Iconic Top End cattle property Bullo River Station will be co-managed by the nation's largest private conservation agency under a unique arrangement described as a first for the Northern Territory.

Key points: The owners of the station say it became apparent they would need outside help to manage the station when they purchased it

The owners of the station say it became apparent they would need outside help to manage the station when they purchased it They say the station's rich history of cattle production and eco-tourism will continue

They say the station's rich history of cattle production and eco-tourism will continue AWC say the arrangement could pave the way for more collaborations between cattle producers and conservationists

Owners Julian and Alexandra Burt have engaged the Australian Wildlife Conservancy to deliver a range of land management programs on the property under the 10-year, periodically-reviewed contract.

Mr Burt said when the station was purchased several years ago, it became apparent outside help would be needed to address the impacts of historic heavy stocking rates and noxious weeds.

"I thought well this is a lot to look after," Mr Burt said.

"Initially I was depressed but then I thought well it's an opportunity to fix something up, so I thought well let's look at AWC, they seem to be a bit more practical."

"They're not a typical stringent conservation group in that they understand practicalities of economy and conservation and trying to marry those two together.

"It's kind of an experiment I suppose as well, and they acknowledge that too, but it's an exciting one."

Bullo River Station will continue running cattle as it moves towards a greater conservation focus ( Supplied: Bullo River Station )

Cattle production to continue

The station, located 360 kilometres south-west of Darwin, became well-known following the publication of several best-selling autobiographies by former owner Sara Henderson.

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Its stunning sandstone gorges, rivers, waterfalls and significant species such as the Gouldian Finch and Scaly-tailed Possum have also long attracted visitors to the property.

Mr Burt says the station's rich history of cattle production and eco-tourism would continue under the new deal.

"It's always going to be a cattle property, but just trying to balance the two without compromising one," Mr Burt said.

A new approach to conservation

Management programs for fire, weeds, feral animals and wildlife will occur within a 'special management' zone, which covered about 85 per cent of the 165,000-hectare property.

Australian Wildlife Conservancy CEO Tim Allard said it was an innovative arrangement which could pave the way for more collaborations between cattle producers and conservationists.

"This is really the first of its type in the Northern Territory, and we hope it really will be a catalyst for future projects," Mr Allard said.

"It's a true partnership between a commercial cattle operation and conservation programs.

"I don't think conservation and other industries should be mutually exclusive, we would like to think we can work together in partnership and collaborate with each other to achieve great outcomes."

A full-time couple will be stationed at Bullo River to oversee the day-to-day management of the environmental programs, with additional land management support provided by visiting ecologists.