Twenty-first century hobby farms are less about livestock and crops and more about lifestyle,
 according to property figures.

They say city slickers and suburban types from the major capitals in Australia looking for a peaceful rural 
retreat are buying small bush properties.

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The typical hobby farm is between one and 20 hectares, within commuting distance of a capital city and with a
 smattering of animals, usually a dog, a cat and maybe some chickens. There may even be a sheep or a horse to keep 
the grass down.

Some folk like to grow their own food in large vegetable patches but most just want a bush haven 
where they and their kids can enjoy a laid-back and secure lifestyle.

Chris Leonard of PRDnationwide Ballarat says people purchasing small rural properties range from
 those who want an affordable house and land offering to those seeking an alternative lifestyle
 sufficiently removed from the rat race.

“They want a secure environment for themselves and their kids because the big cities can sometimes be scary places,’’ says Mr Leonard, who is a specialist in hobby farms.

“They are a mix of alternative lifestylers and Collins Street farmers.”

Mr Leonard says among those purchasing these small properties are people who want to be more self sufficient, “so they plant fruit trees and establish vegetable patches and try to get a home that is more energy efficient and sustainable’’.

“Everyone is different,’’ he says. “Some want tank water. Some want mains water.’’

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The sales agent points out that the mix of those buying hobby farms in the Victorian regional centre of Ballarat includes city workers and locals.

He adds that in most cases they will buy the land and then build a new home on it.

Mr Leonard adds that quick access to the city and services such as shops, schools and hospitals is also important to hobby farm-style buyers.

Properties near regional cities are highly sought
 after because of short travelling distances to major cities by road or rail.

“I think our experience in regards to hobby farms (in Ballarat) would be fairly similar to other country locations along the eastern seaboard except that in some cases they would be a better climate,’’ he says.

Joe Grgic, of Harcourts North Geelong, agrees that hobby farm purchasers are “a mixed bag’’.

“We have a lot of Melbourne buyers coming down here,’’’ Mr Grgic says.

“They are typically in their forties and are doing it because they want to be a little bit out. They want to see their neighbours but not hear them. Yet they still want to be close enough to the conveniences of the city.

“In our case Geelong’s CBD is only a 10-minute drive from many of our properties while on a Sunday Melbourne’s CBD is only 50 minutes away because of the ring road here.”

Mr Grgic says properties in the Geelong region start at $500,000 (for about 1.5ha) and range up to $2,000,000.

“Many want a sheep to keep the grass down, chooks for the eggs and typically they have a dog or a cat.’’

Tips for prospective hobby farm buyers

• Do your market research and contact an estate agent with a lot of experience in the area you are interested in. “They will be able to tell you the area’s grazing capacity, soil types and areas for resale,’’ Mr Leonard says.

• Consider the needs of your family. “It comes back to two things – affordability and family support,’’ Mr Leonard says. “If the buyers have kids they will need family support. They can be fairly isolated in some areas of the country so it’s important to have a family network nearby. Be practical and consider your family’s needs.’’

• Be aware that landscaping changes to the property such as establishing a long driveway could be very costly. Buyers, particularly those on smaller blocks from suburbia, need to remember that changes to a larger land mass can be expensive.

• Be prepared to compromise on your expectations. “People should realise there will never be the perfect hobby farm,’’ Mr Leonard says.