The Last Station

by Nicole Alexander

In nineteenth-century New South Wales, the name Dalhunty stood for prosperity and prestige. The family’s vast station was home to more than 80 people, and each year their premium wool was shipped down the bustling Darling River to be sold in South Australia.

Yet, just decades later, Dalhunty Station is on the brink of ruin . . .

In the summer of 1909, eccentric Benjamin Dalhunty and his son Julian anxiously await the arrival of the Lady Matilda, the first paddle-steamer to navigate the river in more than two years. It will transport their very last wool clip to market.

Twenty-year-old Julian wants more from life than the crumbling station, but as the eldest son his future has been set since birth.

Until the day his mother invites a streetwise young man from Sydney into their home . . .

Ethan Harris’s arrival shines a light on a family at breaking point. But he also unwittingly offers Julian an escape, as the young men embark on a perilous journey down the Darling and west into untamed lands.

The Last Station is a captivating story of heritage, heartbreak and hope, set during the dying days of the riverboat trade along the Darling River.

Genres: Historical Fiction

422 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2022

About the author

Nicole Alexander is the author of eleven novels: The Bark Cutters, A Changing Land, Absolution Creek, Sunset Ridge, The Great Plains, Wild Lands, River Run, An Uncommon Woman, Stone Country, The Cedar Tree and The Last Station.

The Limestone Road will be published March 2025.

Awards: The Bark Cutters - short-listed for an Australian Book Industry Award.

Non-fiction includes;
Poetry: Divertissements: Love. War. Society. - a Anthologies: Dear Mum / Great Australian Writers

Nicole lives in north-west NSW, Australia

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was 1909 when a despairing Julian Dalhunty, heir to the famous Dalhunty name and vast property which had dwindled over the years, watched his father, Benjamin Dalhunty, as they waited for the Lady Matilda, the paddle steamer that would arrive to take their last wool clip down the Darling River and into South Australia to be sold. The Dalhunty Station had slowly gone into ruin, with the homestead gradually falling apart and their money trickling away, with Ben growing vegetables to supplant their income. But it was Ben’s wife, Rachael’s decision to go to Sydney as her sister was dying which threw Ben, Julian and his sisters, Laura and Meg into chaos. With their mother no longer there to care for them, the remaining family started to fracture.

Long months later, Rachael returned with a young man by her side. She had taken a liking to Ethan and offered him a home with her family on Dalhunty Station, and Ethan was taken in by the talk of grandeur and wealth. But Julian, Laura and Meg didn’t take to Ethan as he was usurping their position in the family. As despair tore through Julian’s heart, he was determined to escape the confines of what was now becoming untenable. But disaster was to follow, and danger, ill-luck and misfortune came calling. What would happen to the Dalhunty family and the generations of history that lay with the name?

The Last Station is the latest historical novel by Aussie author Nicole Alexander, and it was outstanding. A captivating, poignant, moving rendition – based on fact – of the last days of the paddle steamers and their thriving trade along the Darling River; of the struggles of the properties in the area around Bourke and beyond with the drought, the Great Flood, the loss of many head of sheep and the determination to keep the roofs over their heads. I loved Meg’s character. She was a stubborn, feisty thirteen-year-old, dressed as (and was mistaken for) a boy, and her aim was straight and true with the slingshot. The Last Station is a novel I have no hesitation in recommending highly.

With thanks to Penguin Random House AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicole Alexander writes a great story set in the early nineteen century and takes in the big sheep stations that helped Australia grow from the start and this one tells the story of the Dalhunty family, their station was situated on the great Darling River in western New South Wales and there is a tale to tell.

Dalhunty Station was big and at one stage had more that eighty people living there, there were orchards and palm trees and thousands of sheep but by the summer of 1909 many things had changed flood, drought and poor management had changed their situation and the patriarch of the family, Benjamin Dalhunty with his wife Rachael, son Julian and daughters Laura and Meg struggle to live. They are waiting for the paddle steamer the Lady Matilda to come and take their last wool clip to market they have been waiting two years for this.

