List of pastoral leases in Western Australia
| Company type | Land tenure system |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agriculture |
| Headquarters | Perth , Australia |
Area served | Western Australia |
| Owner | Government of Western Australia |
Pastoral leases in Western Australia, often referred to as "stations" and categorized as either sheep stations or cattle stations, are predominantly situated on designated rangeland. In 2013, a total of 527 pastoral leases spanned approximately 87 million hectares.[1] All leases were due for renewal or surrender by 2015.[2]
Stations hold significant importance within the agricultural landscape and historical development of Western Australia. Throughout the years, the sector has been subject to multiple inquiries, requests for lease extensions,[3], underscoring its economic and regulatory significance.
These leases encompass nearly 90 million hectares, representing roughly 36% of the state's total landmass.[4] Although a small number of permanent staff manage the stations, seasonal workers—particularly shearers—are essential for wool harvesting. More recently, some stations have also served as sites for feral goat containment linked to export and meat industries.
Administration
The administration of these leases falls under the responsibility of the Minister for Lands alongside the Pastoral Lands Board of Western Australia. This board succeeded the former Pastoral Board following legislative changes that repealed the Land Act 1933 and introduced the Land Administration Act 1997. The Pastoral Lands Board regularly publishes updates on policies and governance.
In 2006, the Pastoral Lands Board released a brochure detailing access protocols for pastoral leases within Western Australia, emphasizing logistical difficulties caused by vast distances. Historic stock routes such as the Canning Stock Route and railway connections to Meekatharra continue to support livestock transportation across these remote areas.
List
The list below compiles pastoral leases sourced from various records, including those that are abandoned, amalgamated, relinquished, or historic. It provides local government and regional identifiers for business reference. For exact station locations, refer to the Travellers Atlas of Western Australia, which maps all active pastoral leases.
A–C
| Pastoral Lease Name | Region | Local Government Area |
|---|---|---|
| Abydos | Pilbara | East Pilbara |
| Adelong | Goldfields–Esperance | Menzies |
| Albion Downs | Murchison | Wiluna |
| Alice Downs | Kimberley | Halls Creek |
| Andover | Pilbara | Karratha |
| Anna Plains | Kimberley | Broome |
| Annean | Murchison | Meekatharra |
| Arcoona | Goldfields–Esperance | Menzies (former) |
| Argyle Downs | Kimberley | Wyndham–East Kimberley |
| Arizona | Kimberley | Halls Creek |
| Arrino | Great Southern | Gnowangerup |
| Arubiddy | Goldfields–Esperance | Dundas |
| Ashburton Downs | Pilbara | Ashburton |
| Atley | Murchison | Sandstone |
| Austin Downs | Murchison | Cue |
| Avoca Downs | Goldfields–Esperance | Kalgoorlie–Boulder |
| Badja | Murchison | Yalgoo |
| Balfour Downs | Pilbara | East Pilbara |
| Balgair | Goldfields–Esperance | Kalgoorlie–Boulder |
| Bali | Goldfields–Esperance | Coolgardie |
| Balla Balla | Pilbara | Ashburton |
| Balline | Murchison | Northampton |
| Ballythunna | Murchison | Murchison |
| Balmoral | Pilbara | Karratha |
| Bamboo Springs | Pilbara | East Pilbara |
