A GREAT PROSPECT

HOLIDAY AT HOME IN THIS CITY FRINGE ENTERTAINER

I’ve been fortunate enough to make a couple of visits to a few favourite regional locations of mine recently. Namely Mount Gambier and Clare. Now, I know for many of you going for a drive to Clare is no big deal and possibly a regular day trip for you wine lovers and foodies. But for someone with three young kids, finding a time when our house is tidy enough for us to bundle them all into a car and head off for a weekend away – it doesn’t happen anywhere near as often as I’d like it to.

So it’s safe to say, when I’m there I’m in my element. I just love hitting the open road and exploring our further-flung locations. We have some great regional towns here in SA – communities with fascinating histories, amazing stories to tell and wonderful hardworking people striving to grow the towns they feel enormous pride for.

Our regional towns, I’m convinced, are also home to some of our state’s most beautiful properties, and a lot of them offer incredible value. Mount Gambier, Penola, Naracoorte – some of the original homes in these towns are simply stunning.

Likewise around Clare – Auburn, Mintaro, Sevenhill, Burra. Again, just gorgeous homesteads and character cottages on blocks that give you plenty of room to grow your own produce, have a bunch of kids and pets and live the good life.

I found the same on my trip to Port Lincoln last year. Every town I drove through – Port Pirie, Port Augusta, Whyalla, Cowell, Arno Bay, Port Neill, Tumby Bay and further round to Coffin Bay – gorgeous old homes everywhere. Homes that if you plonked them in the heart of the eastern suburbs or on the southern fringe, would cost you an absolute packet.

While some of our regional towns are admittedly facing a hard time due to declining industries, many of them are thriving, growing and experiencing a change in demographic – particularly on the back of coronavirus lockdowns which have prompted a rethink in buyers as to what they really want and how they want to live. So if you’re considering a treechange or looking to buy a coastal or rural escape, check our Hills&Country listings.

You may be surprised at how cheaply you can buy an incredible home in an area the locals describe as ‘paradise’.

And get in the car and check out regional South Australia. If you haven’t already, you don’t know what you’re missing.

Happy househunting!