Madura Station
| Company type | Leasehold sheep station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agriculture |
| Founded | 1876 |
| Headquarters | Madura , Australia |
Area served | Goldfields-Esperance, Western Australia |
Key people | Matt Haines (manager, as of 2012) |
| Products | Merino sheep wool |
| Owner | CC Cooper & Co |
Madura Station, also referred to as Madura Plains, is a sheep grazing leasehold situated roughly east-southeast of Kalgoorlie within the Goldfields-Esperance area of Western Australia. It is positioned inside the boundaries of the Madura locality, with the Eyre Highway marking part of its perimeter.
Description
Spanning around , Madura Station exceeds the size of the country of Brunei and holds the position as Australia's second-largest sheep station, following Rawlinna Station. The property is presently under the ownership of CC Cooper & Co.
In 1927, the station covered . It maintains a capacity to carry 58,000 Merino sheep primarily bred for wool. As of 2012, the workforce included eight employees led by station manager Matt Haines.
The landscape mainly features gently rolling calcareous plains adorned with woodlands composed of eucalypt, melaleuca, and myall, along with chenopod shrublands interspersed with saltbush and bindii grass species. Beneath the station lies the limestone foundation of the Nullarbor Plain, known for its numerous cave systems.
History
The traditional custodians of this region are the Mirning people, whose lands extend across the Nullarbor into South Australia.
European occupation commenced in 1876, initially centered on breeding horses for the use of the British Army in India. The initial lease was held by G. Heinzmann for a single year and was not renewed. By 1884, significant developments had been made including fencing installations, water tanks, and drilling bores to obtain fresh water.
In 1888, the Madura Squatting and Investment Company raised £100,000 (approximately AUD 1 million) to purchase the leasehold along with adjacent blocks totaling more than . The estate contained a homestead and store but only supported 800 merino ewes and a small number of horses.
By 1898, management passed to the Ponton brothers and John Sharp when the property was identified as Clifton Downs Station. A devastating rabbit infestation struck the area in 1901. Following this period, A. J. Talbot acquired Madura together with Mundrabilla Station, focusing on cattle, horses, and camels. Artesian bores provided a daily supply of 37,000 imperial gallons for livestock watering. Cattle were frequently driven overland to saleyards in Kalgoorlie.
In 1927, ownership transferred to the Madura Pastoral and Settlement Company which acquired , intending to develop it for settlement supported by federal funding for dog-proof fencing and water bore drilling to sustain an additional one million sheep producing about 30,000 wool bales. Around this time Charles Bowen held ownership until 1932.
By 1933, Madura was inhabited by hundreds of feral horses (brumbies) and wild cattle. Stockyards were constructed near an artesian bore that flowed continuously for 28 years; over 300 horses were captured and sold. This bore also served as a favored rest point for overlanders.
Heavy rainfall in 1934 resulted in roads becoming bogged under two feet of water. In 1935, station manager W. O'Donovan required urgent air evacuation due to illness but passed away shortly thereafter. Acting manager Michael O'Brien faced charges of cattle theft in 1937 amid labor disputes.
Floodwaters in 1939 replenished dams and weirs while strong winds caused road damage. In 1940, thefts and vandalism affected the station; overlanders set fire to homestead buildings. Manager Robert Mackie regularly reported on road conditions.
In 1941, severe rains washed away parts of Madura Pass disrupting transportation routes. Four men were arrested near Madura in 1947 after stealing a car from Norseman and fleeing toward South Australia.
A harsh drought in 1948 led to a loss of 400 cattle; surviving stock were driven to Loongana searching for feed and water. Although rumors circulated about abandonment in 1949, Mackie denied these claims. That year Reverend Sopher founded an Aboriginal mission at Madura under the Australian Aborigines Evangelistal Mission.
In 1950, legal action was taken against the mission regarding breach of contract related to station sale. Mackie converted the homestead into a motel-hotel featuring petrol pumps after extended drought conditions; a liquor licence was also granted that year.
Following hospitalization due to heart problems in 1951, Mackie oversaw sale of the station to developers intending to establish a tourist resort.
During the 1960s, leasehold rights were held by the Birmingham family (previously associated with Charlie Carter's grocery chain), with Brian O'Connor managing operations.
The Jumbuck Pastoral Company purchased Madura in 1987 and combined it with neighboring Moonera Station. They subdivided paddocks and added extra windmills and water points. By 2011, under manager Matt Haines, Madura sheared approximately 30,000 sheep producing around 850 wool bales after experiencing nearly twice average rainfall (17 inches).
A major fire occurred in 2012 burning over near Madura along the Eyre Highway.
In February 2016, CC Cooper & Co from Jamestown, South Australia acquired Madura Plains Station from Jumbuck Pastoral for AUD 10 million.