Prestige buyers swap the coast for a tree-change to the hinterland

Everyone, at some time in their lives, longs to get away from it all and dreams of space, of privacy, of a place where no one knows their name.

“Life for all of us has its own seasons,” says Phil Ruthven, director of forecasters and strategic business services company IBISWorld. “And the trend at the moment seems to be going to the hinterland, whether that’s for five years, 10 years or more occasionally, permanently.”

For while it’s homes in coastal hotspots such as Byron Bay in NSW, along with Noosa and the Gold Coast in Queensland that grab most of the limelight, there’s been a far quieter movement away from the hustle-bustle and razzle-dazzle to properties in comparatively calmer locales inland.

Where2Now? relocation consultant Jill Weeks has noticed it as a trend gaining pace, particularly over the last two years. “A lot of people are now moving to the hinterland of those areas on the coast as part of a real lifestyle choice,” she says.

“They’re looking for something completely different from their own way of life and they’re choosing properties with more room, and areas with less congestion, less crime and with cleaner living. They’re searching for a gentler way to live.”

In the Noosa hinterland of Tinbeerwah, for instance, an architect-designed property, with soaring ceilings and vast glass walls, looks out over great swathes of greenery.

“Noosa is a wonderful spot but people are choosing to go to the hinterland for a more private getaway, away from the traffic and noise,” says agent Anne Powell, who’s selling it for Laguna Real Estate. “It’s on what’s regarded the ‘golden mile’ of the hinterland and is a great escape for more discerning people, or could be an Australian base for someone with properties around the world.”

Similarly the Byron hinterland has huge appeal too, believes Unique Estates’ Nicolette van Wijngaarden, particularly with its Tuscan-style scenery, volcanic hills, ridge lines and views.

Then there are the locals who never seem to be fussed about newcomers. “People in the hinterland are just so relaxed, even around high-profile people, it makes everyone relax,” she says.

That’s what so many newcomers to the hinterland have certainly found. Tennis ace Pat Rafter and his family are moving to the Byron hinterland and selling up their coastal Sunshine Beach property, while singer-songwriter Xavier Rudd has bought more land there on the Brunswick River, The Block host Shelley Craft was a long-time local and actor Simon Baker never looks likely to leave his holiday home at Nashua in the Byron hinterland.

Attractions include natural beauties such as forests, mountains and green plains, small villages with excellent local produce, good cafes and restaurants and, increasingly, better roads and links to nearby airports.

With the hinterland’s increasing popularity, property prices are rising steadily too, albeit not as quickly as along the coast. The median house price in Byron Bay went up 20.5 per cent over the last year to a median of $780,000 for example, whereas the local government area inland of Kyogle rose only 11.9 per cent to $277,000.

“But those coastal regional markets are currently the strongest markets in Australia,” says Domain Group chief economist Dr Andrew Wilson. “There are so many cashed-up Sydney buyers going there for a seachange, and there hasn’t – yet – been as much activity in the hinterland, although green changes are growing more popular.”

And it makes perfect sense to be moving that way, believes Ruthven. “People are more cashed-up than ever before, with more super and, with roads better and airfares lower, it makes the hinterland more do-able than ever before.”

What the experts say: “There are so many cashed-up Sydney buyers going there for a sea-change, and there hasn’t – yet – been as much activity in the hinterland, although green changes are growing more popular,” Dr Andrew Wilson, Domain Group.

What’s on trend: “The trend at the moment seems to be going to the hinterland, whether that’s for five years, 10 years or more occasionally, permanently,” Phil Ruthven, IBISWorld.

What to look for: “They’re searching for a gentler way to live,” Jill Weeks, Where2Now?

Noosa Hinterland

Tinbeerwah, Coorey-Noosa Road
​Offers over $5.7 million
​Beds: 4 Bathrooms: 4 Parking: 3 Pool: 1

Only 10 minutes from the beach at Noosa, this Richard Kirk-designed four-bedroom, four-bathroom home on 33 hectares of the hinterland has beautiful views from each room.

“It’s currently being used as a holiday home and is perfect for that, or as a permanent residence,” says Anne Powell of Laguna Real Estate Noosa Heads. “It has an extremely high level of finish and the owner built it four years ago with incredible attention to detail. There’s extensive use of beautiful timbers, industrial-strength glass and it exudes luxury from every corner.”

The house sits on 470 square metres and has seamless indoor-outdoor living, with a pool and room outside for a tennis court, heli-pad and horses. Inside there’s a study, wine cellar or strong room, and air conditioning. There’s also a large separate-entry apartment with a kitchenette for guests or staff, a remote-controlled garage for three cars and solar panels.

Expressions of interest: Anne Powell of Laguna Real Estate Noosa Heads – 0419 332 973.

See more here.

Byron Hinterland

Coolamon Scenic Drive, Coorabell
$3.7 million
​Beds: 5 Bathrooms: 5 Parking: 14 Pool: 0

In a picturesque riverside setting on 43 hectares of land, this five-bedroom, five-bathroom home with timber cathedral ceilings is a beautifully private retreat.

“It’s wonderfully low-key,” says Unique Estates agent Nicolette van Wijngaarden. “For the past couple of years it’s been used as a holiday let, but it’s equally suitable as a permanent home or weekend and holiday home. It’s so easy to go for a swim at nearby Byron and then come back to your own refuge.

“The open plan house, with its own spa, steam room and hydrotherapy tub, also has DA approval for six rural tourist cottages on the land, which has its own sections of native rainforest and creeks.

Private treaty: Nicolette Van Wijngaarden from Unique Estates – 0411 144 877.

See more here.

Maleny Hinterland

305 North Maleny Road, Maleny
Offers over $3 million
​Beds: 5 Bathrooms: 3 Parking: 7 Pool: 1

 

Thirty minutes from Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, this five-bedroom home on nearly 10 hectares was designed by architect Tim Cronin just eight years ago, and renovated three years later. It looks over the Baroon Pocket Dam, rainforest and towards the mountain ranges in the distance.

“It’s just a beautiful property, with stunning views,” says agent Susan Brant of RE/MAX Hinterland. “It’s set well off the road and is very quiet and private.”

Set in a secluded ridge, it has multiple living areas with two fireplaces, polished concrete and blackbutt timber floors, and an anodised aluminium kitchen. It also has a media room, a saltwater pool, rainwater tanks and a security system.

Expressions of interest: Susan Brant from Re/Max Hinterland – 0447 737 737.

See more here.