A significant pastoral property in New South Wales’ Eastern Riverina region has been listed for sale with an expected price between $45 million and $50 million. The 5,260-hectare Ardenside Station, located near Tooma at the headwaters of the Upper Murray, carries historical significance and links to the Kidman family, a notable name in Australian pastoral history.
The station is being sold by Clive Standish, a former UBS investment banker who acquired the property around 25 years ago for approximately $11 million. Ardenside Station was originally established in the late 19th century and was once part of a vast pastoral empire built by Melbourne businessman, politician, and pastoralist Edmund Jowett. This empire spanned Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. In 1981, the property was purchased by Burns Kidman Reid, a grandson of Sir Sidney Kidman, a prominent figure known as the “Cattle King” of Australia, before being sold to Standish.
In early 2010, the property was severely affected by bushfires triggered when powerlines came into contact with trees, igniting a blaze that destroyed approximately 80% of the land. The event led to significant livestock losses and a compensation settlement with Country Energy. Following the fire, Standish invested in extensive infrastructure development, catchment management, and tree-planting programs to rehabilitate the land.
Chris Meares, principal at Meares & Associates, said the total 5,260 hectares are composed of three nearly contiguous properties: Ardenside, Allerthorpe-Bogandyera, and Ingledale. This combination offers considerable scale for operations within the Upper Murray region.
The station currently supports an estimated capacity of up to 46,000 sheep and maintains a livestock population that includes 1,960 Te Mania blood Angus cows and joined heifers, 200 replacement Angus heifers, 3,475 Merino ewes, 750 replacement ewes, and 650 Merino wethers. The property is subdivided into 61 main paddocks, with fencing in generally very good condition supported by a program of ongoing maintenance and upgrades.
The original homestead on Ardenside is described as a substantial three-bedroom weatherboard residence featuring multiple formal and informal living spaces, such as a formal lounge, sitting and living rooms, dining room, kitchen, and extensive verandas. The upcoming sale presents a notable opportunity for investors or pastoral operators seeking a well-established and historically significant station in southern New South Wales.