ONE of the world’s largest rural properties is on the market. Clifton Hills Station, a huge organic cattle station in the far north-east corner of South Australia, is being offered on a walk-in walk-out basis.
The 16,500sq km (4 million acre) property is being sold through an expressions process through Colliers International and Rural Property and Livestock.
The four contiguous pastoral leases occupy a significant part of the Channel Country, which extends from Queensland into South Australia.
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 Australia’s best cattle fattening country. The Diamantina is currently in flood.
Ben Forrest, Jesse Manuel and Nick Dean Colliers from Colliers International and Wally Cooper from Rural Property and Livestock (RPL), have been engaged to run the tender process.
Clifton Hills comprises three main country types: one third sandhill country; one third flood country; and one third stony red country, which acts as a ‘tin shed’ but also contains quite sweet country in places.
Wally Cooper knows this country well.
“The beauty of Clifton Hills is not only the amazing flow of water it receives from the north but all rain that falls on the property stays on the property,” Mr Cooper said.
“The internal gibber country acts like an enormous roof which fills numerous creeks and swamps generating growth of fantastic feed all from an inch of rain.”
The four pastoral leases, two for Clifton Hills, Goyder Lagoon and Kanowana, currently support an estimated 18,000 head of cattle made up a variety of breeds to suit both northern and southern markets.
The infrastructure comprises a central homestead hub, formed roadways, airstrips, 24 sets of steel trucking yards, and six flowing bores.
Clifton Hills Pastoral Co managing partner Dave Harvey said the station had three main strengths that set it apart from most other stations 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 1500sq km 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.”
Mr Forrest said a beef industry asset as special as Clifton Hills Station would attract a premium price.
“Clifton Hills Station offers a very appealing opportunity for investors to acquire a substantial herd without the costs associated with freight, and the complexities involved in purchasing new stock,” Mr Forrest said.
Agents anticipate interest from $1550 per beast area, based on the present pastoral board maximum of 21,500 cattle, plus cattle. They emphasise the very appealing opportunity for investors to acquire a substantial herd without the costs associated with freight and the complexities involved in purchasing new stock.
Contact Ben Forrest, 0427 580 000, Colliers International, or Wally Cooper, 07 4658 9386, Rural Property and Livestock.