Could Australia Have Its Own Version of Home Town?

I recently discovered the television show Home Town, hosted by husband-and-wife team Ben Napier and Erin Napier. Set in the small town of Laurel, Mississippi, the show follows families as they purchase and renovate older homes, while celebrating the history and character of the community around them.

Warm, inviting colours in a small, cozy home

What struck me most wasn't simply the renovations. It was the idea that restoring homes could also restore pride in a town.

As I watched, I couldn't help wondering whether a similar concept could work here in Australia, particularly in some of the older regional towns across New South Wales.

Looking Beyond the Home Town Renovation

Many renovation programs focus on creating dream homes, often with large budgets and dramatic transformations. Home Town feels a little different. The homes are usually older, sometimes neglected, and often located in towns that have seen better days.

The real story isn't just about paint colours and kitchen benches. It's about breathing life back into a community. And when I think about regional New South Wales, I can immediately picture places where that same approach could make a difference.

The Hidden Potential of Regional NSW

Across New South Wales, there are countless towns filled with character homes, historic buildings, wide streets, established gardens and fascinating local history.

Places such as:

• Maitland

• Goulburn

• Bathurst

• Lithgow

• Tenterfield

• Armidale

• Muswellbrook

• Singleton

Many of these communities contain beautiful older cottages, federation homes, miners' cottages, weatherboard houses and heritage buildings that tell the story of the people who built them.

Some have already experienced revitalisation, while some continue searching for ways to attract new residents, visitors and investment.

I would love to see a television program focused on restoring these homes, showcasing not only the buildings themselves but also the local businesses, tradespeople, artists, cafes and community groups that make these towns unique.

Why It Could Work

Australia has no shortage of renovation shows. What feels less common is a program that places equal importance on the town itself.

Imagine a series where each episode follows a family moving into a regional community. Rather than simply renovating a house, the show would explore:

• The history of the town

• Local businesses and artisans

• Community events

• Regional food and wine

• Heritage preservation

• Sustainable renovations

• Affordable housing opportunities

The renovation would become part of a much larger story.

For many Australians struggling with housing affordability in major cities, regional towns may offer opportunities they have never seriously considered.

A program like this could encourage people to look beyond Sydney, Newcastle or Wollongong and discover places they might otherwise overlook.

The Benefits Go Beyond Television

A successful program could provide genuine economic benefits. When viewers fall in love with a town, they often visit.

Visitors support:

• Cafes

• Accommodation providers

• Local markets

• Tradespeople

• Tourism operators

• Real estate activity

We've seen this happen internationally with towns featured on popular travel and renovation programs.

Could the same happen in regional New South Wales? I suspect it could.

What Would Make an Australian Version Unique?

Rather than copying the American format exactly, an Australian version could embrace what makes our communities different.

Perhaps episodes could feature:

• Historic farmhouses

• Old railway cottages

• Former church buildings

• Country pubs being repurposed

• Heritage shopfronts

• Cottage gardens designed for Australian conditions

• Water-wise landscaping

• Indigenous history and local stories

The result would be something that feels distinctly Australian while still capturing the spirit of community that makes Home Town so appealing.

My Personal Reflection

As someone who enjoys researching homes, gardens, regional living and the possibilities that come with a slower pace of life, I find myself drawn to these stories. I can only dream of having the skills to renovate a home myself.

Regardless, there's something hopeful about seeing an older home given a second chance. Perhaps what appeals to me most is the reminder that not everything valuable needs to be new.

Sometimes the greatest potential already exists. It simply needs someone willing to see it.

Maybe that's true of old houses. Maybe it's true of small towns. And perhaps it's true of people as well.

Namaste

Deb xx

This piece is part of my ongoing reflections at Deb Eternal - a space for thoughtful writing across life, mind, and meaning.

The idea for this article was inspired by watching the renovation series Home Town, where historic homes and the communities around them are lovingly restored. If you've never seen it, it's well worth a look.