Puttapa
| Company type | Pastoral lease |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agriculture |
| Founded | 1911 |
| Founder | Steven Lock |
| Headquarters | Flinders Ranges , Australia |
Area served | South Australia |
| Products | Sheep (Dorper, Australian White), cattle, feral goats |
Puttapa, also known as Puttapa Station, is a pastoral lease functioning as a sheep station situated within the Flinders Ranges area of South Australia, positioned south of Leigh Creek. The estate encompasses sites recognized for their heritage value, including the Ajax Mine Fossil Reef, which is currently under evaluation for potential UNESCO World Heritage status.
History
The land originally formed part of a more extensive lease acquired by John Haimes in 1854, which later became known as Beltana Station. In 1911, the section identified as the Puttapa paddock was sold to Steven Lock and subsequently established as Puttapa Station. The lease was taken over by Len Ragless in 1936, with the Ragless family retaining ownership until early 2025 when Len's grandson, Graham Ragless, placed it on the market.
While primarily operating as a sheep station, Puttapa has also incorporated cattle grazing and the harvesting of feral goats into its activities. The station shifted its focus from breeding Merino sheep for wool production to raising meat-oriented breeds such as Dorper and Australian White sheep.
In April 2013, the South Australian Government formally designated the land under this pastoral lease as the locality named Puttapa.
The property changed hands in May 2025.
Description
Located between the historic township of Beltana to the south and Leigh Creek to the north, Puttapa Station operates as a sheep station under a pastoral lease agreement. The land area is predominantly utilized for livestock grazing.
Additionally, the station provides tourism amenities including repurposed shearers' accommodations and trails designed for motorbike and four-wheel-drive vehicle use.
Heritage listings
As of , Puttapa Station contains several heritage-registered sites:
- Ajax Mine Fossil Reef, designated a State Heritage Place on 28 August 2014 due to its significant palaeontological and geological features. This location is among seven sites within the Flinders Ranges proposed for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list, referred to collectively as Ajax Hill.
- Copper King Copper and Ochre Mine, added to the heritage register on 23 November 1989 because of its historical relevance as one of four principal European pigment production sites in South Australia. It represents the transition from copper extraction to ochre pigment manufacturing around the year 1900.