Why Canberra commuters and treechangers are flocking to the Southern Tablelands

Canberra commuters and treechangers alike are increasingly making the move to the Southern Tablelands. Each of the region’s towns has something different to offer and most are within about an hours’ drive from the nation’s capital. We jumped across the border and discovered what’s ahead for the property market in each district.

Queanbeyan-Palerang

Towns include: Queanbeyan, Bungendore, Braidwood

Queanbeyan continues its reign as the affordable, commutable alternative to Canberra’s comparatively expensive market, however those with a taste for rural living are happy to cast their net even wider.

Luton Properties’ Braidwood-based agent Kelly Allen says her local market experienced a slight increase in prices in 2016.

“Rural properties are selling very well because cattle prices are strong, so are the renovated cottages in town,” Allen says.

About 50 per cent of Braidwood inquiries come from out of town.

A gold mine will open in Majors Creek, 13 minutes from Braidwood, in mid-2017, which should add to demand for property.

“It is a small gold mine of 80 full-time jobs,” Allen says. “Not a ‘gold rush’ but this impact will mean properties should not sit on the market for three to six months like they have in the past.”

Yass Valley

Towns include: Yass, Gundaroo, Murrumbateman

Elders Real Estate Yass and Murrumbateman agent John Lennie says there are very few places in the world where a person can enjoy the benefits of a solid job in a city, but only have a short commute back to a country lifestyle.

It’s proximity to Canberra, combined with the choice of property, has made Yass Valley a popular tree change destination.

“Buyers can choose a very genteel (almost urban) property type in one of Murrumbateman’s estates, or elect to live a complete rural lifestyle on a larger freehold property consisting of hundreds of acres.”

Lennie says January was a “very powerful” sales month. Stock remains tightly held, but more properties should hit the market soon. 

“We’ve completed a good number of appraisals and it appears that some of these are just about to list,” he says.

New development around the Murrumbateman village centre will also help meet demand in the area.

Upper Lachlan

Towns include: Crookwell, Gunning, Collector

Many Canberrans already see Yass, Gundaroo and Murrumbateman as satellite towns, which has led to strong sales in the Yass Valley. A flow-on effect is now being seen further afield in Gunning and Collector.

McCann Properties agent and Gunning resident Ian Blackburn says the area is “a good healthy market”, with about 30 per cent of buyers coming from Canberra.

“The next cycle should see some solid returns,” Blackburn says.

North of Goulburn, but still within the Upper Lachlan Shire, Crookwell is also starting to attract strong interest from Canberra buyers, according to Ray White Goulburn agent Justin Gay.

The relaxed country lifestyle is the major drawcard for Upper Lachlan buyers.

Goulburn Mulwaree

Towns include: Goulburn, Marulan, Tallong

While Canberra buyers are flocking towards Crookwell, Justin Gay says out-of-town inquiries for Goulburn properties typically come from the Southern Highlands and Sydney.

Goulburn’s position between Sydney and Canberra and within easy reach of NSW South Coast beaches has made it popular with a diverse range of buyers.

“It’s extremely strong all the way through from blocks of land through to first home buyers to high-end million-dollar lifestyle property,” Gay says.

The cathedral precinct to the city’s west is highly sought after, which Gay attributes to the central location and character-filled homes.

“We traded all the way through Christmas and [the market] is exceptionally strong,” Gay says. “We’ve seen huge numbers through our opens so far this year.”

Hilltops

Towns include: Boorowa, Harden, Young

As prices increase in Canberra and the Yass Valley, more commuters are turning to Boorowa and Harden, according to Boorowa Real Estate agent Justin Fleming.

“More people are waking up to this area,” Fleming says. “Boorowa and Harden are attractive towns and good rural places to live within close proximity to regional centres and cities.”

Boorowa, the closest of the three major Hilltops towns, is just over 100 kilometres from Canberra. Fleming says this is a major drawcard for those relocating from the ACT and other cities.

The CSIRO will move its Ginninderra agricultural research station to Boorowa, which Fleming says will boost the economy and town’s profile.

Selling up but staying local

Hughie Krijnen and his wife moved to Braidwood 22 years ago and built one of the town’s most prominent buildings.

Occupying a corner position on Braidwood’s main street, the property encompasses a licensed cafe with a commercial kitchen and seating for 60 guests, a main two-bedroom residence with a loft, a spacious self-contained studio and Clyde Cottage – a well-known one-bedroom self-contained holiday letting.

Hughie, pictured above, says he loves the urban/rural lifestyle that Braidwood offers. Living in the centre of town means everything is within walking distance, yet it offers views across the countryside.

A 40-minute drive to the coast is also one of the perks.

Hughie is selling the substantial property, but he plans to stay in Braidwood.

“It’s a community here and I feel like I’m part of it,” he says.

“It would be hard to say goodbye to that.”

Number 183 Wallace Street is for sale through Luton Properties Manuka agent Kelly Allen (0466 632 696). Price: $1.2 million to $1.3 million.

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