Discover Amama project. Designed with Andrea Steidl.
Natuzzi Italia Store Newstead
STAGE 2 NOW SELLING
Discover an exclusive collection of waterfront apartments at Marina Point, nestled within a secure, gated community at Hope Island’s most prestigious address.
Marina berths up to 25 metres with bridge-free access to the ocean. Apartments from 139sqm to expansive 319sqm penthouses. Prices from $1,365,000 to $4,035,000.
VISIT THE MARINA POINT SHOWROOM
63 View Line Terrace, Hope Island
Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm
1300 424 127
HIGHLIGHTS
SUBURB SPOTLIGHT
In our new series, we look at the unexpected suburbs that are making waves in the market and outperforming on price growth. This month it’s the beachside suburb of Bilinga
DARE TO DREAM
‘Rivers Bend ’ - this month’s cover property – is without doubt the most luxurious and exciting estate to ever hit the open market on the Gold Coast. Take a look inside and find out what all the fuss is about.
It’s more than a home. It’s a lifestyle.
LIVING CHOICE PARKWOOD
outdoor living in retirement.
Be one of the first to discover luxury retirement living at Living Choice Parkwood, the Gold Coast’s newest retirement village - now selling.
Enjoy the best of every day within the lush leafy surrounds of Living Choice Parkwood. Immerse yourself in unrivalled luxury and picturesque surrounds, perfect for indooroutdoor entertaining.
Superbly located within the cosmopolitan ‘The Club’ at Parkwood Village precinct, over-looking a championship golf course and offering extensive leisure, entertainment and wellness facilities, minutes from your front door.
Be spoilt for choice with a wide range of contemporary one- to four-bedroom premium apartment designs, all featuring generous balconies and scenic views. Whether you’re looking for an ultra-luxurious penthouse or a modern one-bedroom
apartment, there’s something to suit every retiree. Each apartment is beautifully appointed, with high-quality timber-look flooring, generous light-filled living areas, premium European appliances, and environmentally friendly features—including excellent ventilation, LED lighting, and more.
At Living Choice Parkwood we offer a worldclass resident Leisure & Wellness Centre. Enjoy a friendly game on the bowling green, swim laps in a heated indoor magnesium pool, or relax and unwind with new friends in the resident bar, lounge and outdoor areas.
Now is the time to embrace the opportunity to be part of a fun, active and connected community.
72 - 76 A Fijian Escape Lomani Island Resort & Spa
78 - 80 Time to Unwind Hunter Valley experience
82 Hidden Haven Elysian Retreat
84 - 85 Short Breaks
86 - 87 The Traveller Lisa Pile
PROPERTY PORTFOLIO
88 - 89 Value Added Interest rate cuts
90 - 91 Waterfront Living Marina Point Apartments
92 - 93 New Horizon Premium waterfront sanctuary
LUXURY LIVING
106 - 107 Community Connection Living Choice Parkwood
108 - 109 Paradise Perfection Bespoke luxury in Calypso Bay
110 - 111 Home Style File Keep it Cosy
ENTERTAINMENT
112 - 115 See & Be Seen Stage 2 Launch Style Event Show Spectacular
The Murakami Retrospective
116 - 117 Event Calendar
118 - 119 Test Your Knowledge 120 Stars
Editor's LETTER
IS IT JUST ME or has the weather been particularly frosty this winter?
The cooler days and nights have led to many of us spending more time indoors and perhaps realising that our homes could do with a bit of revamp.
With this in mind, we have included a dedicated Décor & Design feature in this edition.
From stunning sofas and elegant homewares to interior design services and styling solutions, these pages are packed full of options to add a little more warmth and comfort to your life.
For those ready to brave the cold, we have some great ideas to get you out and about as well.
Firstly, we preview the 2025 Brisbane Fashion Festival taking place in August.
This iconic event is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and promises to be bigger and better than ever.
We also highly recommend sampling the delicious Italian cuisine offered by the Gemelli Group of restaurants on the Gold Coast.
In our new dedicated Travel section, we head to the Hunter Valley where a delightful immersive experience awaits and also check in with the team at the tranquil Elysian Retreat in The Whitsundays.
Of course, if you really want to avoid the cold you can always fly to Fiji as Angela did and enjoy a rejuvenating stay at Lomani Island Resort & Spa.
Our feature interview in this edition is with tennis legend Rafael Nadal.
In a revealing Q&A, he chats about his fabulous career, addresses his injury battles and reveals new plans for the future.
Finally, for the ultimate at-home upgrade, Relax for Life have provided us with a Furiiryoki JP4100 Executive Edition leather massage chair (valued at $19,100) to give away so be sure to get your competition entry in.
Good luck.
