Blackbull Station features 188ha under centre pivots. Photo: LAWD

ONE of the Northern Territory’s largest-ever freehold land listings, suitable for large scale cropping, has hit the market.

Spanning nearly 50,000ha, the landmark offering combines the 33,350ha Mahogany Plantation, the 14,342ha Blackbull Station, and the 2027ha Kingfisher Station.

The neighbouring properties are owned by three separate vendors, and are held under highly sought-after freehold title, eliminating the regulatory complexities often tied to pastoral leases in northern Australia.

The scale, secure water, existing development and operational flexibility, combined with further expansion potential, makes a compelling opportunity for institutional and corporate buyers.

TRG Mahogany Plantation

Expressions of interest have been called for The Rohatyn Group’s 33,350ha freehold African mahogany plantation opportunity in the Douglas-Daly and Katherine regions.

TRG’s Mahogany Plantation runs cattle on improved and native pasture and produces fodder for cash flow. Photo: Resolute Advisory

The institutional-grade forestry and agricultural asset features three distinct land uses:

• 10,400ha of commercial plantation: Fully stocked with premium Khaya senegalensis, or African mahogany;
• 2900ha of farming, currently dedicated to tropical hay production and improved grazing pastures; and,
• 17,100ha of open grazing.

The cornerstone of the portfolio is underpinned by substantial, imminent woodflows as the expansive African mahogany stands approach maturity, targeting lucrative domestic and global timber markets.

Resolute Advisory agent Jiarui Du said the estate also holds environmental upside through embedded natural capital values.

“Investors can tap into preserved native vegetation zones and explore lucrative potential to generate Australian Carbon Credit Units.”

Blackbull Station

The adjoining 14,342ha Blackbull Station is a cattle and cropping operation anticipated to raise more than $35 million.

Located 10km from Douglas Daly and 115km north of Katherine, it is underpinned by secure groundwater access.

Blackbull Station was purchased in 2022 by Australian Agricultural Growth Partners as one of the NT’s first major dryland cotton-development acquisitions.

Situated in a district receiving average annual rainfall of 1239mm, a key factor for cotton production, Blackbull features quality clay loam and sandy soils.

The property includes 188ha of centre-pivot irrigation, 4403ha of dryland cropping, 1210ha of additional arable land, 41ha planted to leucaena, and 8500ha of grazing country.

Under its intensive cropping program, Blackbull is estimated to carry 2000 Adult Equivalents, with scope to substantially increase capacity through the development of a cut-and-carry feeding operation.

Baling hay on Blackbull Station. Photo: LAWD

Blackbull has 14km of Daly River frontage and access to the Oolloo Dolostone, one of the Top End’s highest-yielding aquifer systems, with annual extraction capacity of 8517ML.

Two equipped irrigation bores supply water to four centre pivots, each covering 47ha.

A further two bores have been drilled and capped for potential future irrigation development.

Another eight equipped bores provide secure livestock water.

Infrastructure includes a homestead, manager’s accommodation, staff accommodation, multiple sheds, stables, and portable cattle yards.

Cotton has been grown successfully on Blackbull Station. Photo: LAWD

Kingfisher Station

The 2027ha Kingfisher Station is a mixed irrigated and dryland cropping opportunity, 98km from Katherine and 194km from Darwin.

Listed last year for around $9M, it historically finishes around 1000 head of trading cattle annually.

Vendor Wee Waa cotton farmer Jim Miller has made substantial improvements.

Around 177ha supports three centre-pivot irrigators, 839ha has been developed to dryland cropping of cotton, and 29ha is under permit for clearing.

Benefitting from quality clay loam and sandy soils, the property is suited to conversion into high-value cropping such as cotton, horticulture and intensive fodder, as well as dryland cropping and/or grazing.

The Oolloo Dolostone Aquifer provides Kingfisher Station with access to high-quality, secure groundwater via three bores.

An additional two irrigation bores supply water to three centre-pivot irrigators and the Daly River and Stray Creek offer permanent and seasonal waterholes.

The sale of Kingfisher Station includes a 3003ML groundwater extraction licence.

Infrastructure includes demountable staff accommodation, three sheds and portable cattle yards.

LAWD agent Olivia Thompson is handling the sale of Blackbull and Kingfisher stations.

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