More than 600 'lifestyle towns' expected to harness fast broadband to help residents realise the quintessential Australian lifestyle dream.

The Australian Dream as we know it is changing.

A new report by leading demographer Bernard Salt - commissioned by nbn - has found that city folk are gravitating towards the country and the coast, reaping the lifestyle benefits that come with the move.

The Super Connected Lifestyle Locations report reveals that access to fast Internet speeds around the country is expected to allow Aussies to work from home, minimise commute times, and enhance their quality of living. 

A post-broadband-rollout Australia means that the pressure of having to live near densely-populated cities for work will likely ease, opening the option for more and more people to telecommute. 

So something that was once a lifestyle dream is fast becoming the everyday reality for many. This phenomenon is called the "e-change" movement.

An estimated 400,000 Aussies currently work from home and that number is expected to exceed a million over the next decade, as more workplaces embrace the benefits of e-change and allow employees to achieve the work-life balance they desire.

Source: Super Connected Lifestyle Locations report

Whether you’re looking for a sea-change to a beachside suburb, or are in pursuit of greener pastures in the country, more than 600 Australian ‘lifestyle towns’ are expected to harness fast broadband to help residents realise this lifestyle dream.

Situated in most states, these e-change locations are close to capital cities, allowing Aussies to consider their options about where they work and live.

These include:

Armidale, New South Wales

Armidale is a historic town with a rich arts and cultural scene with many fine museums and galleries to explore.

Cairns, Queensland

Known as the gateway to Queensland’s tropical north, Cairns offers the benefits of city living in a laidback location. Locals never need to holiday while surrounded by world’s wonders from the Great Barrier Reef to Daintree Rainforest.

Cairns. Photo: iStock

Cygnet, Tasmania

With a location that boasts of the beautiful D'Entrecasteaux Channel on one side and the majestic Huon River on the other, the township is popular among artists, musicians and those seeking alternative lifestyles. The town includes several craft shops, art studios and galleries.

Howard Springs, Northern Territory

Howard Springs is an outer rural suburb in NT known for its award-winning parks, and is an ideal location for anyone looking to make the ultimate tree-change.

Riverland, South Australia

Set against a stunning landscape, the Riverland region is a popular destination for active water-sport enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers, with a plethora of activities to partake in, from bushwalking to skiing. 

Ballarat. Photo: iStock

Ballarat, Victoria

After the Victorian Gold Rush in the mid 1800s, the Ballarat of today is still a goldmine for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in a heritage town only an hour outside of Melbourne.

Geraldton, Western Australia

Sunny Geraldton is the perfect blend of stunning beaches and summer winds, with the country town feel...perfect for the avid water sports lover.

From Triabunna to Toowoomba, check out the full list of Australia's e-change zones here.

Access to the nbn™ network is scheduled to reach almost one in four Australian homes and businesses by June 2016, with new construction work set to be complete or underway across 1,500 communities and suburbs over the next 12 months.

There are currently around 1.7 million premises around the country which can already connect to the nbn™ network, with every Australian set to have access by 2020.

From education to e-change, take a look at how connectivity will impact Australian lifestyles this year... and beyond in our special blog series.