Just outside Canberra, along Wee Jasper Road, lies Cavan Station, a property deeply intertwined with the legacy of media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Known as his “spiritual home,” this nearly 200-year-old wool station has been a site of personal and professional significance for the Murdoch family, although visits have become rare as Rupert approaches his 95th birthday. He has returned to Australia only once since 2018, with Cavan now primarily serving as a commercial farm rather than a family retreat.
The property, described by local mayor Jasmin Jones as “a jewel in the crown of the merino industry,” has a rich history. Murdoch purchased Cavan Station in 1966 for AUD 196,000, just as he was launching The Australian. Agriculturalist and historian Cameron Archer notes that Murdoch’s decision to buy the property reflected his understanding of Australia’s pastoral industries, recognizing its potential for wool production.
Cavan Station has undergone significant changes since its inception as the 19th-century Cavan Run, which originally spanned 52,000 acres (21,000 hectares). It has only been owned by three families: the Rileys, the Castles, and the Murdochs. Over the years, the Murdoch family has expanded their holdings, acquiring neighboring land, including the Bogo Stud and Bloomfield, which they purchased from Frances Shand Kydd, mother of Princess Diana, for AUD 1.65 million in 1995. Most recently, they acquired the Boambolo property for AUD 15.5 million in 2023.
While the Murdoch family has maintained their connection to Cavan, they have also faced challenges. Matt Crozier, the long-time property manager, stated that the iconic asset makes the Murdochs “feel Australian.” However, he stepped down in October 2023, leaving the management of Cavan to Impact Ag Australia, which is partly owned by Murdoch’s daughter Prudence Murdoch and her husband Alasdair MacLeod. MacLeod has been instrumental in implementing innovative agricultural practices, including a AUD 500,000 deal to sell carbon credits to Microsoft in 2021.
Cavan Station is not only significant for its agricultural contributions but also for its historical context. The property is located in a region rich in Indigenous heritage, with Archer describing it as a “garden of Eden” for the local Ngunnawal people. The property’s history includes early agricultural innovations, such as structured breeding and fencing, which replaced traditional shepherding methods.
Despite the Murdochs’ occasional visits to Cavan, recent family tensions stemming from a multi-year court battle over the Murdoch Family Trust assets may limit future gatherings. The trust holds Cavan within its assets, making it uncertain whether holiday traditions will continue.
In 2021, Rupert Murdoch diversified his holdings by purchasing a 340,000-acre ranch in Montana from the Koch family for a record-breaking USD 200 million. This acquisition serves as a counterpoint to the rural charm of Cavan, which has become a nostalgic link to his Australian roots. Reports indicate that when Murdoch has contemplated his final resting place, he expresses a desire to be buried at Cavan.
As Cavan Station transitions back to its roots, the Murdoch legacy remains firmly planted in its soil. The connection between the family and this iconic property continues to evoke both personal memories and broader historical narratives within Australia’s pastoral landscape.
