Pastoralist's map

In nineteenth century Australia, the method for establishing a pastoral run or station required the grazier to pay a certain price per head for the number of sheep or cattle on the property which was generally situated on Crown-owned land, and thereafter pay the government an annual rental for the lease on the property - which varied according to the situation and quality of the country - and ranged from £10 to £100 per block of 100 square miles.

In May 1880, depending to the quality of the run and the stock, the usual price for a station with 10,000 sheep was about £10,000, and about £3000 for a property with 1000 or 1500 head of cattle. Freehold estates could also be purchased outright in the settled districts near towns and railways from £1 to £5 pounds per acre. 

Map of NSW showing Pastoral Stations…, [1903?], by HEC Robinson, Sydney. Printed map. M4 810gbp/1903/1