Dungog
NSW, 2420

Far removed as this charming rural town’s character may be from the urban lifestyle, the geographical separation is much smaller; The town is located only a few dozen miles from the M1 and just a few hours’ drive from Sydney. With a median property price of $440,000 AUD, compared to a much larger figure of $872,000 AUD across New South Wales, Dungog is a charismatic and inexpensive place to live in serenity without the vast swathes of land that usually separate such quiet places from the conveniences provided by more urban areas.

Situated along the Williams River, Dungog is a beautiful country town with a remarkably rich history. First officially designated under its current name in 1838, it was the product of a number of small settlements, the largest of which was originally known as Upper William. The town’s name is derived from the dialect of the Gringai clan, the aboriginal people who historically inhabited the surrounding region. While this language has fallen into disuse and obscurity, it has been speculated that the name translates roughly to ‘clear hills’ – certainly an apt description, as Dungog does indeed sit nestled amongst rolling hills. With a population of just over 2000 people as of 2016, Dungog’s primary industries are dairy and timber.