Pastoral History
Timeline
Explorer Edward John Eyre establishes a depot camp on what is now Wilkatana Station during his journey north.
Yadlamalka is taken up as a sheep run amid the rapid granting of pastoral leases in the Far North.
Beltana and Lake Torrens stations are established. John McDouall Stuart surveys the Beltana country the following year.
Sir Thomas Elder takes over Beltana, breeding camels for exploration and the Overland Telegraph — the station becomes home to the famous Afghan cameleers.
The Doman family’s pastoral story begins in the district — a heritage now spanning more than 130 years.
A weir is built on Wilkatana to capture water for the Commonwealth Railways, piped to Port Augusta in wooden pipes for the steam trains.
Under T. A. Doman & Co, Yadlamalka carries flocks of more than 13,000 sheep and around 200 cattle.
Andrew Doman buys the historic Beltana Station at auction, adding 154,100 hectares to the family holdings.
Lake Torrens Station joins in August; neighbouring Wilkatana follows in November after 123 years with the Sawers family.
Approximately 350,000 hectares managed as one corridor of country — with an eye on the next century.