Julian is twenty one and he really wants more from life than struggling on the station, but his father is so eccentric his sister Laura wants so much to be a lady and young Meg is such a tom boy but as the eldest son he is expected to carry on but with what?

Their mother leaves the station to go to Sydney for months, when she returns home she arrives with a young man Ethan and announces that he is a new brother for them, Julian is not happy and Ethan or the natural as they call him goes out of his way to make the best impression and soon tempers are flaring.

Things change when Ethan changes his mind about staying and Julian is forced to save him and they both are soon travelling on the Lady Matilda down the Darling River, they get caught up with some not so good people and are soon in trouble, how will things end up?

This is a great story it digs deep into Australia’s history we learn about the big flood that changed things for The Dalhunty family these old families might not end up with much in the way of money but they will always have their name, their pride and their determination. I enjoyed getting to know the Dalhunty family Julian was strong Meg was feisty and determined Laura quiet and caring. This is a story that I would recommend Nicole Alexander has entertained me again with a great story, filled with real life emotion.

My thanks to Penguin AU for my copy to read and review

[Jülie ☼♄  · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this riveting story.

I’m a long time fan of Nicole Alexander, I find her writing style and topics are always compelling and reliable insomuch as I just know I’m always in for a good read;
So I wait, in eager anticipation, until I have the time to fully immerse myself in an indulgent readathon!
The Last Station absolutely lived up to my expectations, I was totally involved with all of the characters and their story. A good compelling read.

Set in the summer of 1909, the Last Station is the story of the Dalhunty family.
The last of a long line of wealthy New South Wales land owners whose sheep have always provided them with a good income from the sale of their premium grade wool.
Once the sheep had been shorn, the wool would be gathered, graded and rolled into bales and taken by dray down to the riverside to be stored on a purpose built timber structure, ready for eventual pick up by the riverboat and barge which traversed the erratic Darling river when the tides and nature allowed.
Due largely to major flooding and drought bringing such business ventures to an untimely and lengthy halt…possibly also some mismanagement and oversight…the Dalhunty fortunes began to dwindle, until much of their heritage had been sold off or squandered.
Pretty much all that remained for their eldest son Julian Dalhunty to inherit was their longstanding good name, which in itself was a very notable title to inherit, but it could no longer pay the bills and food was getting scarce.
Unable to grow much in the way of produce as the country was in drought and the river had all but dried up, leaving the riverboat trade in doubt also. Supplies were running worryingly thin.

Negotiations to build a railroad to South Australia in a bid to bypass the unreliable river trade were still in their infancy, thus leaving the Dalhunty’s in a predicament where they were compelled to ask for credit.
Until the rains came, they were unable to send their wool to the buyers, and when the lack of rain persisted into a long term dry spell, the Dalhunty’s began to fall into debt.
Ben Dalhunty was by now an aging and often unpredictable and eccentric Station owner who expected his eldest son Julian to follow a long line of prosperous Dalhunty fathers into keeping their heritage and grand name going.
Julian could see the futility in trying to keep the Station going without the necessary resources to make it viable, he was pondering these dire circumstances when…
The Lady Matilda…the first paddle steamer to arrive at the Station in two years… sounded her impending arrival at their loading dock.
The excitement ashore was palpable.

Buckle up folks because here begins a story of the incredible events to follow, events that will throw the family into disarray, leading some to take perilous risks while others flounder, and Julian, ever at the mercy of his status as next in line to carry on the Dalhunty name must carry the burden of that weight.

I can recommend this to any lover of a good story with lots of twists and turns from beginning to end.

5⭐️s

[Dzintra aka Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good read! And what a Storyteller….loved this book!

