Billabalong Station
| Company type | Pastoral lease |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agriculture |
| Founded | 1893 |
| Founder | Andrew Dempster and John Chow Miller |
| Headquarters | Near Mullewa and Cue , Australia |
Area served | Mid West, Western Australia |
| Products | Sheep (historically), cattle |
Billabalong Station is a pastoral lease situated in Western Australia that has evolved from operating as a sheep station to functioning primarily as a cattle station.
Positioned to the north of Mullewa and westward of Cue within the Mid West area, the estate shares its eastern boundary with the Murchison River.
The property spans both leasehold and freehold land. The homestead, dating back to the early 20th century, contains five bedrooms and two bathrooms. On-site infrastructure includes a hangar, a pair of workshops, a generator shed, four cattle yards, and a shearing shed equipped with living quarters. The terrain is segmented into 17 paddocks, supported by 23 wells, 16 bores, and 38 windmills. In 2013, the station maintained a herd of 450 cattle but has the potential to support as many as 8,000 head.
Originally purchased in 1893 by Andrew Dempster and John Chow Miller from the executors of Thomas Burges, the partnership later ended due to financial disagreements. In 1897, both Billabalong and Berin Station were put up for auction. At that time, Billabalong covered an extensive area and included a six-room homestead, a stone shearing shed, fencing, and was stocked with 7,000 sheep, 1,400 cattle, and 100 horses.
Following Dempster's passing, his executors listed Billabalong for sale in 1909. The property then encompassed a significant acreage and was stocked with 12,000 sheep, 2,500 cattle, and 71 horses. Despite receiving a highest bid of £21,000, the sale was not finalized.
The Darlot brothers purchased Billabalong along with Byro Station in 1914. The northern segment of the lease had been sold earlier in 1913 to J. & C. Butcher. The southern portion held by the Darlots extended over a large area and supported 15,000 sheep and 600 cattle. Their operational plan involved utilizing Byro Station primarily for breeding purposes while designating Billabalong as a central depot where improvements were planned.
Angus Campbell took over management of the station in 1916 and achieved the highest wool production through Geraldton in 1919. He continued as manager until his death in 1939.
In 2006, after Cyclone Emma, Billabalong along with nearby Twinpeaks Station became isolated due to flooding caused by the Murchison River. Multiple stations remained underwater for over a month, leading local graziers to appeal for government intervention to alleviate their losses.