Ray White Rural South Australia is proud to present the historic ‘Wilkatana Station,’ a quality pastoral grazing property, just 45 km north of Port Augusta taking in the breathtaking Flinders Ranges on its eastern portion.
The sale of Wilkatana Station represents a rare opportunity to acquire an agricultural and tourism gem, held by Melbourne-based seller Tony Sawer’s family for 123 years.
The property will be auctioned on Wednesday, 20 November 2024, at 2pm at the Central Oval Complex in Port Augusta.
Encompassing approximately 44,696ha of semi-open myall shrubland, Wilkatana Station is a testament to many years of sustainable land management and continuous reinvestment in infrastructure.
The property has an impressive carrying capacity of around 5,000 ewes and 150 cattle, making it a high-quality sheep and cattle operation with significant infrastructure already in place.
Geoff Schell, joint principal and auctioneer of Ray White Rural South Australia, expressed his admiration for the property.
"As soon as I stepped onto Wilkatana Station, I could tell it had been conservatively grazed for many years. The water infrastructure, the fencing and the condition of the land are exceptional. Stock water is the real feature here."
One of the standout features of Wilkatana is its abundant and high-quality stock water supply.
The station is serviced by three main bores and a spring, with water transported through an extensive pipeline network monitored by a telemetry system.
Mr Schell noted, “The quality of the water is good enough to make a cup of tea with it. The main bores are located back in the Flinders Ranges portion on the eastern side of the property which is approx. 200 metres higher than the western portion allowing gravity to distribute stock water across the property”
In addition to its agricultural grazing value, Wilkatana Station offers untapped tourism potential. The eastern portion of the property takes in the spectacular Flinders Ranges, making it an ideal location for eco-tourism ventures. Attractions include breathtaking 4x4 tracks, the renowned Heyson trail providing wonderful bushwalking tracks and historical sites such as Eyre Depot, where explorer Edward John Eyre camped during his journey north in 1839.
Mr Schell also remarked on the overwhelming interest the property has already received.
"The level of inquiry for Wilkatana has been unprecedented. This property is possibly one of the best we’ve been involved with. We’ve had over 130 inquiries from right across Australia and even overseas”
The station’s rich history and meticulously maintained infrastructure make it one of the finest rural pastoral offerings in the region.
Managed for 38 years by highly respected manager Andrew Smart, the property has seen consistent reinvestment by the Sawers family in key areas such as fencing, water systems and buildings. The well-appointed homestead, manager’s residence, and 8-stand shearing shed, along with various sheep and cattle yards, provide a solid foundation for the next owner.
For those looking to invest in agriculture, tourism, or even renewable energy, Wilkatana Station offers tremendous potential. Its elevation and proximity to high-voltage transmission lines make it a viable site for pumped hydro energy storage.
This auction is truly a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity to acquire a property of this calibre. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Ray White Rural South Australia for further information.
Auction details
Date: Wednesday, 20 November 2024
Time: 2 pm
Location: Central Oval Complex, Port Augusta
