Five Of The Best Country Houses For Sale Ballarat District

Affordable Housing And Job Opportunities Attract City Migrants To Ballarat District

Moorabool Shire – a semi-rural municipality between Melbourne and Ballarat – has ranked in the top five local government areas (LGA) by growth in capital-to-regional migration, according to new data from the Commonwealth Bank and the Regional Australia Institute’s Regional Movers Index.

Above: Moorabool Shire ranked in the top five local government areas by growth in capital-to-regional migration

The LGA – comprising the key towns of Bacchus Marsh (about 45km west of the Melbourne CBD) and Ballan (around 70km west of the city) – experienced a 56 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth in migration in the 12 months to March 2022, including five per cent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) growth between the December 2021 and March 2022 quarters.

Housing a population of over 36,000 (Source: ABS, 2020) spread across some 2,110 square kilometres, Moorabool ranked behind the South Australian LGA’s of Ceduna (+114 per cent YoY, +59 per cent QoQ), Mt Gambier (+85 per cent YoY, +69 per cent QoQ), and Port Augusta (+74 per cent YoY, +seven per cent QoQ), and the Western Downs LGA in Queensland (+56 per cent YoY, +14 per cent QoQ).

Above: The LGA experienced five per cent quarter-on-quarter growth in migration in the March quarter

Driving the five-year high growth in overall regional migration (+16.6 per cent in the March quarter, almost double pre-pandemic levels) is young people – specifically Millennials (24-40 years) and Gen-Xers (40-56 years), the report found.

The average age of those who moved to the Moorabool Shire was 35 years, with Millennials accounting for 52 per cent of people moving to the region in the 12 months to March 2022, Gen X 24 per cent, Gen Alpha and Z (younger than 24 years) 12 per cent, and Baby Boomers (56-75 years) 11 per cent.

Above: Millennials accounted for 52 per cent of people moving to the region in the 12 months to March 2022

A combination of more affordable housing and employment opportunities is the key attraction, according to the report. Notably, about 40 per cent of Moorabool Shire residents work in Melbourne, while a significant number also work in Ballarat.

Commonwealth Bank Regional and Agribusiness Banking Executive General Manager Paul Fowler says regional areas are providing attractive local employment opportunities.

“Regional Australia is thriving, fuelled by strong investment across a broad range of industries including agriculture, manufacturing, retail and hospitality,” he says.

Above: Regional migration was up 16.6 per cent in the March quarter, almost double pre-pandemic levels

“There are labour shortages in many parts of regional Australia and local businesses are attracting skilled and unskilled workers to increase capacity and serve growing demand for products and services.”

Regional Australia Institute (RAI) CEO Liz Ritchie adds that regional living is attracting more young people and particularly younger families who are looking for bigger living spaces at a cheaper cost.

People moving from capital cities to regions in the March 2022 quarter accounted for 6.4 per cent of all relocations. This is a slightly larger share than a year earlier, up by 0.1 of a percentage point, reflecting the increase displayed in the headline Regional Movers Index.

Above: The biggest outflows were from the major cities of Sydney and Melbourne

The biggest outflows were from the major cities of Sydney and Melbourne with most people heading to regional NSW, Queensland, and Victoria.

Ritchie notes Millennials and Gen-Xers are welcome additions to any regional community as they often bring with them business skills to grow the local community, as well as families who integrate into the local school system and community sporting activities.

Not surprisingly, demand for housing in these regional areas is soaring, Fowler points out.

If you’re a capital city dweller looking to move to the Moorabool Shire and surrounding areas like Ballarat check out our five favourite houses for sale Ballarat region below – or click on the following link for more houses for sale Ballarat region.

Country Houses For Sale Ballarat Region: 8 Quinns Lane, Magpie

All the work has been done on this beautiful four-bedroom lifestyle property on 4,704m2, close to Buninyong and a short drive to the Ballarat CBD.