PUBLISHER | Clare E. Urwin | Sanctuary Cove Publishing
GROUP EDITOR | Rhonda Oxnam
GENERAL MANAGER | Bryan Oram
GROUP SALES MANAGER | Nathan Lister
ACCOUNTS MANAGER | Kirsty Carberry
MOTORING CONTRIBUTOR | Chris Nixon
FOOD & WINE CONTRIBUTORS | Tony Harper, Marj Osborne
PHOTOGRAPHY | Bryan Oram, Annie Noon
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS | Nick Nichols, Jason Murakami, Angela Oram
DESIGN | Creative Buzz
SOCIAL MEDIA | DocRox Communication
COVER
Lily Rendall from Vivien’s Model Management wears Red Rebecca Vallance dress from Miss Henry with Millyzu cream floral dress
Hair & Make-up: Issada Cosmeceuticals and Schwarzkopf Professional
Styling: Kimberly Gardner
Photography: Richard Smith
Location: Government House, Brisbane
DISTRIBUTION
Home Delivery – Northern Gold Coast
Sanctuary Cove – gated community
Hope Island – gated community
Hope Island – surrounding areas
Sovereign Islands
Home Delivery – Southern Gold Coast
Paradise Waters Isle of Capri Cronin Island Sorrento Monaco St Hedges & Albatross Ave
Digital Edition Flyer – QR code invitation
Ashmore – Rudd St & surrounding areas
Southport riverfront
Broadbeach Waters
Mermaid Beach Waters
Clear Island Waters
Reedy Creek – Jabiru gated community
Palm Beach Waters
Currumbin Waters
Tugun beachfront
Cove magazine is published and owned by Sanctuary Cove Publishing P.O. Box 252 Sanctuary Cove, Qld, Australia 4212 0421 914 444 | sales@covemagazine.com.au
Join in the conversation on Twitter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news from the Cove magazine.
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Prepare to be captivated as Calleija is set to unveil its newest boutique at Paci c Fair. Discover world-renowned bespoke jewellery artistry in the vibrant heart of the Gold Coast. We can’t wait to welcome you to this extraordinary new chapter of elegance, craftsmanship, and timeless beauty. calleija.com | @calleijajewells
UpFRONT
Taste the seasons
Located in Central Otago, New Zealand, just a short drive from Queenstown, Amisfield has always been a place of connection –between land and table, wine and conversation, flavour and memory. Now, that experience has been recognised on the world stage with Amisfield named #3 in Food & Wine’s ‘Top 15 International Restaurants’. The winery and restaurant are housed in an imposing stone and wood A-frame structure amid lush vineyards, and feature an ever-changing menu that showcases the region's fresh, seasonal ingredients. amisfield.co.nz
Wonderstruck
Visitors of all ages will find wonder and awe in the everyday with a major free exhibition at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art. Wonderstruck is a journey through spectacular large-scale installations, captivating small treasures and immersive experiences that reveal how wonder abounds in many things. Presented across six chapters, the exhibition will include more than 100 works by international and Australian artists including Ah Xian, Nick Cave, Gordon Hookey, Madeleine Kelly and Rosemary Laing. Wonderstruck runs until 6 October 2025. qagoma.qld.gov.au
Travellers’ Choice
Emporium Hotel South Bank has reaffirmed its position as one of Australia’s premier luxury destinations, taking out second place in the 2025 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Luxury Hotels in Australia category. Located within easy reach of the South Bank Cultural Precinct and the CBD, the 143-suite boutique hotel is equally suited to indulgent weekend getaways, business travel, or extended leisure stays, further cementing its appeal among both domestic and international travellers. emporiumhotels.com.au
Investigative excellence
Award-winning Australian true crime podcaster, investigative journalist and author Hedley Thomas was a special guest at the launch of The Murakami Retrospective 2000-2025 held at the Behlau Murakami Grant ArtSpace. Starting his career as a copyboy on the Gold Coast Bulletin in 1984. Hedley’s investigations since 2017 have attempted to solve cold case murders of Australian women, with his podcasts achieving more than 100 million downloads. hedleythomas.com
This July, Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic returns with its Cocktails for a Cause campaign, inviting Australians to drink mindfully, and raise vital funds for the Dry July Foundation. Lyre’s will donate $1 from every Lyre’s cocktail sold in-venue and $1 from every bottle or 4-pack sold in retail throughout July in support of those affected by cancer. Participating venues, including Spicers Retreats in Queensland, will feature bespoke Lyre’s creations that rival their alcoholic counterparts. lyres.com/en-au
A story of valor
19 July
Noosa Concours d’ Elegance
This signature luxury lifestyle event will see Noosa’s famed Hastings Street closed to all traffic to accommodate the spectacular display of 50 rare and classic cars featuring some of the world’s most iconic marques including Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren and more. Alongside the car display, there is an incredible extended program of lifestyle events for all ages to enjoy. noosaconcours.com.au
Explorer’s essential
Originally released in 1962, a new edition of Rado’s Captain Cook Overpole enters the collection in 2025. Again limited to just 1962 units, this stunning gold version retains all the previous favourite features, housed inside a bolder, larger 39-mm case. RRP $4,700 rado.com
Former Gold Coast Bulletin art director, Ian Anderson, has published a book on his war hero uncle, Neville 'Jack' Anderson DFC. The Graduate of Stalag Luft 1 is a poignant narrative that chronicles the life of a man whose resilience, passion and determination shaped not only his own journey but also a broader story of courage and triumph. Drawing from the annals of the famed 460 Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force, this biography delves into Jack’s personal struggles and victories, offering a glimpse into the harrowing experiences of those who served during World War II. boatingandmarineapparel.com.au
18 August International Pinot Noir Day
From seasoned sommeliers to casual sippers, red wine enthusiasts will raising a glass to one of the world’s most beloved varietals on International Pinot Noir Day. Across the Tasman, New Zealand Winegrowers are embracing the occasion in full force with Pinot Noir firmly establishing itself as the country’s leading red wine export and the second largest export overall. nzwine.com
Mountain magic
Congratulations to Anna Waltisbuhl who is the winner of our competition in Issue 107. She will enjoy a weekend stay for two people at The Manor on Mount Tamborine, a charming 140-year-old retreat offering elegant accommodations and stunning views of the hinterland. themountainmanor.com.au
Land of the Rising Sun
With balmy weather, endless festivals and fabulous night-time fireworks, more Australians are choosing to travel to Japan during their summer. Whether your idea of a holiday is relaxing on pristine beaches (try Okinawa, Ishigaki or Miyako Island), hiking through spectacular forests (hello Hokkaido), enjoying high-octane water sports (head to Iya Valley) or taking part in lively cultural festivals, there’s a destination to suit your needs. Why not join the fun and discover a closer connection to the wonderful Japanese culture.