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Penguin and Nicole for sending us a copy to read and review.
A sweeping family saga combining strained family relationships, moments of love, courage, strength and hope all set in the heart of the outback.
The name Dalhunty meant wealth, affluence and fame and the family wool station was busy and successful but now decades later everything comes crumbling down.
Patriarch Benjamin Dalhunty and eldest son, Julian await the paddle steamer that will ship the final wool to sell.
While his mother, Rachel must trek to the city to care for a sick relative and his sisters must help run the house.
Julian wants more from life than what is expected of him being the only son.
When Rachel returns home, she brings with her a mysterious man, Ethan Harris.
Ethan’s arrival causes friction but also brings new adventure, danger and new beginnings.
I continue to be a long standing fan of Nicole Alexander’s work and I’ve read her ten previous books and I can highly recommend this eleventh tale.
A wonderful, gripping story with heart, soul and surprising revelations
There’s always been a hint of Nicole’s family history in her stories that helps direct and shape them.
An intricate historical fiction that captures all the right cargo and essence for a successful read, moving seamlessly through each section of the story.
A skilled storyteller, Nicole has a natural flair to bring all characters to life right on front of your eyes and a plot that will captivate, compel and entertain the reader.
One that will have you quickly consuming.

[Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first by this author.
A good story teller but her editors should have done their job EDITING !
This story did NOT warrant 400pp.

[Camila - Books Through My Veins · Rating 2 out of 5]

- thanks to @penguinbooksaus for my #gifted copy

The Last Station is the first book I read written by Nicole Alexander. She has published eleven novels, plus non-fiction and poetry, so I don't know why it took me so long to read one of her books, considering she is a well-known and trendy Australian author.

For lack of a better word, my experience with this novel was quite complex and, ultimately, perplexing. At first, getting into the story was a bit challenging, as it took me at least fifty pages to finally grasp the characters and the plot in general; however, once I reached that point, I was utterly submerged in the story. I could not stop thinking about the book while I was not reading, mesmerised by all the possibilities that the Dalhunty family could face given the impending ruin of the family's legacy.

Sadly, almost halfway through, the narrative took a pretty surprising and, in hindsight, unpleasant turn. The family drama that had sucked me in was left aside, while the protagonists fell into a sea and bush sort of adventure that changed the story completely. The enticing and very promising characterisation taking form at the beginning of the novel entirely dissipated by this stage. Admittedly, the character growth of the majority of the main characters was clearly identifiable, but by the end, they didn't resemble much the complex characters I was intrigued by at the beginning.

The plot's change of direction also brought a new set of characters that, even though I understand they were crucial for the ending's development, only resulted in an overwhelming and disappointing result. Unfortunately, the ending's unravelling was another element that I did not expect and left me with a bittersweet taste in my mouth. Rushed and very anti-climatic, I think it did not do justice to the remarkable story of the Dalhunty family.

Overall, The Last Station is an Australian Historical Fiction that, in my personal opinion, did not live to its fullest potential. However, I will make sure to give Alexander another go in the near future. I would recommend it to character-driven fans of the genre.

[Beth Barlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be fair, I’d have given it 3.5 stars if it were possible. This is the first book by Nicole Alexander I have read. I enjoyed the premise of the book, and it was well written, however it felt like it took a really long time to wade through, and I kept waiting for it to go somewhere and pick up the pace a little. It look the meandering route along the Darling River to get to the point of the story. I enjoyed the range of characters, however I wasn’t captivated by any of them particularly. I did enjoy reading from a male protagonist point of view in a historical fiction. I enjoyed the last third of the book the most when the story began to find its legs and take off a bit, and the characters developed a bit more depth. It’s a nice, enjoyable historical read, the snapshot of Australian life in the early 1900’s seemed well researched and extensively described, but for me, the story wasn’t memorable or impactful. IThanks so much to Penguin Random House Australia for the opportunity to read an Advance Proof.

[Rhoda · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Thank you to Penguin Australia for sending me a copy of this book to review!

