Our story.
Snake Creek Cattle Company was founded in Mandurama, in the Central West of NSW, around 3.5 hours from Sydney, and is the blending of our family-owned operations. We've long been part of the steakhouse scene across Australia, always working to bring the story of the farm to the table. Our roots are in country pubs—the music, the laughter, the laid-back charm—and our passion has always been about offering warm country hospitality and sharing the great Australian experience.
Our cattle farm is now based on 1400 acres in the picturesque valleys of Werai in the Southern Highlands, NSW. Here, we raise quality pasture-raised beef—100% grass fed, with no added hormones or chemicals. Alongside our cattle operations, we also run a farm gate bakery and horsemanship clinics from our ranch-style arena. We're a small, hands-on team that loves collaborating with our community and sharing what we do.
After supporting our horsemanship programs, our steers are fattened on pasture and finished at “Avondale,” our Mandurama property. The landscape and conditions here provide the perfect environment for slow, natural growth. Our cattle are processed locally at Breakout River Meats in Cowra, supporting regional businesses and allowing us to maintain a high standard of quality.
Having access to both Werai and Mandurama allows us to control our supply chain with integrity—raising animals the right way, respecting the land, and producing beef we’re proud of. We're also committed to regenerative farming principles and love inviting customers onto the farm through our agri-tourism programs. These experiences provide a glimpse into rural life and open up partnership opportunities that support country tourism and the visitor economy.
What motivates us most is the final moment—when families gather around a long table, when friends come together around a fire to celebrate something special, or when communities unite in support. We're proud to play our part in keeping Australian farming strong, raising animals the right way, and staying true to values of sustainability, connection, and care for the land.
IN THE MEDIA
ARTICLE - THE SCRUTINEER XVII.
WORDS MICHAEL SHARP. PHOTOGRAPHY ASHLEY MACKEVICIUS
"Hugh and Alice clearly enjoy the challenge and relish the hard work required to build an agribusiness – integrating beef production, horsemanship, hospitality and education – that will make a meaningful, long-term contribution to the Southern Highlands community. "
"Our objective is not to grow something big, because big is not always best..."
ARTICLE - Published in Highlife magazine August/September 2024.
PHOTOGRAPHY TONY SHEFFIELD
Hugh Clarke and Alice Le Cras are putting the western into the Southern Highlands, hosting western horsemanship clinics at their Snake Creek Cattle Company in Werai. KAREN TAN visits their busy farm, which also offers accommodation, a farm shop, cafe and pies made from their home-grown beef.