For more information and bookings contact Cove Travel. covetravel.com.au
Holistic health
Southport Doctors provide a wide range of allied health services designed to support your overall wellbeing. From dietetics and physiotherapy to podiatry, psychology, and on-site pathology, their experienced team delivers holistic, patient-centred care tailored to every member of your family. All services are offered at a state-of-the-art clinic located at 62 Davenport Street, Southport. southportdoctors.com. au/allied-health
Local support
A place where grassroots women leaders gather to refresh body, mind and spirit, Manasprings is a charity founded in Kenya by Australian Carey Westwood and Kenyan Wanjiru Waithaka. Manasprings also encourages schools, education and personal and professional growth for women and children. The charity leaders are currently on a fund-raising mission, hoping to purchase a new 10-acre plot, and are encouraging Australians to become a ‘Manarafiki’. A regular monthly $50 contribution makes so much difference to strengthen these communities. manasprings.org
The heart of Greece, off the beaten path.
When you tour Greece with Tauck, you’ll have exclusive access to the best-kept secrets of this stunning country. Our curated itineraries let you explore Greek cities, mountain villages, and beachside resorts like an insider. Here are just a few of the wonders you’ll experience:
• Secluded sanctuaries that once sheltered the gods
• Under-the-radar destinations
• Awe-inspiring open-air museums and bucolic olive oil farms
Executive homes deserve an executive massage chair
Elevate your home into a sanctuary of unparalleled wellness and sophistication with the Furiiryoki JP4100 Executive Edition – Australia's only 100% Leather Massage Chair.
Made In Japan, the JP 4100 represents a new benchmark, where seven decades of pioneering excellence meets the discerning touch of true luxury, transforming your daily routine into a profound journey of rejuvenation.
Relax for Life are the exclusive supplier of Furiiryoki massage chairs in Australia. relaxforlife.com.au
PRIZE INCLUDES:
• One Furiiryoki JP4100 Executive Edition Massage Chair valued at $19,100
• Free delivery (Gold Coast area only)
New2&3BedApartments
Award-Winning Waterfront Retirement Living in Hope Island
“I would personally recommend anyone considering retirement living to take a close look at the lifestyle on offer at Reside’s Communities.”
Kay McGrath Award-Winning Journalist & Reside Communities Ambassador
Book an appointment to discuss which option best suits you!
Time TO PLAY
Former world No 1 and winner of 22 Grand Slam singles titles, Rafael Nadal is enjoying life away from the spotlight of professional tennis.
RAFAEL NADAL, 14-TIME WINNER OF ROLAND GARROS, took time out ahead of the 2025 French Open to reflect on his career, tennis and his new life today.
In the months following his retirement from the sport, life for the man with 22 Grand Slams has changed radically.
The Majorcan hasn't picked up a tennis racket since, but he's living life very well … with serenity and without nostalgia, aware that his body could give no more.
Six months on from retirement, how do you feel?
Good. Not about being on a tennis court, but about having a normal life.
I'm happy not to have too many aches and pains, which is very important for me.
Some days, with the little boy [Rafael Junior, 2 and a half], I sleep a little less, but that's part of life.
What role has tennis played in your life since retirement?
Physically, none, as I haven't played tennis again.
But it obviously has a real impact on my life.
I have an academy, which is something I'm passionate about.
And then, I always follow the circuit a bit.
I watch bits of matches when a game appeals to me, but not many full matches.
You haven't even picked up a racket to hit a few balls with friends, just for fun?
No. I've been on court a few times here, with the guys from the academy, but without playing, just to watch and say a few things.
Don't you miss it?
No. I don't miss playing tennis, because I think I ended my career knowing that there wasn't much left for me to do.
My physique reached a point where I couldn't do any more.
In the 40 days or so following my retirement, I would have liked to continue playing, because I was still capable of doing so in terms of my game.
But my foot was very bad. I could hardly walk.
I was very careful, and today I have very little pain in my body in general.
How have you lived these last six months? With serenity, relief or nostalgia?
Serenity, yes, but not nostalgia.
It's a radical change in my life.
People think it's the end of a 20-year professional career, but in fact, I've been training like a professional since I was 8 years old.
That's practically 30 years doing one thing or devoting a large part of my life to one thing.
Maybe the last year of tennis was too much.
Because my body didn't really allow me to compete at the level I loved but I couldn't know that.
When I had hip surgery [in June 2023] and was given the certainty that my body could work well again, I had to seize the opportunity because I loved what I was doing and didn't feel I'd lost my level.
So I knew I would take the decision to retire with the total conviction that I had done everything I could to keep going.
Today, I'm at peace with that. I've had a good few months. >>
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I had the intuition that it wouldn't be a very complicated situation for me, because I have a lot of things and projects in my life that make me happy.
I'm enjoying this new phase, learning lots of new things and enjoying my family.
What is now a normal day in the life of Rafa Nadal?
There are no normal days, to tell the truth. Before, I had a very marked routine. Today, I still don't have that routine.
I'm here with you now.
Two days before, I was in Madrid.
Tomorrow, I have work meetings here in the morning ... I think I'm still in a phase of organising my life, discovering what I like and what really makes me happy.
