From expanding watermelon fields in the Kimberley to riverside cattle estates and dormant beef plants, Australia’s rural property market is anything but idle. With diverse opportunities emerging nationwide, buyers are digging into the country’s most productive assets.
Size: 301ha
Location: Shamrock Gardens, Broome, WA
Sale price: About $6.5 million
Shamrock Gardens, a 301-hectare freehold irrigation farm south of Broome in West Kimberley, has been purchased by the Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community La Grange Inc (BACLG), with plans to expand its horticultural production to supply markets in southern Australia.
The property, which features 172 hectares of drip line and centre pivot irrigation primarily for seedless watermelon production distributed to Perth, was offered through a two-stage expression of interest (EOI) process.
The sale was managed by LAWD on behalf of vendor Galwey Horticultural.
LAWD Director Simon Wilkinson said 30 enquiries led to four EOIs, with BACLG emerging as the successful bidder.
“Purchased on a walk-in walk-out basis for approximately $6.5 million, the sale of Shamrock Gardens shows there is still strong demand for quality assets throughout Western Australia, particularly those with water licenses,” Mr Wilkinson said.
The farm, situated within the La Grange irrigation area, has a secure entitlement of 2,500 megalitres of Canning-Broome water, enabling a long-season production window for crops such as watermelon, rockmelon, pumpkin, sweet potato, and various fodder crops.
It is also equipped with a nursery, packing facilities, solar power, and accommodation.
“That’s when the idea of the BACLG acquiring Shamrock Gardens came about,” BACLG’s Chief Executive Officer, Tania Baxter, said.
“There were many qualities about Shamrock Gardens that appealed to the BACLG council – the farm is close by so people can work and return home each day, and it offers not only employment opportunities, but also career pathways for our members, enabling them to remain in the community and with family.”
Ms Baxter added, “Through this acquisition, we are able to build upon our previous training programs and enhance the skill base within the community.”
“Our long-term plans are to scale up the farm to take advantage of the Kimberley region’s extended growing period and to pursue market opportunities with commercial partners.”
READ MORE: National rural property prices drop 2% despite rising transaction volume
Size: 80ha
Location: Shrublands Estate, Victoria
Sale method: Private treaty
Price guide: N/A
Shrublands Estate, an 80ha agricultural property in Thornton, Victoria, has been listed for sale after 15 years of ownership by Caitlin Williams.
Situated two hours from Melbourne and 12km from Alexandra, the estate is currently used for breeding Angus cattle, with capacity for 200 stud females and their progeny.
The property has 1.9km of Goulburn River frontage, 54 megalitres of high-security river water, 40ML of groundwater irrigation entitlements, and extensive livestock water access.
“Shrublands offers the opportunity to generate an assured income from farm production while enjoying the region’s fantastic recreational facilities,” Ms Williams said.
The estate features 14 paddocks, an internal laneway for efficient livestock movement, and a variety of windbreaks and shade strips.
Ms Williams also highlighted the recreational appeal of the property.
“The river provides a protected environment for platypus, echidnas, and trout, as well as plenty of opportunity for water sports, fishing, and four-wheel driving,” she said.
Shrublands includes a newly renovated five-bedroom homestead, a three-bedroom weatherboard cottage, and extensive agricultural infrastructure, including stables, cattle yards, and a commercial helipad with a large hangar.
Orchards on the property feature commercial blueberry crops, stone fruits, and nut trees.
LAWD Sales Executive, Patrick Kerr, described Shrublands as a “well-developed, high-quality asset” that offers a unique blend of residential and operational infrastructure.
“This is a rare opportunity for high-net-worth individuals seeking a family or lifestyle retreat, or for nearby landholders looking to expand,” Mr Kerr said.
Shrublands is also close to various recreational activities, including hiking, golfing, and water sports at Lake Eildon.
Size: N/A
Location: Livingstone Valley, NT
Sale price: About $6.5 million
The Australian Agricultural Company (AA Co) has reportedly enlisted Melbourne advisory firm Kidder Williams to quietly explore potential buyers for its dormant Darwin beef processing plant near Livingstone.
The discreet ‘off-market’ strategy has reportedly engaged around 20 prospective domestic and international buyers, according to Beef Central.
The Livingstone facility, which has been inactive since its closure in 2018 due to unmanageable operating losses, has attracted renewed interest, with industry speculation suggesting an asking price between $50 million and $75 million.
However, other sources have disputed this range, noting the valuation of a loss-making plant is not necessarily tied to its replacement cost.
AA Co has supposedly ruled out joint-venture options, and is said to be focused on a full sale.
The company maintains the facility in preparation for a potential restart, and buyer inspections are expected in the coming weeks.
With beef prices rising sharply since the plant’s closure, now may be an opportune time for its sale, although AA Co has yet to notify the ASX of any developments.
Size: 716ha
Location: Nimbo Station, Brungle
Sale method: EOI closing November 29 at 4pm AEDT
Price guide: $7.5 million - $8 million
One of the larger contiguous land holdings in the Tumut region has come to market, with ‘Nimbo Station’ expected to fetch more than $7.5 million.
Comprising 716ha, ‘Nimbo Station’ offers high productivity and versatile land with fertile soil types, and is centrally located to both Tumut and Gundagai.
Inglis Rural Propert’s Liam Griffiths said ‘Nimbo Station’ was a comprehensive offering.
“Nimbo Station offers the complete rural package in the renowned Snowy Mountains region of NSW,” he said.
“It’s one of the larger holdings in the district, with substantial frontage to the iconic Tumut River.
“Historically strong management, primarily operated as a cattle breeding and fattening enterprise, Nimbo Station has substantial production and scale, and an enviable lifestyle appeal.”
Mr Griffiths said the region enjoyed a winter dominant rainfall, averaging 800mm a year, along with a unique, highly scenic balance of country types, ranging from elevated moderate/steep grazing slopes, which capture valley views from all aspects, flowing down to the highly productive and reliable alluvial flats of the Nimbo Creek and Tumut River.
Nimbo Station offers a versatile landscape ideal for cattle and sheep enterprises, featuring decomposed granite loam soils suitable for perennial pastures and capable of supporting high-density stocking rates of up to 20 DSE/Ha on fertile river flats.
The property, currently home to 350 Angus breeding cows, has an estimated carrying capacity of 7,000 DSE under average conditions, with potential for further development through soil improvement and pasture establishment.
Water resources are abundant, with 1.9km of Tumut River frontage, 1.1km of Nimbo Creek frontage, a reticulated water system, and 22 gravity-fed dams.
The Nimbo Homestead is an original and stylish 320sq m, two-storey home built in 1938, offering four bedrooms, a study, two bathrooms and multiple living areas.
