Wairuna Homestead

Wairuna Homestead is a pastoral property in Queensland's Tablelands Region that includes a timber residence built in 1940 and several supporting structures. The complex comprises an early cottage, the head stockman's residence, barracks, sheds, and a butchering hut arranged around nearby lagoons.

The Atkinson family operated this station from 1881 to 1976, making it a major center for cattle breeding in Queensland's pastoral industry. Kenneth James Atkinson founded the Australian Brahman Breeders' Association in 1946, which transformed breeding practices across northern Queensland.

The name Wairuna comes from an Aboriginal language and reflects the connection between this place and the land. The buildings show craftsmanship typical of early pastoral construction that visitors can still observe today.

The homestead is easy to navigate across level ground and offers clear views of how the buildings are arranged historically. The area is relatively flat, making a visit comfortable even in warm weather.

A small cemetery established in 1899 sits about 500 meters from the main house and stands as a quiet reminder of the family's deep roots in this place. The gravesites mark generations of people who called this land home.