'Everything you need is five minutes away': why more wealthy Sydneysiders are eyeing Burradoo

There’s a love affair of sorts going on between Sydneysiders and the exclusive southern highlands town of Burradoo, with an increasing number of city folk heading south to find their dream weekender or make a tree change.

According to the Di Jones Annual Market Report, close to 60 per cent of Burradoo buyers hail from Sydney and many are committing to a permanent move.

Agent Michael Cawthorn, who recently merged his Knight Bailey office with Di Jones, has first-hand experience. He moved from Freshwater to Burradoo 20 years ago looking for a country experience and hasn’t looked back.

“It ticked all the boxes,” he says. “Everything you need is five minutes away – supermarkets, cafes, the library and the train. It’s 45 minutes to Kiama, and a direct train trip to Central.”

Live and work

Like many of the locals, Cawthorn maintains a Sydney bolthole for catching up with family and friends but loves living on acreage and enjoying a truly seasonal calendar.

“The changing trees are amazing with the colours in autumn, all the blossoms in spring, and in summer we sit under our beautiful willow tree.”

Cawthorn says with the NBN in play, more professionals are putting down roots in Burradoo.

“Why drive all the way to Sydney to sit in front of a computer when you can work from home?” he says.

Burradoo local Jenny Vallance, general manager of a medical college, returns to Sydney two days a week and then works from home.

“It’s so easy, all you need is a laptop and a phone,” she says. “We get all the benefits of living close to the city but we have a wonderful country ambience.”

Vallance moved from Hunters Hill 14 years ago and says she can’t see herself living anywhere else. “It’s one of the most special places in the world,” she says. “It’s the closest we could find to the European lifestyle with the beautiful trees, local farmers’ markets and walks by the river.”

Culture comforts

Vallance is a frequent visitor to Bowral’s Empire Cinema to see the latest films and live screenings from NYC’s Met Opera. And the local food and wine scene continues to turn heads, with plenty of chic cafes, pubs and fine dining locations.

Vallance’s favourites include Home No.9 for a great Thai meal and the restaurant at Bendooley Estate, in nearby Berrima, for a special occasion.

Vallance says the only regret she hears from Burradoo tree-changers is that they didn’t move to the southern highlands sooner.

“I think most people say ‘Why didn’t I do this earlier?’ It offers you the best of both worlds.”

Top home in the area

Set on just over 0.7 hectares a kilometre from Burradoo Station, Birdwood boasts a perfect northerly aspect.

Features include a Cheminees Philippe fireplace, a French-inspired kitchen, claw-foot baths and double-glazing.

It has a $2.795 million price guide and is listed with Michael Cawthorn of Di Jones Real Estate Southern Highlands.