Consolidated Pastoral Company has acquired the Beetaloo aggregation of stations in the NT for more than $300 million, making it the largest pastoral sale in the Territory’s history.

CPC said the acquisition included more than 90,000 head of cattle spread across 1.05 million hectares, encompassing Beetaloo Station, OT Downs, and Mungabroom Station, marking a new chapter in Australia’s pastoral history.

The purchase greatly expands CPC’s holdings, which already feature the adjacent Newcastle Waters station, and has applied for multiple water licences from the NT Government for cropping purposes.

CPC Australia is owned by UK-based Terra Firma, which is owned by billionaires Guy and Julia Hands, through the Hands Family Office, and is one of the largest beef producers in Australia.

Beetaloo Station, situated on the Barkly Tablelands in the Northern Territory, is a significant cattle operation, primarily due to John Dunnicliff’s innovative livestock watering project, initiated in 2002. With support from billionaire Brett Blundy, the multi-million-dollar initiative expanded watering points and paddocks, increasing the Brahman cattle herd from 20,000 to 80,000.

Industry peers recognised Dunnicliff’s legacy following his passing in 2016.

UK-based CPC is among the largest beef producers in Australia, managing at least 400,000 heads of cattle across the Territory, Queensland, and Western Australia. The company has diversified into goat and sheep farming, carbon initiatives, and cropping.

It recently acquired Rawlinna sheep station and applied for water extraction licenses in the Territory totalling over 15,000 megalitres per year, including 4,737 megalitres for an agricultural project at Dungowan Station, along with additional licenses for Newcastle Waters and Tandyidgee Station to support irrigation development.