According to the latest Regional Movers Index, five new Australian towns have emerged as favourite locations for Australians looking to make a lifestyle change.
Ever since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic when remote work took hold and Australians seemingly jumped at the opportunity to live farther away from major city centres, regional migration has been booming.
And contrary to the belief that the regional boom was undone by migration heading in the opposite direction once pandemic conditions eased, data from the Regional Australia Institute has found that the upheaval of 2020 kicked off a permanent change in moving trends.
According to the latest edition of the quarterly Regional Movers Index – a collaboration between the RAI and the Commonwealth Bank, using change of address information – migration to the regions continues to outpace the pre-pandemic rates substantially.
In the December 2024 quarter, net population flow into regional Australia was sitting at 51% above the pre-Covid average.
And while moving slowed down somewhat over the December period – which is expected due to a seasonal lull pegged to the holidays – the last three months of 2024 revealed a new emerging trend.
Bowral, in the Wingecarribee Shire in NSW, has emerged as a new regional favourite. Image: Unsplash
Liz Ritchie, CEO of the RAI explained that based on the level of growth seen in certain hotspots, it was clear that movers had started to eye communities beyond the traditional “commuter belt” towns, delving deeper into the Australian countryside and making new homes in some of Australia's best small cities.
Traditional lifestyle locations like the Sunshine Coast, Geelong, and Lake Macquarrie still captured some of the highest proportions of movers over the 12 months to December 2024, but when it comes to locations with the highest level of growth of new residents, other Australian regions stole the show.
“The emergence of new mover hotspots further out shows this increase of population into Australia’s regions is not isolated to a couple of places, rather that it’s happening all over the country. It’s why we must ensure communities have the infrastructure, funding and support they need to ensure they can continue to welcome new residents,” Ms Ritchie said.
The top five LGAs by annual growth of new movers flocking to the area were Wingecarribee in NSW including Southern Highland towns like Bowral and Moss Vale; the Bega Valley in NSW; the coastal enclave of Albany in WA; Wodonga in Victoria’s Murray River region; and the Richmond Valley in the NSW Northern Rivers.
While lifestyle factors have driven relocators to many of these enviable locations, they also benefit from new housing developments, promising easy moves for new residents who might have concerns about the availability of housing in other hotspots.
Below, we unpack some of the new housing opportunities that are attracting interest from locals and relocators alike.
Wingecarribee Shire, NSW
Just over 100km south-west of Sydney, the Wingecarribee local government area encompasses some of the most picturesque farmland and country-style high streets that NSW has to offer across towns like Berrima, Robertson, and Bowral.
It’s also home to the Southern Highlands wine region, with more than a dozen cellar doors in which to sample the region’s best drops.
Moss Vale, just under 10km from Bowral and boasting its own bustling town centre, is home to Ashbourne, a new housing estate by developer Novm.
Expected to be home to more than 1,000 dwellings by the project’s ultimate completion, Ashbourne is now selling its initial stages, offering both land and house-and-land packages. Builders such as Better Built Homes and Stroud Homes have house designs currently available in the new community.
The Ashbourne master-planned community is now selling. Image: realestate.com.au
Bega Valley, NSW
Perhaps most famous for the cheese that bears its name, the Bega Valley is home to more culture than just the milk variety. The town of Bega and its surroundings have been drawing new residents due to its mix of town attractions such as the South East Centre for Contemporary Art alongside other galleries, cafes, eateries and quirky shops.
With numerous trails and nature sites along the Bega River that snakes its way through the valley, there’s also a thriving community of outdoor lovers.
And at Dunbar Estate, a boutique, 30-lot subdivision in the town of Bega itself, nature feels within easy reach, with lots offering views of Dunbar farm, the Bega River, and Doctor George Mountain. It’s also within walking distance of the town’s commercial centre.
Land is currently for sale, with builders such as GJ Gardner Homes available to consult on creating a dream home to suit the site.
A home design from GJ Gardner Homes that's being offered at Dunbar Estate. Image: realestate.com.au
Albany, WA
A four-and-a-half-hour drive from Perth on the southern tip of WA, this beachside haven is known for its access to clear blue waters with stunning rock formations dotting the coast.
The town itself, overlooking Shoal Bay, boasts a busy commerce centre with shops and restaurants serving locals as well as a bustling tourist trade that comes for the area’s natural beauty. Albany is a hotspot for whale watching and is also the terminus point of both a major bush walking trail and mountain biking route.
A number of pre-release lots in the Lancaster Green Private Estate are currently available, located in the suburb of McKail in the city’s north-west. Country Builders operates in the Albany area and is currently offering house and land packages in this new development.
Albany beaches are known for their clear blue waters and rocky coasts. Image: Getty
Wodonga, Vic
Wodonga is one half of the Victoria-NSW border community that’s so intertwined its almost always referred to in partnership as Albury-Wodonga.
These two towns sit on opposite sides of the Murray River, with both boasting stunning natural attractions across the region.
Not only does the access to hiking, camping, and water sports draw a crowd, but the area is also one of Australia’s most beloved gastronomic hotspots, known as a prolific area for fresh produce as well as a distinctively pink-coloured salt. It’s also home to numerous wineries, distilleries, and eateries that put the local products to good use.
In the heart of Wodonga, a boutique development of 35 lots called The Willows is now selling, offering the chance for buyers to design a home that’s perfectly suited to their every need.
Builders such as Metricon and Hadar are offering house and land packages with a range of house designs to choose from and further customise.
A home design by Hadar. Image: realestate.com.au
Richmond Valley, NSW
Part of the NSW Northern Rivers region, Richmond Valley could be considered the undiscovered gem of the area, particularly in comparison to the popularity of the Byron Shire to the north-east.
That is, undiscovered until now. According to the Regional Movers Index, Richmond Valley saw a whopping 273% increase in migration to the area from both metropolitan and regional locations over the course over the 12 months of 2024 – the largest growth of any area.
In the north of the Richmond Valley, Casino is a hinterland village on the banks of the Richmond River that offers a quieter lifestyle than many Northern Rivers towns, but with easy access to all that the area has to offer.
The Meadows is a new estate going up in the east of town with 10 lots up for sale in the first stage, and over 40 lots expected to be released overall. Dixon Homes and GJ Gardner Homes are both offering house and land packages in this new estate.
Are you interested in designing your dream home in one of Australia's regional hotspots? Check out our dedicated New Homes section.
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