EVEN in the sparsely settled pastoral country west of the Darling River, properties of more than 50,000 hectares don’t hit the market all that often – especially ones with history and long ownership tenures thrown in.
Such a package is now for sale, however, in the shape of Braemar Station – a generous sprawl of 51,808ha (128,020ac) fronting the Paroo River 160 kilometres west of Bourke, and about 40km east of Wanaaring.
The property is an aggregation of “Braemar” and a 21,000ha residual portion of the former Berawinnia Pastoral Company station, “Tina-pagee”.
All of it was held at one time by the “cattle king”, Sir Sidney Kidman.
When the Kidman leases expired in 1924, “Braemar” was taken up as a soldier settlement block by John Campbell and remained in his ownership until taken over in the 1950s by his nephew, Ernest Harrod.
The “Tinapagee” country was added on some time following that station’s breakup in the 1930s, all of it ending up in Harrod hands – first Ernest, then his son Barry.
Only one other ownership – that of the Sampson brothers, Donald and Colin – intervened before the present owners, Stuart and Sheree Forsythe, moved up from South Australia to take over in 2004.
The Sampsons during their tenure further expanded the aggregation with the purchase of the adjoining “Minetta”, of about 27,000ha, from the Major family, but this was offloaded by the Forsythes some years ago.
Now the Forsythes – who moved in 2010 to the North Coast for schooling reasons – have decided to sell the balance of their western country and concentrate on the macadamia farm that is their latest project.
They have listed Braemar Station for private sale with Greg Seiler of Landmark Walsh Hughes, Bourke, at a price of $2.5 million, in what is being seen as a timely test of values for western watercourse country.
Fronting the Paroo River for 16km, “Braemar” receives beneficial low-level flooding not only from this ephemeral stream, but also from the Cuttaburra and Kulkyne systems flowing out of Queensland.
Under favourable conditions (and these occurred three years running from 2008) up to 12,000ha of “Braemar” receives inundation from these sources, providing rich opportunities for fattening or agistment.
Flood events aside (which alone can boost stocking rates by 200 cows), the property has estimated carrying capacity of 12,500 DSE.
During the past six years annual sales of sheep from “Braemar” have averaged more than 7000 DSE.
Described as mainly flat, soft sandy to red loam soil country with varying degrees of timber and woody shrub cover, the property supports a wide assortment of native grasses, edible bush and seasonal herbages.
Stock water is delivered from bores by 40km of new poly pipe feeding 10 tanks and a network of cement troughs, augmented by 14 dams.
Extensive working improvements include two five-stand shearing sheds with steel yards, two sets of steel Cyclone cattle yards, aircraft hangar, workshop, storage sheds and shearers’ quarters.
The main homestead dates from the 1930s with later additions and has three bedrooms, enclosed verandahs on three sides, open-plan kitchen/
dining/bar area, wood heater and reverse-cycle air conditioning.
Outbuildings include a self-contained one-bedroom cottage, garden shed/storeroom, meathouse/coolroom, car shed and fuel sheds.
“Braemar” comes with an Australian Certified Organic accreditation and is being offered for sale with station plant included.
Contact Landmark Walsh Hughes, (02) 6872 2033.
Visit Domain Rural for more photos.
Peter Austin
Former editor and long time columnist and property writer for The Land.
Former editor and long time columnist and property writer for The Land.
