Mount Augustus Station
| Company type | Pastoral lease |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agriculture |
| Founded | 1887 |
| Founder | Samuel James Phillips, John Hughes Phillips |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Gascoyne region, Western Australia |
| Products | Cattle |
Mount Augustus Station is a pastoral lease functioning as a cattle station situated in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia. It lies approximately southwest of Paraburdoo and northwest of Meekatharra. The property encompasses the Upper Lyons and Frederick Rivers and once included Mount Augustus, recognized as the largest monocline globally. It shares its boundary with Cobra Station.
Founded in 1887 by Samuel James Phillips alongside John Hughes Phillips, the station encountered significant difficulties early on, including disputes with Indigenous peoples. In 1892, the station’s store was subjected to an attack, highlighting the prevailing local unrest. A short-lived gold rush in 1893 attracted prospectors to the vicinity but ultimately did not yield profitable results.
By 1895, ownership had shifted to the Western Australian Mortgage and Agency Company, with Chas Mitchell serving as manager. In 1898, Mount Augustus Station was offered at auction as a property spanning capable of sustaining 5,000 cattle, including a livestock count of 1,500 head and 70 horses. By 1899, J. Phillips and Company held ownership of the station along with Jimba Jimba Station, managed by partner Phil Ryan.
The cattle herd grew to approximately 10,000 by 1909, aided by favorable rainfall conditions. Following the death of partner Hugh Douglas Phillips in 1921, the property was again put up for auction in 1923. At that time, it covered around one million acres () and supported a stock of 4,500 cattle. Water supplies were maintained through five wells and permanent pools found within nearby rivers.
As of 2012, ownership rested with the Hammarquist family, who also operated the neighboring Mt Augustus Tourist Park, offering accommodation, fuel services, and provisions to thousands of visitors annually.