In the early 1900s, the Dalhunty’s were known widely as prosperous land owners with a large sheep station which they would trade wool up and down the Darling river on the riverboats. Yet by this time, the station had been mismanaged and with not much left of their land, the Dalhunty name is about the only thing left of them.

When twenty year old Julian’s mother Rachael goes to Sydney to nurse her ailing sister during her final days, when she eventually returns, she is accompanied by a young man the same age as Julian. Ethan is a streetwise young man who Rachael ‘adopts’ much to the annoyance of Julian and his sisters Laura and Meg at a time when the family is reaching breaking point.

Eh 😐 I found this book quite difficult to get into, however when I finally did about 50 pages in, it appeared to be shaping up to be a quite interesting family drama. Cut to about half way through and the family drama morphed into something else entirely, which in my opinion was overly complicated and not particularly interesting. An array of new characters were introduced and I found the story turned into something quite inconceivable.

There were some excellent characters in this book which did prop it up a little, but not enough to save what I found to be not the most interesting or enjoyable of stories. ⭐️⭐️.5/5.

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this read rather slow going and just a tad boring. It is centred around the commercial riverboat era in Australia, the Murray, Darling and Murrumbidgee rivers when the sheep industry had come into its own. The riverboats were eventually superceded by the railway. However, the country could be harsh, "from droughts to flooding rains". Like many families when one generation makes a lot of money, acquires property and influence, the following generations squanders it all. So it is with the Dalhunty Station with Ben Dalhunty lacking in the fortitude and strength of character of his predecessors all is lost. To add to the families woes, there will also be charges of murder for son Julian although it could be argued that killing a criminal would mean a lighter jail sentence. However, Julian not wanting to take his chances heads off into deeper desert and treacherous country, to the opal mines.

The book does highlight however, the ridiculousness of some of the people during this time, particularly women, the white starched linen, the fashions for women, siliverware at the dinner table, really too ridiculous for words. While the riverboat era was brought to a close during this time, today, tourism and beautifully restored riverboats are very popular and with irrigation, the changing scenery and birdlife is wonderful.

[Trish G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last Station is an historic novel set in pastoral NSW in the 19th century. It charts the last days of the paddle steamers & their once thriving trade along Murray River. It accurately chronicles the pastoralists struggles with the severe flooding & the the subsequent drought. Both events destroying the stock & livelihood of the Dalahunty dynasty. Eccentric & 2nd generation , Benjamin & his son Julian eagerly await the first paddle boat to be able to collect their poor wool clip to take to market. Julian dreams of escaping the land however after his mother takes off to Sydney, Julian is shouldered with the responsibility of caring for his unbalanced father & 2 sisters.
When his mother finally returns after 6 months, she bring a ‘brother’ home for Julian. Rivalry begins & so do adventures & hardships for the 2 boys as they are thrown into bad company & faced with growing up & determining their future.
My rating of this book was largely based on the frustrating characters whose story dragged out in minute detail. Their decision making was slow, naive & selfish.

[Eden High · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in hard copy.

Sometime ago someone suggested I read Nicole Alexander's books. I started buying them but this is the first one I have read so far.

It was a full story, a lot of depth and showed a huge knowledge of the Australian rural locations in her story in the early 1900's.

I enjoyed it, it was a little intense at times, so I read something lighter as well at the same time.

Her writing technique was spot on, other than the last chapter which came to an abrupt end.

I loved her depiction of rural life and the eccentricity of some of the characters.

This was a story which has stayed with me, even a week after finishing and if you want a real, fair dinkum Aussie read, I would recommend The Last Station.

[Elise McCune · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Station, by one of my favourite Australian authors Nicole Alexander, is a story inspired by the history of the last days of the paddle steamers trade along the Darling River.

Nicole Alexander was born and raised on the black soil plains of New South Wales, Australia on a sprawling rural property selected by her great-grandfather in 1893. The land is part of her heritage and her love for it shines through on every page. Her research is faultless and her characters come alive in this well-written story.

