Why our love for regional areas continues - John McGrath

Buyers continue to flock to tree and sea change areas around the country, and there’s good reason for this.

Cotality’s latest Regional Market Report reveals that combined regional value growth reacted favourably to this year’s three rate cuts, although this response was milder than our capital cities. Lismore in NSW’s Northern Rivers showed a 7% increase in quarterly growth – the strongest in the country’s 50 largest non-capital city markets. Bendigo in Victoria, and Mount Gambier, in South Australia, tied for second place, with a value increase of 3.8%.

This mix of locations is just one point we discuss in our recently released McGrath Report 2026. We also explore how some regional buyers are tempted by the relaxed pace of life that rural places offer. But these places can have other benefits as well, resulting in them offering quite as many opportunities as city settings – including employment.

One of the biggest opportunities that eventuated from the pandemic was the broader acceptance of remote work or work from home (WFH). And, remote work not only allowed regional buyers to easily buy in their preferred sea and tree change location. It also enabled these buyers to waste less hours and energy on long commutes. As a result, they could not only enjoy a quieter, more relaxed lifestyle but also spend more time with family and friends.

For employees needing to work on-site or similar, some regional locations still offer plenty of job opportunities. Combined with low unemployment rates plus good amenities and infrastructure – including education, arts, and recreation services – and a strong sense of community, these locations are often as appealing as their comparable metropolitan locations.

They certainly ensure buyers and their families don’t have to sacrifice urban-style conveniences to enjoy regional living. So, it’s really no surprise that two out of five city dwellers said they would consider a move to regional Australia this year – up from one in five in 2023, according to Regional Australia Institute data released in June.

Tamworth in NSW’s New England region and Orange in the state’s Central Tablelands are great examples of mid-sized rural locations with plenty of employment opportunities and excellent amenities.

As Jason Wherritt of McGrath Tamworth explains, “Tamworth delivers on both lifestyle and accessibility and … the city’s proximity to the coast, Brisbane, Newcastle and Sydney only enhances its appeal.”

Gisborne in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges, and Toowoomba in the Darling Downs area of Queensland, are two other mid-sized regional locations offering excellent employment possibilities, everyday conveniences, and lifestyle opportunities.

In Victoria, Greater Geelong is now the most popular area in the country, beating even the Sunshine Coast in Queensland to the top position. In the year to March 2025, Geelong enjoyed Australia’s largest inflow of net internal migration, accounting for 9.3% of all net migration to regions, according to the Regional Movers’ Index latest report.

Again, there’s good reasons for this popularity.  Geelong can boast a great location on the scenic Surf Coast but is also only an hour east of Melbourne’s CBD. And, the city is benefiting from recent government investment with major projects including a $449.1 million convention centre. This project forms part of a 10-year, $676 million-plus City Deal which plans to develop new infrastructure across the location, boost employment and visitor growth, and revitalise the CBD.

Cotality’s Regional Market Report shows Geelong has enjoyed a value increase of 24.7% value in the past five years, bringing its median dwelling value to $729,215. The city’s annual dwelling sales are also 10.6% above the five-year average for the region.

With its idyllic waterside location, established services and range of employment opportunities, Geelong is definitely an attractive lifestyle destination.