Regional Australia Institute launches new podcast : You Moved Where?!

Net migration from capitals to the regions remains 45 per cent higher than pre-pandemic level*. Capital city Australians continue to be lured to the bush, charmed by the opportunity for more space; more time and more value.

You Moved Where?! is a new podcast, released last week, exploring the seriously diverse stories of eight Australians who have swapped the big smoke for regional Australia. The host is Bec Bignell, acclaimed tv, film and stage producer and herself, once again, a country girl.

“In 2020 I was offered an amazing opportunity on an exciting feature film in my beloved great southern (WA) backyard. I was pregnant with my first child and with border closures and a new kind of ‘COVID mindset’ my husband James, a city boy from Bronte Beach, embraced the change.

“While I didn’t set out for a full circle moment, I quickly found myself sinking back into the things I love about country life - the community, the simplicity, the space, the solitude!” Bec said.

In Episode 1 Home Brew, Bec’s talks to Tamworth-returner Luke Prout. Luke left the country music capital at 18 to explore the brighter lights of Sydney. With a passion for music, surfing and the pub scene – Luke quickly found his niche in the big smoke.

“There was no question of moving home ever. I was going to make it work.”

This found him on the hunt for a hotel to call his very own in Sydney … and then a call came from his Mum, "The Tamworth Hotel is up for sale."

“The minute she said The Tamworth Hotel was up for sale, it was just like I knew…we were going to buy it and that was going to happen. I was going to move home,” Luke said.

*Regional Australia and CBA’s Regional Movers Index: December 2022 Quarterly Update

You Moved Where?! is powered by the Regional Australia Institute’s Move To More digital hub. Move To More connects regionally-curious Australians with their dream regional town or city and the jobs and homes on offer in those locations.