Property Profiles

Coolana (Victoria) Coolana was purchased by Arthur Gubbins in 1930.  Covering an area of 1214 ha (3000 acres), the property is divided, almost through the middle, by the Hopkins River, which flows along a geological fault.  Ironstone gravel soils are found on the north side of the river, with basalt loam soils on the south side. This split gives a great ‘seasonal’ balance.  The northern country responds quickly to rain and is therefore earlier than the basalt country to the south.  The basalt loam area tends to come into its’ own later, but hangs on longer at the other end of the season. At the time of purchase Coolana was originally seven paddocks, and deemed unviable to most locals, being overrun by rabbits. In 1972 and 1981 respectively, John Gubbins (Arthur’s son) purchased a further two properties – Northside, comprising 445 ha (1100 acres) and Smalls, comprising 168 ha (416 acres). John and Mark Gubbins (son of John), in 1994, added Woop Woop, 788 ha (1947 acres), to make up what is now known as the Coolana aggregate. Now covering an area of 2630 ha (6500 acres), and enjoying an average annual rainfall of 550mm (21”), Coolana has developed into high carrying country which has been improved with laneways, plantations, wetlands and an extensive stock water system.

Hamilla Downs (South Australia) In the hunt to increase acreage and provide farming opportunities for the next generation, Mark Gubbins looked at land in South Australia. Demand for land locally for the timber industry in south west Victoria had pushed prices beyond the reach of farmers pursuing traditional enterprises. In 2006 Mark and Anna purchased Hamilla Downs, a 1619 ha (4000 acres) farm on the Coorong, south of Meningie. With rolling sand hills on a base of limestone, this country is ideal for dryland Lucerne and Veldt grass pastures. Although not high carrying country, it is very healthy with the ability to finish stock quickly for more than 75% of the year.  Hamilla Downs enjoys a central laneway and watering system for ease of management. Mark and Anna also lease Collins’s, a 1012 ha (2500 acres) block adjacent to Hamilla Downs.

Carinya (South Australia) An opportunity arose in 2011 to purchase Carinya, 13 kilometres south of Hamilla Downs.  Carina is 2428ha (6000acres),  consisting go 2125ha of arable land with the rest being heritage scrub.  It offers development opportunities and, with pasture establishment and improvement, it will allow increased carrying capacity.  With similar topography to Hamilla Downs, Carinya is ideal for growing Lucerne and Veldt grass pastures. Both Hamilla Downs and Carinya receive an average annual rainfall of 450 to 500 mm (18-20”) When Hamilla Downs was purchased, water for livestock was bought from the Murray River water scheme at 90 cents/kilolitre. At the time this was affordable.  However, over the following 6 years the price of water rose to 345 cents/kilolitre, thus becoming unaffordable, eating heavily into the profitablilty of the properties. Mark, not to be beaten, looked worldwide for alternatives. Settling on desalination, two solar-driven plants were built on Hamilla Downs and Carinya.  At a cost of $110,000 per unit, the total annual water cost of $80,000 was reduced to emergency water costing less than $15,000.