Iffley Station
| Company type | Pastoral lease |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cattle station |
| Founded | 1864 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Queensland Gulf Country |
| Products | Cattle |
| Owner | MDH Pty Ltd (McDonald family) |
Iffley Station is a pastoral lease functioning as a cattle station situated in Queensland.
Description
Positioned approximately south of Normanton and north of Julia Creek within Queensland's Gulf Country, the estate covers an area close to . The terrain includes undulating downs covered with Mitchell grass, bluegrass, salt bush, alongside various other native plants. The property’s landscape is divided roughly equally between sandy woodland and open Mitchell grass plains, with the Saxby and Norman Rivers flowing through the land.
History
The Earl brothers—James, William, and Thomas—first settled at Yacamunda Station on the Belyando River before purchasing Iffley Station in 1864. After severe flooding in 1865 caused significant livestock losses, they returned to Yacamunda.
In 1884, the owners Messrs Walsh, Brown and Walsh sold the property, which was stocked with 4,400 cattle, to D. F. MacKay. By 1894, MacKay advertised the station for sale, now carrying 22,000 cattle and 166 horses. A decade later, in 1904, trustees managing his estate offered the station stocked with around 15,000 Durham cattle and 187 horses; this included essential facilities such as a manager’s residence, store, yards, and two bores.
By 1931 ownership had transferred to Kidman and Angliss, who retained control until at least 1942. Don McDonald purchased Iffley along with Rutland Plains in 1979. Presently, Iffley forms part of MDH Pty Ltd’s holdings—owned by the McDonald family—and has been overseen by Clint and Heidi Smith since 2003. MDH manages a total of eleven cattle stations throughout Queensland.