Hamilton: Where south-west Sydney’s prices meet Newcastle’s charm

Newcastle is famous for a lot of things. Silverchair and Matthew and Andrew Johns among them. Now, the town can add holiday making to the list. Recently, Newcastle was voted as New South Wales’s top tourism destination for 2023 by Business NSW, beating out popular holiday-making destinations, including Byron Bay, Huskisson, and Narooma to the honour.

In the heart of this picturesque regional town that can, at times, feel more like a major metropolis, lies Hamilton. A well-connected suburb, bordered by reliable transport links which facilitate seamless access to the city’s CBD, the Central Coast, and even state capital, Sydney.

Not only is the region’s convenience a determining factor in its position as one of the state’s most sought-after suburbs by both investors and home buyers. Hamilton’s borders are flooded by numerous vibrant bars, restaurants, and cafes, which have also proven themselves as a major selling point to a large portion of prospective and current residents.

Further boosting the region’s appeal is its proximity to several entertainment amenities, including McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle Racecourse, and Newcastle Entertainment Centre.

At the end of June, data from removalist booking platform Muval revealed Newcastle’s population may be on the verge of booming. James Morrell, the company’s chief executive officer, explained “we might be seeing signs that Newcastle is on the cusp of becoming a hot property market.”

According to him, interest in the regional city is up 90 per cent over the first half of 2023 – from January to May – when compared to the equivalent period last year, with residents from the south hunting a slice of the Novocastrian pie.

“It has been a market on the move for several years but of late there has been major interest from Sydneysiders wanting to move in, as well as increased activity from Hobart,” he said.

Despite the market downturn forcing 12 regions in and around Newcastle to relinquish their million-dollar market claim, prospective residents or investors vying to enter the Hamilton market will need to part with around $1.1 million, based on figures included in the FAST 50 report.

Moving forward, the Hamilton Business Association, described as a progressive collaboration that invests in making the neighbourhood feel welcoming and enjoyable for everyone, has set it sights on undertaking several projects, including street beautification, improving safety provisions and business establishments, in an attempt to further boost the region’s appeal to current and prospective residents.

To find out which other New South Wales suburbs made the FAST 50 report, click here.

To read more of SPI’s Fast 50 coverage, click here.