Outstanding Northern NSW Rural Holding For Sale For First Time In 120 Years

Unique Opportunity To Secure Large-Scale Cattle Property For Sale NSW

One of the most outstanding rural holdings in the Northern Rivers region of northern NSW, Avoca Vale Farms, is to be offered for sale for the first time in 120 years by rural property specialist Meares & Associates.

Positioned 10km west of Casino, and comprising approximately 1,562 hectares (3,860 acres) of predominantly rich basalt and alluvial soils, coupled with an exceptional water profile, this rural property for sale represents a truly unique holding and opportunity for high-quality, large-scale beef production with immediate access to local beef processing and logistical services.

The farms normally carry approximately 1,250-1,500 cows or an estimated 25,000-28,000 DSEs. Today, they are conservatively stocked with approximately 1,250 joined cows and heifers plus followers, on a self-replacing herd basis, taking progeny to backgrounding liveweights of 400kg+ on average.

Generally well cleared with light shade and shelter timber in place across the holding, approximately 170 hectares (over 400 acres) is actively farmed for fodder crops and 700 hectares (over 1,700 acres) of improved pastures (including Rhodes Grass, Kikuyu, Setaria, Paspalum, Siratro with white and strawberry clovers) is both grazed and cut under an extensive silage program. There remains significant opportunity for further development of farming or pasture improvement for a new purchaser, as is evident in surrounding land use.

This cattle property for sale NSW is one of the most outstanding rural holdings in the Northern Rivers region

Avoca Vale Farms has been owned and managed by four generations of the Hannigan family – a name synonymous with the Casino and broader Northern Rivers area – since first offered as a selection of leased country in 1905, part of the historical Wooroowoolgan Station.

The initial 315-acre site, previously home to a local dairy and now the elevated site of the spacious four-bedroom brick homestead (built 1986), overlooks a picturesque fig tree lined dam, the broader farm and the main access via the Bruxner Highway which links the coastal airport of Ballina (75km/one hour from Avoca Vale) and nearby beaches of Evans Head (75km) and Byron Bay (90km) to the northern tablelands of NSW and southern QLD.

Over time, the original holding has been strategically expanded with a focus on building prime agriculture scale of contiguous properties whilst also prioritising drought-proof security, a focus of the current management, including current manager Brett Hannigan.

This was epitomised with the 2023 purchase of an adjoining 160 acres to secure multiple access points to the Diamond D Lagoon, a well-known permanent spring-fed water source and associated 24-megalitre water licence, for contingency purposes.

This cattle property for sale NSW boasts abundant water with 25 dams and a main bore feeding a network of tanks and troughs

Indeed, abundant secure water is a key feature of Avoca Vale Farms. The significant approximate 1,070mm (43 inch) annual rainfall, with summer and autumn dominance, is complemented by approximately 25 predominantly spring-fed dams, lagoons, natural watercourses and several bores – the main bore pumping at around 14,000 gallons per hour, to more than 900,000 litres of holding tanks with reticulation to an extensive trough network.

What’s more, the property has been well improved with a view to maximising efficiency across the broader holding and not the historical lots from which the farms was aggregated.

In addition to the main homestead on ‘Avoca Vale’, three substantial cottages exist across the holding providing ample additional homes, quality staff accommodation, and/or office(s).

There are also six large, insulated poultry/chicken sheds (138m x 15m) built in 2005-2007 which have been repurposed to include a full set of steel cattle yards with Silencer (USA) hydraulic crush and concrete flooring. The remaining sheds provide a feed mill and significant, high-quality machinery, silage/hay and feed storage.

This cattle property for sale NSW features extensive infrastructure including cattle yards, multiple sheds and 11 feeding pens

More recently, 11 intensive feeding pens, each approximately five acres, have been developed in shaded areas surrounding the shedding infrastructure, utilising the approximate 300 tonnes of silo grain storage and milling/feed storage capability nearby.