What was your first feeling when Spain lost the doubles to the Netherlands in the Davis Cup on November 19, 2024 and everything came to an end for you?
There was the sadness of defeat and it wasn't the ideal time to say goodbye either, at 1am.
But the first feeling was sadness at being eliminated.
Afterwards, personally, I took it calmly.
It was something that could happen.
I'd totally accepted and assumed it so it wasn't a particularly difficult time.
The whole transition period, deciding what to do and what not to do, was much more complicated.
Did your body or your head say stop first?
Life shows you the way.
Tennis-wise, I was feeling good.
In my head, I was fine, I had the right intentions. I wanted to fight and I made the effort to try.
Behind my hip operation, I could no longer run freely, I couldn't hit my backhand hard in the open position. That's the body.
Every time I had to make a sudden movement, my leg wouldn't let me.
So you keep going, to see if it will resolve, because they tell you there's a chance it will resolve and you'll be able to play at 100 per cent again.
I gave myself that margin. But as the months go by, I realise that evolution isn't happening.
So it doesn't make sense to continue playing without the objective of fighting for what really makes me happy.
When I feel that this period is really over, that this last test, this margin I'm giving my body to recover, isn't having the expected results, it's time to say stop.
Do you regret the last two seasons on the circuit? Shouldn't you have stopped after your 14th title at Roland Garros in 2022?
Why should I have stopped at Roland Garros 2022? I don't see the point. Because I've won the French Open, I'm supposed to retire?
In 2022, I win Australia, I win Acapulco, I win Roland Garros.
I cracked a rib at Indian Wells [losing in the final to Taylor Fritz] and tore my abdomen at Wimbledon [forfeiting the semi-finals].
If that hadn't happened, I think I'd have been ready to win Wimbledon.
It's always the same thing ... to start speculating if I had withdrawn. If you ask me today, yes, I would have retired after Roland Garros.
But in 2022, how could I have retired if I was at a great sporting moment, happy to be playing tennis?
I had a very complicated situation with my foot at Roland-Garros, but it got better afterwards.
But then a lot of things happened: the abdominal tear at Wimbledon, then again at the US Open, and the hip in Australia in 2023.
If I'd known it was going to turn out this way, I'd definitely have retired [he smiles] but I didn't know.
In 2022, I'm fighting to be number one in the world, I've won the first two Grand Slams of the season and almost the third. Why would I retire?
From your first victory on the circuit, at the age of 15 to that last match in the Davis Cup, what are you most proud of?
From a sporting point of view, what I'm most proud of is having had the ability to improve throughout my career and to have retained, I think, the enthusiasm, passion and determination for tennis throughout my life.
This is undoubtedly what has enabled me to achieve this career, despite all the physical problems.
I've had a much longer and richer career than I could ever have imagined.
What I'm most proud of, in the end, is my longevity and my ability to take on and accept difficulties throughout my career.
On a personal level, I'd say I've always maintained a consistent attitude in the face of a life made up of many extremes.
Sport can bring you success, praise and critical moments too.
But I've never lost sight of who I am and where I come from.
I've always managed to keep my team, my family, my vital centre in the same place.
My real life has never changed much. And that's given me stability.
How do you nurture sporting ambition over the years?
Motivation is something you have to feel deep down inside.
I mean, you can be a bit educated on the subject, but then you have to feel that passion and personal drive.
And also a sense of responsibility.
I'm a professional tennis player, and I've been very lucky to be able to devote my whole life to it so I have a personal responsibility to do things in the best possible way. >>
BEHLAU MURAKAMI GRANT
Ron Behlau
Adjunct Professor of Law Director of Criminal Defence, Corporate Regulation & Pro Bono Division.
Jason
Adjunct Professor
Shane
Beyond the motivation, there's this feeling of responsibility.
I also think it's been helped by a very positive environment.
I had a family who brought me up in the right way.
An environment that helped me to become a stable, normal person, despite my success.
You've endured a lot of injuries. Paradoxically, do you think this may have helped to fuel your motivation and desire to get back to your best every time?
I don't want to say that this was the case.
Generally speaking, injuries demotivate people more than they motivate them.
When you live with problems, limitations and pain all the time, it ends up demotivating you.
But in my case, more than helping me stay motivated, they've helped me appreciate all the good things that have happened to me.
When, in 2005, you think your career may be over, you take everything that comes after as a gift.
In a way, these injuries make all the good things that happen that much more valuable.
I've always had one thing in mind: every time I won a major tournament, I always told myself that I didn't know if it would be my last.
This doubt and uncertainty that I lived with led me to always be on the alert, wanting to make the most of the good times.
Do you feel you've sacrificed 20 years of your life for tennis?
No, not at all.
I've been very happy playing tennis, but I've been happy in other ways off the court too.
I've worked hard on a tennis court or in the gym, but my life has always been worth much more than tennis. So I haven't lost myself.
A childhood for tennis? Certainly not. I often went out with my friends.
Of course, it wasn't every Friday and Saturday, because in the end, if you want to stay in this life, it's always a question of priorities.
But I've never been a tennis slave or a tennis obsessive.
I lived my career normally, putting in a lot of effort every time I was on court.
But I've had plenty of time in my life to enjoy my family, my friends, partying, the sea and other sports. I don't feel I've sacrificed anything.
I did what I felt I had to do, what I wanted to do, and I've been lucky enough to have a life beyond tennis.
You're going to be honoured at Roland-Garros on Sunday. What does this tournament, this place where you've won 14 times, represent? It's obviously a very important part of my career.
