Alice Downs
| Company type | Pastoral lease |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cattle farming |
| Founded | before 1901 |
| Headquarters | Halls Creek , Australia |
Area served | Kimberley region, Western Australia |
| Products | Cattle |
| Owner | Harvest Road (since March 2022) |
Alice Downs Station operates as a cattle station under a pastoral lease in Western Australia. As of March 2022, it forms part of the Springvale Aggregation, a collection of four stations owned by Harvest Road.
History
Alice Downs was established prior to 1901, with F. G. Taylor managing the property during that year. Although the region experienced a tick infestation, the station remained mostly unaffected.
In 1908, the proprietors Yates, Taylor, and Cranwell put the station on the market, stocked with 1,800 shorthorn cattle. Subsequently, Frank Taylor maintained ownership alongside partner H. F. Parnell (also known as C. H. Newman). By 1919, they offered both Alice Downs and Panton Hills Station for sale. At that time, Alice Downs covered an area of and supported 3,000 cattle along with 146 horses.
By 2003, ownership of Alice Downs, together with Springvale, Mabel Downs, and Texas Downs—totaling —belonged to E. G. Green and sons. These properties carried around 32,000 Brahman cattle before being sold to a South African investor for AUD 15 million.
In March 2022, Harvest Road, an agribusiness led by Andrew Forrest, acquired the Springvale Aggregation including Alice Downs. The acquisition encompassed an area of and was stocked with 35,000 cattle. This transaction has been welcomed by Traditional owners who anticipate economic growth through tourism and employment opportunities for Indigenous populations in a region where such prospects are limited. Forrest’s dedication to Indigenous advancement also fosters expectations for enhanced educational outcomes within the Halls Creek community.
Description
Situated approximately northeast of Halls Creek and south of Warmun in the Kimberley region, Alice Downs includes the Panton River along with tributaries such as Eales Creek, Wild Dog Creek, and Purple Appleseed Creek. These waterways provide essential water resources complemented by numerous springs across the property. The terrain consists mainly of open downs featuring native grasses like Mitchell, Flinders, and bundle grasses.
The total land area of Alice Downs is about .