For Sale: Kidman Family All Set To Sell World's Biggest Cattle Station

World’s largest cattle station is up for sale. Sidney Kidman and Co. put Australia's biggest private landholding, which consists of the cattle station, for sale.

There are 11 cattle stations, spread over 100,000 square kilometres. The Kidman family, which owns 98 per cent of the shares of the company, has offered all equipment and stock of the cattle stations. Sir Sidney Kidman founded the company in 1899. When he left Adelaide in 1871, he was only 14 and had one horse. When he passed away at 78, he owned 68 cattle stations spread over 260,000 square kilometres of land, holding 250,000 sheep and 200,000 cattle.

It has been more than 100 years since the member of the Kidman family started running the unlisted public company. The family is the largest private landholders in the country.

The company business consists of cattle stations as well as a cattle feedlot in South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. Anna Creek Station, situated in the outback of South Australia, is the largest one with an area of 23,000 square kilometres.

There are holdings like Glengyle, Durrie, Morney Plains, Durham Downs, Rockybank and Naryilco in Queensland. Holdings in South Australia include Tungali, Macumba and Innamincka. Other holdings include Ruby Plains in Western Australia and Helen Springs in the Northern Territory.

According to rural valuer Alex Thamm, the company is a “world class asset of international significance.” “With cattle prices, our trade agreements with Asia and the low Australian dollar, it is a very good time to be selling the Kidman business,” he said, "To offer this property, walk-in walk-out inclusive of the cattle, plant and equipment and the business generally, is a good move in the market place."

Thamm further said that multiple generations had been responsible for building the business for ages. While an offer of assets of such calibre is not common, he said that buyers would find it appealing to bid for such a company running for ages.

The Adelaide-based business is offering plant, stock and property. The Kidman family is presently worth $364 million. The business has recently benefitted by producing beef in South East Asia which has an increased demand for the product.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au