I can't say all of it, because you can't reduce a 20-year career to a single tournament but it's the place where I've experienced the most emotions.
It's always been my priority tournament.
The nervousness I felt before playing Roland Garros every year, I haven't felt in any other tournament.
Just like the sense of responsibility I felt every time I arrived here, I haven't felt it in any other tournament either.
Why is that?
Because this is the place that means the most to you, the place where you care most about what happens next.
It's that extra adrenalin you don't get anywhere else.
Roland-Garros is the most important place in my sporting life.
My history with Roland-Garros has built up over the years.
It's reached figures that are hard to imagine.
I'm not someone who thinks a lot about what I've achieved but when you look at the results and the figures, you know it's something special.
Are you looking forward to this tribute or, on the other hand, does the exercise make you a little uncomfortable?
It makes me uncomfortable because I'm not very good at this kind of thing.
I don't really like tributes. I'm not a person who needs that sort of thing. I really don't.
I'm not someone with a big ego.
I live well with a bit of anonymity, a bit of tranquillity.
I understand this moment at Roland-Garros because it's a story we've lived together.
But as I said, I don't feel very comfortable at the centre of attention.
When I played tennis, yes, but apart from that, the tributes give me a bit of a headache.
I'm obviously very grateful and happy to be living this moment, to be able to say goodbye to all the people who have supported me, to be able to thank them for everything they've given me throughout my career, especially the last few years.
I've felt appreciated and loved in Paris, in France in general, and that's something unforgettable.
So it's a nice moment to say goodbye, and I kind of wanted to do no other tribute elsewhere, to give priority to Roland-Garros.
Are you aware that you've achieved something here that will probably never be seen again on the circuit?
I don't know. It'll be difficult, that's for sure but if I've done it, why shouldn't another player do it in the future?
I consider myself to be more or less normal. It's difficult, because it's a lot of years and you need a lot of favourable circumstances.
This was the case for me and I took advantage of it.
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Blancpain
Limited edition
Fifty Fathoms Automatique in brushed titanium featuring mother-of-pearl dial and a white fabric strap with two-tone pink stripe. RRP $28,200 blancpain.com
Feeling FROSTY
Fun, fresh and fabulously feminine, pastel pink accessories are the perfect addition to your winter wardrobe.
Louis Vuitton
LV Jewel Square sunglasses with delicately faceted hand-polished lenses and gold-tone metal temples. RRP $1,130 au.louisvuitton.com
Calleija
Adasha Rose Australian Argyle Pink Diamond™ and White Diamond Ring. RRP $15,480 calleija.com
Hugo Boss
Slimline 2.5cm Hugo Womenswear belt crafted in grained Italian leather with logo keeper. RRP $139 hugoboss.com/au
Hermès
Buttoned cardigan in mesh silk knit with ‘En Desordre a Fleurs’ motif. Made in Italy. RRP $5,550 hermes.com/au
Christian Dior
Small ‘Lady Dior My ABCDior’ bag in two-tone Cannage lambskin. RRP $10,000 dior.com
Isabella Anselmi
Bertie Western Boot in Smokey Pink leather with a leather top-stitched rand and stretch leg. RRP $309.90 merchant1948.com.au
Exploding Brilliance
Diamonds set in Platinum & 18ct yellow gold
Blundstone
HUGO BOSS
Grained leather holdall with adjustable, detachable shoulder strap and removable logo keyholder. RRP $1,099 hugoboss.com/au
The #2428 Originals boots in brown water-resistant leather with a lace-up design and padded collar. RRP $289.95 blundstone.com.au
ooGee Australia
Simpson Adventurer fedora handcrafted from premium Australian wool felt, available in three classic shades. RRP $125 oogee.com.au
Burberry
Reversible Check B Buckle belt switches from the Burberry Check to grainy calf leather with an embossed logo. RRP $830 au.burberry.com
Embrace THE COLD
Warm up with a cool selection of winter accessories.
Gucci
Navigator-frame sunglasses with gold-toned metal frame and contrasting tortoiseshell temples. RRP $675 gucci.com/au
Hermès Olympe ring in Madame calfskin and metal with a discreet ‘H’ in its centre. RRP $560 (small model) hermes.com/au
Breguet
New release Type XX Chronographe timepiece with black dial and strap. RRP $66,500 breguet.com
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IN THE CITY
WITH A LINE-UP of the best local and national design talent and a series of exciting new events to celebrate its 20th anniversary, Brisbane Fashion Festival returns to King George Square from Sunday 24 – Friday 29 August.
With the support of Principal Partner, Brisbane Economic Development Agency, this year’s program features a thrilling line-up of more than 50 designers – from the hottest labels in Australian fashion, to Queensland favourites and the brightest emerging design talent – presenting a total of 550 unique, inspiring, and must-have looks for the new Spring/Summer season.
“In celebration of our 20th Anniversary, we are proud to unveil our program for Brisbane Fashion Festival 2025, with a strong line-up of designers and retailers that will no doubt inspire fashion fans to choose local,” said Festival Director Lindsay Bennett.
“Since our beginnings back in 2006 the festival has showcased more than 600 designers and continues to provide a crucial platform to connect local designers and fashion retailers with an audience of potential customers.
“Our event showcases new-season collections as they land in-stores and online, so inspired audiences can shop the runway and choose local for their new wardrobe must-haves.
“Each year tickets across all events sell-out immediately and I’m certain with what we have planned to celebrate our 20th anniversary, that demand will be at an all-time high,” Lindsay said.
