Yanrey
| Company type | Pastoral lease |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agriculture |
| Founded | 19th century |
| Founder | John Stewart, David Stewart |
| Headquarters | Pilbara , Australia |
Area served | Pilbara region |
| Products | Sheep (wool), cattle |
Yanrey Station, commonly referred to simply as Yanrey, operates as a sheep station under a pastoral lease in the Pilbara area of Western Australia. It is situated approximately southeast of Exmouth and south of Onslow.
Spanning an area of , Yanrey shares its borders with Minderoo, Koordarrie, Giralia, Nanutarra, Uaroo, and Nyang Station. The terrain comprises extensive sandy plains alongside alluvial clay regions, with the Yannanie River flowing through the property. The station has the capacity to sustain up to 47,000 sheep.
The station was initially founded by John and David Stewart before being acquired by Thomas Frederick de Pledge following John Stewart’s passing. De Pledge brought prior familiarity with the region, having served as a jackaroo for the Stewarts and worked on the adjacent Minderoo Station. He took on the role of manager in 1897 and purchased Yanrey in 1898 when it covered . Over a subsequent three-year period, de Pledge expanded the property by incorporating neighboring stations Yannangal, Yannaney, and Globe Hill, enlarging Yanrey to roughly . His efforts concentrated on enhancing the quality of the sheep flock to secure higher wool prices. At its zenith, Yanrey ranked as the third-largest estate in the Ashburton District, encompassing .
By 1906, the sheep population at Yanrey was approximately 30,000. The station endured considerable destruction during a cyclone in 1909, which damaged windmills, fencing, and resulted in flooding.
During the 1920s, wool transport transitioned from reliance on horses and camels to motorized vehicles. Due to wet conditions restricting vehicle movement along stock routes, several roads were officially designated for motor vehicle use between 1927 and 1930, including one constructed leading directly to Yanrey.
In terms of management transitions, Alex Maitland resigned from his position in 1952 and was succeeded by Ashley Paterson. By 1979, Yanrey’s livestock comprised 12,730 sheep alongside 1,210 cattle.
Homestead
Constructed in 1901 with an eastern extension added in 1915, the homestead features a timber frame clad with corrugated iron. The rectangular building is characterized by twin hipped roofs and an encircling verandah, indicative of its phased development. This homestead holds heritage listing status.