After more than 30 years in Sydney, Steve Ratcliffe knew he wanted to return to country life.

The hotelier had grown up in regional New South Wales and always hoped he would one day find his way back. When an opportunity arose during the COVID period, he began looking at hotels in regional communities.

That search eventually brought him to Barooga.

“I came down here and fell in love with the place… this area here is a beautiful area to live,” says Steve.

Today, Steve is involved with two important hospitality venues in Berrigan Shire: the Barooga Hotel and the Tocumwal Hotel Motel, known as The Palms.

His experience shows what can happen when people recognise the potential of regional towns and invest not only in local businesses, but also in the communities around them.

Finding opportunity in Barooga

Berrigan Shire includes the towns of Barooga, Tocumwal, Finley and Berrigan, each offering its own character and lifestyle.

For Steve, Barooga provided the combination he had been looking for: a welcoming community, a river-town lifestyle and a business with the potential to become something more. And he saw that potential in the Barooga Hotel, which required a substantial renovation when he took it on.

“It needed a major renovation - a brand-new kitchen, brand-new bars, toilets, bottle shop, accommodation, everything’s new. Basically, the only thing left is the shell.”

The hotel was redesigned to make it more practical and appealing, with a new liquor barn, upgraded hospitality areas and deluxe accommodation cabins.

Importantly, the redevelopment also supported other businesses within the region.

“We used all local tradespeople,” Steve says.

That local investment created work for builders, contractors and suppliers while helping renew a venue that serves residents and visitors alike.

More than a place to have a drink

Steve believes a country hotel should play a much broader role than simply serving food and drinks.

“When I grew up in the country, the pubs were the hub,” he says. “That’s where all the tradesmen met. That’s where the sports teams met.”

That philosophy has guided the redevelopment of the Barooga Hotel. Steve wanted to create a place where people could gather, support community causes and feel connected to the town.

“It becomes the meeting point, the focal point of the town,” he says. “It’s where they raise money for charities. We’ve raised a lot of money for charities, and we get involved in everything.”

The renewed hotel has been warmly received by the community, giving Steve confidence to continue investing in the region.

Breathing new life into Tocumwal

Steve and a syndicate also became involved with the Tocumwal Hotel Motel.

The property had fallen into poor condition, but Steve could see both the potential of the venue and the strength of the town around it.

“Tocumwal is a beautiful town, right on the river, and it’s a beautiful community,” he says. “It was just going to rack and ruin, and I don’t like that happening to country towns.”

The team introduced upgraded accommodation, a restaurant, improved food service and a renewed bar, with further work continuing.

The project has been well received locally and demonstrates the opportunities available to people prepared to invest in regional businesses, tourism and hospitality.

Jobs and business opportunities across the shire

Berrigan Shire has a diverse economy supported by agriculture, manufacturing, retail, tourism, hospitality and essential services.

Its fertile land underpins strong farming and food-production industries, creating employment across cropping, livestock, processing, transport, machinery, trades and agricultural services.

The Murray River and the region’s golf courses, events and natural attractions also support accommodation, hospitality and visitor-based businesses.

Steve believes employment opportunities in regional communities are stronger than many people realise.

“There’s plenty of work. Work is everywhere,” he says.

Changing work patterns have also made a country move more achievable for people who can work remotely or operate a business from home.

“As the world’s changing, there’s the opportunity for people who work from home,” Steve says. “If they lived here, they’d have a hell of a better life.”

Berrigan Shire’s location provides connections to surrounding centres and markets, making it suitable for established businesses, new enterprises and people looking to take over an existing operation.

A more achievable place to call home

Housing affordability is another reason people are considering a move to Berrigan Shire.

The median house price across the shire is approximately $410,000, with median weekly rent of around $350. Individual prices and availability vary, but the figures highlight the possibility of securing more space at a lower cost than in many larger cities.

For families, that can mean a larger backyard, greater financial flexibility and more room to plan for the future. It may also mean spending less time commuting and more time together.

“After living in Sydney for 30 years, it’s certainly an easier life,” Steve says. “It doesn’t take you long to get to work.”

Connected without the city pressure

Berrigan Shire offers a country lifestyle while remaining connected to larger regional centres and major cities. Residents can access local hospitals, medical centres, schools, childcare services, shops and community facilities across the shire.

Melbourne is around three hours away by car, while Shepparton and Albury-Wodonga are also within reach. This gives residents access to larger services, airports and employment markets without having to live among metropolitan congestion.

“There’s nowhere as far here,” Steve says. “It’s a much better lifestyle — the river, the lakes and the closeness to everything.”

Life on and around the Murray River

The Murray River is central to life in Barooga and Tocumwal.

Residents can enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, water skiing, riverside walks, camping and time on the region’s river beaches.

The shire is also known for golf, local sport and community events. Barooga and Tocumwal have established sporting clubs and recreation facilities, while Finley and Berrigan offer strong agricultural communities and everyday services.

For Steve, the greatest attraction is the chance to become involved in local life.

“It’s being involved with people and being involved in the community,” he says.

A move the whole family embraced

While Steve was certain about returning to the country, his wife initially needed more convincing.

“When I told my wife I was moving back to the country, she said, ‘You’ll be going on your own… now I can’t get rid of her. She absolutely loves the place, and we should have done it years ago.”

What ultimately made the move feel right was the welcome they received.

“The people. Without a doubt, the people,” Steve says. “The same thing at Tocumwal — beautiful people.”

His advice to anyone considering moving, investing or starting a business in Berrigan Shire is simple.

“Do it sooner rather than later, while there are plenty of opportunities.”