Jervois Station

Jervois Station, 2750 sq. km and 350 kms north east of Alice Springs obtained its name from the Jervois Ranges which run through the property. These ranges were explored by H. V. Barclay in 1878 who named them after a South Australian Governor, Sir William Jervois. Jervois was only formed as a station in 1960, being one of the last stations to be taken up in the area. It was bought by the Morley family, who stocked and developed it until they sold it to D. Cockington from Burra, South Australia in 1977. He sold Jervois to the Broad Family of Old Canowie Station, Hallett, South Australia in 1980.

In 1987 the Broad Family acquired Jinka Station which adjoins Jervois on the western boundary. The two stations combined make up 5000 sq. kms and are run as one concern. Jervois and Jink run 8000 predominantly Poll Hereford cattle. The cattle are principally bred to supply the Southern markets, with virtually all the cattle going to South Australia. The stations are used for breeding, the cattle trucked are mainly weaners and these are sent to the Old Canowie property for rearing and fattening before sale. Cattle are mustered by trapping at the watering points, this being a more effective and cost effective method than other alternatives.

The average rainfall is 10 1/2 inches, 260mm. The majority of the water supply comes from underground. These are 30 bores and these average 40 metres in depth. Jervois Station has been a weather recording station since the late 1960Õs. At present, observations are taken five times a day and sent to the Bureau of Meteorology in Darwin.