The Netflix show ‘Territory’ centres on a fictional cattle station in the Top End. Picture: Supplied
Has the new Netflix hit ‘Territory’ got you itching to slap on an Akubra, jump on a horse and chase some cattle around the Top End scrub?
Whether you want to go all in and run thousands of head of cattle or you just want a couple of acres where you don’t need a chopper to get to Coles, there is plenty on offer in the NT property market.
Katherine-based real estate agent, Olivia Thompson of LAWD said Netflix’s ‘Territory’ gave a “pretty good snapshot” of life in the Top End.
Ms Thompson, who grew up on Territory cattle stations, said while the abundance of pistols in the show didn’t line up with her personal experience, the use of choppers to travel to and from properties was spot on.
Olivia Thompson of LAWD.
And the real estate deals had a lot less drama and a lot more paperwork in real life.
“The Territory scenery (in the show) is very authentic,” she said.
“How lucky are we that people can see how beautiful our part of Australia is.”
Ms Thompson said she hoped ‘Territory’ helped highlight not only the stunning landscapes on offer in the Top End, but the real estate as well.
The experienced realtor said when it came to pastoral properties in the Territory, there were generally a few for sale.
“There’s a lot of interest, particularly from Queensland, because Territory is still quite well priced,” she said.
“There’s not many places in the world with such huge properties and large herds.
“And we have some absolutely picturesque properties.
Dorisvale Station, Claravale, is currently for sale via Expression of Interest. Picture: realestate.com.au
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“I’m selling one, Silkwood, which is completely untouched across three titles.
“One is called the Grand Plateau and it would be absolutely magic to have high end accommodation and glamping on the escarpment there.”
Colliers National Director of Agribusiness Transactions, Jesse Manuel agreed the sheer scale of properties in the Territory set them apart as did the value of the country compared to other parts of the world.
“Australia is still very affordable, and the Northern Territory, with its proximity to Asia, and its opportunities for diversification into higher value production systems, presents a very compelling opportunity for investment,” he said.
Jesse Manuel of Colliers.
Mr Manuel said at present the Territory agri-property market was tightly held.
“We’re finding in the current market that the larger the scale, the more competitive tension there is amongst buyers, as it’s the larger assets that are attractive to the global institutional investors and sovereign wealth funds, which are the buyers with access to large amounts of capital at the moment,” he said.
“Northern properties with potential for enterprise diversification into farming and irrigation are attracting interest, as are large properties in Central Australia and across to the Channel Country where the operations have a domestic market focus.
Aroona, 9520 Victoria Hwy, Delamere is currently for sale. Picture: realestate.com.au
“Whilst interest from the international pension funds and private equity investors has been prevalent, with these participants completing a number of deals in recent times, the long-established, multi-generational family operators are also very active seeking expansion opportunities as their families grow.
“It’s also been fantastic to see families from outside of the area look to take the next large step in their business and acquire larger scale breeding properties to take advantage of the fattening and backgrounding capabilities of their higher rainfall, inside country.”
WHAT TO BUY
So if you’re keen on your own little or not so little slice of the Territory, here is what your budget will get you, starting with the big guns – cattle stations.
For sale by Expressions of Interest
Once owned by Gina Rinehart, this 147,500ha (1475sq km) station sits 90km southwest of Katherine at the juncture of the Victoria River and Douglas-Daly regions of the NT.
The well-developed property is a renowned breeder block with a high quality Grey Brahman herd of 15,000+ head, a homestead 6km off the highway, four sets of steel yards, 11 equipped bores and abundant surface water.
Aroona, 9520 Victoria Hwy, Delamere. Picture: realestate.com.au
$16.25m
This 35,766ha (357sq km) aggregation made up of Adelaide River Downs, Spitfire Creek and The Gran Plateau sits 110km south of Darwin, right next to Tipperary Station, which fans of ‘Territory’ will recognise as Marianne Station.