“We will once again bring fashion fans Live Streams of every runway show; allowing them to relive the show, catch all the fashion action from the shows they missed, and even tune in from interstate and overseas.”
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the event had become a cornerstone of Brisbane’s cultural identity and a powerful showcase for Australian fashion.
“For 20 years, this festival has brought the best of Australian fashion to Brisbane, and this year’s anniversary promises one of the best shows yet, creating so much to see and do.
“Importantly, one dollar from every ticket sold will go straight to the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust to help frontline charities support some of Brisbane’s most vulnerable residents,” he said.
To open this year’s runway program, a Resort Show will take place on the brand-new Kangaroo Point Bridge on Sunday 24 August at 10.30am.
From its commanding location, the parade will feature resort collections from labels including Pamela Easton, Camargue, Samantha Ogilvie, Kristian Williams The Brand, Astille, RicRac Road, M.J. Bale, Mitchell Ogilvie and Camilla along with Australian designer brands from QueensPlaza.
The Brisbane Fashion Festival Group Show program at King George Square commences on Tuesday night, 26 August, with the W BRISBANE Fashion Show.
Labels include Gail Sorronda, Camargue, Perri Cutten, Samantha Ogilvie, Silk Laundry, Gary Bigeni, Miss Henry, Pamela Easton, Mimco, Edward Street BrisbaneMitchell Ogilvie, M.J. Bale, Montblanc, WintergardenPeter Jackson, Seed, QueensPlaza - David Jones, Sacha Drake, Camilla and Rebecca Vallance.
The Hancock Prospecting Next Gen Group Show returns on Wednesday 27 August, and will open with a fashion design competition with finalists from TAFE Queensland Brisbane, QUT Fashion and Whitehouse Institute of Design, to re-imagine the classic Driza-Bone trench.
Immediately following will see new-season designs from Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, Millyzu, Mary Morag, House of Aya, Days of Grace, Lucy Banney, Berniece Andrews, Clarity by Brooke, Swimbarre, Suzy Syme Art Couture, Natalie Hamblin Design, TAFE Queensland Brisbane, KG Bold, Hope Vale x QUT, and Luxe Labels.
The Designer Group Show taking place on Thursday night, 28 August rounds out the runway program and will open with a retrospective showcase of 2006 designs from Juli Grbac, Easton Pearson, George Wu, Darb Couture, Gina Kim and Paul Hunt.
This will be followed with new-season collections by Sonia Stradiotto Couture, Sacha Drake, Mannzilo, Jotéo, Astille, RicRac Road, Gwendolynne, Cristina Nitopi and Kristian Williams The Brand.
Following the Designer Group Show, ticketholders are invited to the Hyatt Regency Brisbane Official Wrap Party.
The style celebration continues off the runway, with a series of special and exciting new events.
The most indulgent fashion event is back, with the Fashion Brunch and Designer Salon Showing presented by QueensPlaza, Wintergarden, and Edward St Brisbane on Monday, 26 August.
This will be hosted at The Lex, W Hotel with guests enjoying a spring-inspired 2-course luncheon.
On Monday evening step into a world of temptation and elegance as Queensland Ballet and Layla present a decadent evening of gastronomy and couture.
Inspired by Queensland Ballet’s provocative upcoming production Dangerous Liaisons, this one-night-only affair invites guests to indulge in the sensual interplay of fashion and food in the exquisite surrounds of the Thomas Dixon Centre.
Across at Museum of Brisbane, immerse yourself into an evening of style, storytelling, and splendour with the iconic design duo, Pamela Easton and Lydia Pearson, as they celebrate 20 years of Brisbane Fashion Festival.
After a sell out last year, merging the worlds of fashion and art, discussion, and the opportunity for a little indulgence, A Luxe Luncheon on Wednesday 27 August will be hosted by Hanworth House in support of Women’s Legal Service Queensland.
Brisbane Fashion Festival is also proud to partner with Beyond DV once again to support Dress to Express Day on Friday, 29 August at 4.00pm.
Brisbane Fashion Festival fans are invited to secure their tickets, enjoy the spectacular series of events, and support local this Spring/Summer season.
The full program is available now, with tickets priced from $60.
See it. Love it. Own it. brisbanefashionfestival.com
Couples Massages High
Intense and vibrant, I Want Choo Le Parfum by Jimmy Choo is a playful ode to empowering female friendships, evoking glamorous and memorable nights. RRP $203 (100ml) Available at David Jones
Cutisé Assence Night Cream is clinically formulated to work in sync with the skin’s natural repair cycle to restore, smooth, and visibly firm while you sleep. RRP $98 (30g) cutise.com.au
Beauty SPOT
Encapsulated in a luxury rose gold case, Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge Intimatte is a soft blurred matte lipstick with a buildable, lightweight and comfortable formula that glides effortlessly onto lips. RRP $69 lancome.com.au
An intense high-coverage varnish, Gucci’s Vernis à Ongles capsule collection presents ten vibrant shades, offering a long-lasting glossy shine. RRP $57 gucci.com/au
Napoleon Perdis Colour Ritual Eyeshadow Quad combines two ultra-soft matte shades with two intensely pigmented foil finishes. RRP $83 napoleonperdis.com
Formulated with precious hydrators, Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv Intensive Smoothing Hand Crème deeply nourishes and replenishes dry skin. RRP $135 (100ml) esteelauder.com.au
Mari Nova Glow Ultra Brightening Beauty Oil is a fast-absorbing, restorative blend that is loaded with vitamins, fatty acids and antioxidants to intensely hydrate, plump and brighten skin. RRP $$55 glamorouslife.online
INJECTABLES, LASER & SKIN SOLUTIONS YOU CAN TRUST!
