List of the largest stations in Australia explained

This is a list of the largest stations in Australia, which includes stations with an area in excess of 4000km2.

All of the largest pastoral leases are located in the states of South Australia (SA), Queensland (QLD) and Western Australia (WA); or in the Northern Territory (NT).

The vast majority are cattle stations, with no sheep stations among the ten largest. Most of the properties are owned by pastoral companies such as Australian Agricultural Company, Consolidated Pastoral Company, S. Kidman & Co Ltd, North Australian Pastoral Company, Heytesbury Pty. Ltd., Paraway Pastoral Company[1] and the Jumbuck Pastoral Company.

This list includes the stations in Australia by virtue of area:

RankStationStateArea (km2)Area (mi2)Area (acre)StockYear est.NotesReferences
1SA 23677km2 Cattle 1863 Grazed sheep originally, world's largest station. Area includes both Anna Creek and the Peake outstation combined. [2]
2SA 17000km2 Cattle before 1881 Second largest station in SA [3]
3NT 16116km2 Cattle 1877Largest station in NT [4]
4QLD 15100km2 Cattle before 1878 Largest station in Qld. Area includes both Davenport Downs and Springvale station combined. [5]
5WA 14164km2 Cattle 1926 Largest station in WA. Area includes Home Valley, Karunjie and Durack River stations combined. Owned by Indigenous Land Corporation. [6]
6SA 13552km2 Cattle 1872 Third largest station in SA. Size once estimated at 100000NaN0[7] [8]
7NT 13500km2 Cattle 1883 Second largest station in NT [9]
8QLD 12460km2 Cattle before 1878 Second largest station in QLD [10]
9NT 12212km2 Cattle 1883 Third largest station in NT [11]
10SA 12141km2 Cattle 1872 Area quoted is maximum figure quoted as nearly 3 million acres [12]
11WA 12141km2 Cattle 1869 [13]
12NT 12000km2 Cattle before 1879 Area includes the Lake Nash, Georgina Downs and Argadargada leases. [14]
13SA 11063km2 Cattle before 1874 [15]
14NT 10850km2 Cattle 1880 [16]
15QLD 10700km2 Cattle 1884
15NT 10353km2 Cattle 1883 Area includes the Powell Creek and Tandyidgee pastoral leases.[17]
16NT 10198km2 Cattle before 1885 Area includes both Helen Springs and Brunchilly outstation combined. [18]
17WA 10117km2 Sheep 1962 Largest sheep station in WA, Australia and World [19] [20] [21]
18QLD 10032km2 Cattle 1881 Area includes Headingly, Carandotta and Wolgra leases [22]
19SA 10000km2 Sheep 1890 Area includes both Commonwealth Hill and Mobella outstation combined. Biggest sheep station in SA, second largest sheep station in Australia [23]
20NT 9997km2 Cattle 1881 [24]
21WA 9674km2 Cattle 1889 Area includes both Ruby Plains and Sturt Creek outstation combined. [25]
22NT 9349km2 Cattle ? Both Anthony Lagoon and Eva Downs operate as one entity [26]
23QLD 9310km2 Cattle ? Largest single pastoral lease in Queensland [27]
24QLD 8910km2 Cattle 1873 [28]
25NT 8900km2 Cattle 1880 At one time was the largest station in Australia and the world covering 41,000 km2
26QLD 8750km2 Cattle before 1912
27QLD 8500km2 Cattle 1870 [29]
28QLD 8300km2 Cattle before 1884 [30]
29NT 8090km2 Cattle 1880
29SA 7800km2 Cattle 1872 Grazed sheep until 1942 and was once regarded as Australia's largest sheep station. [31] [32]
30QLD 7770km2 Cattle before 1883 [33]
31QLD 7600km2 Cattle before 1887 [34]
32QLD 7510km2 Cattle before 1880 [35]
33NT 7337km2 Cattle 1932 [36]
34QLD 7275km2 Cattle 1871 [37]
35Todmorden StationSA7,1692,7681,771,000Cattle[38]
36MaduraWA 7082km2 Sheep 1876 Originally settled to breed horses for British Army in India [39] [40]
35WA 7082km2 Cattle 1885 [41]
37SA 7000km2 Cattle ? Includes the Miller's Creek lease. [42]
38NT6955km2 Cattle 1877 [43]
39QLD6920km2 Cattle before 1881 [44]
40WA6800km2 Cattle before 1910 [45]
41QLD6600km2 Cattle before 1908 [46]
42WA6600km2 Cattle 1910 [47]
43SA6500km2 Cattle [48]
44WA6475km2 Sheep before 1879 Also has a small herd of cattle [49]
45QLD6370km2 Cattle before 1882 [50]
46QLD6240km2 Cattle before 1876 [51]
47QLD6216km2 Cattle before 1867 [52]
48NT5994km2 Cattle before 1911 [53]
