Flinders Ranges cattle station hits market after 144 years

An outback SA cattle station has hit the market for the first time in more than 140 years. An outback cattle station held by the same family for 144 years has hit the market, with price hopes of $6m. The sale of Commodore Station, a substantial Flinders Ranges pastoral enterprise that spans 20,834ha, held under seven Perpetual Crown leases, will mark the end of a four-generation legacy by the McAuley and Cox families, after Michael McAuley first settled the property in 1882. Third generation owner Carola Cox (nee McAuley) said the decision to sell had been difficult but was inevitable given there was no longer any family members keen to take the venture on. Mrs Cox’s son, Henry Cox, has been managing the station for the past decade but she said the next generation – her grandchildren – were pursuing other career interests. Outback Highway, Parachilna. Outback Highway, Parachilna. Outback Highway, Parachilna. “I’m 88 and I would like to settle things before I shuffle off so I think it (the sale) probably needs to happen,’’ Mrs Cox said. “But it’s not been an easy decision. This is the only (station) in the area that is still owned by the same (original) family. “Since my father reti...