| Bandya | Goldfields–Esperance | Laverton |
(Excerpt truncated for brevity)
D–J
| Pastoral Lease Name | Region | LGA | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dairy Creek | Gascoyne | Upper Gascoyne | ||||||||||||||
| Dalgaranga | Murchison | Yalgoo | ||||||||||||||
| Dalgety Downs | Gascoyne | Upper Gascoyne | ||||||||||||||
| Dampier Downs | Kimberley | Broome | ||||||||||||||
| Dandaraga | Murchison | Sandstone | ||||||||||||||
| Daniels Well | Pilbara | Ashburton | ||||||||||||||
| Davyhurst | Goldfields–Esperance | Menzies (former, 1985) | ||||||||||||||
| De Grey | Pilbara | Port Hedland (T) | ||||||||||||||
| Deepdale | Pilbara | Ashburton | ||||||||||||||
| Denham | Kimberley | Wyndham–East Kimberley | ||||||||||||||
| Depot Springs | Murchison | Sandstone | ||||||||||||||
| Desdemona | Goldfields–Esperance | Leonora | ||||||||||||||
| Diamond Well | Murchison | Meekatharra | ||||||||||||||
| Dirk Hartog | Gascoyne | Shark Bay | ||||||||||||||
| Dooley Downs | Gascoyne | Upper Gascoyne | ||||||||||||||
| Doolgunna | Murchison | Meekatharra | ||||||||||||||
| Doon Doon | Kimberley | Wyndham–East Kimberley | ||||||||||||||
| Doongan | Kimberley | Halls Creek | ||||||||||||||
| Doorawarrah | Gascoyne | Carnarvon | ||||||||||||||
| Drysdale River | Kimberley | Wyndham–East Kimberley | ||||||||||||||
| Duck Creek | Pilbara | Ashburton | ||||||||||||||
| Durack River | Kimberley | Wyndham–East Kimberley | ||||||||||||||
| Earaheedy | Murchison | Wiluna | ||||||||||||||
| Edaggee | Gascoyne | Carnarvon | ||||||||||||||
| Edah | Murchison | Yalgoo | ||||||||||||||
| Edjudina | Goldfields–Esperance | Menzies | ||||||||||||||
| Edmund | Gascoyne | Upper Gascoyne | ||||||||||||||
| Eel Creek | Pilbara | East Pilbara | ||||||||||||||
| Eginbah | Pilbara | East Pilbara | ||||||||||||||
| El Questro | Kimberley | Wyndham–East Kimberley | ||||||||||||||
| Elgee Cliffs | Kimberley | Halls Creek | ||||||||||||||
| Ellavalla | Gascoyne | Carnarvon | ||||||||||||||
| 'Ellenbrae' | Kimberley | Wyndham–East Kimberley | ||||||||||||||
| 'Elliott Creek' | Gascoyne | Upper Gascoyne | ||||||||||||||
| 'Elvire' | Kimberley | Halls Creek | ||||||||||||||
| 'Emu Creek' | Pilbara | Exmouth | ||||||||||||||
| 'Erlistoun' | Goldfields–Esperance | Laverton | ||||||||||||||
| 'Erong Springs' | Gascoyne | Upper Gascoyne | ||||||||||||||
| 'Errabiddy' | Gascoyne | Upper Gascoyne | ||||||||||||||
| 'Ethel Creek' | Pilbara | East Pilbara | ||||||||||||||
| 'Ettrick Station' | Pilbara | East Pilbara | ||||||||||||||
| 'Eudamullah' | Gascoyne | Upper Gascoyne | ||||||||||||||
| 'Eurardy' | Murchison | Northampton | ||||||||||||||
| 'Exmouth Gulf' | Pilbara | Exmouth | ||||||||||||||
| 'Faure' | Gascoyne | Shark Bay | ||||||||||||||
| 'First King' | Goldfields–Esperance | Dundas | ||||||||||||||
| 'Flora Valley' | Kimberley | Halls Creek | ||||||||||||||
| 'Fossil Downs' | Kimberley | Derby–West Kimberley | ||||||||||||||
| 'Fox River' | Kimberley | Halls Creek | ||||||||||||||
| 'Fraser Range' | Goldfields–Esperance | Dundas | ||||||||||||||
| 'Frazier Downs' | Kimberley | Broome | ||||||||||||||
| 'Frog Hollow' | Kimberley | Wyndham–East Kimberley | ||||||||||||||
| 'Gabyon' | Murchison | Yalgoo | ||||||||||||||
| 'Gibb River' | Kimberley | Wyndham–East Kimberley | ||||||||||||||
| 'Gidgee' | Murchison | Wiluna | ||||||||||||||
| 'Gifford Creek' | Gascoyne | Upper Gascoyne | ||||||||||||||