49QLD5990km2 Cattle before 1925 Has also previously been used for grazing sheep [54]
50QLD5814km2 Cattle 1871Has also previously been used for grazing horses when established [55]
51SA5600km2 Cattle before 1889 [56]
52NT5334km2 Cattle 1879 The station that inspired the story and film We of the Never Never [57]
53NT5273km2 Cattle 1875 Became a conservation area in 2011 [58]
54NT5222km2 Cattle before 1923 [59]
55NT5139km2 Cattle 1951 [60]
56QLD5070km2 Cattle 1876 [61]
57WA5059km2 Cattle before 1883 [62]
58NT5001km2 Cattle before 1908 [63]
59QLD4876km2 Cattle Before 1884 [64]
60NT4814km2 Cattle [65]
61WA4800km2 Sheep 1884 [66]
62SA 4742km2 Sheep before 1909 Once used to graze cattle [67]
63NT4692km2 Cattle 1883 [68]
64QLD4291km2 Cattle 1864 [69]
65NT4232km2 Cattle 1877 [70]
66NT4200km2 Cattle before 1911 Formerly known as Mongrel Downs [71]
67NT4142km2 Cattle before 1886 [72]
68NT4050km2 Cattle 1930s [73]
69QLD4047km2 Cattle 1880 [74]
70WA4047km2 Cattle 1882[75]
71WA4047km2 Sheep 1903[76]
72WA4047km2 Cattle 1903The park still runs 8,000 head of cattle.
73WA4000km2 Cattle before 1933
74WA4000km2 Cattle 1880s [77]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Reshaped portfolio part of Paraway's big aims. beefcentral.com. 21 May 2016. 23 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20170330000414/http://www.beefcentral.com/property/reshaped-portfolio-part-of-paraways-big-aims/. 30 March 2017. live.
  2. Web site: Anna Creek. S. Kidman & Co Ltd. 1 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130409035028/http://kidman.com.au/properties/3/anna%2dcreek/. 9 April 2013. dead.
  3. Web site: Blazing saddles. 11 June 2005. 23 August 2014. The Age. https://web.archive.org/web/20141119033557/http://www.theage.com.au/news/south-australia/blazing-saddles/2005/06/09/1118123945177.html. 19 November 2014. live.
  4. Web site: Alexandria . Northern Australian Pastoral Company . 1 January 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130409033512/http://napco.com.au/default.asp?PageID=9&n=Alexandria . 9 April 2013 .
  5. Web site: Davenport Downs. Paraway Pastoral Co.. 1 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130508001948/http://www.parawaypastoral.com/properties/northern-australia/davenport-downs-station/. 8 May 2013. dead.
  6. Web site: About Home Valley Station. Home Valley Station. 1 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130409132310/http://hvstation.com.au/about/more-about.php. 9 April 2013. live.
  7. Web site: Innamincka. S. Kidman & Co Ltd. 1 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130409035121/http://kidman.com.au/properties/9/innamincka/. 9 April 2013. live.
  8. News: "Cattle King" dead . . Charters Towers, Queensland. 3 September 1935 . 2 May 2013 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  9. Web site: Wave Hill station. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 8 August 2007. 9 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20080624210931/http://www.abc.net.au/rural/nt/content/2006/s1999784.htm. 24 June 2008. live.
  10. Web site: Marion Downs. 2012. 21 April 2013. North Australian Pastoral Company. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130502212358/http://napco.com.au/default.asp?PageID=16. 2 May 2013.
  11. Web site: Brunette Downs. 2012. 1 January 2013. Australian Agricultural Company. https://web.archive.org/web/20130410095655/http://www.aaco.com.au/operations/properties/nt/brunette-downs-station/. 10 April 2013. live.
  12. Web site: Quinyambie Station 160 km north west Broken Hill NSW 2880. 24 June 2012. 30 December 2012. Homehound.
  13. News: The De Grey Station. . Perth. 6 April 1886 . 1 June 2012 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  14. Web site: Lake Nash: video profile of an outback cattle station. 31 December 2009. 14 March 2013. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. https://web.archive.org/web/20141113182144/http://www.abc.net.au/local/videos/2009/12/31/2783550.htm. 13 November 2014. live.
