Why demand is still growing in some high-end holiday pockets

With Australia’s cities becoming ever busier and more highly developed, the demand among prestige buyers for country retreats in quieter, more rural locations is still growing.

“There’s always an element of demand for those kinds of properties at the upper end of the market,” says Domain senior research analyst Nicola Powell. “And while we’re seeing a broader slowdown across all markets, we’re still seeing some price growth for those properties.”

For Brisbane residents, it’s the hinterlands of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast where they’re seeking some weekend or holiday peace and quiet, for Melburnians it’s often the Mornington Peninsula, while the lure of the Southern Highlands remains strong for those living in Sydney.

“One of my clients in Brisbane has a lot of businesses he operates, but he loves to have a lifestyle property somewhere much more serene on the Gold Coast hinterland, which is only 75 to 80 minutes away by road, or 12 minutes by helicopter,” says agent Michael Vettoretto of Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty.

“But now he has other businesses closer to the Sunshine Coast, so he’s selling that one in Sarabah, and is now buying another property in the hinterland further north,” Mr Vettoretto says.

“It’s very important for a lot of people to have a lifestyle property or country retreat to relax in, and when the right one comes up on the market, there’s a hell of a lot of buyers.”

Mr Vettoretto is already fielding a lot of interest in the five-bedroom home in Sarabah, set on 20 hectares of land, which comes with its own vineyard, olive grove, cellar door and restaurant facilities.

Similarly, Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula is also in demand among Melbourne locals keen for a tranquil escape.

“People love to be surrounded by countryside and acreage or by the coast, and a vineyard can be very beautiful to look out over,” says Holly Longmuir of RT Edgar Flinders.

“There’s a big appetite for good properties in popular rural areas and there’s always limited supply.”

One of her favourites on the market currently is a house in coveted Shoreham set in park-like gardens, with views across to Phillip Island and beyond.

The Mornington Peninsula retreat market is tracking well, with Dr Powell reporting that upper end property prices in the area are still growing at 5 per cent.

In NSW, the Southern Highlands retains its reputation for having some of the best country retreats around.

“The market is still quite good here and we’re seeing some strong results from people looking for weekenders,” said Anne Stone of McGrath Bowral. She’s currently selling a grand home in Burradoo with Georgian period features set among extensive grounds with mature hedges and sweeping lawns.

“It’s a beautiful area, very traditional, and I think people from Sydney love coming here and actually seeing four seasons, which they don’t in Sydney.

“Everyone loves a country retreat where they can see the trees change colour in autumn and spring, and so much greenery,” she says.

Three regional homes to try

Sarabah

A private idyll, gated and with a long driveway from the outside world, this sumptuous home will also give its buyer the chance to produce their own wines and operate a cellar door and restaurant from a separate stone chalet on the property.

The house is set on an elevated piece of land, overlooking the vineyard and olive grove, with panoramic views of the countryside beyond, while the house itself has high ceilings and decorated in French country style.

It’s for sale via expressions of interest for around $8.8 million, with Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty‘s Michael Vettoretto.

Shoreham

In a beautiful part of the Mornington Peninsula, this four-bedroom country retreat sits on over 2 hectares of land, with stunning park-like gardens, towering gum trees and heaps of potential for hobby farming.

The house has a fireplace, an open-plan kitchen, a communal study zone and a series of entertaining decks looking out over 180-degree views.

Expressions of interest are invited, with a price guide of $3.5 million to $3.85 million, by agent Michael Parker of RT Edgar Flinders.  

Southern Highlands

‘Kingcraig’, on one of the best streets in Burradoo, is a grand home with Georgian period features, five large bedrooms – the main with walk-in robes, a spa and study – two bathrooms and a 440-bottle wine cellar.

It has a number of living areas leading out to al fresco entertaining spaces, with seeping lawns, landscaped gardens and a circular driveway complete with water feature.

Just five minutes to all the shops and restaurants of Bowral, it’s for sale at $3.95 million with agent Anne Stone of McGrath Bowral.