More than 170,000 hectares - cattle stations Neumayer Valley and Elrose - have hit the market in North West Queensland.
Size: Neumayer Valley Station - 143,000ha and Elrose Station - 30,000ha-plus
Location: North-West Queensland
For lease: Expressions of Interest
Price guide: N/A
More than 170,000 hectares - cattle stations Neumayer Valley and Elrose - have hit the market in North West Queensland.
The properties have been put on the market by Swiss Australian Farm Holdings, a substantial pastoral platform that was assembled by a Swiss aviation executive, the late Oskar J. Schwenk.
Neumayer Valley Station, a 143,000ha breeding property south of Carpentaria in the Gulf Country, is regarded as one of the region’s premier grazing assets.
Fronting the Alexandra and Leichhardt Rivers, the station features extensive flood-out and downs country, offering a highly productive environment for cattle breeding.
Included in the sale is a herd of about 16,000 Brahman cattle, recognised for their superior genetics, strong bone structure, and high carcass weights.
Elrose has primarily operated as a backgrounding unit in recent years. Pic: Supplied
Complementary to Neumayer Valley’s standing in the market is its equally renowned Grey Brahman herd and 1,600 ML water licence, which will sell as part of the walk-in, walk-out sale.
Colliers Agribusiness and Prophurst are managing the sale.
“Rarely in the market does a package become available where a property and its herd have such a significant and commensurate reputation in the industry,” Northern Australian livestock specialist and Prophurst Principal, Bram Pollock, said.
Located near McKinlay, Elrose comprises more than 30,000ha of freehold, leasehold, and additional permitted land.
The station features vast Mitchell and Flinders grass downs, complemented by an extensive network of rivulets and channels associated with the seasonal Fullarton River system.
Elrose has primarily operated as a backgrounding unit in recent years, playing a key role in its owner’s integrated operations. It will be offered for sale on a bare basis.
Colliers Head of Agribusiness Rawdon Briggs described both properties as highly reliable, premium breeding and backgrounding assets, which were expected to attract broad interest.
“We are excited to present such premium cattle properties and equally notable breeder herd to the market during a period of increasing interest in Australian beef supply due to diminishing global herd numbers, and particularly the numbers in the Americas,” Mr Briggs said.
“The livestock and management are a testament to the company's strive for excellence in all things, and we look forward to showcasing these very impressive holdings and herd in the upcoming sale campaign.”
Colliers National Director Jesse Manuel said Elrose station had only changed hands once in more than 100 years.
“The location of Elrose Station positions it as a strategic fit for live export operations, and with its moderate climatic features and tick-free status, the property is also able to support herds with a more Bos Taurus influence to access higher value domestic markets,” he said.
Mr Manuel said at Neumayer Valley, the low cost of production in relative terms, as well as the increasing productivity and efficiency, were significant benefits.
“Minimal supplement inputs afforded by the health of the country, rainfall, and station management’s constant strive for improvement, provides for a lower cost of production model compared to other regions of northern Australia, delivering exceptional fertility and weaning weights year-in year-out,” he said.
“The already remarkable weaning percentage of 75 per cent plus, is on an upward trajectory.”
Both properties will be offered individually via expressions of interest, with closing dates to be advised.
Size: 1850ha
Location: Darling Downs
For lease: Expressions of Interest close on April 3, 2025
Price guide: N/A
A prime section of one of the Darling Downs’ most recognised cattle stations is being offered for lease, paving the way for a major renewable energy project.
A 1,850ha portion of Lyndley Station, a historic 6,275ha property located in Queensland’s Southern Renewable Energy Zone, is available for lease through CBRE Agribusiness.
The Expressions of Interest campaign, managed by CBRE’s Andrew Loughnan and John Harrison, seeks to attract investment from domestic and international resource proponents, government and public sector entities, natural capital groups, corporate and institutional investors, and global superannuation funds.
“This is an exciting opportunity to explore a collaborative partnership with a top-tier renewable energy developer,” Mr Harrison said.
