Lexi Webster
Australia's agricultural sector is a key component of its economy, with farm output valued at $100 billion annually and accounting for 5.7% of GDP in 2023. The country's farms cover 61% of its landmass, with a mix of irrigation and dry-land farming. While the average farm size in Australia is 4,331 hectares, there are also mega-farms spanning millions of acres, such as Anna Creek Station in South Australia, which is the world's largest working cattle station. This farm covers an area of 5,851,000 acres, making it larger than Israel. This overview sets the context for exploring the size and significance of farms in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average farm size | 4,331 hectares |
| Number of farms | 135,997 |
| Land coverage | 61% of Australia's landmass |
| Farm businesses | 87,000 |
| Farm gate output | $100 billion per year |
| GDP contribution | 5.7% |
| Biggest farm | Anna Creek Station, 5,851,000 acres |
| Second biggest farm | Alexandria Station, 4,000,000 acres |
| Third biggest farm | Clifton Hills, 4,200,000 acres |
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What You'll Learn
The average farm size is 4,331ha
The average size of farms in Australia is 4,331 hectares. This figure includes Kidman Station, which is the size of Belgium. Farms of this average size are not often sold, and when they are, it is usually to intergenerational trusts, international corporations, or billionaires.
Most farms that are 4,000 hectares or more are made up of multiple smaller farms consolidated over the last 100 years or so. Farms of this size are not common, but they do exist. Farms of 1,500 hectares or smaller are much more common.
Large-scale agriculture in Australia includes dairy and beef farming, with some farms covering millions of acres. For example, Anna Creek Station in South Australia is the world's largest working cattle station, with an area of 5,851,000 acres. Other large farms in Australia include Clifton Hills Farm (4,200,000 acres), Alexandria Farm (4,000,000 acres), Davenport Downs in Queensland (3,700,000 acres), and Home Valley in Western Australia (3,500,000 acres).
Australia has around 87,000 farm businesses, and farmers and grazers own 135,997 farms, covering 61% of the country's landmass. The country has three main agricultural zones: the high rainfall zone of Tasmania and a narrow coastal zone used for dairying and beef production; the wheat-sheep zone for cropping and grazing; and the pastoral zone, characterised by low rainfall and less fertile soils, where large-scale pastoral activities involving cattle and sheep grazing take place.
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Farms cover 61% of Australia's landmass
Australia has some of the biggest farms in the world, with the largest being Anna Creek Station in South Australia, which covers 5,851,000 acres. This makes it larger than Israel and over seven times the size of the United States' biggest ranch, King Ranch in Texas. Anna Creek Station is a working cattle station that can hold up to 16,500 head of cattle during a good season. It is owned by the Williams Cattle Company, a family business that acquired the property in 2016.
Other large farms in Australia include Clifton Hills farm in South Australia, with 4,200,000 acres, and Alexandria farm in the Northern Territory, with 4,000,000 acres. Davenport Downs in Queensland and Home Valley in Western Australia are also significant in size, with 3,700,000 and 3,500,000 acres, respectively. These large-scale farms produce dairy and beef and have faced criticism for their environmental impact.
Agriculture in Australia is diverse, with livestock grazing widespread across most areas, while cropping and horticulture are concentrated near the coast. The country has three main agricultural zones: a high rainfall zone in Tasmania and a narrow coastal zone for dairying and beef production; a wheat-sheep zone for cropping and grazing; and a pastoral zone with low rainfall and less fertile soils for large-scale grazing. Australia's agricultural output was valued at $75.6 billion in 2023-24, with grains, oilseeds, and pulses as the fastest-growing export segment.
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Farms are usually sold off-market
Farms in Australia cover 61% of the country's landmass, with an average size of 4,331 hectares. However, real estate, domain, and elders have very few farms on this scale. Farms of 1,500 hectares or smaller are more commonly available for sale.
The sale of large farms is similar to that of businesses rather than residential properties. Many transactions occur without ever being listed online, and interested buyers may need to contact rural stock and station agents to learn about these opportunities. Word-of-mouth is also a common method of selling farms, as it is challenging to find large farms for sale through a simple online search.
Additionally, larger farms are often owned by intergenerational trusts, international corporations, or billionaires. These entities have the financial resources to purchase and hold onto these farms, contributing to the rarity of their availability on the open market.
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Large farms are owned by corporations
The average farm size in Australia is 4,331 hectares. However, real estate, domain, and elders have very few farms near that scale. Farms of this size are often sold via corporate channels.
In fact, the majority of the most significant parcels of land are sold through corporate channels, with international corporations, intergenerational trusts, and billionaires owning the largest farms. For example, the sprawling Rawlinna Station was bought by Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest, via his ASX-listed Fortescue Metals Group's Fortescue Future Industries. In addition, Dale Appleton and his family have expanded their Appleton Cattle Company, acquiring properties totalling almost two million hectares from Gina Rinehart's S Kidman and Co.
Oldfield and Costello, Australia's largest private landholders, have a portfolio spanning more than nine million hectares through their Crown Point Pastoral Company. Their most recent purchase was the 730,000-hectare Mount Doreen, which was reportedly worth $34.7 million.
Large farms in Australia are also owned by international investors. For instance, Shanghai Zenith (China) owns Mt Elizabeth Station, covering 200,000 hectares, and Pardoo Beef Corporation (Singapore) owns the 200,000-hectare Pardoo Station.
In addition, US investors have purchased farmland in Australia, such as Blighty Farm, Malmo Farm, and Melro Park. Californian-based JG Boswell and Company own and lease significant cotton farming land in NSW.
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Cattle are bred on expansive stations
Australia's farms cover 61% of the country's landmass, with an average farm size of 4,331 hectares. The country has three main agricultural zones: the high-rainfall zone of Tasmania and a narrow coastal strip used for beef production and dairying; the wheat-sheep zone for cropping and grazing; and the pastoral zone, characterised by low rainfall and less fertile soils, where large-scale grazing of cattle and sheep takes place.
In southern Australia, beef cattle are often reared on smaller properties as part of mixed farming or grazing operations. However, in the Top End, sub-tropical areas, and arid inland regions, cattle are bred on expansive native pastures on large cattle stations.
Cattle stations are large farms dedicated to raising cattle, and the owner is known as a grazier. These stations have a central homestead where the owner or manager lives, with cottages or staff quarters nearby for employees. Other essential structures include storage sheds and cattle yards. Larger or more isolated stations may also have a mechanic's workshop, a schoolroom, a small general store, and entertainment or bar areas. Water sources can include rivers, bores, dams, and rainwater tanks.
The largest cattle station in the world is Anna Creek Station in South Australia, covering 23,677 square kilometres. Sidney Kidman historically established a chain of cattle stations along water sources, and many stations were also established along the Great Dividing Range, where cattle-raising was favoured due to dingo attacks on sheep.
Cattle stations have been influenced by various events, including World War II, technological advancements, and the emergence of live export markets. The industry has faced challenges such as the beef depression of the 1970s, soaring interest rates, and droughts. Despite these obstacles, Australia has become a significant agricultural power through long-term policies and agricultural reforms.
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Frequently asked questions
The average farm size in Australia is 4,331 hectares.
Farmers and grazers own 135,997 farms.
Anna Creek Station in South Australia is the largest farm in Australia, covering 5,851,000 acres or 9,142 square miles.
Farms smaller than 1,500 hectares are more commonly found on the market.
