FIFTY years of ownership will come to an end when the iconic Central Queensland property Tedlands Station is auctioned in Rockhampton on July 25.
Bought in 1968 by a partnership of the Swanson, Glenn, Allen and Lobban families, Tedlands is still owned today by two of the original families. The property located south-east of Koumala is being sold to allow a partnership restructure.
The attraction of Tedlands has always been its high 1625mm average annual rainfall. The property has been at the forefront of improved pasture development and it hosted many animal production trials over the years. There is even a legume type – Glenn joint vetch – named after one of the original partners.
A priority has been maintaining a respect for the environment while developing the property to its present high carrying capacity. In 1981 naturalist Graham Pizzey, author of the Field Guide to Australian Birds, listed 120 bird species on Tedlands, which is regarded as an extraordinarily high figure for one property.
Located at the end of Tedlands Road and bordered by a major watercourse, a wetland and a mountain, Tedlands lies protected in its own world. The property is situated 6km east of the Bruce Highway at Koumala and is 3285 hectares (8119 acres) in four freehold titles. Tedlands is a diverse property that can be used for cattle and cane production.
Until recently it operated a cane division with 200ha under a separate manager. It is close to major facilities and has all weather access. There is a large set of practical cattle yards and the property is well fenced into country types.
Careful stocking rates and rotational grazing, coupled with a monitored fertilising program, have kept invasive weeds to a minimum and allowed high productivity. The property has a beautiful balance of heavy-carrying improved dryland and pondage pasture, all rising gently up to areas of timbered grassland. Water is a feature of the property, with large natural catchment areas in creeks and wetlands as well as six dams. The centrally located Alligator Waterhole is one of only six remaining black water lagoons on the coast
Tedlands has been run as a breeding operation, joining about 1200 head annually. It has consistently run about 2400 branded cattle.
The property has been managed by Dugall McDougall for the last 21 years, with an emphasis on cattle herd and pastures.
“We have always paid close attention to animal husbandry with our Droughtmaster herd, and their condition is consistently good,” McDougall said.
Consultant Nigel Onley has been responsible for the group’s overall rural Queensland enterprises since 1993.
“Tedlands allows the successful purchaser the opportunity to acquire an exceptional commercial Droughtmaster breeding herd heavily infused with Glenlands genetics, and well adapted to the coast,” Mr Onley said.
The herd will be pregnancy tested prior to the auction.
There are three well-maintained residences on the property, and two machinery sheds. The main homestead is a low-set, three-bedroom, weather board home set in an established house yard overlooking Alligator Waterhole.
There is also a three bedroom worker’s residence with room for two vehicles underneath.
In addition, the owners’ retreat is an architecturally-designed two-bedroom weatherboard home, nestled in a tranquil bushland setting.
Spokesman for the selling agent, Gary Bishop, said Tedlands was one of the best properties in the high rainfall area of Coastal Queensland.
Contact Gary Bishop, 0439 982 588, or John Crerar, 0427 678 901, Hourn & Bishop Qld.
