HISTORIC Riverina station Hartwood is breaking new ground in conservation real estate.

The 6768ha grazing and cropping property at Jerilderie is being offered for sale by the Nature Conservation Trust of NSW with protective covenants.

The Trust bought Hartwood in December 2008 for its high conservation values.

Hartwood is home to endangered flora and fauna native to the Riverina plains.

It is now offered for sale at $5.56 million, with many conservation areas protected by convenants.

NCT southern regional manager Nicky Bruce said Hartwood was attractive for its healthy stands of endangered native vegetation.

"Buying Hartwood was a really big exciting step for the organisation as it was a large working and historic property," Ms Bruce said.

The station's 11-bedroom main homestead, used by Prince Philip on three occasions as a holiday retreat, dates back to the 1840s.

Occupants of the master bedroom weathered a 70m dash to the kitchen for a glass of water.

The station has its own nine-hole golf course and rustic cricket oval.

Hartwood manager Richard Walker has overseen the conservation work, which has included managing endangered buloke, moonah, weeping myall, black box and white cypress pine grassy woodlands.

Mr Walker said the station retained a commercial focus.

"I'm not a dyed in the wool greenie but have always been aware of conservation," Mr Walker said.

"I have used conservative stocking rates and have had an interest in looking after the land."