Tobermorey
| Company type | Pastoral lease |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cattle station |
| Founded | 1913 |
| Founder | Robert Anderson |
| Headquarters | Alice Springs region , Australia |
Area served | Northern Territory, Queensland border region |
| Products | Cattle |
| Owner | John and Margaret Speed |
Tobermorey Station operates as a cattle station under a pastoral lease arrangement within the Alice Springs region of the Northern Territory. It is situated on the western boundary of the traditional lands of the Punthamara people.
Location
Positioned roughly eastward of Alpurrurulam and westward of Mount Isa in Queensland, the property shares its northern border with Manners Creek Station, while Marqua Station lies to the west. To both the west and south, it adjoins the Atnetye Aboriginal Land Trust, and its eastern edge meets the Queensland state line. Prominent waterways traversing the area include Field River, Manners Creek, and Marqua Creek. The northern perimeter near the homestead is intersected by the Plenty Highway.
Description
Covering an area that spans approximately in length and in width, Tobermorey supports a cattle population nearing 15,000 head. The southern portion is characterized by red soils interspersed with sandhills, light timber vegetation, and buffel grass growing alongside watercourses. In contrast, the northern region comprises open plains dominated by Mulga and gidyea timber species, with ground cover primarily consisting of Mitchell grass and other native plants.
Facilities
Adjacent to the station's main buildings, the Tobermorey Station Roadhouse & Caravan Park caters to travelers heading west along the Plenty Highway toward the Stuart Highway or eastbound into Queensland via the Donohue Highway. The Roadhouse provides unleaded and diesel fuels, a retail outlet stocking food items, snacks, souvenirs, as well as tyre repair services. The caravan park offers unpowered camping sites, cabin and room accommodations, a communal camp kitchen, a playground area, and a licensed bar. Both establishments close seasonally during the summer wet months from December through March.
History
The land commenced cattle grazing activities in 1910 under Robert Anderson, who relocated from Urandangie in 1913 to establish Tobermorey Station. The property endured significant hardships such as bushfires in 1952 and drought conditions by 1954, which led the Anderson family to prepare for livestock transport. Ownership changed hands when the family sold Tobermorey during the 1980s.
In 2009, then-owner Sterling Buntine attempted to auction the station; however, it did not sell at an asking price of 11 million. Two years later in 2011, Tobermorey was sold along with Linda Downs for a combined sum of 17.5 million. The present proprietors are John and Margaret Speed.