8 Best Places To Call Home In New South Wales In 2025
New South Wales is located along the southeast coast of Australia and is home to some of the country's most well-known destinations, including the popular destination of Sydney. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east, it is home to beautiful coastal destinations as well as popular locations further inland. Consequently, there is plenty to see and do in the region if you are hoping to call it home. With a median sale price of AUD $744,000, homes throughout the state can be on the higher side. However, there are plenty of affordable destinations located amidst beautiful natural sites and attractive cultural destinations. As such, any one of the following eight cities would be a wonderful place to call home.
Mudgee
The small town of Mudgee is an ideal place to call home for anyone raising a family who wants an affordable residence. The median sale price of a house is AUD $715,000, and families may want to know that Mudgee is home to several schools, including St. Matthew's Catholic School. Families are also well taken care of through the healthcare services provided at the Mudgee Medical Centre. Residents have a few family-friendly activities nearby. The Ean Griffiths Memorial Showground is open to those who would like to rent either powered or non-powered camping sites, depending on whether they want a more rugged experience or prefer additional comfort. The nearby West End Sporting Complex features football posts and batting cages, offering fun for the whole family on long summer days. Finally, the Mudgee Pool and Water Park combines swimming lanes with water slides, allowing people of all ages to cool off when the sun is out.
Orange
Orange is a great place to live if you want to combine affordable homes with outdoor living. The median home price is AUD $693,000, and the city is tucked between multiple outdoor destinations. The Orange Botanic Gardens offer numerous walking paths that allow you to enjoy the incredible floral scenery. It is also a popular spot for bird watching. Just 10 minutes east of town, Kinross State Forest offers paths for running and mountain biking. On the opposite side of town, Lake Canobolas is a popular destination for outdoor lovers. The lake is open for swimming or canoeing, and walking and cycling trails cross the reserve. For day-to-day concerns, stores are in no short supply. Destinations such as Woolworths Orange provide groceries, while Orange Central Square offers a range of options for those looking for new clothes or seeking medication.
Bathurst
Bathurst is a larger city that remains an affordable place to live, with a median home price of AUD $660,000. There is no shortage of schools, such as Cathedral Catholic Primary School for families with younger children and Charles Sturt University for those with older children. The town also boasts numerous educational and cultural destinations that cater to the education of both young and old. The Bathurst Regional Art Gallery is a popular destination for those who enjoy contemporary art from around the world, photography, or the opportunity to exhibit their own work. Close by, Bathurst District Historical Society displays artefacts from the city's local history. Displays telling the stories of the Aboriginal inhabitants who first called the area home are featured nearby, alongside exhibits depicting the exploration and settlement of the region by surveyors and early pioneers. For an outdoor experience, the Bathurst Peace Garden features Teak seats gifted by India that populate this unique garden, whose brick walls were decorated with designs created by children from the area.
Broken Hill
Broken Hill is a small mining town that benefits from its size, with a median home price of just AUD $200,000. Despite its size, basic needs are easily met in town. Broken Hill Hospital operates five days a week for most medical concerns. For shopping, Westside Plaza offers stores catering to those seeking clothing, banking services, or medication. There is also a diverse number of things to do throughout town. The Broken Hill City Art Gallery showcases a diverse range of art forms, including oil paintings, drawings, mixed media displays, and more. For anyone who wants to tee off, Broken Hill Golf Club sits not far away and features 18 holes of golf. And anyone who wants to escape to the great outdoors can head to Stephen's Creek Reservoir. Residents can head to the shores for a walk along the reservoir before cooking up some barbecue to enjoy at one of the many picnic areas.
Wellington
Wellington is among the best places to call home if cost is your primary consideration, as it boasts a median sale price of just AUD $290,000. Although tiny, Wellington Hospital operates 24 hours a day to tend to residents' medical needs at any time. For parents, schools like Wellington High School help serve the educational needs of children living in the area. It is also worth noting that, despite its small size, Wellington has a wealth of activities to offer. One of the most popular attractions is Lake Burrendong State Park, located just 30 minutes south of town along the Macquarie River and the larger Lake Burrendong. Families have the option of cooking up barbecue while kids enjoy the swimming pool, and nature lovers will find plenty of lookout points to see the area. Closer to home, the Osawano Japanese Gardens are just south of town. Designed to promote peace and tranquility, residents will find spring cherry blossoms, as well as ponds fed by artificial water cascades. Those hoping for a rigorous workout outside will want to try the Mount Arthur Reserve. Winding bushwalk trails traverse a variety of Australian flora for up to four hours of hiking.
Armidale
The mid-sized city of Armidale strikes a balance between a reasonable cost of living and a variety of diverse activities, with a median home price of AUD $540,000. Residents have several healthcare options, including Armidale Hospital, in case urgent care is needed at any time. Families also have numerous educational options for their children, such as Armidale City Public School. There are actually plenty of things to do in town for the whole family, but one popular spot is the Monckton Aquatic Center. Kids and adults can enjoy the swimming lanes, and both picnic areas and refreshments are available on site. Art lovers, on the other hand, will prefer the New England Regional Art Museum. Residents will find exhibits showcasing portraits and paintings, as well as workshops and classes available for anyone who wants to get creative. Of course, nature lovers moving to the area will want to see Armidale Bicentennial Arboretum. Walking tracks wind their way through thousands of both native and imported flora, with water features such as waterfalls and an aquatic garden highlighting the area.
Lithgow
Lithgow is a mid-sized city that balances things to do with good home prices, with a median sale price of AUD $520,000. Families moving to the area will find Lithgow Hospital takes care of residents 24 hours a day, while schools such as Lithgow High School provide for the education of kids. Families also have a very unique option living in the area, with access to the Zig Zag Railway. The railway first opened in 1869 as a part of the Western Railway and operated through the 1900s. Today, the railway has been restored and carries passengers across the gorgeous Blue Mountains, with trips taking from as little as 45 minutes to nearly two hours, depending on the line being traveled. Another family-friendly option is nearby Marrangaroo National Park, where residents can camp along the Cox River or take a bike ride along the trails. Those moving to the area who want to learn more about its history might want to visit Eskbank House Museum, which preserves the history of Lithgow through a collection of artefacts important to the city's settlement.
Bourke
Bourke definitely ranks high among residents for housing affordability, with a median sale price of AUD $323,750. Bourke is an incredibly small town that may still be appealing to those interested in living close to numerous outdoor activities. Nearby Toorale National Park is a popular destination where visitors can camp along the Darling River to enjoy views of the river while bird-watching. The river runs past Bourke itself, and small boats can be launched from nearby Bourke Boat Ramp. This specific ramp is also a lovely lookout spot for those who want to see the paddleboats that ply the waters, while the beaches are popular among water skiers. However, anyone hoping to spend a peaceful day in town can enjoy the river from Rotary Park, a place where locals can quickly get together for time outdoors by shopping at the stores nearby. Speaking of which, despite its small size, shopping is easily done in town. Locations such as SPAR Bourke Supermarket are available for groceries, and Bourke Betta is available for fridges and other electrical appliances. Meanwhile, should the need arise, Bourke District Hospital provides around-the-clock care for residents.
With so much to see and do, New South Wales has more than its fair share of attractive destinations to call home. From riverside camping along the Cox River to a quiet afternoon at the Broken Hill City Art Gallery, New South Wales is bursting with activity. If you are looking for a new place to call home, New South Wales has something to offer everyone, with a range of activities, hotspots, and festivals that make it a popular destination to live.
