Brahman cattle on Woolner Station floodplain

AFTER a three year hiatus from the market, the Langenhoven family has expanded its Top End cattle property portfolio paying $49 million for Woolner Station, in the Northern Territory.

The 64,700ha scenic blue-ribbon backgrounding enterprise, boasting 18km of pristine coastal frontage, is located 150km east of Darwin in the Mary River region.

When Woolner was listed in October last year by well-known Territorian and businessman David Walker, it was offered bare of livestock, plant and equipment.

Andrew Gray Land & Livestock principal Andrew Gray was unable to confirm the purchaser or the price paid, but a search of the NT Land Title Office titles shows details of the transaction which occurred last week.

Mr Gray described Woolner Station as a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’.

“Woolner is an exceptional asset with significant upside opportunity and varied income streams,” Mr Gray said. “It boasts coastal floodplain country capable of backgrounding 20,000 head of cattle and has extraordinary physical features and wildlife.”

Situated in a 1700mm annual rainfall region, around 48,000ha of fertile black soils benefit from annual flooding that provides excellent growing conditions for a variety of tropical pastures capable of carrying large numbers of cattle.

About 75 percent of the country comprises low lying to level coastal and alluvial floodplains rising to gently undulating red country which could provide year-round grazing options if developed.

Mr Gray said over the past 15 years, Woolner has been backgrounding cattle for third party clients, including northern breeder enterprises.

“Up to 15,000 head of cattle (250kg) are delivered from early April each year as the country turns from wet to dry season conditions presenting a continuous rising plain of nutrition.”

“Deliveries normally take place in December during generally stronger market conditions,” he explained.

Located on one of the major floodplains in the Mary River system, Woolner is serviced by 10 bores, as well as permanent and seasonal waterholes and associated creek systems.

It is also acclaimed for its scope of spectacular natural features and extensive flora and fauna species.

Marine plain country on Woolner

Langenhoven family

Over the past six years, the Australian citizens of South African origin have paid $207m (including Woolner Station) for 1,2225sq km of NT grazing country making them one of the Northern Territory’s largest private landholders.

In May 2018, the Langenhovens made their first Australian property purchase, securing the 80,900ha McMinn Station for $7.5m including cattle and plant.

In February 2019, they purchased the neighbouring 70,700ha Big River Station for $5.5m bare.

In May 2019, they acquired the 376,000ha Barkly Tableland breeding property Kalala Station for $58m on a walk-in walk-out basis including 20,000 breeders and followers.

In February 2020, the Langenhovens secured the extensive cattle stations Tanumbirini and Forrest Hill Stations spanning 560,000ha for $70m.

In January 2021, they paid $17m walk-in walk-out (including 6000 head of Brahman cattle) for the 70,200ha Larrizona Station, in the Sturt Plateau region, 160km south-west of Katherine.

Below are a couple of video used to market Woolner