SA’s Nuriootpa – An investor hotspot hidden between wineries

The report and ranking combined the insights of a 14-strong investment expert panel and recent housing performance drawn from open-source data, and it aims to give unparalleled insight into the Australian suburbs that are set for future growth.

Joining the region as South Australia’s representatives in the rankings were Mount Gambier, Victor Harbor, and Aldinga Beach, highlighting the state’s growth as a prime hunting ground for investors seeking bargains.

A town dripping in rich history, Nuriootpa has been described as a “foodie’s dream” by the state’s tourism body, while over 150,000 annual visitors to the Barossa Valley wine region ratify the region’s standing as one of Australia’s most desired holiday destinations.

But, Nuriootpa defies the temporary feel that often defines tourist hotspots. The region seamlessly embeds the relaxed, rural lifestyle that so many, young and old, have sought since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with several family-friendly amenities, including excellent schools and a strong community feel, which visitors instantly in the face upon arrival, meaning the suburb’s appeal extends beyond holiday-makers.

An hour north of state capital Adelaide, Nuriootpa seamlessly embeds a relaxed, rural lifestyle that so many have sought since the onset of the pandemic with its picturesque landscapes and vibrant food and wine scene.

At approximately $447,000, the region’s median house price is well below South Australia’s recently reported record median house price of $600,000, meaning Nuriootpa offers investors a cheaper entry point into a market that is increasingly exiting the realm of affordability.

Not only is the region on the lower end of the Australian price spectrum, but it also offers investors gross rental yields of around 4.6 per cent and median rents of $395, while the wider Barossa Valley region’s commercial capacity will ensure the region’s rental market won’t dry out any time soon.

Further ratifying the region’s prosperous future is The Big Project, an initiative undertaken by the Barossa Council that provides a sturdy blueprint of the residential and commercial projects shaping the region’s future over the next 35 years with the primary aim of boosting the offerings, services, and overall appeal of the region through infrastructure upgrades.

Speaking about the Barossa Valley’s promise last year, Arjun Paliwal, founder and head of research at InvestorKit, explained agents were seeing “10-plus applications for rentals within a short period of being on the market”, highlighting the region’s sustained rental appeal.

Mr Paliwal added several infrastructure projects have been crucial in the region’s rise to the forefront of the Australian investor’s mind.

While Nuriootpa’s regional location may increase apprehension among certain investors, recent research from the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) indicates one in five Australians is dreaming of a regional shift.

Liz Ritchie, chief executive officer at the RAI, insisted the nation’s regions are “ready to welcome city folk with open arms”.

“There’s never been a better time to move to more,” she concluded.

To find out which other regions made the Smart Property Investment Fast 2024 report, click here.