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: 891.9ha
Location: Manilla, NSW
Sale method: EOI closing closing October 2
Price Guide: $40 million-plus
A major New England farming aggregation with nine kilometres of Namoi River frontage and the largest single water entitlement on the river has been listed for sale.
The Yarrenbool Aggregation is expected to attract offers of more than $40 million.
The 891.9ha aggregation at Manilla comprises two adjoining properties, Yarrenbool (787.4ha) and Namoi Park (104.5ha), supported by 3,640ML of water entitlements from the unregulated Namoi River system.
A 2,500ML storage dam, with approval for a further 1,000ML extension, underpins the development alongside 422.5ha under pivot irrigation, 26.8ha ready for installation, and 36.4ha approved for future expansion.
The property is for sale via expressions of interest closing October 2.
LAWD Senior Director Col Medway said the property represented a rare opportunity.
“With approvals in place to extend the dam by an additional 1000ML and to also build a second 96ML dam, Yarrenbool Aggregation is positioned for scalable expansion, offering investors a rare regulatory advantage and an opportunity to future-proof their portfolios,” Mr Medway said.
“The astute aggregation of land and water entitlements combined with the development of infrastructure on the aggregation provides an asset that has capacity for a wide range of agricultural pursuits, which we expect will be highly coveted by the market.”
Developed over 20 years by Sydney developer Rob Moore and his partner, artist Lisa Rochfort, the aggregation balances productivity with environmental care.
“We’ve always been mindful of protecting the natural environment and there are millions of bees here to pollinate crops, as well as animals such as platypus and echidnas,” Ms Rochfort said.
“A 10-year study found reaches of the Namoi River were some of the most pristine in the Murray Darling Basin.
“In terms of water for crops, Yarrenbool offers the perfect balance between irrigating from the river and accessing the massive dam when needed, and Rob can single-handedly operate it himself, which is impressive. Not a lot of farms have the capability or infrastructure to require minimal staff.”
Ms Rochfort said the property was “extraordinary lucerne country” and they had also grown high-yielding mung bean and adzuki bean crops, as well as corn.
“The aggregation will be ready for the new buyer to put a crop straight in, with a dam full of water and any combination of irrigation they need,” she said.
“It’s time for us to create the next chapter.”
The property includes four hay and machinery sheds, three residences with river views, and is located just 7.5km from Manilla and 52km from Tamworth.
Size: 78,000ha
Location: Macleod, WA
Sale method: EOI
Price guide: Offers over $17.5 million
A rare opportunity to secure one of Western Australia’s most iconic and remote coastal properties has emerged, with Gnaraloo Station now listed for sale via expressions of interest, seeking offers over $17.5 million.
Spanning approximately 78,000ha and boasting 62km of untouched Ningaloo coastline, Gnaraloo is where the rugged beauty of the outback meets the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.
Long revered by surfers and nature lovers alike, the property includes the famous 3 Mile Camp and surf break Tombstones, once host to the Billabong Challenge, attracting global legends like Kelly Slater.
Owned since 2005 by Paul Richardson, the station has been carefully nurtured as a working pastoral lease, eco-tourism destination, and conservation haven.
The property includes 1500 goats and 35 sheep, with pastoral and tourism leases extending as far as 2065.
The homestead is a self-contained village comprising 22 one-bedroom cabins, four two-bedroom cabins, shearing quarters, a fishing lodge, a five-bedroom homestead, and a full suite of communal amenities.
A separate 3 Mile Camp offers 99 campsites, three shower blocks, staff quarters, a café, and shop.
Supporting infrastructure includes eight water tanks with 430,000 litres of fresh water, six generators, and a private 600m airstrip. Water is sourced from a licensed bore and six soak wells.
The sale includes extensive facilities and is being offered as a turnkey operation with existing staff and strong tourism income. Any sale will require State Government approval.
O’Rourke Realty is managing the sale.
Size: 21,2777ha
Location: Near Burketown, QLD
Sale price: $14.5 million
Brookdale Station, a historic 21,277ha cattle property in North Queensland, has changed hands for the first time in 130 years, fetching $14.5 million at auction.
Located 42km south of Burketown in the Gregory district, the station had remained in the same family since it was established by Oliver Smith in the late 19th century.
It was offered for sale on a walk-in walk-out basis, including 2754 head of cattle and plant and equipment.
The successful buyers were neighbouring cattle producers John and Sue Clarke, who secured the property after bidding against four other registered parties at The Ville in Townsville.
Bidding opened at $9 million and climbed steadily before the hammer fell.
Ray White Rural Queensland agents Bruce Douglas and Liam Kirkwood managed the sale.
Brookdale comprises 2576ha of freehold land and 18,701ha of leasehold country, encompassing open downs with brown to black soils, wetland and channel country, and Mitchell grass plains.
Its water infrastructure includes Beams Brook, multiple creeks, springs, rivers, and dams.
The herd includes predominantly Grey Brahman breeders, noted for Tartrus and Lancefield genetics.
The station’s carrying capacity is estimated at 3360 adult equivalents or 2350 breeders.
Size: 4,730ha
Location: Blackall, QLD
Sale price: N/A
The Phelps family’s 4,703ha cattle property, Woodbine, near Blackall has been sold to Emerald-based grain and cattle producers following an expression of interest campaign.
Located just off the Landsborough Highway and 13km from the Blackall Saleyards, Woodbine offers a conservative carrying capacity of 815 adult equivalents (AE) and benefits from an average annual rainfall of 526mm.
LAWD Directors Grant Veivers and Simon Cudmore were the selling agents.
Mr Veivers said the property drew attention from both locals and external investors.
“We have had a very positive sales campaign with the combination of plentiful water, quality fencing and cattle yards, and abundant feed attracting plenty of interest from local landholders, as well as investors from further afield,” he said.
“Woodbine’s location close to Blackall was a key selling point, while its guaranteed water via a one-third share of a capped artesian bore that flows at 8 litres per second, supported by a catchment dam and numerous seasonal waterholes, made it a very attractive prospect.
“The stocking rate is conservatively estimated at 1AE per 6ha, but the mix of grasses and land types can support a variety of stocking rates depending on the paddock, and more than 5km of laneways enable efficient movement of stock.”
Woodbine also features extensive beef infrastructure, including steel cattle yards with a five-way pound draft, covered working area and double-deck loading ramp, supported by a poly pipeline network that supplies 16 troughs across 12 paddocks.
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.
