For many living in Australia’s city centres, a change of scenery calls for a move to the suburbs, with a bigger yard for the kids and pets, less noise, and, hopefully, less traffic. For some, however, a much more drastic change is needed, such as relocating to the mountains or the ocean. If you live in Victoria and fancy the former, this means a move to the Alpine Shire. 

With gorgeous towns and attractions like Bright and Mount Beauty, the Alpine Shire provides the kind of country living that feeds your imagination and quenches your thirst for adventure. Think clean air and clear nights, think raw weather and cosy communities, think more space and time. 

If you like the sound of this, read on, as we unpack a little of what to expect from life in the Alpine Shire.

1. A certain kind of independence

This is the first thing you can expect when you move to the Alpine Shire. Compared to city or suburban life, independence in this region requires a front-foot approach. Events and experiences won’t fall in your lap; you’ll have to chase them. Or, at least, move in their direction. To do so requires a reliable vehicle. 

If you’ve lived car-free for years in a big Aussie city, the transition to car ownership may feel like a bit of a culture shock in itself. But rest assured, that owning your own set of wheels is sure to make life in the Alpine Shire a lot easier.

Pro tip: if you’re looking to conserve funds for your move, then consider car finance options to make your car shopping a little more sustainable to do simultaneous to your tree change. With a robust and reliable set of wheels, you can unlock all the best parts of the Alpine Shire. Camping, mountain biking, and kayaking become spontaneous, weekly activities when you have an Alpine-ready vehicle in the driveway.

2. Adventure becomes the norm

If nature feels more fantasy than reality where you live right now, get ready to flip the script. Life in the Alpine Shire isn’t about planning outdoor time around work. In actuality, time in the great outdoors is a golden stitch that’s woven into your daily rhythm. 

Whether it's weekly parkruns along Ovens River where kookaburras cheer you on (or laugh at you, who’s to say), to tackling the Mount Bogong Loop, there are endless possibilities for outdoor enrichment in the Alpine Shire. And the fun isn’t just to be had in summer, when the mountains are warm and dry. Winter here is white, bright, and filled with magical moments. 

The best part? No more weekends away; you’re already there.  

3. The seasons rule

The Alpine Shire’s diverse landscape will demand you engage, embrace, and, ultimately, enjoy the weather year-round; to ensure this happens for the long term, you must accept that the seasons are boss. Yes, they all have their charms, but if you try to do as you please without checking the forecast, they will quickly put you in your place. 

Autumn, like everywhere, is a bath of gold, red, and amber leaves. The same familiarity applies to Spring: picture flowers running wild along walking tracks. Summer is bike rides, extended afternoons by lakes and rivers, and warm evenings that extend even further. Winter is snow season, whether it’s Hotham, Falls Creek, or Mt Buller. 

The key to dancing with these seasons is to let them lead. Learn to do this, and you’re guaranteed to savour the Alpine Shire for years.  

4. Exceptional food and wine

Live in the city, and you never want for quality food and wine. But if you’ve been anywhere in regional Australia, you’ll know the produce is rich, and the producers are passionate. The Alpine Shire is no exception. 

Craft breweries with mountain views, markets that move with the seasons, and more than one cafe with a claim for the region’s best sourdough; all this awaits you in the Alpine Shire, so cleanse your palate and open your mind.

5. The reality of living rural

So far, we’ve mentioned a handful of the wonderful things you can expect upon moving to the Alpine Shire. But the good alone is only half the story. Challenges will face you from the start; the key is understanding them and setting the right expectations.  

Let’s start with convenience. Large hospitals, shopping centres, and anything specialist will no longer be a short drive or tram ride away. The same goes for schools. Speaking of trams, limited public transport exists. This is not to highlight the Alpine Shire’s shortcomings; again, it’s about expectations. 

And while, yes, the communities here welcome new faces, it can take time to find your place among the locals. You’ve moved to a place where wildlife outnumbers human life; that sense of isolation is real, at least in the beginning. So be patient, and your connections with your new community will grow.  

Make the Switch to Shire Living & Reap all the Benefits

Relocating to the Alpine Shire provides the perfect opportunity to reshape your life around what matters most: the great Victorian outdoors. Plus over the course of your move to the Shire, you’ll undoubtedly find ample opportunities to not only connect with your new environment, but also a new, and welcoming community. 

Are you ready to trade routine for adventure, anonymity for belonging, and stress for scenery? Are you ready to live according to the seasons? And we mean the real seasons, not the ‘ten seasons a day’ that you get in Melbourne! 

If you answered ‘yes’ to both of these questions, then no doubt, we’ll see you here soon in the Shire, where no matter what, you wake to mountain views and birdsong.