Macquarie Agriculture remains the largest farmland holder in New South Wales, controlling approximately 497,000 hectares of pastoral and cropping land. However, this position could change soon amid ongoing negotiations regarding the potential sale of its Paraway Pastoral Company, a vast agricultural enterprise spanning 4.48 million hectares across Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.
Paraway, built over the past 18 years, comprises 28 properties and manages a substantial livestock operation, including about 220,000 cattle and 250,000 sheep. Notable holdings in New South Wales include Mungadal Station near Hay, which covers 116,000 hectares, and Cooinbil Station, west of Coleambally, spanning 89,040 hectares. In July, it was reported that Ranchland Capital Partners, a U.S.-based pastoral farmland investor, entered exclusive talks to acquire Paraway in a multibillion-dollar transaction.
Following Macquarie Agriculture, Canadian pension fund PSP Investments ranks as the second-largest landholder in New South Wales, with a total of 391,757 hectares. PSP’s holdings are split between Australian Food and Fibre, a cropping-focused business with 187,750 hectares, and Hewitt, a livestock operation managing 198,000 hectares. Additionally, PSP holds investments in Southern Premium Vineyards and Stahmann Webster. Across Australia, PSP manages farmland assets valued at approximately A$8.5 billion, supporting retirement funds for Canadian public service and defense workers.
Willowy Farming is the third-largest landowner in the state, managing 318,650 hectares in the western division of New South Wales and the Riverina region. Founded and operated by Ben and Anthea Brinkworth, the company's portfolio includes a collection of 10 properties near White Cliffs and Wilcannia, as well as Uardry near Hay—previously associated with a renowned Merino stud.
The Shippen family’s Banyan-dah Pastoral has risen to fourth place following the acquisition of Boonoke and Wanganella sheep stations. This purchase, valued at roughly A$300 million and covering 123,000 hectares, brings the family’s total landholding to 238,000 hectares across the Riverina and Victoria.
Other prominent landowners in New South Wales include the Murray family, with Trilby Station near Louth encompassing 129,000 hectares; Nuveen Natural Capital, which operates 32 farms totaling 125,000 hectares; and Jumbuck Pastoral Company, which owns Gunbar Station covering 112,000 hectares northwest of Griffith. Additional key players in the state’s agricultural landscape include Grimwade and Gordon Land, Wyadrigha Pastoral Company, Tupra Pastoral Company, Minto Pastoral Company, Hancock Agriculture, Fletcher International, Swiss Australian Farm Holdings, and TA Field Estates, all holding between roughly 70,000 and 110,000 hectares.
The evolving ownership landscape highlights the significant scale and ongoing consolidation within New South Wales’ agricultural sector, with major investments by domestic and international entities shaping the future of rural land management in the region.