A pastoral empire on the fringes of the Riverina could now fetch a whopping price of more than $330 million.
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The iconic properties – based largely in the region – will in sum skirt the amount paid for the world’s largest piece of private property.
Legendary sheep stations, Wanganella, Peppinella and Boonoke – part of the FSF Falkiner group – were privately placed on the market in December but confirmed this week.
More than 100,000 hectares of the region’s most prime agricultural land has been listed alongside 16 other properties that make up the Australian Food and Agriculture company.
The renowned Merino stations have already generated interest from overseas buyers and owners expect the land to fetch a number in the same ballpark as the Kidman estate, which sold for $380 million in 2016.
The stations at Hay, Deniliquin and Coonamble – famous for stud rams – have been branded under FSF Falkiner & Sons for more than a century and together make up almost half of the entire portfolio.
Riverina rural property agent Alister Watt said it was certainly an iconic, substantial pastoral holding, steeped in history.
Part-owner and stockbroker Colin Bell said diversification in revenue streams made his land the “best of the best”.
He said even in severe drought, the business had turned a significant profit for 13 of 16 years, due to farming a combination of cotton, cattle, wool, stud rams, winter and summer crops.
“We [five owners are] very sad to be passing on the properties,” Mr Bell said.
“They’re the best of the best.”