The largest pastoral station in New South Wales is Mungadal Station, which covers approximately 116,994 hectares (about 289,000 acres or 1,170 square kilometers). The station is located near Hay in the Riverina region of southern NSW, one of Australia's most productive and historic sheep-breeding districts.
Mungadal Station is located at approximately -34.5° S, 144.8° E.
Location and Landscape
This places it near the town of Hay in southern New South Wales, with the homestead situated just 3 kilometers from town—unusually close for a station of this size and reflecting the more settled nature of NSW's pastoral lands. The station sits on the iconic saltbush plains of the Riverina, a landscape characterized by vast, flat expanses of native saltbush and bluebush that provide excellent nutrition for sheep. The property features valuable frontage to the Murrumbidgee River at its northern end, providing a reliable water source and supporting riparian vegetation across what is otherwise semi-arid country.
The Riverina's combination of native pastures, reasonable rainfall (compared to the true outback), and strategic location between major markets has made it one of Australia's premier wool-growing regions for over 180 years.
A Heritage of Merino Excellence
Mungadal has been breeding Merino sheep since the 1840s, giving it a pastoral pedigree spanning nearly two centuries. This long history reflects the station's consistent productivity and the enduring suitability of the Riverina for fine wool production. The property changed hands several times over the decades—notably, it was purchased by prominent pastoralist Anthony Hordern in 1923 for what was then a substantial sum, indicating its value even a century ago.
The station is currently operated by Paraway Pastoral Company, one of Australia's largest agricultural enterprises, as a large-scale sheep breeding property. Paraway purchased Mungadal in 2010 and subsequently expanded the aggregation through the acquisition of neighboring properties including Pevensey (2011), Ulonga (2015), and Rosevale (2016), creating an integrated operation of nearly 117,000 hectares.
Modern Operations
Today, Mungadal supports as many as 90,000 dry sheep equivalents (DSE)—a stocking rate that reflects both the productivity of the saltbush plains and modern pastoral management techniques. The property specializes in the production of high-quality Merino sheep and wool, with the flock managed as a self-replacing operation that breeds its own replacement ewes rather than purchasing them externally.
In addition to its core sheep enterprise, Mungadal runs some irrigated cropping and takes on trade cattle when seasonal conditions permit, demonstrating the diversification strategies that help modern stations manage risk and maximize returns. The property is well-watered with numerous bores, an extensive pipe and trough system, and the crucial Murrumbidgee River frontage, providing security even during dry periods.
The station is managed by experienced personnel supported by a small team of full-time staff. With the homestead located just 3 kilometers from Hay (population approximately 2,600), the station enjoys better access to services, schools, and community amenities than most large pastoral properties, making it an attractive operation for staff and their families.
Scale in Context
It's worth noting that while Mungadal is substantial by NSW standards, the state's largest stations are considerably smaller than those in Queensland, South Australia, or Western Australia. This dramatic difference reflects NSW's more temperate climate, higher-quality grazing land, and more intensive farming practices. Where outback stations require 10,000 to 20,000+ hectares per thousand sheep, Mungadal's productive saltbush country can support far higher stocking rates on less land.
This isn't a limitation—it's a reflection of environmental advantage. New South Wales' pastoral properties don't need to be vast because the land is more productive. The state's better rainfall distribution, established infrastructure, and proximity to domestic markets mean that profitability comes from productivity per hectare rather than sheer scale. Mungadal represents the NSW model: substantial in size, exceptional in productivity, and deeply rooted in Australia's pastoral heritage.
