Local Area Guide: Lochinvar
Hunter Homes Celebrates Triple Win at the HIA Northern NSW Awards
Hunter Homes are ecstatic to announce that in our very first year entering the HIA Northern NSW Awards, we proudly took home three out of four categories we entered on Saturday night. This incredible achievement not only celebrates our design and construction expertise but also reinforces our commitment to building homes that combine quality, liveability, and timeless style.
🏆 Winner: Kitchen of the Year (up to $40,000) – Mooring 259, Port Macquarie
🏆 Winner: Bathroom of the Year (up to $30,000) – Kenneth 276 Ensuite, Port Macquarie
🏆 Winner: Display Home of the Year – Kenneth 276, Port Macquarie
While we didn’t take out the top spot in the Small Commercial Project category for our Colour Studio, we were delighted to be named a finalist—a recognition that highlights our versatility beyond residential builds.
These awards are not just about receiving a trophy. They are a testament to the creativity, dedication, and craftsmanship of the entire Hunter Homes team, from our design studio through to our construction crews and trades.
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is the principal national body representing the Australian residential building industry. Its members range from large volume builders to independent designers, trade contractors, and suppliers.
The HIA Housing Awards are among the most respected industry accolades. They provide builders with the chance to:
-
Showcase their work to peers, industry leaders, and potential clients.
-
Receive recognition for design innovation, quality construction, and customer-focused solutions.
-
Promote themselves as leaders within the building community.
Winners gain not just the prestige of the award, but also valuable media exposure and the chance to set new benchmarks within the housing industry. For us at Hunter Homes, making such a strong debut at the Northern NSW Awards is a milestone that speaks volumes about the calibre of our homes and our people.
Award-Winning Projects
Kitchen of the Year (up to $40,000) – Mooring 259
The Mooring 259, a home that reimagines classic Hamptons styling for Port Macquarie’s coastal lifestyle, claimed the Kitchen of the Year (up to $40,000).
This kitchen is not about extravagance; it’s about thoughtful design, enduring style, and functional excellence.
Key Features:
-
A striking fixed highlight window above the sink bench floods the space with natural light, connecting the kitchen to the outdoors.
-
Shaker-style cabinetry in a neutral palette, paired with deep pot drawers, creates ample storage while keeping the look clean and timeless.
-
Benchtops in Zenith Stone Deluxe White Truffle bring understated elegance and durability.
-
A handcrafted Artisan White Gloss tile splashback adds texture and light reflection, tying the space together with subtle sophistication.
The result is a kitchen that blends beauty with everyday practicality. It works as hard as it looks good—a balance that won over the judges and continues to resonate with families who call the Mooring 259 home.
2025 Kitchen of the Year
MOORING 259
.jpg)
Mooring 259 Kitchen of the Year
Mooring 259 Kitchen of the Year
Mooring 259 Kitchen of the Year
Mooring 259 Kitchen of the Year
Mooring 259 Kitchen of the Year
Mooring 259 Kitchen of the Year
Mooring 259 Kitchen of the Year
Bathroom of the Year (up to $30,000) – Kenneth 276 Ensuite
Bathrooms often reveal the true heart of a design, and the Kenneth 276 ensuite delivers in every way, earning Bathroom of the Year (up to $30,000).
Designed as a private sanctuary, this ensuite is a retreat for homeowners looking to unwind.
Key Features:
-
Twin rainfall showers with individual niches, creating symmetry and luxury.
-
A full-height glass panel that connects the ensuite to a private garden, enhancing the sense of calm and retreat.
-
Floor-to-ceiling wall tiles paired with Kamala Bianco matt floor tiles, offering both texture and durability.
-
A floating Coastal Oak vanity topped with Perla Venata stone and fitted with matte white basins.
-
Arched brass mirrors with integrated LED lighting, perfectly complementing the brushed brass tapware and accessories.
The judges were impressed with the balance of practicality and indulgence, a hallmark of Hunter Homes’ approach to interior spaces.
