An Australian cattle station so massive it surpasses the size of 49 different countries is turning heads around the world. Anna Creek Station , located in the heart of South Australia, spans 15,746 square kilometres — making it one of the largest privately-held properties on the planet.
To put its scale into perspective, the farm is taller than the Netherlands, as wide as Wales, and bigger than Israel, according to the YouTube channel Half as Interesting.
Despite its impressive size, Anna Creek’s environment is notoriously harsh. The station receives just 20 centimetres of rainfall per year, and in the summer months, temperatures can reach a blistering 55°C (131°F). The resulting low grass growth means the land needs to be massive to support its 17,000-strong cattle population.
“Due to the level of grass being so low, a large surface area is required to keep up with the grazing needs of the 17,000 cattle that live on the land,” the Half as Interesting video explains.
In contrast, King Ranch in the United States — America’s largest cattle operation — is less than one-seventh the size of Anna Creek. Yet, it supports twice the number of cattle, thanks to its more fertile, vegetated terrain.
What may be even more staggering than the landmass is the minuscule staff running it. Despite covering a space larger than many nations, only 11 people work on the farm.
The staff includes one manager, eight station hands, a plant operator, and a cook. With such a lean crew, Anna Creek depends heavily on technology — using remotely operated water pumps and low-flying planes to locate cattle. Once the animals are spotted, station hands on motorbikes round them up.
Should workers need to visit the nearest town, they must travel to Coober Pedy — a famously remote mining hub with a population of just 1,762 people. The town has a handful of businesses and is known for its underground homes, built to escape the desert heat.
Anna Creek’s origins date back to 1858, when it originally stocked sheep and was located elsewhere. However, attacks from wild dingoes led to significant losses. The station was eventually relocated, and its focus shifted to cattle farming .
Over the decades, the land passed through several private owners. In December 2016, it was acquired by Williams Cattle Company for an estimated $16 million AUD (£12.2 million).
To put its scale into perspective, the farm is taller than the Netherlands, as wide as Wales, and bigger than Israel, according to the YouTube channel Half as Interesting.
Despite its impressive size, Anna Creek’s environment is notoriously harsh. The station receives just 20 centimetres of rainfall per year, and in the summer months, temperatures can reach a blistering 55°C (131°F). The resulting low grass growth means the land needs to be massive to support its 17,000-strong cattle population.
“Due to the level of grass being so low, a large surface area is required to keep up with the grazing needs of the 17,000 cattle that live on the land,” the Half as Interesting video explains.
In contrast, King Ranch in the United States — America’s largest cattle operation — is less than one-seventh the size of Anna Creek. Yet, it supports twice the number of cattle, thanks to its more fertile, vegetated terrain.
What may be even more staggering than the landmass is the minuscule staff running it. Despite covering a space larger than many nations, only 11 people work on the farm.
The staff includes one manager, eight station hands, a plant operator, and a cook. With such a lean crew, Anna Creek depends heavily on technology — using remotely operated water pumps and low-flying planes to locate cattle. Once the animals are spotted, station hands on motorbikes round them up.
Should workers need to visit the nearest town, they must travel to Coober Pedy — a famously remote mining hub with a population of just 1,762 people. The town has a handful of businesses and is known for its underground homes, built to escape the desert heat.
Anna Creek’s origins date back to 1858, when it originally stocked sheep and was located elsewhere. However, attacks from wild dingoes led to significant losses. The station was eventually relocated, and its focus shifted to cattle farming .
Over the decades, the land passed through several private owners. In December 2016, it was acquired by Williams Cattle Company for an estimated $16 million AUD (£12.2 million).
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