Star attraction of rural havens

AUSTRALIAN celebrities are embracing – in the most grandiose of ways – the tree change that for many became possible only through the pandemic’s ‘work from home’ silver lining, writes Hayley Goddard

FILM producer George Miller, NRL star Sam Burgess and TV host Larry Emdur are among the stars with substantial – and palatial – farmland stakes. Weekender destinations, including Byron Bay, Mornington Peninsula and Noosa, are still popular among A-listers, but real estate agents say hinterland havens, worth millions, have never been in hotter demand. The Southern Highlands, southwest of Sydney, with its sprawling hills, is a favourite – and like singer Jimmy Barnes, media personality Sam Armytage calls the region home.

“It’s only an hour-and-a-half from Sydney. High-profile people can come down for a couple of days – it’s not that far to go,” McGrath Southern Highlands principal Anne Stone said.

Ms Stone said businesses in the area were discreet and respected their privacy.

“It’s a respectful community and people are friendly. When Nicole (Kidman) and Keith (Urban) are here, people don’t walk up to them and make a big fuss,” she said.

Here we look at the celebrities who are trading in their city pads or expanding their property portfolios with rural retreats.