Mundowdna Station facts for kids
Mundowdna Station, often just called Mundowdna, is a large pastoral lease in north-east South Australia. It works as a cattle station, which means it's a huge farm where cattle are raised.
This station is located about 20 kilometres (12 miles) south-east of Marree. It's also 62 kilometres (39 miles) north of Lyndhurst, right along the Frome River.
Contents
A Look Back: Mundowdna's History
Early Days and Naming the Station
The land for Mundowdna Station was first leased in 1859 by T. and A. Matthews. The name "Mundowdna" comes from the Aboriginal people. It's named after a water hole found in the area.
In 1859, the Governor of South Australia visited the area during a very bad drought. The station itself was officially started in 1860 by E. Chapman. Soon after, the Matthews brothers owned Mundowdna and a nearby property called St. Stephen's Pond. They faced challenges, including conflicts over land and resources with the local Aboriginal people in 1863.
Owners and Changes Over Time
By 1880, Edgar Chapman owned Mundowdna. He sold 600 cattle at the Adelaide market. In 1883, Chapman wanted to sell the property. At that time, it had 4,500 cattle and 150 horses. The station covered a huge area of about 1,212 square miles (3,140 square kilometres).
Edward Russell then owned the property from 1886 until at least 1893. By 1896, Frank Whyte became the owner. Later, John Whyte and his nephew Frank Whyte owned it in 1891. The station was about 800 square miles (2,100 square kilometres) then. Both cattle and sheep were raised on the property.
Kidman's Ownership and Challenges
In 1904, Mundowdna was put up for auction because one of the partners, John Whyte, had passed away. It was offered along with a nearby station, Lake Torrens station. Together, these properties covered about 1,260 square miles (3,260 square kilometres). They had 15,000 sheep, 65 horses, and 18 cattle.
Famous pastoralist Sidney Kidman was one of the bidders. However, Mr. W. Leslie Whyte bought the property for £10,700, including all the equipment and animals. The Whyte family tried to sell it again later that year. Finally, in 1906, Sidney Kidman bought Mundowdna. Kidman wanted the property because it was at the southern end of the Birdsville Track. It was also close to the railway station in Marree, which was important for transporting animals.
The station faced a severe drought in 1908. Kidman had to send his young cattle north by train to The Peake to find food and water. This shows how tough farming in the outback could be.
In 1925, the station stopped raising horses because it wasn't profitable anymore. In 1930, Mundowdna received its best rain in 20 years. About 2.67 inches (68 millimetres) of rain fell quickly. This filled the creeks and dams, helping the station recover from the drought.
Mundowdna Station Today
Today, Mundowdna Station covers about 2,200 square kilometres (850 square miles). The Litchfield family owns it. They also own Wilpoorinna Station, which is nearby. The Litchfield family moved to the area in 1958.
They raise Santa Gertrudis cattle for the local beef market. They also have merino sheep. Recently, they have started raising Dorper sheep to produce a special kind of lamb meat called salt bush mutton.
The area that makes up Mundowdna Station was officially named 'Mundowdna' by the South Australian government on April 26, 2013.
