Why the locals love Rouse Hill: ‘It feels a little like a country town with all the features of a small city’

A quiet achiever in Sydney’s Hills District, locals have done well to keep Rouse Hill under wraps. That is, until now.

Amid a transformation, this desirable neighbourhood has skyrocketed to the top of the list for professionals and young families looking to move to the hills.

Maddison Tweedie has lived in the Rouse Hill area for more than six years and has seen the neighbourhood evolve. For her, the biggest drawcard was the balance of urban and country-style living. 

“It was quiet and cosy yet had all the necessities close by. The sense of community was really present, and it felt connected to nature thanks to all the reserves and parks in the area,” Tweedie says.

Locals are embracing the lifestyle amenities that are popping up in the spacious yet convenient suburb, whether it be the plentiful parklands and playing fields or schools and shopfronts. 

“A lot more cafes and boutique bars have opened up over the past few years, elevating the sense of community. There is also a monthly market at Rouse Hill Town Centre, which has grown into a huge event that everyone looks forward to,” explains Tweedie. 

From Rouse Hill Regional Park to the semi-rural properties peppered throughout, local resident Cagney Wilson has been surprised by the spacious living synonymous with this pocket of Sydney.

“I’ve only just moved here, but it’s very peaceful, and the scenery, with the beautiful open spaces, makes it a great place when the sun is setting,” Wilson says.

“There are a lot of younger families here, and there are really nice walking tracks, which are great for downtime from work.” 

Yet, it is the town centre that has been garnering a lot of attention. And rightfully so, with its dining and bar scene that keeps outdoing itself, and an impressive line-up of independent stores and big-name brands. 

“I love that it feels a little like a country town but still has all the features of a small city. I also love how quick it is to get anywhere thanks to the public transport,” says Tweedie.

With plenty of room to breathe, professionals from the north shore and the eastern suburbs are moving to Rouse Hill, snapping up new developments like Castle Group’s $150 million Park Avenue project.

Within 800 metres of Tallawong Metro Station and across the road from what will be a major park and sporting fields and a primary school that is slated to open in 2025, Park Avenue offers a selection of free-standing homes.

“We’ve been developing in Rouse Hill for about 10 years now, and we’ve found that there was a hole in the market for smaller subdivisions of free-standing homes that are still close to the station, with no strata or community fees,” explains Ritchie Perera, director of Castle Group, with a significant $1 billion track record in Sydney’s north-west.

Park Avenue keeps ticking all the right boxes. Perfectly located near Norwest Business Park, Castle Hill, Parramatta and several major arterial roads (including Windsor Road, the M2 and M7), it’s the homes themselves that are the real standout.

The double-storey, three to five-bedroom homes are designed to stand the test of time, boasting a beautiful juxtaposition between warm timber tones and industrial elements, as well as indoor-outdoor living, quality finishes and state-of-the-art inclusions. 

“We have hit the mark with intergenerational living, as many of our buyers require additional accommodation for parents or relatives. Our selection of five-bedroom homes with a downstairs bedroom and full bathroom are being very well-received. 

“Overall, Park Avenue is shaping up to be our most successful project to date with 60 percent sold since Q1 of 2023,” says Perera.