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Timeline

2018
April 6

1960

Pastoral lease No. 568 was granted to Raymond and Barbara Locke, covering 3,528 square km (1,362 square miles), for ‘Bullo River Valley Station’, with 1,000 head of Shorthorn cattle.
April 9

1963

An attempt to move live cattle by boat up the Victoria River was made. 60-80 bulls were taken by barge to Darwin. No reason was recorded but this remains the only attempt at water transfers. 1963 was also the year the property was sold to Charles and Sara Henderson.  They went to live in the US between 1966 – 1971, with Charles’ cousin, Gus Trippe, involved as part owner during that time.
April 9

1962

Stockman ringer, Ernie Raynor, carves his name and date into a large boab tree during a particularly difficult muster, where they had to walk up to 700 cattle around the Victoria River. R.M.Williams later also left his name on one of our trees.
April 9

1961

The first airstrip became operational, opening up easier access to the Station, particularly for a fortnightly mail service.
April 9

1986

Charles Henderson died, leaving Sara to run the heavily indebted station with her daughter, Marlee. Sara was awarded Business Woman of the Year in 1990 for her management of Bullo.
April 9

2018 & beyond

Cattle numbers have been reduced to around 4,000 to assist with the rehabilitation of land. Some grazing areas will be returned to native bush to increase wildlife populations.
April 9

2017

After a two year ownership by Grant Farris and Grant McLeary, the property was sold to Julian and Alexandra Burt.
April 9

2001

Sara’s daughter, Marlee Ranacher and husband, Franz, took over running the station, with approximately 7,000 head of cattle. Marlee and Franz opened Bullo River Station to tourism.

A Rich History of Men & Women with Cattle in their Blood

In the 1960’s, a pastoral lease for Bullo River Valley Station was granted, bringing about the arrival of pastoralists, stockmen and women who faced oppressive conditions and isolation. They poured their blood sweat and tears into developing Bullo into a viable cattle station.

Although we are still compiling a great deal of Bullo’s early history, it is clear through early imagery that Aboriginal people worked at the station, contributing to its early development. The Aboriginal men were known to be expert stockmen, with a unique talent for finding wayward stock.

The number and breeds of cattle have changed over the years, as have the stockmen who mustered across the valleys. The homestead and station has expanded and modernised, but the spirit of the bushmen and women who pioneered cattle in the outback remains in our team today.