Where are all the bikes and barefoot kids? Probably Jamberoo.

There’s a quiet shift happening among young families in NSW. More and more, people are trading the noise and pressure of city life for something slower, more grounded. They’re looking for space—not just in their homes, but in their days. They want more time outdoors, less time commuting. More community, less congestion and less noise.

And for many, that search is leading to Jamberoo.

This small town in the Illawarra might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about raising a family. But once you take a closer look, it’s hard to unsee what’s on offer here.

A village that offers the best of all worlds

Jamberoo sits in a bit of a sweet spot—both literally and figuratively.

You’re just ten minutes from the beaches and buzz of Kiama. A short drive further and you’re in Wollongong, with its city-scale services and employment options. Head the other way, and in 30 minutes you’ll be up in the Southern Highlands, soaking in cool-climate air, antique stores, wineries, and misty walks.

But Jamberoo itself offers plenty. A local grocer. A public school where kids and teachers thrive. Sports clubs where weekends are filled with cheering on your neighbours. It’s a town that still believes in community—not in a nostalgic way, but in a practical, everyday sense.

It’s the kind of place where the kids can actually ride their bikes to the oval after school, and where you’re likely to run into familiar faces on your walk to get milk.

Green space and growing room

City life doesn’t leave much room for stretching out. But here, outdoor space is the default. Whether it’s a walk in the hills, a kick-around on the local oval, or a hike up into the escarpment, it’s easy to get outside and be active.

And for families, that matters. It’s not just about fresh air—it’s about the kind of habits and memories your kids will carry with them. Being close to nature has a ripple effect: better health, better connection, and better balance.

On that note – Jamberoo is growing with its families

Jamberoo has always been a wonderful place to raise kids—but like any small town, it needs the right kind of support to keep up with what young families need.

One big step in the right direction? A proposal to create a new, flood-free site for the local community preschool. The current preschool building—much loved but regularly affected by flooding—faces an uncertain future when its lease ends in 2028. But there’s now a plan in motion to secure a brand-new location on higher ground.

The Golden Valley development group, Fountaindale Group, have proposed donating a block of land—about 1,500m², complete with established fig trees—to a local community trust for just $1. The idea is simple: give the preschool a permanent home, open the door to grant funding for a new building with more capacity, and ensure the next generation of Jamberoo kids has a safe, inspiring place to start their learning journey.

But that’s not all. The same proposal includes plans for a community garden, extra plantings along Colyers Creek, and new walking paths—all designed to be cared for by local residents and community groups. It’s a vision of growth that feels organic: the kind that strengthens what already exists, rather than replacing it.

It’s a quiet kind of progress—but for young families in particular, it’s exactly the kind that matters.

As Jamberoo gears up to slowly welcome new homes and new neighbours, thoughtful development like this can help ensure the village grows in a way that stays true to its roots: community-minded, family-friendly, and deeply connected to the land it’s built on.

So why are families thinking of making the move?

In our humble opinion, it’s not just about the attention to community and infrastructure development (though that helps). It’s about values.

People want to live in places where they can actually know their neighbours. Where the school pick-up line doesn’t take 40 minutes. Where there’s room for dogs and veggie patches and barefoot afternoons.

Jamberoo offers all of that—but without giving up access to what families still need. There are bigger towns and cities close by, but here, life can feel simpler. More human.

Golden Valley – a community in the making

For families who are feeling the pull toward this kind of lifestyle, Golden Valley offers the perfect solution.

Golden Valley, a thoughtfully planned subdivision on the edge of Jamberoo, is set to release 50 residential lots in the coming months. It’s been designed with families in mind—offering generous land sizes, green spaces, and proximity to everything that makes Jamberoo special.

While the development is still in the final stages of planning, early interest is strong from people who see the value in joining a growing community from the very beginning.

If Jamberoo is already on your radar—or if you’re just starting to think about a different kind of life—it’s worth keeping an eye on what’s taking shape here.

Don’t forget to register your details via our website to receive updates to your inbox when lots go on sale.

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