  15. Web site: Macumba. S. Kidman & Co Ltd. 1 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130409035128/http://kidman.com.au/properties/8/macumba/. 9 April 2013. live.
  16. Web site: Things to see in Central Australia. 13 April 2015. Mount Dare hotel. https://web.archive.org/web/20150413145035/http://www.mtdare.com.au/the-australian-outback/things-to-see-in-central-australia. 13 April 2015. live.
  17. Web site: Newcastle Waters . . 1 January 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121227061222/http://www.pastoral.com/newcastle.html . 27 December 2012 .
  18. Web site: Helen Springs. S. Kidman & Co Ltd. 1 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130409035107/http://kidman.com.au/properties/2/helen%2dsprings/. 9 April 2013. live.
  19. Web site: Technical Bulletin – An inventory and condition survey of the Western Australian part of the Nullarbor region. Department of Agriculture and Food. 1 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20120323203649/http://agric.wa.gov.au/objtwr/imported_assets/content/lwe/rpm/techbull97_nullarbor_part1_introduction_and_revew.pdf. 23 March 2012. dead.
  20. Web site: Rawlinna. Jumbuck Pastoral Company. 1 January 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130409182204/http://www.jumbuckpastoral.com/pages/stations/rawlinna.html. 9 April 2013.
  21. Web site: Rawlinna. Jumbuck Pastoral Company. 11 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170411220800/http://www.jumbuckpastoral.com/our-stations/rawlinna/. 11 April 2017. dead.
  22. Web site: Headingly Station. 2012. 10 March 2013. Australian Agricultural Company. https://web.archive.org/web/20130322025116/http://www.aaco.com.au/operations/properties. 22 March 2013. live.
  23. Web site: Commonwealth Hill & Mobella. Jumbuck Pastoral Company. 1 January 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130409181955/http://www.jumbuckpastoral.com/pages/stations/commonwealth.html. 9 April 2013.
  24. Web site: Walhallow Station. Paraway Pastoral Co.. 2 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130207042753/http://www.parawaypastoral.com/properties/northern-australia/walhallow-station/. 7 February 2013. dead.
  25. Web site: Ruby Plains. S. Kidman & Co Ltd. 3 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130409035154/http://kidman.com.au/properties/7/ruby%2dplains/. 9 April 2013. live.
  26. Web site: Anthony Lagoon / Eva Downs. 2012. 3 January 2013. Australian Agricultural Company. https://web.archive.org/web/20130410095626/http://www.aaco.com.au/operations/properties/nt/anthony-lagoon-and-eva-downs-stations/. 10 April 2013. live.
  27. Web site: Cattle herd vanishes in Devil's Triangle. Peter Michael. 25 August 2012. 28 May 2014. The Courier-Mail. https://web.archive.org/web/20130906083518/http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/cattle-herd-vanishes-in-devils-triangle/story-fndo1yus-1226457695340. 6 September 2013. live.
  28. Web site: Durham Downs Station. S. Kidman & Co Ltd. 3 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130409035039/http://kidman.com.au/properties/5/durham%2ddowns/. 9 April 2013. live.
  29. Web site: Nockatunga. Consolidated Pastoral Company. 1 January 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121120234603/http://www.pastoral.com/nockatunga.html. 20 November 2012.
  30. Web site: Properties. 2012. 5 October 2014. Western Grazing. https://web.archive.org/web/20140409102803/http://www.westerngrazing.com.au/properties-2/. 9 April 2014. live.
  31. Web site: Exploroz Cordillo Downs. 2012. 27 December 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20131110074959/http://www.exploroz.com/Places/76072/SA/Cordillo_Downs.aspx. 10 November 2013. live.
  32. Web site: Cordillo Downs Station. 2012. 3 January 2013. Flinders Ranges Research. https://web.archive.org/web/20120910033851/http://www.southaustralianhistory.com.au/cordillo.htm. 10 September 2012. live.
  33. Web site: Properties. 2014. 3 October 2014. MDH Pty. Ltd.. https://web.archive.org/web/20141006125925/http://www.mdh.net.au/properties.html. 6 October 2014. live.
  34. Web site: Taking stock. Mark Muller. 1 October 2007. 7 October 2014. Outback Magazine. Outback Publishing Company. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141014030740/http://www.outbackmag.com.au/stories/article-view?227. 14 October 2014.
