Andado
| Company type | Pastoral lease |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cattle station |
| Founded | 1909 |
| Headquarters | Alice Springs region , Australia |
Area served | Northern Territory, Australia |
| Products | Cattle |
Andado Station operates as a pastoral lease functioning as a cattle station within the Alice Springs region of the Northern Territory. Established on the ancestral lands of the Arrernte people, its initial pastoral lease was granted in 1880. The station encompasses the Mac Clark Conservation Reserve, which aims to protect the rare Acacia peuce species.
Location
Situated in the area known as Ghan, Andado lies approximately south of Ltyentye Apurte Community and southeast of Alice Springs. It shares its borders with Crown Point Station to the west, Allambi to the northwest, Pmere Nyenti Aboriginal Lands trust to the north and east, and is bounded by the South Australia border to the south.[1] The homestead stands as the easternmost residence along the western boundary of the Simpson Desert.[2]
Description
Spanning an area of , Andado holds the distinction of being Australia's largest privately owned cattle station.[3] Positioned on the western fringe of the Simpson Desert, the property includes a segment of the seasonal Finke River. Its terrain comprises desert sand plains, sand dunes, gibber plains, low-lying hills, flood-out zones, swamps, and lakes.[4] The swamplands are nestled between high dunes and experience intermittent flooding. Vegetation primarily consists of spinifex grasslands, saltbush shrublands, alongside woodlands dominated by acacia and eucalypt.[4]
History
The land traditionally belongs to the Arrernte people, who have inhabited and traversed this region for millennia. The station’s name originates from a Southern Arrernte term meaning stone tool.[5]
In 1880, a portion of what constitutes today’s Andado lease was held by Willoghby and Gordon; by 1909 it was occupied by Robert Sharpe and David Mayfield.[5] The first formal lease for Andado was secured by Robert MacDill in 1909.[2] He drilled several bores and expanded holdings in 1914 together with his brother Robert David MacGill and Henry Stanley Roper. Shortly after, a mud brick house was constructed, followed by another homestead in 1922 known as Old Andado homestead.[5] Sheep farming began around this period; despite initial favorable seasons, drought conditions emerged in the late 1920s. By 1933, livestock included 1,300 sheep, 420 cattle, and 116 horses.
Ownership transferred from the MacDill family in 1942; subsequent owners changed until H. H. Overton purchased it in 1955 and collaborated with station manager Malcolm "Mac" Clark.[5] The Clark family arrived that same year. Initially residing in the original homestead prone to flooding, they relocated in 1960 to a new homestead erected 18 km west on elevated terrain.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name By 1969, ownership fully transferred to the Clarks who began refurbishing the old homestead for tourism purposes by 1972.[5]
Following Mac Clark’s passing in 1978, Molly Clark sold most of the station after a 1984 federal mandate aimed at eradicating brucellosis and tuberculosis among Northern Territory cattle required complete stock culling. In 1986 she retained only the homestead and a surrounding area of 45 km² named Old Andado, which was developed into an independent tourist site.[3]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Within station limits, the Mac Clark Conservation Reserve was created in 1982 to safeguard the rare Acacia peuce tree species. Approximately 1,000 mature specimens survive roughly north of the old homestead. During the twentieth century most trees were felled for shelters and stockyards until only three populations remained: at Andado, near Birdsville, and near Boulia.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
From 2001 onwards, extended drought conditions impacted the region until rainfall resumed in 2009. That year Don and Colleen Costello purchased Andado following their sale of Mount Ebenezer Station; they also own New Crown and Lilla Creek Stations, which together cover . The Costellos live on New Crown while station managers Wayne and Clarice Kimlin oversee operations at Andado.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name After rains arrived that year, the Finke River flowed for the first time in over ten years enabling restocking with approximately 3,000 cattle.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
By 2018 management of Andado Station was reported under Viv Oldfield.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
See also
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