Caryapundy Station
| Company type | Pastoral lease |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agriculture |
| Founded | 1872 |
| Founder | J. C. Myers |
| Headquarters | Near Tibooburra , Australia |
Area served | Channel country, New South Wales |
| Products | Cattle, sheep (historically) |
Caryapundy Station, often referred to simply as Caryapundy or Caryapundy Swamp, is a pastoral lease that previously functioned as a cattle station within the channel country of remote New South Wales.
Geography
Situated approximately northeast of Tibooburra and west of Hungerford, Caryapundy holds a notable location within this district.
In 1872, J. C. Myers was granted the lease for Caryapundy, alongside successful bids for other runs such as Bollwarry and Mount Wood. The following year, the Minister of Lands put the unstocked property up for auction.
Subsequently, Caryapundy was included in a group of five properties owned by Mr. O'Connor, which also encompassed Conulpie and Bolwarry. These holdings were recognized for their placement along the Burke and Wills track and benefited from ample water supply via the Bulloo River and multiple creeks. The terrain consisted of grassed downs and saltbush plains, making it conducive to grazing livestock.
By 1892, ownership transferred to Sidney Kidman, who relocated 10,000 sheep and 1,000 cattle from the station. The Kidman brothers maintained possession until at least 1899, with Sidney Kidman characterizing the land as predominantly claypan—a difficult environment capable of supporting only around 230 cattle sustainably.
Caryapundy Swamp
The Caryapundy Swamp wetland partially lies within the station's limits and extends across Queensland and New South Wales, measuring roughly in length and in width. Floodwaters can reach depths over , at times covering the dog-proof border fence between the two states. Flooding typically occurs about every decade, although the region is susceptible to drought conditions as well. Following an extended dry period, the swamp experienced flooding in 2010, which provided habitat for an estimated 35,000 pelican nests.
In 2021, the Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park was officially designated.