Above: This four-bedroom house for sale Ballarat region is positioned on a large 4,704m2 block of land

This country home features an expansive living room and adjacent recreation room with direct access to the rear yard. Close-by on the north side of the home is the master bedroom which has a walk-in wardrobe plus a new ensuite with floor-to-ceiling tiles, shower, vanity and toilet.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region features an expansive living room and adjacent recreation room

The other three bedrooms flank the west side of the home, two of them with built-in wardrobes and the other with a walk-in wardrobe. All bedrooms have updated carpet underfoot. Nearby is a new bathroom, complete with free-standing egg-shape bath, vanity and large shower. There is a new separate toilet next door.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region includes a master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe plus a new ensuite

The open-plan family/dining/kitchen area is simply beautiful and a great space to entertain, offering direct access through two glass sliding doors to the front veranda and undercover patio. The kitchen includes ‘Gold Calcutta’ stone benches, butler’s sink, quality Asko dishwasher and a 900mm Westinghouse dual-fuel upright cooker.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region boasts a beautiful open-plan family/dining/kitchen area

Under the roofline is a double garage with direct home access and remote door. Plenty of additional parking is available out front. The other key feature of this property is the 18m x 8m shed which has power, concrete flooring, insulated walls plus camera and alarm security – making it ideal for a workshop or entertainment ‘cave’.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region includes an 18m x 8m shed which has power and concrete flooring

Click on the highlighted link for more information on this country house for sale Ballarat region at 8 Quinns Lane, Magpie.

Country Houses For Sale Ballarat Region: 16 Bell Avenue, Mount Helen

Located in the sought-after locale of Mt Helen, this house for sale Ballarat region is a rare opportunity to secure a well-maintained home with simply breathtaking panoramic views of Mt Buninyong, Mt Mercer, the Grampians, Warrenheip and Ballarat.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region boasts views of Mt Buninyong, Mt Mercer, Grampians, Warrenheip and Ballarat

This outstanding 9.5-acre property would make an ideal lifestyle change for the aspiring hobby farmer with rich volcanic soil, excellent fencing, four paddocks, stockyards, double garage and double carport.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region occupies 9.5 acres of rich volcanic soil, perfect for a hobby farm

For the gardener the property boasts well-established, low-maintenance gardens with room to expand, servided by both mains and tank water for year-round supply.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region features three bedrooms with built-in wardrobes and a recently renovated bathroom

The home itself demonstrates quality and style and features three bedrooms with built-in wardrobes, recently renovated bathroom, shower room and toilet, updated central kitchen, gorgeous wood fire and split-system air-conditioner.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region includes an updated central kitchen and dining area

Enjoy the picturesque seclusion of this sought-after family locale while maintaining easy access to the Western Freeway and all that regional Victoria has to offer.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region features a living area with gorgeous wood fire and split-system air-conditioner

Click on the highlighted link for more information on this country house for sale Ballarat region at 16 Bell Avenue, Mount Helen.

Country Houses For Sale Ballarat Region: 85 Laverys Road, Mount Bolton

The long undulating driveway leads to a stunning Populus treed homestead entry, where you will find this brick split-level home at the top of Mount Bolton with some of the most breathtaking views money can buy on approximately 43-acre allotment reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region has some of the most breathtaking views money can buy

The home boasts three spacious bedrooms with the master including its own personal balcony, a large walk-in wardrobe and classic ensuite with shower, vanity and toilet.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region boasts three spacious bedrooms with the master including its own personal balcony

The living space houses a large wood combustion fireplace with exposed flu that heats the entire home and double sliding doors that opens onto a granite stone courtyard.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region features beautiful gardens with goldfish pond and well-kept hedging

The kitchen and dining area has slate flooring with white timber panelling. Dishwasher, electric oven, electric cooktop, and ample storage top of this country-style kitchen.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region features a country-style kitchen equipped with modern appliances

The Oregon staircase provides access throughout the multi-level home and leads to the lower level, private second living area with plenty of natural light and direct access to your underneath four-car garage and laundry. The main bathroom has a timeless country-style claw foot bath with shower and vanity.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region includes a living space housing a large wood combustion fireplace

Outside of the home, the granite enclosed wall of the garden terrace has beautiful gardens with goldfish pond, well-kept hedging, garden shed and fenced off pet area.

