partial divestment marks its latest reshaping of business interests.
The deal, brokered by Colliers Agribusiness and Meares & Associates, remains subject to Foreign Investment Review Board approval.
Size: 561.1ha
Location: Edgeroi NSW
Sale method: AuctionsPlus auction at 11am on September 23
Price Guide: N/A
A prime dryland cropping property in the tightly held Edgeroi region of north-west NSW has been listed for sale, offering a rare opportunity for farming expansion in one of the state’s premier agricultural zones.
Part Moema, located at 1046 Couradda Road, Edgeroi, spans 561.1ha (1,387 acres) with about 91 per cent arable land.
Of this, 482ha have been planted to the 2025 winter crop, with a further 30ha recently farmed. The current growing crops are excluded from the sale.
Positioned 12km north-east of Edgeroi, 37km from Narrabri and 88km south-east of Moree, the property benefits from gently undulating country with grey-black self-mulching soils, supported by grey and red loams.
With an average annual rainfall of 676mm, the region is well regarded for producing both summer and winter crops, including wheat, barley, and chickpeas.
Improvements include a shed and an unequipped bore. Pic: Supplied
Rural Property NSW director Michael Guest said the property had attracted steady interest despite wet weather.
“We’ve had good local inquiry and inspections have been going well in difficult conditions with the rain and so forth,” he said.
He noted the versatility and location of the holding.
“It’s in a great location and will be a nice add-on block for someone.”
Part Moema has historically been dedicated to winter cropping, with Mr Guest confirming, “It’s mainly been winter crop, whether it be wheat, barley or chickpeas and those sorts of things.”
The property will be offered for sale via online auction with AuctionsPlus at 11am on September 23.
Rural property markets across NSW have a mixed but cautiously optimistic outlook as surging livestock prices and strong seasonal conditions lift confidence - though dry conditions and economic pressures are still keeping some buyers and sellers on the sidelines.
According to Herron Todd White’s latest Month in Review, the cattle market in the New England region is “strong at present” with weaner and heifer sales well attended and buoyed by “excellent autumn season” rainfall.
“Demand was boosted by the excellent autumn season with plentiful rainfall and minimal frosts,” HTW director Angus Ross said.
“Strong cattle prices and lowering interest rates [are] a potential catalyst for a jump in rural land values.”
Further west, seasonal variability is shaping market behaviour.
HTW valuer Steve Broun observed that while farmers in drier southern areas have been offloading stock into a volatile market, those in the north “have been able to purchase store stock for finishing on crops and pastures.”
Recent grazing property sales include Bellmain, an 851.7ha Yeoval farm, which sold for $4.8 million and a 108ha Crookwell property for $2.25 million.
In Southern NSW, record-breaking lamb prices have made headlines, but Andrew Garnsey said the rural property market remains subdued.
“Dry seasonal conditions, high fodder costs, interest rate uncertainty and trade concerns appear to have combined to see both potential sellers and buyers sit out of the market,” he said.
“That said, when producers have decided to offload stock, the prices outlined earlier have certainly been welcome and there have been limited signs of any distressed vendors in the market at this stage.”
The Hollow. Pic: Supplied
Size: The Hollow - 98.55ha, Timber Mill Station - 35.1ha
Location: The Hollow - Sleepy Hollow, NSW and Timber Mill Station - Brooweena, QLD
Sale method: AuctionsPlus auction at 11am on September 23
Price Guide: The Hollow - $6 million, Timber Mill Station - EOI
Two vastly different yet equally unique rural retreats are up for sale, offering buyers the chance to secure lifestyle properties with distinct appeal in NSW and Queensland.
In northern NSW, a 98.55ha hinterland haven dubbed ‘The Hollow’ is drawing strong interest for its idyllic setting just 10 minutes from Pottsville Beach and 30 minutes from Byron Bay.
Listed for $6 million through Ray White Rural’s Peter Douglas, the property at 229-292 Sleepy Hollow Road is owned by the Marshall family and has long served as a peaceful family retreat.
“The property is beautiful. It’s a really unusual property. You can run a few cows and chooks, and have a few horses,” Mr Douglas said.
“There’s waterfalls on the property with walking and riding trails through the rainforest. It’s very pretty.”
With ocean views from the mountain ridge, private spring-fed waterholes and a tranquil rainforest setting, the property is being marketed to buyers from Sydney, Melbourne and beyond.
“We have really enjoyed the property as it’s been a conduit for our family and friends to gather and celebrate holidays,” Lachlan Marshall said.
“It sits somewhere in between a workable farm and lifestyle block.”
Meanwhile, in Queensland’s Fraser Coast hinterland, Timber Mill Station is offering a completely off-grid lifestyle with tourism potential.
Timber Mill. Pic: Supplied
Spanning 35.1ha, the Brooweena property is being sold via Expressions of Interest through Alicia Pregnell of RWC Noosa & Sunshine Coast.
“There’s definitely a growing demand for tourism and agri-tourism properties, especially those offering experiential stays,” Ms Pregnell said.
With a 400sq m event shed, attached accommodation, modern amenities, and walking tracks, the property already generates income through short stays and agistment.
“Guests are chasing nature, space, and a bit of quiet – but still want creature comforts,” Ms Pregnell said.
Both properties tap into the growing lifestyle and eco-tourism trend, offering rare opportunities to own a slice of rural paradise.
Kylie Dulhunty is a journalist with more than 20 years experience covering everything from court to health. Today, Kylie loves nothing more than turning market trends, industry insights and epic property sales - residential, rural and commercial into captivating stories.