Heytesbury Pastoral is recruiting Station Hands, Head Stockmen, Machine Operators, Boremen and Station Cooks for the 2027 season across its cattle stations in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
As a family-owned business with more than 35 years of experience, Heytesbury offers supportive, dynamic work environments and understands the importance of balancing work and lifestyle.
Whether you’re leading a stockcamp, maintaining station infrastructure, keeping water flowing or preparing quality meals for the crew, these roles offer the opportunity to contribute to a northern Australian cattle operation.
Heytesbury Pastoral is one of north Australia’s leading family-owned pastoral companies, running six stations spanning 2.7 million hectares, and running 165,000 head across the Northern Territory and the Eastern Kimberley region of Western Australia for over thirty years.
Our stations include: Victoria River Downs, Moolooloo, Pigeon Hole, Mt Sanford, Birrindudu and Flora Valley.
These remote properties offer the chance to live and work in northern Australia, with opportunities to enjoy campdrafts, rodeos, fishing trips and other social activities.
STATION HANDS
Mustering cattle (horse and/or motorbike)
Yard Work, drafting, branding & processing cattle
Water runs, bore maintenance & fencing
Operating and maintaining station vehicles & machinery
General property upkeep and repairs
Feeding and caring for livestock
HEAD STOCKMAN
Lead a stockcamp and oversee day-to-day livestock activities.
Supervise staff, providing guidance and training as required.
Oversee livestock movements, feeding and breeding programs.
Monitor livestock health and welfare.
Ensure the upkeep of livestock facilities, fencing, water systems and equipment.
Promote a strong safety culture and adherence to workplace safety standards.
MACHINE OPERATOR
Operate a grader to maintain station roads, airstrips, fence lines and firebreaks.
Complete daily pre-start checks and routine grader maintenance.
Carry out minor repairs and report mechanical issues to station management.
Assist station staff with other operational activities as required.
BOREMAN
Inspect, maintain and repair bores, turkey nest dams, motors, troughs and surrounding fences.
Ensure a reliable water supply for all stock.
Observe and report on general cattle and property conditions.
STATION COOK
Prepare and cook nutritious meals for approximately 10 to 20 station staff, depending on the station, plus occasional visitors.
Manage the kitchen, including food storage, stock levels and hygiene standards.
Plan weekly menus in consultation with station management.
Cater for dietary preferences.
Maintain a safe and clean kitchen environment.
Assist with special catering requests when necessary.
Assist with some domestic and gardening duties when required.
STATION HANDS
Previous cattle station experience
Strong work ethic and willingness to learn
Ability to work in remote and harsh conditions
Skills in horse riding and/or motorbike riding (training provided)
Mechanical, fencing, or machinery operation skills (advantages)
Team player with a positive attitude
HEAD STOCKMAN
Proven experience in a similar supervisory role.
Strong understanding of livestock health, behaviour, breeding and general station operations.
A high standard of horsemanship and cattlemanship.
Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
MACHINE OPERATOR
Previous experience in a similar role is highly regarded.
Strong mechanical skills and the ability to troubleshoot and repair equipment.
Self-motivated, with good observational and problem-solving skills.
Comfortable working in remote locations.
BOREMAN
Previous experience in a similar role is highly regarded.
Strong mechanical skills and the ability to troubleshoot and repair equipment.
Ability to work independently in remote areas.
Self-motivated, with good observational and problem-solving skills.
A current driver’s licence is essential.
STATION COOK
Proven experience in a similar cooking role, preferably in remote or rural locations.
Strong organisational skills and the ability to work independently.
Ability to manage food stocks.
Knowledge of food safety and hygiene requirements.
Friendly, approachable and able to work as part of a team.
We offer competitive rates.
Air-conditioned accommodation and food provided at no cost.
Supportive and dynamic work environments.
These permanent positions and is NOT open to Working Holiday Visa Holders (Backpackers). Sponsorship is also NOT available.
We will not be responding to any overseas candidates or temporary residents since this is a permanent position.
Applications without required skills and experience listed in the ad will not be considered.
Heytesbury Pastoral operates six stations in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, spanning 2.7 million hectares, running 165,000 head of Brahman cattle across rugged and breathtaking country.
Among our stations is the famed Victoria River Downs, which was established in 1883 and was at one time the largest cattle station in the world. Known historically as “The Big Run”, it is now run as four standalone stations: VRD, Moolooloo, Pigeon Hole and Mount Sanford.
Other stations include Birrindudu / Wallamunga (colourful cattle identity Peter Sherwin’s original station) in the NT, and Flora Valley / Nicholson / Gordon Downs (once Lord Vestey’s pastoral headquarters) in the Kimberley.
Longevity is at the core of everything we do at Heytesbury Pastoral, nurturing country, herd and people at the forefront of our operations.
We’re custodians of some of Australia’s most famous pastoral lands. They’ve been around in our industry forever, and our intent is to keep it that way well into the future by keeping country healthy.
We’re family-owned and see our team as part of our broader family, where safety is paramount, and our systems and scale can provide genuine career opportunities in the agriculture industry and beyond.
Cattle genetics and temperament are a major focus in all our operations, which is why we prioritise horseback mustering.
If you enjoy outdoor physical activities, working with livestock, developing superior horsemanship skills and/or participating in all aspects of property and equipment maintenance and upkeep, then you should consider a career with us.
Our properties
Victoria River Downs (VRD)
Moolooloo Station
Pigeon Hole Station
Mount Sanford Station
Birrindudu Station
Wallamunga (operated as part of Birrindudu)
Carbeen Park (headquarters and operational property)
Flora Valley Station
Gordon Downs Station
Nicholson Station
Flora Valley, Gordon Downs and Nicholson are managed together as the Flora Valley aggregation.