Above: The master bedroom in this house for sale Ballarat region features a classic ensuite with shower, vanity and toilet

There’s no shortage of undercover parking; the property houses another double-spaced brick shed with power and concrete floor that could also make a terrific workshop. Other features of the property include a small spring-fed well, 100-year-old apple tree, 20 solar panels to combat the electricity bills and ample tank water.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region boasts a long undulating driveway leading to a stunning treed homestead entry

Mount Bolton is a tightly held area only five minutes away from the historical township of Learmonth, under 10 minutes to Waubra and only 20 minutes to Ballarat’s CBD and all its amenities.

Click on the highlighted link for more information on this country house for sale Ballarat region at 85 Laverys Road, Mount Bolton.

Country Houses For Sale Ballarat Region: 3 Woodlands Road, Enfield

This stunning family home on a large 5,382m2 allotment also comes with a delightful farmhouse and ample shedding. The Hamptons-inspired home has three bedrooms with plenty of storage and the bonus of a large separate fourth guest bedroom with its own living space and split-system air-conditioner.

Above: This stunning family home for sale Ballarat region is situated on a large 5,382m2 allotment

The master bedroom includes barn-style door entry with walk-in wardrobe and ensuite housing vanity, shower and toilet; while the front living area has a stunning red and whitewash brick fireplace with contemporary cabinetry on either side and dark timber mantel piece, creating an entire feature wall along with a split-system air-conditioner for those hotter months.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region features a stunning red and whitewash brick fireplace

The kitchen is the beating heart of the home and has been completed in style with shaker-style cabinetry, subway-tiled splash back, dark timber benchtops, black stainless steel rangehood, reverse-cycle for heating and cooling, dishwasher and a Belling Richmond 900mm free-standing induction cooker.

Above: The kitchen is the beating heart of this Hamptons-inspired house for sale Ballarat region

Enjoy your morning coffee on the front deck or entertain your guests undercover at the rear of the property with a sizeable outdoor entertaining space perfect for family BBQs.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region includes a sizeable undercover outdoor entertaining space at the rear

Another key feature of this property is the 6m x 8m and the 12m x 7m sheds, both with power and concrete floor, as well as a single-car garage connected to the home. Outside, there’s a large rear paddock lined with cypress tree windbreakers for farm animals, large fox-proof chicken coop, dog run, fenced backyard area and fully fenced garden area with sectioned garden beds and tank water availability.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region includes a fully fenced garden area with sectioned garden beds and tank water availability

Services to the property include mains water, power, NBN and reticulated sewerage. Enfield is located 12 minutes from Buninyong, 20 minutes from Ballarat, 60 minutes to Geelong and 90 minutes to Melbourne’s CBD.

Click on the highlighted link for more information on this country house for sale Ballarat region at 3 Woodlands Road, Enfield.

Country Houses For Sale Ballarat Region: 1040 Eureka Street, Warrenheip

This house for sale is sited on a 3.059-hectare (7.56-acre) acreage block in an unrivalled location close to the heart of Ballarat.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region is sited on a 3.059-hectare acreage block with strong redevelopment potential

With the existing dwelling likely to be beyond a renovation prospect, the sale of this property is more about the redevelopment potential. It presents a fantastic lifestyle opportunity to build a luxury home in this coveted location just 5.8km from the city centre with the added bonus of easy access onto the Western Freeway for commuters.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region presents a fantastic opportunity to build a luxury home in this coveted location

Fenced on all boundaries, this acreage is gently undulating with cleared areas that offer an array of choice home sites with the added bonus of mains power and town water already being connected to the land.

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region features a gently undulating block offering an array of choice home sites

Melbourne-side acreages so close to the heart of Ballarat are often sought, but rarely found, so this represents a once-in-a-generational opportunity to secure a substantial acreage in a prime location!

Above: This house for sale Ballarat region is a once-in-a-generational opportunity to secure acreage so close to the heart of Ballarat

Click on the highlighted link for more information on this country house for sale Ballarat region at 1040 Eureka Street, Warrenheip.