Macumba Station
| Company type | Pastoral lease |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cattle farming |
| Founded | before 1883 |
| Headquarters | Far North (South Australia) , Australia |
Area served | South Australia |
| Owner | Australian Outback Beef (two-thirds Gina Rinehart, one-third Shanghai CRED) |
Macumba Station, commonly referred to simply as Macumba, is a pastoral lease situated in South Australia that functions as a cattle station.
Description
Positioned approximately northeast of Oodnadatta and east of Marla, Macumba encompasses an area of , ranking it as the third-largest station in South Australia after Anna Creek station and Innamincka Station. Previously under the ownership of the pastoral firm S. Kidman & Co, it was transferred in 2016 to a joint venture known as Australian Outback Beef, which is two-thirds owned by Gina Rinehart and one-third by Shanghai CRED from China.
The property includes varied landscapes such as sand dunes, mulga woodlands, watercourses bordered by redgum trees, desert areas, and gibber plains. Significant waterways running through the station include the Macumba River, Stevenson Creek, and Alberga Creek, each containing multiple waterholes, some of which remain nearly permanent except during drought conditions. Willow Bore, drilled by the government before 1892, provides a daily water supply of , sufficient to sustain up to 2,000 head of cattle.
History
Macumba was established prior to 1883 and originally owned by Young and Belt; that year saw flooding that replenished its creeks and waterholes.
In 1884, an individual named Millard became lost within the property boundaries; in an attempt to signal for assistance, he severed a nearby telegraph line but was ultimately found deceased alongside his horses.
By 1887, with ownership under Chambers and Polhill, Macumba operated both a store and a mail route extending to Alice Springs. Earlier flooding had led to abandonment of sections of the former Macumba Station.
During the late 1880s, Joseph Albert Breaden served as station manager before departing to participate in an expedition to Western Australia.
In December 1888, acting manager George Bennet and his son perished under unclear circumstances while managing cattle amid extreme heat. His eldest son went on to become a prominent pastoralist and racehorse breeder.
Before 1889, Macumba was acquired by Alexander W. T. Grant-Thorold and Henry L'Estrange operating as "Grant & Stokes"; they initially received 500 bullocks and increased sales through to 1891.
Cattle rustling posed challenges in 1891 with several convictions related to thefts from Macumba.
The partnership of Grant & Stokes ended in 1893 when John Waterstion purchased Macumba along with Glen Helen and Idracowra stations, together holding about 15,000 cattle. Between 1892 and 1893, an intense drought caused substantial losses in livestock at Macumba.
In 1903, heavy rainfall led to flooding along Stevenson Creek that stranded prospectors for several days.
By 1905, under manager W. R. Cave, Macumba was actively selling stock at market. That same year Sidney Kidman acquired the property; he relocated horses to Warrina for sale and described the station as being in "splendid condition."
Extensive floods in 1908 inundated large portions of Macumba and adjacent stations following significant rain events.
A second bore was drilled in 1909 reaching artesian water at , producing per day; by 1917 additional bores were planned as Macumba was considered well supplied with water.
A prolonged drought lasting from 1928 to 1931 drastically reduced cattle numbers but also lessened populations of pests such as rabbits and wild dogs. Despite hot summers in 1932, subsequent rains improved conditions on the property.
Severe flooding in early 1939 damaged infrastructure including bridges spanning Stevenson Creek and caused interruptions to railway operations near Macumba.
After World War II, entrepreneur R. M. Williams was employed at Macumba transporting brumbies destined for rodeo events.
In 1950, heavy rains caused floods that washed away livestock downstream from the station.
Following an extended dry period until June 2004, moderate rainfall generated fresh pasture growth that supported stock throughout summer under the management of Eddie Nunn.
A harsh drought in 2008 necessitated complete removal of cattle from Macumba.
On 26 April 2013, the South Australian government officially designated the area covered by the Macumba pastoral lease as the locality named 'Macumba'.