| 'Gilroyd' | Gascoyne | Shark Bay | ||||||||||||||
| 'Gindalbie' | Goldfields–Esperance | Kalgoorlie–Boulder (C) | ||||||||||||||
| 'Ginrock' | Goldfields–Esperance | Menzies | ||||||||||||||
| 'Giralia' | Gascoyne | Exmouth | ||||||||||||||
| 'Glen' | Murchison | Cue | ||||||||||||||
| 'Glenflorrie' | Pilbara | Ashburton | ||||||||||||||
| 'Glen Hill' | Kimberley | Wyndham–East Kimberley | ||||||||||||||
| 'Glenayle' | Murchison | Wiluna | ||||||||||||||
| 'Glenburgh' | Gascoyne | Upper Gascoyne | ||||||||||||||
| 'Glenorn' | Goldfields–Esperance | Leonora | ||||||||||||||
| 'Glenroy' | Pilbara | Ashburton | ||||||||||||||
| 'Glenroy Station' | Kimberley | Derby–West Kimberley | ||||||||||||||
| 'Globe Hill Station' && Pilbara && Ashburton | ||||||||||||||||
| 'Gnaraloo' && Gascoyne && Carnarvon | ||||||||||||||||
| 'Gogo Station' && Kimberley && Halls Creek | ||||||||||||||||
| 'Goodingnow ' && Murchison && Yalgoo | ||||||||||||||||
| 'Goongarrie' && Goldfields–Esperance && Menzies | ||||||||||||||||
| 'Goose Hill' && Kimberley && Wyndham–East Kimberley | ||||||||||||||||
| 'Gordon Downs' && Kimberley && Halls Creek | ||||||||||||||||
| 'Granite Peak' | Murchison | Wiluna | ||||||||||||||
| 'Greenvale' | Kimberley | Wyndham–East Kimberley | ||||||||||||||
| 'Hamelin' | Gascoyne | Shark Bay | ||||||||||||||
| 'Hamersley Station' | Pilbara | Ashburton | ||||||||||||||
| 'Harding River' | Pilbara | Ashburton | ||||||||||||||
| 'Hill' | Kimberley | Broome | ||||||||||||||
| 'Hill Springs' | Gascoyne | Carnarvon | ||||||||||||||
| 'Hill View' | Murchison | Meekatharra | ||||||||||||||
| 'Hillside' | Pilbara | East Pilbara | ||||||||||||||
| 'Home Valley Station' | Kimberley | Wyndham–East Kimberley | ||||||||||||||
| 'Hooley Station' | Pilbara | Ashburton | ||||||||||||||
| 'How Mah' | Kimberley | Broome | ||||||||||||||
| 'Hy Brazil' | Murchison | [[Shire of Mount Magnet]|Mount Magnet]] | ||||||||||||||
| 'Ida Valley' | Goldfields–Esperance | Menzies | ||||||||||||||
| 'Ilgarari' | Murchison | Meekatharra | ||||||||||||||
| 'Illawarra' | Goldfields–Esperance | Menzies | ||||||||||||||
| 'Indee' | Pilbara | Port Hedland (T) | ||||||||||||||
| 'Inglewood' | Murchison | Sandstone | ||||||||||||||
| 'Innouendy' | Murchison | [[Shire of Murchison]|Murchison]] | ||||||||||||||
| 'Iona' | Murchison | Mount Magnet | ||||||||||||||
| 'Ivanhoe Station' | Kimberley | Wyndham–East Kimberley |
- |
-'Jaurdi'|| Goldfields–Esperance||| [[Shire of Coolgardie]|Coolgardie]] |
- |
-'Jimba Jimba Station'|| Gascoyne||| Upper Gascoyne |
- |
-'Jimberlana'|| Goldfields–Esperance||| Dundas |
- |
-'Jimblebar'|| Murchison||| Meekatharra |
- |
-'Jingemarra'|| Murchison||| Yalgoo |
- |
-'Juna Downs'|| Pilbara||| Ashburton |
- |
-'Jundee'|| Murchison||| Wiluna |
K
| Pastoral Lease Name | Region | LGA |
|---|---|---|
| Kadji Kadji | Murchison | Morawa |
| Kalli | Murchison | Murchison |
| Kalumburu | Kimberley | Wyndham–East Kimberley |
| Kanandah | Goldfields–Esperance | City of Kalgoorlie–Boulder |
| Kangan | Pilbara | East Pilbara |
| Kangiangi | Pilbara | Ashburton |
| Karara | Murchison | Perenjori |
| Karbar | Murchison | Cue |
| Karunjie | Kimberley | Wyndham–East Kimberley |
| Kathleen Valley | Goldfields–Esperance | Leonora |
| Kennedy Range | Gascoyne | Carnarvon |
| Killara | Murchison | Meekatharra |
| Kilto | Kimberley | Broome |
| Kimberley Downs | Kimberley | Derby–West Kimberley |
