Property profile: Rewan

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Rewan is a large-scale cattle breeding and backgrounding property located approximately 60km south of Rolleston in central Queensland. Rewan has improved pastures and seasonal forage cropping to support high quality beef production.

Acquisition, development and lease

After the acquisition of Rewan in August 2016, developments were undertaken to improve productivity. These included increasing the area of forage crops, planting oats and legumes, as well as improving permanent pastures. Other improvements included additional water infrastructure and road upgrades. These developments have enabled the use of previously under-utilised pasture and have increased the property’s carrying capacity. As such, this has increased the income-generating potential of Rewan.

In July 2019, Australian Agricultural Company (ASX: AAC), Australia’s oldest continuously operated company, entered into a 10-year lease of Rewan. AAC is Australia’s largest integrated cattle and beef producer, including a portfolio of wagyu brands. AAC lease three cattle properties from RFF in total.

Natural and historical significance

Located next to Rewan is the Carnarvon Gorge, which is nationally recognised for its natural and cultural significance. The gorge features sandstone cliffs, coloured side gorges, diverse flora and fauna and Aboriginal rock art. The gorge is accessed via a road which runs through Rewan itself.

In the early 20^th century, Rewan was owned and operated by the Queensland Police Service. The property served as a stud farm for breeding police horses. By 1912, 69 Rewan remounts had been bred for police work. The stud farm was closed in 1933. However, some of the original buildings remain on the property, including the Police Hut, which is now heritage listed.

During the Second World War (November 1943), a Dakota C-47 aircraft, en route from Darwin to Brisbane, crashed on Rewan during a storm. Nineteen United States and Australian military personnel were killed. A memorial (pictured), which consists of the aircraft’s engines, wings and undercarriage was erected near the crash site, in 2004.