Neighbourhoods: We take a look at three of the best treechange destinations

Hemmed in? Banked up? It might be time to escape the rat race with a rural retreat.

The NSW Government’s New Year message for Sydney was blunt: 2017 is the “year of construction”. What with the NorthConnex, WestConnex and assorted light rail projects, residents can expect a tsunami of delays, dust and diggers.

The warning added insult to injury among Sydneysiders, whose roads are not only more congested than Melbourne’s but slower than New York’s, according to a recent Austroads report.

Add a booming population and September quarter median house price of almost $1.07 million, according to Domain Group data, and you’ve got a whole host of excuses to consider getting out of town.

Julie Hurdle, principal of RA Lawrence in Leura, says the upgrade of the Great Western Highway has made the Blue Mountains even more popular as a treechange destination for Sydneysiders.

“A lot of people who move to the Blue Mountains want to be able to drive easily. The road has certainly improved the situation,” Hurdle says.

While Leura has long been the jewel in the Blue Mountains property crown, Blackheath has also experienced strong growth, while places like Little Hartley and Hampton are luring buyers who want big houses on small acreages.

“Owning five to seven acres isn’t too much work, and it’s a lot cheaper than buying in Bowral,” Hurdle says.

Gary Brown, the principal at First National Mid Mountains in Lawson, says most inquiries to his agency come from residents of greater Sydney seeking a treechange within two hours’ drive of the big smoke.

“A lot of these inquiries are from people initially wanting to purchase properties for weekend and holiday use, with the long-term goal of living there permanently,” Brown says.

Further north, Sydneysiders are finding great value and a peaceful village lifestyle in Morpeth, part of the lower Hunter Valley city of Maitland.

Tess Fearon, sales associate at McElwaine Estate Agents in East Maitland, says residents will soon have access to some city-style mod-cons, including a David Jones and Gold Class cinema, courtesy of a $377 million upgrade of Green Hills Shopping Centre.

This cottage was built in 1890 for a local metal foundry manager.

113 High Street, Morpeth
$475,000 to $500,000
3 bed, 1 bath, 2 car
Built 1890, renovated 1990s
Land 411 square metres
Inspect Sat, 2pm-2.30pm
Agent McElwaine East Maitland, 0437 652 425
Last traded price unknown
See more at domain.com.au/2013310458

Morpeth was created as a river port in the 1830s. Its commercial significance waned when the Great Northern Highway bypassed the town. These days, Morpeth is considered a suburb of Maitland but it retains a strong sense of history, with cobbled paths, hitching posts for horses and the original Arnott Bakehouse. This cottage was built in 1890 for a local metal foundry manager.

The current owner’s grandfather bought the property 80 years ago and it has been passed down through the family, with a kitchen and bathroom renovation in the 1990s the only big-ticket upgrades. Behind the charming facade, there are original cedar window frames and floorboards, a slow combustion fireplace in the lounge, decorative cornices and a huge enclosed veranda. An under-house well provides water for the cottage-style gardens.

Room for improvement: Call time on the timber kitchen and bathroom surfaces with modern renovations.

Scribbly Gum Cottage occupies a bushland block replete with gum trees, banksias and native grasses.

40 Rawson Parade, Leura
$650,000 to $680,000 (Update: Under offer)
3 bed, 1 bath, 1 car
Built 1994
Land 1204 square metres
Inspect Saturday, noon-12.30pm
Agent RA Lawrence Leura, 0413 275 100
Last traded $490,000 in 2004
See more at domain.com.au/2012951450

Set away from the main drag about two kilometres north of Leura station, Scribbly Gum Cottage occupies a bushland block replete with gum trees, banksias and native grasses. The north-facing weatherboard cottage has a wrap-around verandah, with ample space for a barbecue and area. There are bushland views from all three bedrooms and the bathroom, while the master bedroom also has built-ins. Warm the cockles in winter with a slow combustion fireplace and central underfloor gas heating.

The interior is unashamedly country style, including Laura Ashley drapes, floral border wallpaper and timber accents. The large, fully fenced block is pet-friendly, and there’s a timber swing set too. A loft storage space covers the full footprint of the house. There’s a hail-proof sail over the carport. Leura Mall is about 20 minutes away by foot.

Room for improvement: DA approval to extend into the attic space has expired but could be sought again.

This sandstone cottage was completely renovated last year.

2058 Jenolan Caves Road, Hampton
$800,000 to $850,000
3 bed, 2 bath, 1 car
Built 1847
Land 20.6 hectares
Inspect By appointment
Agent First National Mid Mountains Lawson, 0414 592 666
Last traded $485,000 in 2015, renovated 2016
See more at domain.com.au/2013267920

In the days of horses and buggies, Hampton was the halfway point for sightseers on the bumpy ride between Mount Victoria and the Jenolan Caves. These days, it’s a 40-minute drive from Hampton to Mount Victoria, and just over two hours by car to Sydney. Hilroy is a sandstone cottage that was completely renovated last year. It’s being sold furnished with French country-style interiors, including ornate metal bedheads and pendant lights, rustic timber tables and chairs, wicker lounges and vintage kitchen shelving.

There are stone fireplaces in the kitchen and living area. The master bedroom has an en suite and two king singles fit into the upstairs attic area. A rambling country garden has fruit trees and daffodils, with about 15 of the 51 acres deemed arable land. The rest? Rugged mountain landscape and views for miles.

Room for improvement: Create a conservatorium or deck on the northern side to make the most of the stunning view.