Jumbuck Pastoral has successfully concluded the sale of three expansive sheep stations in South Australia’s far north-west, collectively spanning nearly 1.3 million hectares.
The properties were acquired by Charlie Shahin, a businessman from Adelaide whose family is known for establishing and recently selling the On The Run (OTR) petrol station and convenience store chain.
As reported by Elders, the Shahin family plans to continue operating the properties as sheep stations.
These three stations—Commonwealth Hill, Mobella, and Bulgunnia—represent Australia’s largest contiguous sheep station and were sold for an undisclosed amount after being available on the market for approximately two months.
Mr. Shahin and his family boast a collective wealth of $1.93 billion, placing them among the top 95 wealthiest families and individuals in Australia, according to the latest Rich List.
The Shahin family emigrated to Australia as Palestinian refugees in the 1980s and founded the OTR network, which was sold for $1.2 billion in 2023, with the deal finalized last year.
The sale of the three stations was handled by the MacLachlan family, one of Australia’s oldest and most influential farming dynasties, through their company, Jumbuck Pastoral, which has operated for nearly 140 years across several states.
Tom Russo, CEO of Elders Real Estate, who facilitated the sale, refrained from disclosing the sale price. However, he noted in an interview with SA’s Country Hour that the 1.29 million hectares represent “some of the largest sheep production ever offered to the market.”
Mr. Russo mentioned that the selling process attracted interest from both domestic and international corporate investors, as well as strong participation from local pastoral families.
The sale is part of the MacLachlan family’s strategic succession planning. Mr. Russo explained that every family must eventually address succession, and this divestment marks a significant transition for the Jumbuck Pastoral group, which will now be managed by the siblings who will carry on their individual farming legacies.
He remarked on Mr. Shahin’s decisiveness in business, stating that he knows what he wants and acts promptly. “Charlie has agriculture in his blood,” Mr. Russo added, mentioning Shahin’s background in agronomy and his intention to maintain the properties as sheep stations, possibly introducing different sheep breeds into the production framework.
Since their sale of OTR, the Shahin family has been actively acquiring large agricultural properties through their business group, ATAYF, which includes Mr. Shahin, his wife, and their daughters. In 2024, they added the 408,000-hectare cattle station Aileron in the Northern Territory to their portfolio.
In a statement on behalf of Mr. Shahin, the chairman of ATAYF expressed that owning and managing agricultural properties has been a long-standing aspiration. He emphasized that this acquisition represents a long-term investment for the family, aiming to enhance the legacy of Jumbuck and invest in the productivity and sustainability of the operations for future generations.
He expressed confidence in the Australian sheep and wool industry, citing a growing global demand for high-quality natural fibers and premium protein, and Australia’s favorable position to meet that demand.
The ABC has reached out to the Shahin family for direct comments.
As indicated on Jumbuck Pastoral’s website, the Jumbuck North West Pastoral Aggregation of Commonwealth Hill, Mobella, and Bulgunnia employs 23 staff members. While a fourth station, Mulgathing, is adjacent to the properties sold, it was not included in the transaction.
Following the listing of the three sheep stations, Jumbuck Pastoral released a company-wide newsletter indicating that the decision to sell was made with careful consideration. This sentiment was echoed by Callum MacLachlan, executive director of the MacLachlan Pastoral Group, who stated that it was crucial for Jumbuck Pastoral to find an owner who appreciates the significance of the properties and respects the work of those who managed them, sharing a commitment to the future of Australian agriculture.
He expressed confidence in Mr. Shahin and his family’s potential as custodians of the properties, citing their dedication to long-term investment, family values, and Australian agriculture as promising indicators for the future of the stations.
While this transaction marks the conclusion of one era, it is reassuring to know that another South Australian family with a genuine passion for the land and a commitment to future generations will take on the next chapter.
The ABC has also sought comments from Jumbuck Pastoral and the MacLachlan family.
Jumbuck Pastoral was founded in 1888 by HP MacLachlan at Paratoo Station near Yunta, South Australia. Recently, the company announced its intention to begin breaking up and selling its extensive agricultural assets as part of a proactive succession strategy. They have sold the largest of their holdings, which is also recognized as Australia’s largest sheep station, to a foreign buyer, specifically the million-hectare Rawlinna station located in the remote Nullarbor region of Western Australia.
