The town of Kendall on NSW’s mid north coast was named after nineteenth century Australian poet Henry Kendall, who was famous for his beautiful nature-inspired verses. With its lush bushland setting and stunning expanse of nearby coastline and beaches, you can certainly see where he found his inspiration.
Along with its many other attractions, Kendall has become an increasingly sought-after destination for retirees and downsizers looking for a scenic, serene and accessible place to call home.
Kendall’s location makes it easy to keep in touch with friends and family in Sydney, Brisbane and along the coast. Travelling by car, you’ll arrive in Sydney in roughly four hours and Brisbane in around six hours, and there are plenty of picturesque stops en route. If driving’s not an option, trains run through the town via Kendall Station and there are direct flights from several major cities to nearby Port Macquarie airport.
In fact, Kendall’s proximity to Port Macquarie is one of its major drawcards. The region is a magnet for an ever greater numbers of Aussies looking to escape from the city and enjoy the best that nature and a great lifestyle have to offer. In online searches for retirement living destinations, Port Macquarie has topped the list for several years running.
The town and its surrounds are packed with restaurants, cafes, galleries and other attractions. Kendall lies to the south on the banks of the Camden Haven River, alongside the villages of North Haven and Laurieton. A bit further inland is Wauchope, an old timber town and access point to vast tracts of thriving rainforests that dot the area
Monterey is a thriving land lease community for over 55’s located in Kendall, and is ticking all the boxes for retirees and downsizers looking to enjoy the best of the area in their retirement years.
Exploring Kendall, the Camden Haven River and beyond
A great way to get a feel for Kendall is on a self-guided Heritage Walk, or shopping and mixing with locals at the Kendall Showground Markets on the first Sunday of each month, where you can buy fresh produce and handicrafts. The annual Camden Haven Show, which is held in October, features equestrian events, woodchopping, community exhibits and carnival rides.
Tennis courts, a community pool, and golf and bowls at nearby Kew Country Club keep locals fit and active, and are great spots for meeting and mingling.
Whatever your preferred method of exploration – walking, wheels or on water – the countryside around Kendall is also host to a treasure trove of experiences.
Hikers, road trippers, and caravan adventurers have vast expanses of lush rainforests and national parks to discover. Being situated on the river, and with the coastline a mere 30-minute drive away, sailers, swimmers and kayakers are also spoiled for choice.
Comboyne Plateau and Coorabakh National Park to the west have beautiful waterfalls and scenic picnic spots and Middle Brother National Park to the south is home to two natural wonders, Bird Tree and Benaroon, which are among the oldest and biggest Blackbutt trees in NSW. A string of beautiful beaches – North Haven Beach, Dunbogan Beach and Pilot Beach are twenty minutes’ drive away. The first two have netted tidal pools and Pilot Beach has calmer waters that are suitable for kids and those who prefer a more relaxed swim.
Finding community and connection at Monterey
As well as offering modern houses designed for comfort and style, the Monterey land lease community at Kendall is a place where everyone feels welcome. Residents become friends with neighbours who share similar interests and support one another like family.
Fifty percent of Monterey's residents have relocated from neighbouring family homes, demonstrating their strong local bonds and confidence in the area as an ideal retirement destination.
The award-winning Clubhouse is the heart of the Monterey estate and has fast become a hub for recreation and socialising. The facilities feature a cinema, craft room, games room, health and wellness amenities, a lounge, gym, library, and consulting rooms. The area opens on to a heated swimming pool, tennis court, and bowling green, and makes the perfect setting for outdoor socialising.
Ian and Teresa begin a new chapter at Monterey
After having had some disappointing experiences searching for a suitable place to retire, Ian and Teresa Campbell were delighted to come across Monterey while searching online for a new home.
“We were originally from Melbourne and knew that we wanted to settle down somewhere on the north coast of NSW. We would often travel around that part of the coast and loved the Port Macquarie area,” Ian says.
Having already sold their house in Melbourne, the couple were hoping to make a quick and hassle-free transition into a new home. They say the process of downsizing to the Monterey community in Kendall went smoothly and without a hitch.
“We felt like we weren’t getting the complete picture at some of the other developments we initially looked at. But when we met the Allam team at Monterey, the process was transparent and pretty much flawless,” Ian adds. “We were given complete details about the timeline and were able to move in as soon as was convenient for us.”
Monterey offers a picturesque and peaceful environment where residents can enjoy a relaxed and maintenance-free way of life, and it’s turned out to be the dream lifestyle that Ian and Teresa were after.
“We’ve used the facilities almost every day since we moved in. They are fantastic and provide the perfect opportunity to meet other community members and stay active and social.” Ian says.
Built on trust: The Allam advantage
Allam is thrilled to have helped the Campbells settle into their new home, and is excited to see the Monterey community becoming such an integral part of the area.
Allam Property Group has provided thousands of homes for Australians over its 30 plus year history, and with this solid track record behind it, Monterey sets a new standard for living in communities designed for over 55’s.
The estate offers a variety of two and three-bedroom homes with spacious layouts, generously-sized bedrooms with en-suites, gourmet kitchens, ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning, and covered alfresco areas. Each home comes with a remote-controlled garage, and there's storage available for caravans and boats.
Monterey residents get all the benefits of living in a land lease community, meaning that they pay no stamp duty, council rates or exit fees. Even better, they retain 100% of capital gains if they choose to sell.
Contact an agent and register your interest today.