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Dec 10, 2021
Setting Off for a Summer Adventure
Sales of caravans and camping gear supplies have been booming as more young families find a fondness and appeal in what has been traditionally known as the ‘grey-nomad’ holiday. With such beautiful and captivating coastlines to take advantage of, and so many rules still in place for any international travel, it’s little wonder this is proving to be a hugely appealing way to spend the summer. While we’re loving getting closer to nature and back to basics, hardcore camping isn’t for everyone. Fortunately, there are plenty of options depending on whether you like to rough it up or prefer a little more luxury. So, let’s explore the options and look at how to best get prepped for your outdoorsy summer getaway. Pitch a tent If the sight of the odd bug and the prospect of using communal bathroom facilities doesn’t make you squirm, pitching your tent in a traditional campsite could be for you. Once you’ve got the essentials sorted (which can take a bit of trial and error and seem a bit daunting at first), you’ll be sorted for years to come. Campers can’t get enough of tent life (which is in fact a lot like a grown-up version of blanket forts and dens), due to the amazing opportunity it provides you to disconnect, drink under starlit skies and wheel out a BBQ dinner night after night. Here are our top 3 resources to get you started: Kathmandu Camping Checklist 11 of Australia’s most beautiful, secluded campsites How to Build a Campfire in 7 Quick and Easy Steps Camping with a touch of luxury or aka Glamping Glamping is the perfect option for those that like the idea of camping, but don’t want to forego the extravagances associated with a hotel-style getaway. There are whole websites dedicated to glamping spots that offer opulent accommodation options under the stars, and you won’t be disappointed. Here’s where you can find the hottest spots on offer. Hook up the caravan Caravans allow you to take more of the comforts of home with you on the road and have the added benefit of providing you with much better protection from the elements (and wildlife) than a tent will. The best thing about a caravan is that you can leave all your gear in it between trips (if you own it) and turn it into your own boutique hotel or mini manor over time. Depending on the size of your caravan, you may need a fairly beefy vehicle to tow it, but smaller more compact caravans are able to be towed using a medium sized sedan, wagon or SUV. We recommend trying before you buy – caravans are available for hire through Caravan for Hire or you could look at hiring one that is permanently stationed at a holiday park. The camper trailer With canvas roofing and sides, these compact trailers pop up to create more space and to welcome the fresh air and views in. While of course these have less space inside than a traditional caravan, they offer more storage than a tent and are much lighter to tow than a caravan – making them the perfect middle ground for many. Jayco Camper Trailers have been around since the mid-70s and have plenty of cool options to accommodate everything from couples through to families. HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR ADVENTURE There’s something about the spontaneity of hitting the road, but a little preparation can make all the difference between a disaster holiday and one to remember – for all the right reasons. Particularly with COVID restrictions still in place across different states. Here’s how to get the most out of your holiday: Step 1. Map it out – if you’re visiting more than one site, ensure that you have everything booked, are aware of the relevant entry fees, and any restrictions that are in place before you hit the road. Remember to let someone back at home know where you’re going to be and when you plan to return. Safety first! Step 2. Get packing – if you’re camping, you’ll need to pack everything including the kitchen sink! Working to a list is a great idea, as you’re less likely to forget essential items, but you can be a little more relaxed if you’re going to have shops nearby or en route. Step 3. Relax and enjoy – give in to the moment and enjoy the star-filled skies, fresh air and sense of space that can only be truly appreciated when you’re closer to nature. Focus on the company of those around you and take the opportunity to really recharge your batteries. If you’re in need of some destination inspiration, our Hit the Road blog has plenty of gems within easy reach of the city and our Winter Staycation blog features some stunning spots that are equally beautiful in summer. Above all, from all of us at First National Real Estate, remember to stay safe, follow local health advice and most importantly, have a relaxing summer holiday filled with adventure! DISCLAIMER The following advice is of a general nature only and intended as a broad guide. The advice should not be regarded as legal, financial or real estate advice. You should make your own inquiries and obtain independent professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances before making any legal, financial or real estate decisions.
