PHOTO: A powerful new force in real estate hits regional NSW — and it’s driven by a trans-Tasman powerhouse. McGrath Estate Agents
In a major strategic move that highlights the changing landscape of Australasian real estate, McGrath Estate Agents and Knight Frank — now jointly owned by New Zealand’s Bayleys Real Estate — have launched their first dual-branded office in Tamworth, New South Wales.
Located at 266 Peel Street, the new office brings together the residential expertise of McGrath and the global commercial reach of Knight Frank, underpinned by the capital and scale of Bayleys, which acquired a controlling stake in McGrath alongside Knight Frank in June 2024.
📈 This is more than a rebrand — it’s the beginning of a major real estate alliance across Australasia.
Gavin Knee, John McGrath, James Patterson, Jason Wherritt. Photo: Supplied
New Chapter Begins for Burke & Smyth Tamworth
The move sees long-established regional agency Burke & Smyth Real Estate, which has served the Tamworth area for over 50 years, rebranded as McGrath Knight Frank Tamworth.
The office will be led by Gavin Knee as Managing Director and Jason Wherritt as Director and Sales Manager. A team of 20 professionals will now operate under the combined McGrath/Knight Frank umbrella, delivering residential sales, leasing, asset management, commercial services, project marketing and home loans.
Bayleys Real Estate head to Australia via the purchase of 226 McGrath offices
The Power of Three: Bayleys, Knight Frank & McGrath
The Tamworth launch is the first physical expression of the new Bayleys-Knight Frank-McGrath ownership structure — a bold move designed to dominate both sides of the Tasman.
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McGrath: One of Australia’s best-known residential brands.
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Knight Frank: A global commercial real estate leader.
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Bayleys: New Zealand’s largest full-service real estate company, now with influence across Australia.
Together, they offer a hybrid model uniquely positioned to serve both high-value urban markets and fast-growing regional centres.
“This is the first of many dual-branded offices we plan to roll out,” said McGrath CEO John McGrath. “It’s a model designed for scale, synergy, and regional dominance.”
Regional Strength with National Backing
Knight Frank CEO James Patterson said the Tamworth office represents a critical milestone:
“We’re not just expanding geographically — we’re merging deep local knowledge with global strategy. Backed by Bayleys, this is the most powerful new real estate entity in Australasia.”
The McGrath brand will focus on residential services from Tamworth to Gunnedah, while the Knight Frank brand will service wider Northern NSW, including Armidale, Inverell, Moree, Narrabri, and Tenterfield.
Why Tamworth? The Growth Case
With a booming business community, strong infrastructure plans, and population growth projections, Tamworth is primed for a real estate surge.
“The region has incredible potential,” said Gavin Knee. “And now we have the branding and backing to match.”
More Dual-Branded Offices to Come
The Bayleys-Knight Frank-McGrath partnership is already eyeing other regional hubs across New South Wales and Queensland for expansion.
“We believe this new model is the future for regional real estate,” said Knight Frank’s Patterson. “It allows agents and clients to access the best of both worlds — boutique service and global scale.”
🔗 For more information, visit www.mcgrath.com.au or www.knightfrank.com.au