Moolooloo
| Company type | Pastoral lease |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agriculture |
| Founded | 1851 |
| Founder | John McKinley and his brother |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | South Australia |
| Products | Sheep |
Moolooloo Station—also referred to as Moolooloo and Moorillah Stations—is a pastoral lease functioning as a sheep station situated in South Australia.
Positioned roughly northwest of Blinman and to the south of Leigh Creek, this property was originally established in 1851 under the name Oratunga Station. It was founded by John McKinley and his brother, who introduced sheep to the land and constructed the stone Howannigan hut, the remnants of which still exist.
In 1853, ownership transferred to pastoralists John and James Chambers, who by 1858 had secured five leases amounting to . In 1857, James Chambers alongside William Finke uncovered copper deposits along the southern edge of the station, prompting the development of the Oratunga mine. The station encountered several challenges including a store fire coupled with an explosion in 1861, followed by accidental destruction of the woolshed and yards in 1863.
By the year 1870, Philip Levi's enterprise had sold off multiple properties such as Moolooloo, Wirrealpa, Oulnina, Wadnaminga, Mount Margaret, and Booleroo Stations. Collectively, these holdings supported a livestock population exceeding 70,000 sheep and 3,000 cattle.
Today, Moolooloo and Moorillah Stations remain under the stewardship of the same family and encompass a total area of approximately . The former shearers' quarters have been transformed into accommodations catering to tourists.
On 26 April 2013, the Government of South Australia formally designated the pastoral lease region as two distinct localities named Moolooloo and Moorillah.