Discover the Pride Behind the Sign at Goondicum Station.

Let us take you on a journey to the heart of Central Queensland, where conservation and cattle grazing go hand-in-hand.

Once upon a land shaped by fire and fossil, there’s Goondicum Station…

At Goondicum Station, Rob and Nadia Campbell are proving that you can run a productive grazing business while caring deeply for the land that sustains it. Their story is one of resilience, innovation, and stewardship.

Nestled atop the headwaters of the Burnett River, this 7,000-ha property is much more than a cattle station; it’s an environmental story etched into volcanic soil. From the rich crater and unique geology to the thriving grasses and native ecosystems, every corner of Goondicum whispers a legacy of stewardship.

Driving through the gate, visitors are met with a proud statement, a property sign displaying “Certified Environmental Account”. More than just a badge, it’s a symbol of years of measured effort, science-driven care, and a promise to future generations.

In 2022, Goondicum Pastoral Co became the first Australian family-owned grazing enterprise to achieve an AfN-Verified Certified Environmental Account under the globally respected Accounting for Nature® Framework. It marked the beginning of a new way to measure and verify the management of the land.

This assessment, the baseline for future comparison, tracks soil, vegetation, and wildlife health. The Framework takes comprehensive data captured through a scientifically rigorous method and generates a scorecard that outputs a single number for each environmental asset class, the Econd®, a standardised index (0–100) showing the ecological condition of the environment. It showed an Econd® of 96 for soil, 71 across vegetation, and 83 for mammals.

For Rob and Nadia, this wasn’t only about charts and figures. Nadia’s scientific oversight, paired with Rob’s practical farming experience, has reshaped how they manage their business. By reducing cattle numbers and focusing on land health, they’ve seen not only healthier ecosystems but also stronger productivity and better returns.

Their focus on land condition has also transformed their grazing model. With fewer cattle than a decade ago, they’re seeing more productive pastures, healthier livestock, and ecosystems that are bouncing back.

Their Environmental Account has even opened doors with financial institutions, providing lenders with greater confidence by demonstrating reduced environmental risk. The account has also helped open doors to premium European markets, where buyers increasingly want evidence of sustainable production. It has opened more than just a new way of measuring nature; it has unlocked trust and opportunity.

The property sign isn’t just decoration, it’s a promise and a vision. A signal that regenerative grazing and rigorous environmental measurement can coexist beautifully. It shines a light on how Goondicum is rewriting the future of sustainable agriculture in Australia and beyond.

“Every day, we walk through that gate, reminded: conservation isn’t an afterthought. It’s the reason we're still here, healthy land, healthy business, healthy future.”

Rob and Nadia Campbell.
 

Read more about Goondicum Station in this recent feature by Queensland Country Life: https://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/story/9043229/goondicum-pastoral-raising-brangus-in-harmony-with-nature/

Explore the Environmental Account and Technical Report in detail https://www.accountingfornature.org/auacc40

Rob Campbell - Goondicum Station