Warroora
| Company type | Pastoral lease |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agriculture |
| Founded | 1906 |
| Founder | H. G. Lefroy |
| Headquarters | Gascoyne , Australia |
| Products | Cattle, lodging (eco-tourism) |
Warroora, also known as Warroora Station, is a pastoral lease situated in the Gascoyne area of Western Australia. Initially operating as a sheep station, it has since shifted its focus to functioning as a cattle station. Additionally, the property provides eco-friendly lodging options, allowing visitors to stay in the historic homestead, former shearers' quarters, or camp by the shoreline.
Location
Warroora Station is positioned along the Minilya Exmouth Road, lying to the southeast of Coral Bay and to the north of Carnarvon. The station encompasses roughly of frontage on the Ningaloo Coastline. Adjacent properties include Ningaloo Station to the north, Minilya Station toward the southeast, and Gnaraloo directly south.
History
The coastal expanse of Warroora was once part of Minilya Station, owned by George Julius Brockman. This area was prized for its abundant milkbush vegetation, which provided valuable forage for sheep during dry periods with minimal water requirements.
In 1906, ownership transferred to Mr. H. G. Lefroy, who purchased Warroora from Donald N. McLeod. The acquisition included of undeveloped terrain. Lefroy enhanced the property by investing in facilities and livestock, acquiring 2,000 ewes in 1907 and producing 84 wool bales by 1908.
By 1922, Lefroy sold the station to Percy St. Barbe Ayliffe and H. R. Read, who managed a flock numbering 13,000 sheep. Infrastructure developments completed by 1925 featured subdivision into 11 paddocks and installation of a bore capable of supplying one million imperial gallons daily from a depth of 1780 feet, servicing seven paddocks.
Sheep numbers expanded to 23,000 by 1933, resulting in a yield of 518 wool bales. The Horak family took ownership in 1994 and have since overseen sustainable management practices.
In 2015, discussions with the Western Australian government regarding lease terms led to the removal of pastoral land along the Ningaloo Coast—recognized as a world-heritage site—to facilitate conservation efforts and tourism initiatives.