| Kinclaven | Goldfields–Esperance | City of Kalgoorlie–Boulder |
| Kirkalocka | Murchison | Mount Magnet |
| Kookynie | Goldfields–Esperance | Menzies |
| Kooline | Pilbara | Ashburton |
| Koongie Park | Kimberley | Halls Creek |
| Koonmarra | Murchison | Meekatharra |
| Koordarrie | Pilbara | Ashburton |
| Korong | Goldfields–Esperance | Laverton |
| Kumarina | Murchison | Meekatharra |
| Kurrajong | Goldfields–Esperance | Leonora |
| Kyarra | Murchison | Cue |
| Kybo | Goldfields–Esperance | City of Kalgoorlie–Boulder |
L
| Pastoral Lease Name | Region | LGA |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Barlee | Murchison | Sandstone |
| Lake Mason | Murchison | Sandstone |
| Lake Nerramyne | Murchison | Greater Geraldton |
| Lake Violet | Murchison | Wiluna |
| Lake Way | Murchison | Wiluna |
| Lake Wells | Goldfields–Esperance | Laverton |
| Lakeside | Murchison | Cue |
| Lalla Rookh | Pilbara | East Pilbara |
| Lamboo | Kimberley | Halls Creek |
| Landor | Gascoyne | Upper Gascoyne |
| Lansdowne | Kimberley | Halls Creek |
| Larranganni | Kimberley | Halls Creek |
| Laverton Downs | Goldfields–Esperance | Laverton |
| Leinster Downs | Goldfields–Esperance | Leonora |
| Leopold Downs | Kimberley | Halls Creek |
| Lewis Creek | Kimberley | Halls Creek |
| Limestone | Pilbara | East Pilbara |
| Lissadell | Kimberley | Wyndham–East Kimberley |
| Liveringa | Kimberley | Derby–West Kimberley |
| Lochada | Murchison | Perenjori |
| Lorna Glen | Murchison | Wiluna |
| Louisa Downs Station | Kimberley | Halls Creek |
| Lyndon | Gascoyne | Carnarvon |
| Lynton | Murchison | Northampton |
| Lyons River | Gascoyne | Upper Gascoyne |
M
| Pastoral Lease Name | Region | Local Government Area |
|---|---|---|
| Mabel Downs | Kimberley | Halls Creek |
| Madoonga | Murchison | Cue |
| Madoonia Downs | Goldfields–Esperance | Coolgardie |
| Madura | Goldfields–Esperance | Dundas |
| Mallina | Pilbara | Karratha |
| Manberry | Gascoyne | Carnarvon |
| Mandora | Kimberley | Broome |
| Manfred | Murchison | Murchison |
| Mangaroon | Gascoyne | Upper Gascoyne |
| Maranalgo | Murchison | Yalgoo |
| Mardathuna | Gascoyne | Carnarvon |
| Mardie | Pilbara | Karratha |
| Margaret River | Kimberley | Halls Creek |
| Marillana | Pilbara | East Pilbara |
| Marion Downs | Kimberley | Wyndham–East Kimberley |
| Maroonah | Pilbara | Ashburton |
| Marrilla | Gascoyne | Carnarvon |
| Marron | Gascoyne | Carnarvon |
| Mary Springs | Murchison | Northampton |
| Marymia | Murchison | Meekatharra |
| Meadow | Gascoyne | Shark Bay |
| Meda | Kimberley | Derby–West Kimberley |
| Meeberrie | Murchison | Murchison |
| Meedo | Gascoyne | Carnarvon |
| Meeline | Murchison | Mount Magnet |
| Meeragoolia | Gascoyne | Carnarvon |
| Meka | Murchison | Yalgoo |
| Melangata | Murchison | Yalgoo |
| Melita | Goldfields–Esperance | Leonora |
| Mellenbye | Murchison | Yalgoo |
| Melrose | Goldfields–Esperance | Leonora |
| Menangina | Goldfields–Esperance | Menzies |
| Menangina South | Goldfields–Esperance | Menzies |
N–P
| Pastoral Lease Name | Region | Local Government Area |
|---|
| Pastoral Lease Name | Region | Local Government Area |
- Paroo Murchison Meekatharra |
- Peedamulla Pilbara Ashburton |
- Pentecost Downs Kimberley Wyndham–East Kimberley |
- Perkolilli Goldfields–Esperance Kalgoorlie–Boulder |
- Peron Gascoyne Shark Bay |
- Perrinvale Goldfields–Esperance Shire of Menzies |
- Phillips Range Kimberley Halls Creek |