The main set of sawn timber and steel circular rubber-belted cattle yards with capacity of approximately 700 head adjoins a sale complex including a sale barn and show pens. It also provides a large undercover working area, concrete floor with Winton crush and extended race.

An extensive laneway system on higher ground traverses the farms in both east-west and north-south directions, allowing ease of stock movement and security in the wetter periods.

Historically, Avoca Vale Farms was the home of Franco Herefords, a renowned stud which operated from the 1980’s until the final dispersal sale in 2023. Whilst the stud no longer operates, the exceptional bloodlines and livestock quality are evident in the commercial herd today. This will be made available to the successful purchaser of the property, along with plant and equipment if desired.

This cattle property for sale NSW offers multiple residences including the main homestead on ‘Avoca Vale’

Avoca Vale Farms is being offered for sale by Frank Hannigan, who has had a long and successful career as a litigator and solicitor. With his daughters following in his footsteps, Hannigan’s law firm was formed in the 1980’s and has been providing legal support for the Northern Rivers community since, with offices in Evans Head, Casino and Kyogle.

Most recently, Frank also held the role of Chairman of the Casino Food Company Limited, owner and operator of the Casino Meat Works. The Casino Food Company is an unlisted private company having been transformed from the Northern Co-Operative Meat Company Limited under Frank’s chairmanship, which concluded in May 2025 due to health issues.

Avoca Vale Farms is currently operated as a singular beef operation employing three staff plus a farm manager on a full-time basis. All staff have significant employment tenure on the farms – and the majority have expressed a desire to continue working on the properties if required.

Sam Meares of marketing agent Meares & Associates says: “The sale of Avoca Vale should have immediate appeal to any cattlemen looking for an ideal location in the inner country with above-average and secure rainfall, strong carrying capacity, a closeness to both agri-services and meat processing capacity, together with an inbuilt secure capital growth factor,” he says.

This cattle property for sale NSW is a unique holding offering the opportunity for high-quality, large-scale beef production

“Following a goldilocks year for Australian beef in 2025, and a significantly positive outlook for 2026 and beyond, Avoca Vale Farms is undoubtably an offering that should appeal to the broader market but in particular those seeking scale and on-farm security on the footsteps of some of the best processing capability in NSW.

“The Hannigan family have worked tirelessly to select, accumulate, improve, develop and conservatively operate a remarkable holding with an excellent risk mitigation profile for others to benefit from in the future.

“Apart from its agricultural strength, given its excellent location close to the major urban lifestyle and educational locations of Lismore, Ballina and Byron Bay, it is its subdivision potential which will underpin its future capital growth – in particular with lots such as Lanes, which is ready to be subdivided,” he adds.

The Meares Online Auction sale of Avoca Vale Farms will take place on March 24 and 25, 2026 and will include land and fixed improvements only. The outstanding Avoca Vale Hereford beef breeding herd will also be available to the successful purchaser(s) to purchase, together with the inventory of plant and equipment attached to the same.

This cattle property for sale NSW will be sold via a simultaneous auction in four lots, including 597-hectare ‘Aldinga’

Avoca Vale Farms will be offered for sale via a simultaneous auction in four lots, namely:

• Lot 1: Avoca Vale Farms ‘as a whole’ – 1,562 hectares / 3,860 acres; 4145 Bruxner Highway, Woodview, NSW (estimated carrying capacity 1,250-1,500 cows).
• Lot 2: ‘Avoca Vale’ – 753 hectares / 1,860 acres; 4145 Bruxner Highway, Woodview, NSW (estimated carrying capacity 800-950 cows).
• Lot 3: ‘Aldinga’ – 597 hectares/1,476 acres; 855 Benns Road, Shannonbrook, NSW (estimated carrying capacity 225-275 cows)
• Lot 4: ‘Lanes’ – 212 hectares/ 524 acres; 3843 and 4015 Bruxner Highway, 254 and 284 Benns Road, Woodview, NSW (estimated carrying capacity 225–275 cows)

Click on the following link for more information on this cattle property for sale at 4145 Bruxner Highway, Casino, NSW.