One of the Coorong district’s largest dairy assets comes to market

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.

One of the Coorong district’s largest dairy assets comes to market

Size: 1500.7ha

Location: Meningie, SA

Sale method: EOI closing at 12pm (ACDT) on December 11

Price guide: N/A

A landmark dairy and irrigation enterprise in South Australia’s Upper South East has hit the market, presenting one of the Coorong District’s most substantial agricultural opportunities in recent years.

‘Campbell House’, a 1500.7ha holding positioned between Lake Albert and the internationally recognised Coorong wetland system, combines a high-performing shedded dairy operation with expansive irrigation and cropping capacity.

The property sits 16km west of Meningie, 93km south of Murray Bridge and 166km from Adelaide, placing it within reach of key agricultural services and markets.

For the past five years, the farm’s 50-unit rotary dairy has supported 600 cows and produced up to seven million litres of milk annually.

The dairy is complemented by a compost barn with room for 600 cows, providing production efficiency and year-round animal comfort.

The property’s agricultural footprint is largely arable, with 91 per cent (1,359.5ha) comprising productive sandy loam over clay soils.

These support a mix of high-yielding crops and fodder, including canola, lupins, barley, oats, hay and silage.

Water reliability is another hallmark of the asset, with 232ha under spray irrigation and serviced by eight fibre-optic-connected, remote-controlled centre pivots drawing from the River Murray Prescribed Water Course – River Murray Irrigation Management Zone.

Supporting infrastructure includes five-year-old steel cattle yards with a five-way draft and galvanised crush, 520 tonnes of silo storage, a 100kW solar array and an assortment of machinery and sundry sheds, underscoring the property’s turnkey appeal.

Accommodation is also extensive. A five-bedroom, 120-year-old stone homestead overlooks Lake Albert, while a manager’s residence, workers’ quarters and a stone cottage offer additional scope for family living and staff housing.

LAWD Director Nigel Gosse said the combination of scale and versatility made Campbell House stand out in a tightly held region.

“Campbell House is a significant Coorong district dairy and irrigation opportunity,” Mr Gosse said.

“Given the versatility and location of the property, we would expect interest from a wide range of buyers including dairy operators looking for scale and quality infrastructure, livestock producers, and agribusinesses seeking to produce high-value seed, forage, or vegetable crops.

“Its prime location is also a benefit, being positioned between Lake Albert and the Coorong, which is recognised under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance.”

Campbell House is being offered via Expressions of Interest closing at 12pm (ACDT) on December 11.

Historic cattle station ‘Glendower’ sells for $39.6 million at auction

Size: 32,250ha

Location: Prairie district, NW QLD

Sale price: $39.6 million

One of North West Queensland’s most substantial grazing holdings has changed hands, with the 32,250ha ‘Glendower’ selling under the hammer for $39.6 million at a packed auction in Townsville.

More than 80 people filled The Ville Casino for the event, including rural property owners, investment groups, valuers, bank representatives and agents.

Interest in the freehold Prairie district holding was widespread, with enquiries coming from across Queensland, the Northern Territory and New South Wales.

Eight registered bidders from Queensland and the NT with several active bidders driving the result

The station, located 22km north-west of Prairie, was purchased by Patrick and Edwina Hick of Argyle Pastoral, Julia Creek.

The sale marks the first time ‘Glendower’ has changed hands in 36 years.

Stockplace Marketing agent Ashley Naclerio said the strength of the turnout reflected both the calibre of the asset and ongoing confidence in the rural property sector.

“Great to see a fabulous result for our vendors Clive and Larine Poole,” he said.

“It was a well-supported auction which highlights the strength in the rural property market and the calibre of property.”

Vendors Clive and Larine Poole expressed their appreciation following the sale.

“We are thrilled with the outcome of today’s sale,” they said.

“We acknowledge the strength in the market and appreciate the buyer’s support.

“Glendower is a unique property and is a wonderful home. We wish all the success to the new owners.”

The property is renowned for its diverse land types, strong pastures and extensive improvements.

With seven distinct country types, the station supports a broad mix of native and improved grasses, along with a wide range of timber species.

Water security is a major feature, with frontage to the Flinders River system, multiple creeks, five bores, numerous dams and a large network of tanks, troughs and poly pipelines.

Infrastructure includes a renovated homestead, staff accommodation, four sets of cattle yards, machinery and workshop sheds, and a well-developed paddock and laneway layout.

The sale also includes about 3,675 composite and Angus-cross cattle and the Lazy P8Y brand, with the herd estimated to support a carrying capacity of 4,000 adult equivalents.

Auctioneer Philip Black described the event as a standout.

“It was a very well attended auction of industry representatives with lots of registered bidders that saw a great result after spirited bidding,” he said.

The sale was handled by Stockplace Marketing.

Historic Dalveen properties change hands after 172 years of family ownership

Size: Dalveen Homestead 299ha, Dalveen East 256.57ha

Location: Woodchester, SA

Sale price: N/A

One of South Australia’s oldest continuously held pastoral assets has been sold, marking the end of a remarkable 172-year chapter for the Richardson family.

‘Dalveen Homestead’, a 299ha holding at 173 Dalveen Road, Woodchester, has been purchased following a campaign led by Raine & Horne Rural SA director Paul Clifford.

The property, brought to the market for the first time since 1853, offered incoming owners the rare opportunity to secure both productive grazing land and a significant piece of the state’s pastoral history.

The heritage-listed homestead, built circa 1865, remains the centrepiece of the holding, surrounded by manicured gardens and supported by extensive working improvements including historic stone shearing sheds, silos, implement sheds and well-maintained fencing.

Dalveen has long been recognised for its Dalveen Merino and Poll Merino stud, boasting a consistent lambing percentage of 108 per cent and benefiting from a long-running fertiliser program.

These are attributes that have underpinned its reputation as a premium sheep enterprise.

The sale comes as national wool prices strengthen on the back of surging demand from China.

The Eastern Market Indicator jumped 109 cents in September to reach 1,453 cents a kilogram - its highest level since mid-2022 - after 10 consecutive weeks of gains, the longest upward run since 1987.

“Sheep, lamb, and wool prices are on a roll, and that’s underpinning strong demand for quality rural property,” Mr Clifford said.

In a separate transaction, nearby Dalveen East, a 256.57ha grazing property adjoining the homestead, has also changed hands.

The holding, at 84 Dalveen Road and just 45km from Adelaide, comprises four titles of heavy red sandy loam soils suited to broadacre cropping and grazing.

Market expectations were above $4 million, with rural property media noting the sale as the close of an era for the district.

The property features seven well-fenced paddocks, arable country with scattered timber for shelter, and excellent transport access, with each paddock fronting a gazetted road.

Water is supplied via troughs linked to a new stock and domestic bore, complemented by an average annual rainfall of 450mm.

“This property is perfect for those seeking to upscale, diversify, or lay down rural roots - with convenient access to metropolitan city essentials by way of Strathalbyn and Mount Barker,” Mr Clifford said.

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.