A large-scale aggregation of well-watered, organically certified grazing land in South-West Queensland has just hit the market to wind up the pastoral interests of former polo legend, Sinclair Hill.
On offer, through Meares and Associates of Sydney and Elders Real Estate, St George (QLD), are Boanbirra Aggregation and Yunnerman Station, a combined landholding of 58,704 hectares (145,060ac).
The two parcels, separated by about 30 kilometres, are situated just to the west and south-west of Bollon, about 160km west of St George and about 180km north of Goodooga, on the NSW border.
They are offered for sale by expressions of interest, with bids invited for the aggregation either as a whole or in two parcels: Boanbirra Aggregation of 40,236ha and Yunnerman Station of 18,468ha.
Mr Hill, who now lives in Sydney, built a sprawling two-state pastoral empire from his inherited home base of Terlings at Moree, which is now home to his son Noel.
The contiguous land parcel now for sale as Boanbirra Aggregation is made up of Fernlee, a former Scottish Australian company property which he acquired in the 1960s, Boanbirra and Donna Downs.
Boanbirra was added about 13 years ago and Donna Downs in 2016.
The nearby Yunnerman Station was also bought about 13 years ago.
The land encompassed by both properties is described as principally open to semi-open grazing country of grey loam and red soils, incorporating useful stands of mulga and potential cultivation country.
Historically the properties were geared towards beef production, with Yunnerman carrying 800 cows and the other block used for backgrounding and fattening, or to run 2000 cows.
However, the recent advent of dog-proof cluster fencing has made sheep now a viable proposition, and grazing production is now focused on Dorpers for the meat lamb market.
All of Boanbirra Aggregation is now enclosed (along with other properties) by the 158km Fernlee cluster fence and work is under way to similarly secure the Yunnerman boundary.
The properties (which are managed as one) now have a combined capability of carrying 15,000 ewes (and potentially 20,000).
Even under drought conditions they are carrying some 12,000 ewes.
Average rainfall ranges from 375mm to 425mm and both properties are abundantly watered by capped bores servicing tanks and troughs, supplemented by dams.
Boanbirra Aggregation is subdivided into 44 main paddocks with a laneway system, and Yunnerman (which boasts 54km of new fencing) into 16 main paddocks.
Under present ownership the whole operation is controlled from Boanbirra, where there is a classic five-bedroom timber homestead in a garden setting, regarded as one of southern Queensland's finest.
Other accommodation consists of three other substantial homes - including the renovated Yunnerman homestead of five bedrooms - plus three sets of staff quarters.
Working improvements include four main sets of cattle yards, three woolsheds and three main sets of sheep yards, machinery sheds and workshops.
Expressions of interest close on April 30, with offers for the aggregation as a whole expected in a range from $11.5-$13.5 million, Boanbirra Aggregation $8.5-$10m and Yunnerman $3.25-$3.5m.
The purchaser will have the right of first offer for the Dorper flock plus machinery and plant.
- Agents: Chris Meares, (02)9362 8111. Meares and Assoc., Sydney. Brendan Devine, 0428 255 568. Elders St George, QLD..