Country Change Expo 2025 – Wagga Wagga

You know what owning a home in Sydney costs. You know what it’s like to sit in traffic for what feels like forever. Now imagine a different life: Wagga Wagga living. Think: backyard barbecues, open skies, real neighbours, schools within minutes, and house prices less than half of what you’d pay in Sydney. The Country Change Expo 2025 is your chance to see it for yourself, meet people who have done it, and map out how you, too, can make the shift.

Video

Feature Town – Wagga Wagga Locals: Katrina & Chris Roe
Video Credit: Country Chnage

Hear from Katrina and Chris Roe on what life in Wagga really looks like after making the move. Spoiler: it’s not just cheaper housing — it’s community, balance, and breathing space.

Location

Transgrid Discovery Hub, 27 Kincaid Street, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Date

13 September 2025
Frequency: Annual
Price: FREE - registration required below
Duration: 1 Day
Website: countrychange.com.au/events-for-visitors

The BioHax Take

This isn’t just an expo; it’s a reality check. For the cost of a shoebox in Newtown, you could own a family home with a backyard in Wagga. For the hours you’re bleeding on Parramatta Road, you could be coaching your kid’s soccer team. The Country Change Expo is where it all clicks: employers, councils, schools, and families who’ve already made the move — lined up to show you what life looks like when you stop paying more for less.

Who It’s For

Families craving affordable space and big backyards
Professionals tired of 90-minute (plus) commutes
First home buyers locked out of Sydney prices
Creatives, remote workers, or anyone who values time, peace & nature over traffic & high rent
Anyone chasing space, sanity and time back in their life

What Features Does Wagga Wagga Offer?

Here’s what you get when you move to Wagga — the real perks beyond cheap housing:

Feature	Why It Matters
Affordable housing – Median ~$650-$700K vs ~$1.5M+ in Sydney	More home, less debt. You can buy a proper house with land.
Short commutes	Many people live close to work or school — no multi-hour drives/traffic jams every day.
Strong education options	Charles Sturt University campus, public & private schools covering all ages.
Excellent healthcare	Major regional hospitals, health services and active base of medical professionals.
Vibrant culture & arts	Wagga Wagga Art Gallery (including the National Art Glass Collection), Museum of the Riverina, regular live music and festivals.
Beautiful natural setting	Murrumbidgee River, river beaches, Wollundry Lagoon, Botanic Gardens, walking & biking trails.
Retail & amenity richness	Shopping centres, specialty stores, cafes, restaurants, strong local retail.
Strong job market	Agriculture, health, education, public services, remote work; plus growing industrial & logistics precincts.
Lifestyle & community	Friendly, connected community; family-friendly amenities; more time outdoors; local events.

Comparison Snapshot: Wagga vs Sydney

Item	Sydney Metro	Wagga Wagga
Median House Price	~ $1.5 million+	~ $650-$700 thousand
Commute Time	~ 90 minutes+ average one-way in many suburbs	Often 5-15 minutes locally
Space	Smaller lot sizes; often apartments or terrace houses	Backyards, gardens, more land for less
Nature Access	Needs planning; parks/green space but fragmented	River lifestyle, trails, gardens, river beaches nearby

What’s On Offer at the Expo

Detailed sessions on housing costs & buying in Wagga
Compare real houses vs rentals vs city spending
Meet local employers, education reps & health providers
Hear from people who moved: parents, creatives, remote workers
Explore lifestyle: culture, outdoors, community life
Resources & support: relocation checklists, financing info, school & childcare data

Video

Izzy Rees – Making the Move to Murray River Council
Video courtesy of Country Change Riverina Murray

Meet Izzy Rees, a Murray River Council local who swapped city grind for regional growth. In this interview, she shares how a move to the Riverina Murray region opened up career opportunities, lifestyle balance, and a stronger sense of community. It’s proof that a “country change” isn’t just about cheaper housing — it’s about unlocking new possibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the house price difference?
In Wagga, median house prices are roughly $650-$700K depending on size/location; in Sydney, similar homes cost $1.5M+.

Is there good healthcare locally?
Yes — major regional hospitals, emergency facilities, health professionals, with plans for growth.

Do I have good schooling choices?
Absolutely — multiple public & private schools, early childhood centres, and the Charles Sturt University campus.

What about arts, food, nightlife?
While quieter than Sydney, Wagga punches above its weight: great galleries, live music, theatres, café culture, festivals.

What's the commute like in Wagga?
Much shorter. Whether you're going to work or school, most things are locally accessible — sometimes just minutes away.

Will I feel “cut off”?
No — transport links are solid, the regional airport connects to major cities; amenities & digital connectivity are good.

Why Move to Wagga?

Because you deserve a life where you own more than you pay, where your evenings aren’t swallowed by traffic, where your weekends feel like weekends, not mini-vacations out of the city. Wagga offers all that — and the bonus of community, nature, and lower stress. It's not just a place you move to — it’s a lifestyle you move towards.