Moving to Rural Queensland
By Xander Townsend | Misfit Media Editor
As someone who has lived in the city for my entire life I never thought I would consider moving to a country town. I have grown up with the ability to obtain anything I needed easily within 24hours, accessing any restaurant or cuisine I felt like having at the time, and an unlimited access to problem solving resources. Out here it is very different. If you need something specific for the following week you had better planned days in advance with the understanding that a 2 hour drive may be involved. You also cannot eat out after 9:00pm at the latest which took some time to adjust to.
Charters Towers is a small town 2 hours out of Townsville in Queensland Australia. With around 8-12 thousand residents, the small town has been a hot spot for Australian road trippers especially during COVID-19 and the limitations lockdowns have instilled.
Moving to Charters Towers was something I had never predicted, but now whenever I go back to the city and sit on the Mt Cootha lookout I almost feel overwhelmed. Being in Brisbane now means I am entering a crunch period, with there never being enough time for deadlines and life never taking a second to breath. I find myself appreciating the little things. The fact I cannot hear cars when lying in bed, or that I can very clearly see the stars at night is something only you can get here. When you get used to the comfortability that living rurally can provide, it is hard to understand why I was so attached to the city in the first place.
Accessibility is important, especially to working professionals and I understand that living centrally is a must to many. But as someone with the ability to run their businesses virtually, I have very much apricated the slow paced life rural Queensland has offered me. I don’t need to be around the constant hustle and bustle, people who walk the streets will always greet you and housing is more affordable than ever. You can open a small business or run a little café without requiring the financial courage and risk-taking by comparison.
I think everyone who has lived in the city their entire lives should explore rural Australia. You honestly cannot predict the hidden treasures you may find or how you may enjoy the calmer perspective. As someone who was always concerned with being a small fish in a big pond, I don’t mind being the latter.