  35. Web site: Naryilco. 2012. 5 May 2013. S. Kidman & Co.. https://web.archive.org/web/20140322115341/http://www.kidman.com.au/properties/12/naryilco. 22 March 2014. live.
  36. Web site: NT/Kimberley property: 15 pastoral holdings for sale. James Nason. Beef Central. 28 March 2014. 4 March 2015. Nascon Media Pty Ltd. https://web.archive.org/web/20150326220028/http://www.beefcentral.com/property/ntkimberley-property-15-pastoral-holdings-for-sale/. 26 March 2015. live.
  37. Web site: Nappa Merrie. 2012. 5 May 2013. S. Kidman & Co.. https://web.archive.org/web/20130502235323/http://kidman.com.au/properties/12/nappa%2dmerrie. 2 May 2013. live.
  38. Web site: About Us. 2012. Todmorden Cattle Company. 7 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150227124258/http://todmorden.com.au/aboutus.htm. 27 February 2015. live.
  39. Web site: Madura Station. Jumbuck Pastoral Company. 3 January 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130409182057/http://www.jumbuckpastoral.com/pages/stations/madura.html. 9 April 2013.
  40. Web site: Madura. Explore Australia. 3 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130301032944/http://www.exploreaustralia.net.au/Western-Australia/Esperance-and-Nullarbor/Madura. 1 March 2013. live.
  41. News: On the Fitzroy River. . . Perth . 4 January 1902 . 3 January 2013 . 25 . National Library of Australia.
  42. Web site: Billa Kalina Station . 2012 . 15 November 2014 . Outback Lakes SA . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141129040536/http://www.outbacklakessa.com.au/stations/billa-kalina.html . 29 November 2014 .
  43. Web site: Mittiebah. Northern Australian Pastoral company. 3 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402102759/http://www.napco.com.au/default.asp?PageID=9&n=Mittiebah. 2 April 2015. dead.
  44. Web site: Glenormiston. Northern Australian Pastoral company. 3 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402142200/http://www.napco.com.au/default.asp?PageID=9&n=Glenormiston. 2 April 2015. dead.
  45. News: Pushing the envelope . . Sydney . 17 May 2005 . 3 January 2012 . 5 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100515035357/http://www.smh.com.au/news/Western-Australia/Pushing-the-envelope/2005/05/16/1116095893828.html . 15 May 2010 . live .
  46. Web site: Durrie Station. 2012. 21 June 2013. S. Kidman & Co.. https://web.archive.org/web/20130608063250/http://www.kidman.com.au/properties/4/durrie. 8 June 2013. live.
  47. Web site: The curse of Moola Bulla station strikes again. 7 July 2011. 24 November 2014. Aja Styles. WA Today. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052956/http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/the-curse-of-moola-bulla-station-strikes-again-20110706-1h2d0.html. 4 March 2016. live.
  48. Web site: Andamooka Station . 26 October 2014 . Outback Lakes SA . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140124174234/http://www.outbacklakessa.com.au/stations/andamooka-station . 24 January 2014 .
  49. News: Milly Milly Station . . Perth . 12 March 1910 . 3 January 2013 . 12 . National Library of Australia.
  50. Web site: Coorabulka. 2012. 23 March 2013. North Australian Pastoral Company. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130409033535/http://napco.com.au/default.asp?PageID=41&n=Coorabulka. 9 April 2013.
  51. Web site: Morney Plains. 2012. 25 June 2013. S. Kidman & Co.. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100406081237/http://www.kidman.com.au/properties/15/morney_plains. 6 April 2010.
  52. Web site: Etadunna Station. 28 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180311151453/http://mungeranniehotel.com.au/etadunnastation.html. 11 March 2018. live.
  53. Web site: Australia – Massive UK farm investment. 8 April 2012. 7 June 2014. Meat Trade News. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714201802/http://www.meattradenewsdaily.co.uk/news/030412/australia___massive_uk_farm_investment_.aspx. 14 July 2014.
  54. News: Mt Margaret sells to NSW beef producer. Amy Philips . Queensland. 3 June 2010. 16 August 2012. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  55. Web site: Keeroongooloo Station, Windorah, Channel Country, Qld . Kent Saddlery . 23 July 2023.
  56. Web site: Desert fishing business booming. 8 April 2012. 23 August 2014. The Adelaide Advertiser. https://web.archive.org/web/20140827083125/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/desert-fishing-business-booming/story-e6frea6u-1226321579997. 27 August 2014. live.