Adelaide River Downs is a crown lease in perpetuity bordering Tipperary Station and Litchfield National Park, while Spitfire Creek and Grand Plateau are freehold parcels.
The Grand Plateau has stunning panoramic views while Adelaide River Downs has Robin Falls, lost city formations, cascades and hot springs within its boundaries.
Silkwood, Adelaide River. Picture: realestate.com.au
For sale via Expressions of Interest
Covering 203,900ha (2039sq km), this sprawling cattle station is in the Stuart Plateau region of the Territory about 490km from Darwin.
The homestead is also right near Larrimah – the home of the Pink Panther Hotel and where Paddy Moriarty went missing from the township of 12, resulting in the Walkley Award-winning Lost in Larrimah podcast.
Vermelha Station comes with 15,000 head of predominantly Brahman cattle, well-developed infrastructure, 23 bores and 28 paddocks.
Vermelha Station, 7205 Stuart Hwy, Birdum. Picture: realcommercial.com.au
DORISDALE STATION, CLARAVALE, NT
For sale via Expressions of Interest
This 67,500ha (675sq km) property sits about 350km southwest of Darwin and comes with a 12,000-head cattle herd of predominantly Brahman cattle.
The property has a homestead, large workshop, accommodation for management and staff, an abundance of natural surface water and extensive capital expenditure.
There is even the possibility for the new owner to lease neighbouring properties – previously done by the current owners – to increase the land size by another 108,500ha (1085sq km).
Dorisvale Station, Claravale. Picture: realestate.com.au
MID-RANGE
Looking for something a little more “affordable”? Here are some Territory properties with enough land to feel cattle baron-esque without having to actually run a huge station.
$3.5m
This 2080ha freehold property known as Coodardie is just 10km south of the Mataranka township and comes with extensive fencing and water infrastructure, stock and domestic bores, machinery shed, workshop, cottage and separate office.
The homestead has six bedrooms and four bathrooms and is surrounded by established lawns and gardens.
Coodardie, 736 Stuart Highway, Mataranka. Picture: realestate.com.au
$4.5m
This stunning 26ha desert estate sits in southern part of the Northern Territory, just 15 minutes from the Alice Springs CBD.
The modern homestead-style home has five bedrooms, a study, three bathrooms, open plan living and a cellar, while the house yard has green lawns, established gardens and a resort-style pool.
A huge shed has high clearance access and a self-contained, two-storey apartment with five bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and two living spaces.
19 Cotterill Road, Ross. Picture: Supplied
Offers over $700,000
This 85ha property is in the Victoria River district, which is renowned for its barra fishing.
The block comes with a seven-bedroom, two-bathroom lodge, extra guest accommodation above the main shed, a cold room, four bores and a generator.
The property would be suited for use as a private escape or a remote tourism destination.
NT Portion 4202, Bradshaw. Picture: realestate.com.au
BARGAINS
If your budget is more Rich Petrakis than actual rich – here are some rural bargains where you could set up camp until you strike it big.
Offers over $375,000
This looks like the kind of place Rich, Sharnie and Sam would crash for a week or two.
The 8ha property has a single dwelling with two airconditioned bedrooms and a bathroom.
The block is fully fenced with a house yard and paddock and there is a bore, three-phase power and sealed road frontage.
499 Cheeney Road, Batchelor. Picture: realestate.com.au
$350,000
Sitting 4.5km from the local boat ramp, this 12ha property comes with two joined billabongs, generator shed, three carports and three dwellings – all secure, screened and solidly built.
The block has been selectively cleared and backs onto a pastoral lease.
There are two water tanks, irrigated gardens and, best of all, no council rates.
144 Dundee Rd, Dundee Downs. Picture: realestate.com.au
$190,000
It doesn’t get much more “rustic” than this.
The 11ha battle-axe block has natural bush and is only partially cleared.
It comes with a bore, driveway and shed – no power though.
But the property is 15 minutes from the Darwin River Tavern or the Berry Springs township.
545 Parkin Rd, Fly Creek. Picture: realestate.com.au
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