Written by a master story teller, The Last Station is an enthralling tale of adventure, and while there is heartbreak, there is also hope. I thoroughly recommend this novel.

[Maggie McKee · Rating 3 out of 5]

No big review here. I enjoyed it but it wasn't exactly rivetting. Kept me interested and got better about half way through. I liked the characters. Not sure why the young sister Meg had such a ridiculous way of speaking like she was 3. She was portrayed as a tomboy but the speech was just a bit silly I thought. Overall I did enjoy it but it took me a while to slog through it. I loved the river setting and the way the author described the scenery. Also had horses in the story which I liked. If you like Australiana and good family farming saga you should like it.

[Rita Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

An improbable story set in the Australian outback of a family struggling to hold on to their birthright. The sheep station of the well-known Dalhunty family is slowly being sold off, along with the sheep. With an eccentric father, a mother who visits an ailing aunt in Sydney for several months, an older son desperate to leave, there is no-one to hold it together. Frank and his camel provide good entertainment!

[Arna Hickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel was a present from my mother in law and so I went into this adventure with no preconceived notions.

While I really enjoyed the concept and the historical descriptions of a family who could have very well been my ancestors, I rallied to understand half of what this family bought on themselves.

A quick historical read that won’t keep you guessing.

[Cathryn Wellner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sprawling, fascinating family saga set in Australia's Outback. Nicole Alexander weaves a complicated story of love and loss, interweaving the stories of characters whose flawed personalities give her plenty of room to explore the vagaries of human emotions. Her good storytelling makes it all hang together and kept me reading to the end.

[Louise Head · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS!! This a brilliant tale with some of the most memorable characters I have ever encountered. Nicole's novels are always so unique and beautifully written. Expect the unexpected. Be entertained and enchanted.

[Robyn Coyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't too sure on starting, but I finally got into it and enjoyed the story, until I got to the end. Everything happened in a couple of pages and I didn't really get the gist of the ending. Would of loved a bit more involvement in the ending.

This was the paper back edition.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - Began well - good characters - a good historical novel about the hardship of farming in the unforgiving Australian outback in the early 1900s but lost its way - the ending disappointed - it seemed hurried and unlikely.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was inspired to read this after a recent trip along the Murray River and a yearning to know more about the days of river trade. A cruisy read with plenty of family drama and a nice dose of early 20th century rural Australian history.

[Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could see what Nicole Alexander was trying to convey in this story of lost glory and change, however, the book never really engaged me. I liked the character of Meg, but the rest seemed a bit far fetched or a parody. I have enjoyed her other books, but this one wasn’t for me.

[Kerryn Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book I have read written by this author and I enjoyed it as much as the first of her books I read. The author sets the scene of the Australian outback in the early 1900’s beautifully, weaving family drama into the setting.

[Robert Connelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Our family goes from one misadventure to another over the course of 400+ pages. It gets depressing after a while. We can only hope they find redemption at the end. They do, but in such an unlikely way, it seems Alexander couldn't find a way to end their embarrassment. Not a happy read.

[Glenys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicole Alexander is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.
She manages to capture the essence of the places about which she writes and her characters are well developed.
The Dalhunty family members vary only in their degree of eccentricity.

This was a very enjoyable book.

[Rae Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

432 pages
An Australian historical story set in 1909 based on the Dalhuntys and their sheep station. A fall from grace when deciding to grow vegetables instead of Shearing sheep, and all 5he trials and tribulations of trying to hold together for the families namesake.

[Sarah Scowen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I give this novel a very generous two stars as it is the worst one I have read by Nicole Alexander. I usually enjoy her novels. The only reason it gets two rather than one star is because the Author's Note at the back was interesting and informative.

[Kerrie Kellner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read by Nicole, her love for and knowledge of the Aussie bush and its people shines through.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicole never disappoints, I love her novels that are based on Australian history, this one didn't turn out like I thought it would but was still enjoyable

[Carol Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was ok…just didn’t grab me