A PICTURESQUE and productive cattle property at Barraba has hit the market.
Priced at $1.5 million, the Mackey family’s property will suit a cattle farmer with a sense of adventure.
The granite property features creek flats to rolling hills, rocky outcrops, timbered country and swimming holes with their very own sandy beaches.
The property, “Woorarra”, is 2178 hectares (5382 acres) and is 45 kilometres east of Barraba and 77km from Inverell.
Kevin and Vicky Mackey and family purchased “Woorarra” 11 years ago and are selling to move closer to town for health reasons.
Mrs Mackey said the property’s biggest asset was water.
“We have three permanent creeks which traverse across the place. We’ve also got 19 dams, many of which are spring-fed, so we’ve never run dry,” Mrs Mackey said.
The average rainfall for the area is 820 millimetres (32 inches).
“We’ve already had 100mm in the first few weeks of the year so we’ve got feed everywhere.”
In recent years the Mackey’s have moved to a holistic style of grazing which has proved beneficial for pastures.
“We’ve got more ground cover and better quality grasses than we’ve ever had,” she said.
In anticipation of the sale of their property the Mackey’s have leased their country to free up time to invest in improvements and forestry.
The property carries 350 breeding cattle (5500DSE).
During their stay the current owners have made good use of their Private Native Forestry Plan which has provided them a second income from logging.
The Forestry Permit is valid until 2028.
“There’s a big opportunity to build on the work we’ve done in the timbered country,” she said.
The buyers could also enjoy the scenery and wildlife on the property.
“We have platypus, sugar gliders, deer and goats on the property. There are plenty of places to enjoy horse and motorbike riding and recreational shooting,” she said.
“Historic cottage-style accommodation could be used as a bed and breakfast, too.”
The cottage is in close quarters to the main homestead which comprises three bedrooms and an office.
Originally an outpost of Keera Station, located near Bingara, the homestead and cottage are rich in character, history and charm.
The Mackeys have renovated the main house but remained sympathetic to its historic roots.
