Byron Bay Hinterland, Australia's unexpected hot spot for entrepreneurs

With its reputation for a laidback lifestyle and its well-documented natural assets, perhaps the last thing you’d expect to hear about the Hinterland is that it currently sits within one of the nation’s top entrepreneurial hot spots.

A report released last month by nbn, the company rolling out Australia’s broadband network, revealed the Northern Rivers had a 4 per cent uplift in local start-ups over the last two years, with Hinterland towns Bangalow and Mullumbimby leading the charge, up 18 and 19 per cent respectively.

The report’s author, demographer Bernard Salt, says the area has all of the right attributes to make it a “lifestylepreneur” destination.

“It has a thriving population, growing cultural sector, great weather and a private sector workforce.”

Tourism growth

Strong tourism numbers continue to drive growth in the accommodation and retail service businesses in the region.

Sectors such as public administration (up 50 per cent), utilities (up 50 per cent) and education (up 25 per cent), however, have shown the greatest uplift since 2015.

Duncan Lorimer of Elders Bangalow knows just how popular the Hinterland has become, with out-of-area lifestyle buyers driving property sales.

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“Seventy per cent of our sales in the Hinterland are to out-of-area buyers, and of those buyers, 80 per cent are from Sydney,” he says.

“They’re looking for a country lifestyle with access to the beach and we deliver that. A lot of people have the urge to live on the land, to dabble in cattle or grow their own fruit and veg. They want to feel connected to the environment but they still want the convenience of good quality restaurants, access to airports and an easy drive to the beach.”

Local events

When you need a break from the country serenity there’s no shortage of options, from FedTalks at Jasper Corner, Federal’s local hall, to Nimbin’s Roots Festival, which kicks off on September 15.

Visit the galleries in Uki, enjoy a degustation dinner at Town Cafe in Bangalow, stop by Bangalow’s newcomer Butcher Baker for slow-cooked lamb and a craft beer or tuck in to top Japanese fare at Doma Cafe in Federal.

Lorimer, who recently secured a $4 million-plus sale for a substantial Federal property, reports strong price growth in the property market over the last 18 months, with limited stock and strong demand maintaining pressure on prices. The future for the Hinterland is looking bright indeed.

What to buy

The ultimate outlook: 111 Coorabell Road, Federal, New South Wales. Photo: Supplied

Sitting on 20 pastoral hectares with long Wilson’s River frontage, this substantial Queenslander has wrap-around verandahs, two living rooms and a 14-seat dining room.

With a spring-fed dam and rolling paddocks, there’s potential to run cattle or just sit back and soak up the tranquility.

Duncan Lorimer of Elders Bangalow will take the property to its October 14 auction, with a price guide of $2.3 million.

See more of 111 Coorabell Road, Federal here

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