  57. Web site: Fire management on Elsey Station . 28 February 2001 . 19 June 2013 . Tropical Savannas CRC . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130514180445/http://savanna.cdu.edu.au/downloads/elsey.pdf . 14 May 2013 .
  58. Web site: Henbury Conservation Project . 20 February 2013 . 28 June 2013 . Government of Australia . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130605165557/http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/nrs/getting-involved/case-studies/henbury.html . 5 June 2013 .
  59. Web site: Life Skills Program . 2010 . 2 June 2014 . HSE Pastoral . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120329162338/http://www.gtp.com.au/hserentals/inewsfiles/20110715_Limbunya_Station_-_Life_Skills_Program_for_website_lifeskills.pdf . 29 March 2012 .
  60. Web site: Argadargada Station, Alice Springs, NT 0870. 24 June 2010. 13 April 2020. realestate.com.au.
  61. Web site: Diamantina National Park – Nature, culture and history. 9 January 2012. 2 May 2012. Queensland Government. https://web.archive.org/web/20140307143018/http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/diamantina/culture.html. 7 March 2014. live.
  62. Web site: Meda. 2013. 12 November 2013. Jumbuck Pastoral. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131110105333/http://www.jumbuckpastoral.com/pages/stations/meda.html. 10 November 2013.
  63. Web site: Australia – Massive UK farm investment. 8 April 2012. 8 June 2014. Meat Trade News. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714201802/http://www.meattradenewsdaily.co.uk/news/030412/australia___massive_uk_farm_investment_.aspx. 14 July 2014.
  64. Web site: South Galway Station. 2012. 17 March 2013. Australian Agricultural Company. https://web.archive.org/web/20130410095913/http://www.aaco.com.au/operations/properties/qld/south-galway-station/. 10 April 2013. live.
  65. Web site: NT Kimberley Property -15 pastoral holdings for sale. James Nason. Beef Central. 28 March 2014. 25 April 2015. Nascon Media Pty Ltd. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402113639/http://www.beefcentral.com/property/ntkimberley-property-15-pastoral-holdings-for-sale/. 2 April 2015. live.
  66. Web site: Soils for Life – Restoring the Gascoyne rangeland. 2012. 4 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130411032911/http://www.soilsforlife.org.au/_literature_106402/5_Three_Rivers_Station. 11 April 2013. live.
  67. Web site: AJ and PA McBride Pty Ltd – Wilgena Station. 2012. 12 June 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130726190414/http://ajpamcbride.com.au/wilgena. 26 July 2013. live.
  68. Web site: Avon and Austral Downs. 2012. 9 March 2013. Australian Agricultural Company. https://web.archive.org/web/20130410095633/http://www.aaco.com.au/operations/properties/nt/avon-austral-downs-stations/. 10 April 2013. live.
  69. Web site: Canobie Station. 2012. 5 March 2013. Australian Agricultural Company. https://web.archive.org/web/20130410095803/http://www.aaco.com.au/operations/properties/qld/canobie-station/. 10 April 2013. live.
  70. Web site: Macquarie buys Buntine Assets. Jon Condon. 24 May 2011. 7 June 2014. Beef Central. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714182400/http://www.beefcentral.com/news/macquarie-buys-buntine-assets/. 14 July 2014. live.
  71. Web site: Tanami Downs : "Mongrel" station has new future. Central Land Council. March 1993. 4 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130125100517/http://www.clc.org.au/land-won-back/info/tanami-downs-mongrel-station-has-new-future/. 25 January 2013. live.
  72. Web site: Auvergne Station. 16 March 2013. 2012. Consolidated Pastoral Company. https://web.archive.org/web/20130410024234/http://www.pastoral.com/content/auvergne-station. 10 April 2013. live.
  73. Web site: Pest or resource?. Outback Magazine. May 2010. 4 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130409170957/http://outbackmag.com.au/stories/article-view?585. 9 April 2013. dead.
  74. Web site: Acton Superbeef – Properties. Acton Land and Cattle Company. 2008. 2 March 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130408231752/http://actonsuperbeef.com.au/properties.php. 8 April 2013.
  75. Web site: Drysdale River Station History – North Kimberley. 2011. 8 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130409020335/http://drysdaleriver.com.au/history.htm. 9 April 2013. live.
  76. Web site: Banjawarn Station Leonora . 1 June 2012 . 8 January 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131203140345/http://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/Rural/WA/Leonora/?adid=2009414698 . 3 December 2013 . live .
  77. News: Advertising. . . Perth . 14 October 1920 . 21 January 2013 . 12 . National Library of Australia.

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