2025 Bathroom of the Year
KENNETH 276
.jpg)
Kenneth 276 Bathroom of the Year
.jpg)
Kenneth 276 Bathroom of the Year
.jpg)
Kenneth 276 Bathroom of the Year
.jpg)
Kenneth 276 Bathroom of the Year
.jpg)
Kenneth 276 Bathroom of the Year
Kenneth 276 Bathroom of the Year
Display Home of the Year – Kenneth 276
The Kenneth 276 didn’t just stop at producing an award-winning bathroom. This display home itself was crowned Display Home of the Year.
Drawing on Mediterranean influences, the Kenneth 276 is a showpiece of architectural impact blended with relaxed coastal liveability.
Key Features:
-
A façade combining Autoclaved Aerated Concrete, Scyon Stria cladding, and Cordillera Organic Stone, giving the home a sophisticated yet approachable street presence.
-
A curved entry wall that immediately sets a tone of refinement and flow.
-
Soaring raked ceilings and eight skylights that drench interiors in natural light.
-
A full-width alfresco with BBQ kitchen, seamlessly connecting to the butler’s pantry—a dream for entertainers.
-
Interior details such as timber textures, Zellige tiles, Perla Venata stone, and a stacked stone fireplace that create warmth and depth.
-
A statement wine cellar that adds personality and a touch of indulgence.
-
A master suite with direct access to a private patio, giving homeowners a true resort-style retreat.
The Kenneth 276 impressed not only with its striking aesthetic but also with its liveability. It is a home that accommodates families, gatherings, and moments of retreat with equal ease.
Small Commercial Project Finalist – The Colour Studio
While we didn’t take out the win in the Small Commercial Project category, we were incredibly proud to be named a finalist for our Colour Studio.
The Colour Studio is where clients come to bring their dream homes to life. It’s not just a showroom—it’s a creative hub where ideas are shaped, selections are made, and the future look of a family’s home takes form.
Key Features of the Colour Studio:
-
Thoughtfully curated zones that allow clients to explore finishes, fixtures, and colour schemes in a practical, tactile way.
-
An open-plan layout that encourages collaboration between clients and our design team.
-
A display of premium inclusions and materials, ensuring clients can visualise the quality that goes into every Hunter Homes build.
-
A welcoming atmosphere that blends inspiration with functionality, reinforcing our promise to make the building process as clear and enjoyable as possible.
Being recognised in this category underscores that Hunter Homes is not just about building houses—we’re about building experiences, from the first consultation to the final handover.
What These Awards Mean for Hunter Homes
Winning three prestigious HIA awards—and being recognised as a finalist in a fourth—cements Hunter Homes as a leading builder in Northern NSW. It demonstrates:
-
Design excellence: Homes that balance architectural flair with everyday functionality.
-
Construction quality: Attention to detail and craftsmanship across every trade.
-
Customer focus: Spaces that are liveable, welcoming, and tailored to the needs of real families.
-
Industry recognition: Validation from one of Australia’s most respected building associations.
Hunter Homes has purposefully established itself in Port Macquarie to serve the Northern NSW region, with our very first cement pour taking place in May 2024. To already be receiving this level of recognition so soon after beginning to build here highlights the strength of our team, the quality of our homes, and our genuine commitment to the region.
For our clients, these accolades provide assurance that when you build with Hunter Homes, you are building with a team that is recognised, trusted, and committed to delivering excellence.
This first year in the HIA Northern NSW Awards has set a strong foundation for Hunter Homes. We are inspired to continue raising the bar—pushing design boundaries, refining our processes, and delivering homes that reflect the dreams and lifestyles of the people who live in them.
Whether it’s a kitchen designed for family gatherings, a bathroom retreat that doubles as a spa-like escape, or a display home that sets the benchmark for modern living, Hunter Homes will continue to create spaces that are both beautiful and practical.
And with our Colour Studio as the creative heart of the process, we look forward to helping even more families shape their vision into reality.
Awards may be given out on one night, but the work that leads to them is a result of years of dedication, collaboration, and commitment to excellence.
At Hunter Homes, we’re proud to have been recognised in such a significant way, and we see these awards not as the culmination of our efforts, but as motivation to continue building homes that inspire, comfort, and stand the test of time.