Dr. Umed Shekhawat MBBS, FRACGP, DIPLOMA OF SKIN CANCER
Dr. Umed Shekhawat is a highly skilled cosmetic doctor based on the Gold Coast, known for his exceptional work in helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals.
With over 20 years of experience across various medical specialties, Dr. Umed's passion for Aesthetic Medicine was sparked during his extensive training in skin cancer treatment. He has since become a trusted Aesthetic Physician, guiding numerous individuals towards renewed confidence and beauty.
Our clinics are committed to patient education, ensuring that each client is well-informed about available treatments and procedures. Dr. Umed Cosmetics specializes in Anti-Wrinkle Injections, Dermal Fillers, Thread Lifts, Skin Treatments, and Cosmetic Procedures, backed by a wealth of successful procedures and satisfied clients.
For those seeking personalised care and transformative results, contact us for a complimentary cosmetic & skin consultation.
Discover why our clinics stands out as a beacon of professionalism and care in the cosmetic and skin industry.
OUR SERVICES:
D DERMAL FILLER:
Uplift your skin non-surgically to look fuller and youthful.
S SKIN AND BEAUTY: DMK Enzyme Therapy
T THREAD LIFT:
Say goodbye to signs of aging with an amazing thread lift.
H HALO:
Is Hybrid Fractional Laser that treats sun spots, wrinkles, enlarged pores, visible signs of ageing and scarring.
C CLEAR SILK:
It utilises non-invasive, non-ablative laser technology delivering micro-pulses of laser energy to effectively treat rosacea, defused redness, lines and wrinkles, uneven skin texture and scars.
B BBL HERO:
Treating skin conditions anywhere on the body associated with ageing, sun damage and skin rejuvenation with minimal to no downtime.
C CLEAR-V LASER:
Treating problems such as spider veins, broken capillaries and telangiectasia.
S SKIN CANCER: By Plastic Surgeon.
CLINIC LOCATIONS:
GOLD COAST:
Shop 9B, 331 Hope Island Road, Hope Island, QLD 4212
L LOGAN CITY: 3376 Mount Lindesay Highway, Regents Park, QLD 4118
B BRISBANE: 131 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington, QLD 4064
1/8 Beatrice Street, Hawthorn, QLD 4171
I IPSWICH: 87 Brisbane Street, Ipswich, QLD 4305
S SUNSHINE COAST:
Shop 2, 32 Aerodrome Road, Maroochydore, QLD 4558
S SYDNEY:
Shop 4, 110 Great North Road, Five Dock, NSW 2045
G GLADSTONE: Shop CA 216 The Windmill Centre Kin Kora, Gladstone QLD 4680
CONTACT US:
CONTACT NUMBER: 0407 194 519
WEB: drumedcosmetics.com.au
EMAIL: info@drumedcosmetics.com.au
Décor & DESIGN
InspiredINTERIORS
A celebration of timeless style and refined living.
FROM TACTILE TEXTURES and natural materials to intelligent lighting, sculptural furniture and custom cabinetry, the modern interior is more than a visual statement – it’s a personal sanctuary.
And this season, the message is clear: comfort, authenticity and quiet luxury are not just trends; they are a lifestyle.
Soft furnishings are sumptuous; smart-living solutions save time and money; and each element of the home reflects both beauty and meaning.
Winter home colour trends for 2025 also pay homage to warm, welcoming, natureinspired hues.
Tones like terracotta, tan and olive green are extremely fashionable, while deep red
and navy provide a grounding contrast to the earthy shades.
Neutrals such as taupe and caramel create a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere, with the monochrome look of black, white and charcoal remaining ever-popular.
Whether building from the ground up or simply refreshing their favourite space, owners are embracing a more holistic approach to their interior decorating, drawing inspiration from nature and incorporating both visual appeal and heart-warming ambience into their home.
Welcome to a world where craftsmanship meets creativity, welcome to a world of inspired design.
PerfectHARMONY
Natuzzi
Harmony Residences – organic architecture designed for a Mediterranean lifestyle.
WITH OVER 65 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE, Natuzzi offers bespoke furnishings that combine modern aesthetics with timeless comfort.
Now the Italian icon presents the Natuzzi Harmony Residences – the first residential project created by a design brand.
Located on one of Dubai’s islands, the Residences perfectly embody the vision of Natuzzi Italia, flowing quiet comfort into every detail.
The architectural concept redefines the notion of luxury, with exteriors celebrating organic forms and reflecting the sophisticated allure of the interior spaces, where Natuzzi Italia’s furniture design brings Italian tradition and enduring appeal to their chosen setting.
A design philosophy created to craft spaces that offer a sense of complete harmony and foster social interaction in everyday living, the Natuzzi Harmony Touch infuses unmatched elegance in each apartment.
High-quality materials, balanced colours and clean lines transform living spaces into personal sanctuaries for physical and emotional well-being.
Exteriors
Natuzzi Harmony Residences features a sleek, modern facade, with floor-to-ceiling windows that illuminate the interiors and showcase stunning views.
The project has been designed to integrate seamlessly with the landscape, symbolising the fusion of Arab and Mediterranean cultures.
The lush landscape and serene water features offer a tranquil oasis, mirroring the luxury within for a sophisticated first impression.
Interiors
The interiors have been conceived to be customisable, both in terms of interiors and the layout of the spaces, offering a made-tomeasure experience that creates environments reflecting the tastes and sensibilities of those who have chosen them.
