HISTORIC Clifton Hills Station – an organic cattle station on the Birdsville Track and one of the largest rural properties in the world – has come on the market.
Established in 1878, the station is being offered on a walk-in walk-out basis.
Public marketing is about to start and Colliers International Rural & Agribusiness and Rural Property and Livestock have been appointed to the sale.
One of the agents handing the sale is Jesse Manuel from Colliers International's Adelaide office.
Mr Manuel said as well as covering more than 1.6 million hectares, the property was also diverse, with three main land types that complemented each other very well and provided a good mix of feed types for cattle.
He said interest was expected from a range of areas including Australian pastoralists, corporate cattle companies, domestic and international investors, wealthy individuals and large family farming operations.
“A property as special as Clifton Hills with its unique history and sheer size will attract buyers from all across the world,” he said.
"Clifton Hills is the ultimate ‘all rounder’ when it comes to Australian cattle stations. Given its size and excellent cattle breeding and fattening capabilities, Clifton Hills would integrate very well into an existing pastoral enterprise or operate as a stand-alone property as it is presently doing very successfully. "
The station covers about 16,500 square kilometres in four contiguous pastoral leases, which is more than half the size of Belgium.
Clifton Hills occupies a significant part of the Channel Country that extends from Qld into SA.
The Georgina River, Cooper Creek and the Diamantina River all flow across Clifton Hills. Rainfall in their catchment areas consistently water large areas of Clifton Hills, creating some of the best cattle fattening country in Australia. The Diamantina is presently in flood.
Clifton Hills comprises three main country types: one third is sandhill country, which is suited to seasonal winter rain and responds well from as little as 25 millimetres of rainfall; one third flood country (Diamantina, Cooper and Georgina, which flourishes from outside rainfall); and one third stony red country.
Clifton Hills Station is largely self-sustaining and can maintain a core herd during periods of drought.
The Birdsville Track crosses the property giving access to both northern and southern markets.
The four pastoral leases, two for Clifton Hills, Goyder Lagoon and Kanowana, presently support an estimated 18,000 head of cattle made up of a variety of breeds to suit northern and southern markets.
The infrastructure comprises a central homestead hub, formed roadways, airstrips, 24 sets of steel trucking yards, six flowing bores and valuable plant and equipment.
Clifton Hills Pastoral Co managing partner Dave Harvey said the station had three main strengths that set it apart from most others in Australia.
“There are three distinct and equally balanced land types – Gibber plains with creeks, soft sand hill country and inland river floodplains,” Mr Harvey said.
“The Diamantina River effectively terminates in a delta floodplain on Clifton Hills, giving a consistent 1500sqkm of flood area per annum, and making it a very fertile area.
“The property has very good scale, with a 21,500 head of stock rating on the pastoral lease. The scale on Clifton Hills is achieved without massive infrastructure – the secret is the large land area which allows cattle to be well spread-out.”
The selling agents anticipate interest from $1550 per beast area, based on the present pastoral board maximum of 21,500 cattle, plus cattle.
Expressions of interest to participate in an international tender process are invited.
- Details: email: Jesse.Manuel@Colliers.com.