“Our goal is to ensure a transparent and mutually beneficial process that allows the agricultural land to coexist harmoniously with renewable energy projects.
“By working together, we aim to foster sustainable development while maintaining the integrity and productivity of the farmland.”
The site offers about 10km of frontage to a 275kV High Voltage Transmission Line and is strategically positioned between Halys and Western Downs Substation/Switching Stations.
The area benefits from freehold tenure, minimal environmental overlays, and proximity to key transport routes, including the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport.
Mr Loughnan highlighted the broader significance of the project.
“CBRE views renewable energy as a complementary solution to the optimal utilisation of our agricultural assets and natural capital,” he said.
“With social licence gaining widespread acceptance among developers and community members, now is the time for transparency.”
Lyndley Station was taken over about a decade ago by cattle breeder and mining and resources veteran, Nick Mather, according to the Financial Review.
Mather sees the lease as an opportunity to align with Queensland’s push for renewable energy development.
Expressions of Interest close on April 3, 2025.
Size: 167.4ha
Location: Auburn, South Australia
Sale price: $4.175 million
A highly sought-after farming property in South Australia's Mid North has sold at auction for $4.175 million, equating to $10,093 per acre.
The 167.4ha property, known as 'Michaels' Auburn, attracted strong interest from buyers, with six registered bidders competing for the productive cropping land.
The auction, conducted by Ray White Rural South Australia, was livestreamed on social media, allowing interested parties to watch the competitive bidding unfold.
The property, positioned between Auburn and Saddleworth, is renowned for its fertile soils, flexible cropping options, and secure water supply.
It is well-fenced into two arable paddocks, with a solar-equipped bore providing water security, making it a prime asset for expansion-minded farmers or investors.
Auctioneer Geoff Schell noted the exceptional demand for quality farmland in the region.
"Properties of this calibre in the Mid North don’t come up often, and today’s result is a testament to the strength of the market and the ongoing confidence in agricultural investments," he said during the auction.
Bidding opened at $3.7 million and quickly escalated in $50,000 increments, with competition intensifying past the $4 million mark.
The hammer eventually fell at $4.175 million, securing a premium price for the vendor.
"Location, reliability, and flexibility are the hallmarks of this property, and that’s what made it such an attractive prospect for buyers," Mr Schell added.
The sale reinforces the Mid North’s reputation as one of South Australia’s most valuable farming regions, with strong buyer demand continuing for premium agricultural assets.
Size: 455ha
Location: Mitta Mitta Valley
For lease: Private treaty
Price guide: N/A
A historic fourth-generation dairy farm in Victoria’s picturesque Mitta Mitta Valley has been listed for sale for the first time in nearly 170 years.
Milbrook, a 455ha property in the Upper Murray district, has been in the same family since its establishment in 1856.
The farm, which features more than 1km of frontage to the permanent Mitta Mitta River, is being offered via private treaty.
Currently operating as a dairy, Milbrook supports 350 milking cows and boasts a 50-head rotary dairy with modern infrastructure, including automatic cup removal and an adjoining undercover cattle-handling facility.
However, the property is also well-suited for beef breeding and fattening, with highly fertile alluvial river flats, improved pastures, and a strong fertiliser history.
Water security is a key asset, with entitlements from the Mitta Mitta River, Scrubby Creek, and Diggers Creek, as well as five spring-fed dams and 45 stock troughs.
About 64ha are established for flood and spray irrigation.
The property is divided into 46 main paddocks with an internal laneway system, all with stock-proof electric fencing.
A well-maintained four-to-five-bedroom weatherboard home sits among expansive gardens, offering a scenic rural lifestyle just 8km from Eskdale and 45 minutes from Wodonga.
With its deep farming heritage and prime agricultural land, Milbrook represents a rare opportunity to secure a premium holding in one of Victoria’s most sought-after farming regions.
Corcoran Parker agents John Honeychurch and Mike Weller have the listing.
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.
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