James Stein

James Stein
James Stein
Born	c. 1804; Scotland
Died	25 October 1877; Mount Gambier, South Australia
Occupation(s)	Pastoralist, settler, magistrate, Justice of the Peace
Known for	Founder of Kadlunga pastoral estate; pioneering overland livestock drives in Australia

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article James Stein, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 11 August 2025

James Stein (circa 1804 – 25 October 1877) was an early settler in South Australia's Mid North region and the founder of the Kadlunga pastoralism estate.

Early life and family

James Stein hailed from a family with ties to Scottish aristocracy and a renowned whisky distilling lineage. Born around 1804 in Scotland, he was the son of John Stein (1769–c.1814), a London-based banker and former Member of Parliament for Bletchingley. His sister, Anne Duff (Stein), Countess of Fife, married General Sir Alexander Duff, connecting the family to British nobility including the Duke of Fife, who wed Princess Louise, daughter of King Edward VII.

Following financial setbacks in 1829 that led to the breakup of his family's distillery enterprises, Stein, well-educated and seeking new prospects, emigrated to Australia. He arrived in Sydney in September 1833 aboard the Sir John Roe Reid.

Australia and overlanding

Upon settling in New South Wales, Stein became a pioneering pastoralist in the Goulburn and Yass areas. Known for his horsemanship, he was actively involved in local hunt clubs and equestrian competitions. He forged close business relationships with William Hardy, whose brother was a newspaper editor and magistrate.

In 1839, Stein partnered with fellow Yass settlers Charles Campbell, Evelyn Sturt, and William Hardy on an ambitious livestock overland expedition. They employed 24 men to drive a flock of 5,000 sheep, alongside 200 cattle and twenty horses, from Bathurst to Adelaide—the first such journey following the course of the Murrumbidgee River. Subsequently, Stein briefly collaborated with Sturt in pastoral activities near Meadows outside Adelaide. Later, Stein and Campbell conducted two more overland livestock drives between 1839 and 1840, strengthening their business alliance.

Pastoralism in Mid-North South Australia

After explorations by John Hill and Edward John Eyre in 1839 revealed opportunities in South Australia's Mid North, both Campbell and Stein obtained occupation licences to establish sheep stations. Campbell’s property was situated at Hill River, while Stein’s holdings spanned from Mount Horrocks through the Farrell Flat area near the headwaters of the Wakefield River, encompassing rolling hills and plains including portions of Burra Creek. Adjacent sections of Burra Creek were part of William Peter’s Gum Creek run near what is now Manoora.

Stein employed several "Afghan" shepherds—men brought from India by settler E.B. Gleeson at nearby Clare—to tend his unfenced lands. These shepherds are said to have named Burra Burra Creek, although this attribution remains contested. In 1845, one of Stein’s shepherds, William Strear, discovered mineral deposits that led to the establishment of the profitable Burra copper mines; however, Stein himself did not benefit financially from this find.

Kadlunga Estate

The centerpiece of Stein’s pastoral operations was Kadlunga homestead, located beneath Mount Horrocks approximately three kilometres west of present-day Mintaro. An early associate and eventual successor in Stein’s ventures was John Oakden, nephew of Colonial Treasurer Osmond Gilles. Oakden managed or leased Kadlunga Station at various intervals.

Within the Mid North community, Stein was known as a horseracing enthusiast—both promoting events and serving as a judge—as well as fulfilling roles as magistrate and Justice of the Peace until 1853. He actively participated in several fraternal organizations including the Oddfellows and Freemasonry, earning a reputation as a central figure during social gatherings. Despite apparent affluence, Stein accumulated considerable debts and mortgaged his estate; his insolvency declaration in September 1848 marked a significant downturn in his financial status.

Under subsequent proprietors such as John Chewings (1816–79), Sir Samuel Way (1836–1916), and Sir John Melrose (1860–1938), Kadlunga evolved into a distinguished stud for merino sheep and Percheron horses.

Impoverished later life

By the mid-1850s, Stein had moved to the South East region of South Australia. Over the following twenty years, his circumstances declined from early success to financial hardship and deteriorating health. Nevertheless, he preserved a dignified and gentlemanly bearing and kept in touch with some influential contacts.

While residing in humble surroundings near Millicent, Stein worked as a pound keeper at The Springs Ponds, where he was responsible for enforcing the Livestock Impounding Act. He passed away in Mount Gambier on 27 October 1877 at the age of 73. There are no records indicating that he married.

A comprehensive account of his life is featured in Pastoral Pioneers of South Australia, and his portrait is held by the State Library of South Australia.

Legacy

The original stone homestead structures of the Kadlunga estate, established by Stein, still stand as enduring examples of early settler craftsmanship. Under later proprietors, Kadlunga gained prominence as a nationally recognized stud for sheep, cattle, and horses. These owners, notable figures in South Australia, also contributed significant architectural enhancements. In 1978, the estate was officially included on the Register of the National Estate.

Stein Hill, a 605-metre elevation located approximately 7.5 kilometres southeast of Burra in the northern Mount Lofty Ranges, bears his name. This feature is part of the Stein Hill Land System and comprises the east-facing slopes of the Burra Hills situated south of the Burra-Morgan road.

References