Considering a tree change? It’s no secret that Australia is home to some of the world’s most amazing cities, full of vibrant entertainment scenes and renowned landmarks.
Many Australians seek proximity via neighbouring suburbs to these cities but these days, more and more people are discovering something a little bit less busy but equally impressive.
Nestled far from the city sights and sounds, people are retreating to the country for a better quality of life. In a report by CoreLogic in Jan 2018, internal migration to regional New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland is reported at the highest it has been in 10 years. Many of these places are country towns in Australia that have views for days, a peaceful way of life and often order an all-around better quality of life. In today’s blog post, we take a look at some of Australia’s most appealing country towns.
Birregurra, Victoria
A short 55 minutes to Geelong, and around 1 hour 40 minutes to Melbourne, Birregurra or “Birre” as it’s known as by locals is a dream come true. Situated at the foothills of the Otway Ranges, this charming village is home to affordable housing, low unemployment and local produce. Birregurra is well known for its fertile soils and the area produces some of Australia’s best lamb and beef. The town is quiet and moves at a leisurely pace. But that doesn’t mean you won’t have plenty to see and do. Brae is a local restaurant that is hailed by locals, has been awarded three chef hats and named Restaurant of the Year is the 2015 editions of the Age Good Food Guide. All year round you can enjoy Birregurra Farm Goods and Gentle Annie Berry Farm where you can pick your own berries. Treehouse Gallery is a local arts favourite and the Royal Mail Hotel Pub is a great place for pub grub and a drink. With all the makings of a quaint Australian town and the excellent travel links to surrounding cosmopolitan areas – Birregurra is a haven for those seeking a slower pace of life.
Richmond, Tasmania
Richmond is an old historic Georgian village with fewer than 1,100 residents. The buildings in the area are admired by the influx of tourists that visit regularly. Nearby Hobart is just 25 minutes away and the village is home to an incredible arts and crafts scene. There are galleries, restaurants, museums and of course, the iconic Richmond Bridge. The surrounding landscape is beautiful and strolling around the town makes for a pleasant afternoon regardless of the time of the year. Richmond is reported as cheaper than neighbouring Hobart and the unemployment rate is low, which makes sense given the proximity to Tasmania’s capital city. The village has a long history of colonial life and Richmond Gaol was built in 1825 and is open to the public today. One of its most famous inmates was Ikey Solomon, reported as the inspiration for Charles Dicken’s Fagin in Oliver Twist. You’ll enjoy all that Richmond has to offer – the rich tales, vivid history and quaint picturesque surroundings.
Toodyay, Western Australia
Small town living doesn’t come much smaller than Toodyay, but this semi-rural town is a bustling little place, set on the Avon River and just a 1hr 20-minute drive to Perth. Local attractions here include Australia’s second largest Christmas store, a monthly Farmer’s Market and the annual Moondyne Festival. The festival celebrates the legend of Moondyne Joe, a local legend who could be described as a general menace. There are plenty of community activities like this and a strong sense of community is reported amongst the residents of Toodyay. Toodyay is home to many beautiful walking tracks and parks with lots of incredible views and plenty of flora and fauna to enjoy. Outdoor areas like Acacia Reserve Walk, Balgaling reserve and Bilya Walk Track are amongst local’s favourites. People are relocating here for the small town life with excellent travel links to Perth and a chance to feel part of an active community with plenty of fun things happening. The region is filled with beautiful wineries. The town of Bungendore is set against a backdrop of hills and an epic mountainous area. Situated near the Kings Highway and the Molonglo River Valley, this beautiful suburb has become a hub for tourism due to the rich heritage. You’re around 26 km to Canberra here and you can reach Sydney on a 3-hr train ride. The town has plenty of cafes, Italian and French restaurants and a quaint main street home to many impressive old buildings. The Wood Works Gallery features work from award-winning artists and some of the finest wood art furniture in regional Australia – the Gallery attracts around 120,000 visitors a year. If you love a good food market, Bungendore does not disappoint. The local Food Lovers’ Market features quality cheese, fresh bread and a gelato bar! You’ll love the local produce here, it’s a real treat. Bungendore has all the small-town appeal you’d expect from regional New South Wales and with so much more- cosy cafes, a friendly community and an excellent foodie scene.
Woodend, Victoria
When it comes to a tree change, there are few places in Victoria with quite as many trees as Woodend. As of the 2011 census, Woodend had a population of 5,413 and the people here enjoy a quiet and peaceful life with excellent travel links to Melbourne. Woodend was once a place that accommodated many gold-diggers and their families. Nowadays, this small town is home to families, retirees and those who enjoy a slower pace of life. Woodend is situated close to beautiful attractions like Mt Macedon and the famous Hanging Rock. Unlike most of Australia, snowfall in Woodend is not uncommon as the town is situated at the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. The community is active, and events run all year round, the Woodend Winter Arts Festival is held in June and artists from all over the country visit Woodend to perform. The community is active in the sports department too with the largest team in the town known as Woodend Junior Football club which has 8 junior teams and a big local following. The population of Australia is around 23.5 million people, yet two out of three Australians live in just 8 cities – Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin and Canberra. If you’re seeking a change, it makes sense that moving away from the city to surround yourself with nature and a smaller community life could grant you that change.