Nov 17, 2021
Toowong to West End & St Lucia to West End Green Bridges
The Toowong to West End Green Bridge and the St Lucia to West End Green Bridge will connect more residents to parks, cafes, businesses and public transport, and make it even easier to walk and ride around our city..... Read More
Nov 16, 2021
Inner City Vitality Report 2021
This Inner-City Vitality Report for the Committee for Brisbane presents the 2021 snapshot of the health and vitality of the Brisbane Inner City across ... Read More
Nov 2, 2021
Council Negotiates Land Deal for South Bank 2.0
The vision for South Bank 2.0 is crystallising as negotiations progress for a riverfront industrial site in Brisbane’s inner-city suburb of West End. Speaking at the Property Council of Australia Queensland lunch, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner confirmed the council’s offer had been “well received” and negotiations were progressing for the 7ha site at 137 Montague Road. The site has been slated for the temporary international broadcast centre as part of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. Currently an industrial site for Visy Glass works, the buildings would be demolished, site remediation would be carried out and a power substation built for the temporary 57,000sq m international broadcast centre. “It’s the perfect way to add to what was created at South Bank for Expo ‘88—this is going to be South Bank 2.0,” Schrinner said. “The offer for the Visy Glass factory site has been well received and we are progressing through those negotiations now.” [caption id="attachment_8392311" align="alignnone" width="800"] ▲ A 7ha site on Montague Road at West End is part of plans for Brisbane's 2032 Olympic Games and the extension of South Bank.[/caption] According to the Future Host Commission Report, the land could be compulsorily acquired with fair compensation, and site preparation would require capital investment from the state government. Under the plan, the factories along Montague Road at West End would likely move from their waterfront site over the next five years to make way for the temporary Olympic infrastructure, and ultimately an extension of public parkland. “Everyone wants to get cracking on the Olympic opportunities and there’s a lot of work to be done … we want to measure twice and cut once, it’s neither a sprint nor a marathon,” Schrinner said. Schrinner said the focus was on building the right infrastructure and legacy for the city and south-east Queensland beyond the Games. The International Broadcast Centre would be within walking distance of five Olympic sporting venues and a shuttle bus would operate between the broadcast centre and the media centre at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. It would align with the council's draft Kurilpa Riverfront Renewal Masterplan, which aims to unlock riverfront land in the industrial area of West End. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the council had committed to deliver a new multi-use parkland on the 7ha site. “Negotiations with the owner of the industrial business on the site continue positively,” Schrinner said. “As soon as we can reveal more, we will ... we’re looking forward to sharing our vision for South Bank 2.0 and delivering this lasting legacy for residents and visitors to our great city.” At the heart of Brisbane’s Olympic Games is the $1-billion redevelopment of The Gabba as the main stadium to host the Opening Ceremony and the athletics. The Brisbane Arena will be built near Roma Street Parklands with a capacity of 15,000 people, and will host the swimming and water polo, while Ballymore would be rebuilt to host hockey matches, and a new indoor arena has been slated for Albion.
Oct 8, 2021
Australian Retailers Association- Welcome Back Customers Pack
Retailers across the country affected by lockdowns are looking forward to welcoming back customers when we hit our vaccination targets. The ARA has created a Resource Hub encapsulating a range of informative materials to aid a smooth transition in your retail reopening. Please utilise these resources and share them far and wide, amongst your staff and to your customers, to promote a safe and respectful shopping experience for all.
Oct 7, 2021
Australian housing values rising at the fastest annual pace since June 1989
CoreLogic’s national home value index rose another 1.5% in September, taking Australian housing values 17.6% higher over the first nine months of the year and 20.3% higher over the past 12 months. The annual growth rate is now tracking at the fastest pace since the year ending June 1989. The monthly change in housing values remains positive across every capital city and broad rest of state region, with Hobart (2.3%) and Canberra (2.0%) recording the largest growth, while Darwin (0.1%) and the recently revised Perth index (0.3%) recorded the softest growth conditions across the capitals. Across regional Australia, regional NSW (2.0%), regional Tasmania (1.7%) and Regional Queensland (1.7%) led September’s capital gains. Although growth conditions remain positive, it is becoming increasingly clear the housing market moved past its peak rate of growth in March when nationally dwelling values increased by 2.8%. Since that time, the monthly rate of growth has eased back to 1.5%. CoreLogic’s research director, Tim Lawless, believes the slowing growth conditions are the result of higher barriers to entry for non-home owners along with fewer government incentives to enter the market. “With housing values rising substantially faster than household incomes, raising a deposit has become more challenging for most cohorts of the market, especially first home buyers. Sydney is a prime example where the median house value is now just over $1.3 million. In order to raise a 20% deposit, the typical Sydney house buyer would need around $262,300. Existing home owners looking to upgrade, downsize or move home may be less impacted as they have had the benefit of equity that has accrued as housing values surged. “The slowdown in first home buyers can be seen in the lending data, where the number of owner occupier first home buyer loans has fallen by -20.5% between January and July. Over the same period, the number of first home buyers taking out an investment housing loan has increased, albeit from a low base, by 45%, suggesting more first home buyers are choosing to ‘rent vest’ as a way of getting their foot in the door,” Mr Lawless continued. Despite worsening affordability, house values are still generally rising faster than unit values; a trend that has been evident throughout most of the COVID period to-date, especially across the capital cities. Hobart and Darwin are the only capital cities where this trend has not occurred, with unit values rising 5.4 percentage points and 4.8 percentage points more than house values respectively over the past 12 months.