- Piarri Kimberley Wyndham–East Kimberley |
- Pilga Pilbara East Pilbara |
- Pimbee Gascoyne Shire of Carnarvon |
- Pindabunna Murchison Yalgoo |
- Pindathuna Murchison Yalgoo |
- Pinegrove Murchison City of Greater Geraldton |
- Pingandy Gascoyne Shire of Upper Gascoyne |
- Pinnacles Goldfields–Esperance Leonora |
- Pippingarra Pilbara Port Hedland |
- Prairie Downs Murchison Meekatharra |
- Premier Downs Goldfields–Esperance Kalgoorlie–Boulder |
- Prenti Downs Murchison Wiluna |
- Pullagaroo Murchison Yalgoo |
- Pyramid Pilbara City of Karratha |
|---|
Q–T
| Pastoral Lease Name | Region | Local Government Area |
|---|---|---|
| Quanbun | Kimberley | Shire of Derby–West Kimberley |
| Quobba | Gascoyne | Carnarvon |
| Quondong Downs | Kimberley | Broome |
| Rawlinna | Goldfields–Esperance | Kalgoorlie–Boulder |
| Red Hill | Pilbara | Ashburton |
| Riverdale | Pilbara | Port Hedland |
| Riverina | Goldfields–Esperance | Menzies |
| Robertson Range | Pilbara | East Pilbara |
| Rockhole | Kimberley | Halls Creek |
| Rocklea | Pilbara | Ashburton |
| Roebuck Plains | Kimberley | Broome |
| Rosewood | Kimberley | Wyndham–East Kimberley |
| Roy Hill | Pilbara | East Pilbara |
| Ruby Plains | Kimberley | Halls Creek |
| Saunders Creek | Kimberley | Halls Creek |
| Seemore Downs | Goldfields–Esperance | Kalgoorlie–Boulder |
| Shaw River | Pilbara | Port Hedland |
| Sherlock | Pilbara | Karratha |
| Sophie Downs | Kimberley | Halls Creek |
| Southern Hills | Goldfields–Esperance | Dundas |
| Speewah | Kimberley | Wyndham–East Kimberley |
| Spring Creek | Kimberley | Wyndham–East Kimberley |
| Springvale | Kimberley | Halls Creek |
| Strelley | Pilbara | Port Hedland |
| Sturt Creek | Kimberley | Halls Creek |
| Sturt Meadows | Goldfields–Esperance | Leonora |
| Sylvania | Murchison | Meekatharra |
| Tabba Tabba | Pilbara | East Pilbara |
| Tableland | Kimberley | Halls Creek |
| Taincrow | Murchison | Cue |
| Talga Talga | Pilbara | East Pilbara |
| Talisker | Gascoyne | Shark Bay |
| Tallering | Murchison | Murchison |
| Tamala | Gascoyne | Shark Bay |
| Tambrey | Pilbara | Ashburton |
| Tangadee | Murchison | Meekatharra |
U–Z
See also
Atlas/map references
- Travellers atlas (1978–current)
- Western Australia. Department of Lands and Surveys, Travellers atlas of Western Australia (1978), Government Printer
- Streetsmart Travellers Atlas of Western Australia (2006), Department of Land Information and West Australian Newspapers, 10th edition
- Features 'Pastoral Lease Stations' with designated names and boundaries on state maps.
- Quality Publishing Australia (2007), Roads & tracks Western Australia: campsites directory, roads and tracks, 5th edition
- Highlights homesteads but does not specify individual pastoral leases.
- UBD Western Australia country road atlas (2005), Macquarie Park, N.S.W., 11th edition
- Depicts selected pastoral leases within introductory maps.
Further reading
- Western Australia Pastoral Board (1984), Report of the Pastoral Board on the reappraisement of pastoral leases: as at 1 July 1984, Perth, W.A. Department of Lands and Surveys
- ↑ There are 452 stations made up of 507 pastoral leases covering about 87 million hectares of WA.
- ↑ Most leases have been offered renewal terms similar to their current length, ranging from 21 to 50 years.
- ↑ and royal commission investigations
- ↑ The Pastoral Lands Board of Western Australia – Ensuring ecologically sustainable use of pastoral lands