Wild Valley Damara is a purebred Damara sheep stud in the remote valleys below the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia. The country here is demanding – granite and sandstone, river flats and scrub — country which suits the Damara and suits what we are doing. We aim to breed Damara to type, both function and form — animals that display the same characteristics as their South African relatives. The distinctive tail, the instincts, the ability to thrive on rough country – sheep that are both hardy and beautiful, with the resilience that developed under real pressure over thousands of years then exercised in our environment. True Damara are an endangered breed here, and we think this is not just a conservation problem but a practical one as these are animals that have a lot to offer. We want to see more purebred Damara in more flocks, on more country and in more paddocks, doing what they do best – being a low maintenance, high contributor to farms and properties both large and small.
If you already run purebred or a mixed Damara flock, we’d love to talk. If you’re trying to work out whether the breed suits your needs, we can help. If you need a starter flock, rams or ewes — that’s what we do. If you’re just starting to learn about the Damara and here for information, we think you will find everything here. Welcome to Wild Valley Damara!
Considering Damara?
Wondering if a Damara will suit you? Probably! The Damara is not a breed that needs perfect conditions — it’s a breed that evolved in the absence of them. Deserts, rough country, mixed feed, seasonal extremes, variable water. If your place asks something of your animals, the Damara will answer it. If your place is giving, they’ll do extremely well there too. They’re adaptable in a way that stems from their foundation, baked into the genetics.
They’re browsers as much as grazers, which means they work scrub, weeds and vegetation that other breeds – and species- walk past. They cycle outside the standard season, giving you lambing flexibility most breeds don’t offer. They’re exceptional mothers, light on their feet, and on the same country as wool breeds they carry a lower parasite burden. They’re a robust and low-input animal — not just because they’re undemanding, but because they’re capable, requiring minimal management from you.
Also – Damara are beautiful! The colouring, the hair coat, the fat tail, the horns, the long legs and just in the way they carry themselves. They look like what they are: an ancient breed that has not been softened into something ordinary. An animal that is distinctive and that possesses presence – many Damara breeders and owners have been drawn by this even before the practical advantages are discovered.
They are also curious, switched-on animals – goat like in their manner. They pay attention to their surroundings — aware of who’s in the paddock, who belongs there, and who doesn’t. Spend enough time with them and they know you, in the way an intelligent animal does — watchful, responsive, present – friendly. There’s something engaging about an animal that meets you halfway. On top of everything else, this nature makes them an excellent pet, homestead or small holding sheep.
If you’re not sure whether they suit your place, ask us, we would be happy to talk. At the end of it, we would rather you end up with the right breed for you. If that’s a Damara, great — we’ll do everything we can to help set you up well. There is lots of information on our About the Damara or Damara on the Rural Block page – head there next to keep exploring.
Expanding or Strengthening your Flock?
Whether you’re adding Damara to an existing mixed flock or building out a purebred stud of your own, the starting point is the same — the right animals for what you’re trying to do.
If you’re already running purebred Damara and want to expand or strengthen your own lines, we can help — we maintain a fully documented flock and can do the genetic tracing to make sure any animal leaving here complements what you already have or what you’re building toward. Genetic diversity, type and function matters in a breed with limited numbers, and we take that seriously. If you are looking for specific traits to improve your lines, we would love to work with you ands accommodate as we can to see the breed strengthen in Australia.
Running a mixed flock, or already have ewes? Adding a Damara ram to a farm or mixed flock is one of the most straightforward ways to introduce Damara resilience, hardiness and low-input traits using the sheep you have and exploring the benefits that those first crosses – like the meatmaster. These crosses work, and have been used in Australia extensively. There are a few emerging commercial operations now working Damara crosses, and Damara bloodlines are valued in low input, organic type systems. We believe there is an advantage – perhaps necessity – for purebred Damara to contribute in this manner, and are happy to work on getting the right animal to you.
In 2026 we will have approx 50 Damara available for sale. Rams are generally offered from eight months through to eighteen months. Ewe lambs and wethers are available as the season allows — check the Damara for Sale section, Lambing Updates, or get in touch directly and we’ll let you know what we currently have available.
We take pride in our Damara, and we want to see them succeed for you. Our lambs are raised with their dams and weaning weights are excellent. Head here for a more comprehensive overview of what we provide and offer with our Damara. We are happy to undertake any veterinary testing or additional early vaccination programs as required, and can help organise transport across Australia.
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the Australian Damara Colour Project!
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Understanding Flock Genetics: Join Our Journey
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2026 Main Drop Complete
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Genetic Testing Begins!
If you’d like to explore further, you’ll find some quick links to more information below. You can learn more about the Damara, explore the breed standards, read through our frequently asked questions, or see what’s happening with the flock this year. Whether you’re researching, comparing, looking for Damara of your own or simply curious, the information is here to look through at your own pace. Start wherever makes sense to you, and touch base if you have any questions.
