Central West Queensland backgrounding operation, the Eltham Aggregation, offers sought-after water security with 15km of double frontage to the Barcoo River, complemented by high quality infrastructure development.

Situated just 116km south of Longreach, the Aggregation comprises 15,779ha of productive alluvial plains as well as open and timbered downs country across three freehold titles, with an estimated carrying capacity of 1,575AE.

Rainfall has been recorded at the Eltham Station homestead for 66 years at an annual average of 423.5mm. The Aggregation’s Barcoo River frontage is further supported by 8 dams, several permanent and other seasonal waterholes, and a network of tanks and troughs across the property.

LAWD Director, Darren Collins, said the water system had been strategically designed for optimal grazing efficiency, and was a key selling feature of the holding.

“By providing cattle with access to all areas of the Aggregation through secure water sources, the carrying capacity is maximised and there’s optimal use of pastures, ensuring the property has the resilience to thrive in a range of seasonal conditions,” Mr Collins said.

More than 6,041 ha of alluvial soils have a high-water holding capacity enhanced by inundation during major flooding events, ensuring deep moisture and growth for long periods.

Higher red loam soils respond quickly to seasonal storms and provide a safe refuge for stock, and this balance of land and soil types sustains a productive mix of summer and winter herbages and pastures.

These include buffel grass, four types of Mitchell grass, Flinders, bluegrass, natural couch and millet. A portion of the property was aerially seeded to buffel grass in 2022 and Rhodes grass has also been introduced, along with recently sown desmanthus and butterfly pea.

Summer and winter herbages providing quality cattle feed include pigweed, gidgee burr, cow vine, potato vine and bluebush.

The Aggregation also benefits from a mix of trees that can be used for productive scrub feeding if required, with land types comprising 4,674ha of hard gidgee (30%), 2,893ha of boree wooded downs and 2,171ha of open downs.

Significant investment has been made in fencing, with the majority of the Aggregation’s boundary being exclusion-fenced to ensure tight control over grazing areas and the minimisation of intrusion by feral pests.

The internal fencing of 17 major paddocks has been strategically designed to link grazing areas to laneways, smaller holding paddocks and watering points, to optimise pasture and livestock performance.

The three-bedroom Eltham Station homestead is a double storey, Queenslander-style home with two bathrooms, an office and newly renovated kitchen and living areas, with new, split system air conditioning throughout and a cold room facility for stores.

The modern, self-contained guest quarters set in the homestead garden features a bedroom, separate bathroom and kitchen/living area, and is air conditioned throughout.

Operational improvements include a 72 square metre workshop; a 156 square metre former shearing shed converted to storage, with electricity connected and a transportable ablution block; and an aircraft hangar of 56 square metres.

The main cattle yards situated 3km from the homestead were built in 2024 and feature a capacity of 800 head and a covered working area of 40 x 8 metres.

Mr Collins said the Eltham Aggregation is being offered on behalf of Tim and Kerry Joseland and family, who intend to move closer to their children in south east Queensland but will retain their ties with the Central West.

“The Aggregation is strategically located 30km north of Yaraka, 116km south of Longreach and 138km west of Blackall and offers a rare opportunity to take over a securely watered, extremely well improved and highly desirable backgrounding operation,” Mr Collins said.

Longreach provides a range of amenities and services including primary and secondary schools, medical, financial and retail services as well as agricultural agencies.

The Eltham Aggregation is being offered for sale by Expression of Interest, closing 12pm (AEST) on Thursday 20 June 2024.

For further information, please contact LAWD Directors, Darren Collins on +61 404 781 787, Grant Vievers on +61 429 844 585, or Simon Cudmore on +61 433 160 413.