Each piece is selected to turn the home into an elegant, tranquil sanctuary – infusing the living, dining and bedroom areas with a touch of Italian luxury and harmony.
Corridors
The corridors of Natuzzi Harmony Residences mirror the quality of each apartment, featuring ambient lighting, premium materials and sleek finishes.
Thoughtful layouts ensure privacy and tranquillity, creating a serene, elegant transition between spaces.
With an Italian heart and a global vision, Natuzzi Italia have created place where every architectural and interior element stimulates a harmonious experience.
A place where every architectural and interior element stimulates a harmonious experience through sinuous forms that shape, create, and envelop.
This exciting concept allows the Australian division to create a full project such as the Natuzzi Harmony Residences in Dubai.
For more information contact the Natuzzi Italia store, 37 Commercial Road, Newstead. 07 3172 9184 | natuzzi.com
Design Show Australia
A space for dialogue between Mediterranean culture and international design, Natuzzi Italia explored new expressions of contemporary living at the recent Design Show Australia in Melbourne.
The brand sponsored the Design Show Bar & Lounge, which became a meeting place for architects, interior designers and industry professionals, attracted by an aesthetic that combines artisanal roots and design vision.
Collections on display aroused interest and sparked discussion: with materials, volumes and comfort narrated through a harmonious language, designed to live and make spaces live.
Natuzzi Italia Australia also launched their new Projects & Contract program at the prestigious event.
Luxury NOTE
Where timeless craftsmanship meets modern innovation.
IN 2025, STEINWAY GALLERIES AUSTRALIA continues to redefine luxury and innovation in the world of pianos, celebrating a decade as the nation's exclusive distributor for Steinway & Sons.
This milestone underscores their unwavering commitment to excellence, artistry and the seamless fusion of timeless tradition with cutting-edge technology.
At the forefront of their offerings is the Steinway Spirio, a marvel that captures live performances with unparalleled precision.
This high-resolution player piano not only replicates the nuances of world-class pianists
but, with the addition of the R series, also allows artists to record, edit, and play back their performances, bridging the gap between live artistry and digital innovation.
Adding to their distinguished collection, Steinway Galleries Australia introduces limited editions like the Noé and the Disney Mickey Mouse pianos.
These masterpieces blend Steinway's legendary craftsmanship with unique artistic themes, offering collectors and enthusiasts instruments that are both visually captivating and sonically superior.
As they look to the future, Steinway Galleries Australia remains steadfast in their mission: to provide instruments of unparalleled quality and to cultivate a deep appreciation for the art of piano music.
Their blend of tradition, innovation and community engagement ensures that the legacy of Steinway & Sons continues to resonate throughout Australia and beyond.
For more information or to experience the world of Steinway firsthand, please visit their official website.
steinway.com.au
THE BEST PIANO IN THE WORLD NOW PLAYS ITSELF
e self playing, Steinway & Sons Spirio pianos have been sold in record numbers throughout Australia.
And in Queensland, many of our customers in Sanctuary Cove, Sovereign Islands, the Gold Coast and further North, are all enjoying, listening to the world’s best pianists, playing their piano, in their own home.
If you would like information on how you can also become an owner of this amazing instrument, please scan the QR code provided.
We also have upcoming events featuring the Steinway Spirio piano, including in home cocktail evenings hosted by some of our happy customers.
Please register your interest in attending one of the upcoming events, by scanning the relevant QR code.
Sydney 45 Chandos Street, St Leonards, New South Wales 2065
Steinway Gallery Melbourne 1163 High Street, Armadale, Victoria 3143
Curated SPACES
CD Luxe – timeless interiors infused with contemporary elegance.
IN THE WORLD OF HIGH-END INTERIOR DESIGN, true luxury lies not only in materials and aesthetics but in the ability to translate a client’s vision into a lived experience.
At CD Luxe Interior, this philosophy is woven into every detail, every texture, and every carefully curated corner.
Based in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and servicing Australia-wide, CD Luxe is recognised for delivering interior living concepts that balance sophistication with soul.
Whether it’s a coastal penthouse, a bespoke new build, or a heritage renovation, CD Luxe approaches each project with meticulous attention, artistic flair, and a deep understanding of how people want to live in their space.
Founded by a passionate and creative Director, Cao Dong Pham, CD Luxe believes interiors should elevate your everyday – calming you, inspiring you, and reflecting who you are.
“Understanding aesthetics is very important when it comes to design,” says Cao Dong,
“It is critical to integrate trends that create harmony between the architecture, the lifestyle and the feeling you want to have when you walk in the door.”
The CD Luxe furniture signature?
A tactile palette of natural finishes, layered textures, custom detailing and statement lighting.
Their spaces feel as good as they look –anchored by functionality, softened by elegance, and elevated through craftsmanship.
Every aspect is considered with design intelligence and creative restraint, from cabinetry and furniture to fabrics and finishes.
2025 sees CD Luxe expanding its portfolio of boutique residential and commercial projects with several high-profile builds across Australia.
The team continue to work closely with architects, builders and artisans to bring each project to life – from initial concept to final styling.
This full-service approach and a warm, collaborative ethos have made them a trusted partner for discerning home owners and developers alike.
For clients who demand more than beautiful spaces – who seek meaning, emotion, and excellence – CD Luxe is the ideal choice.
Customers are warmly welcome to visit the display showroom at 1/275 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley to explore more of CD Luxe’s design and styling or book a consultation. cdluxe.com.au
CD LUXE INTERIOR PTY. LTD
Lot 1 – 275 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley
Brisbane, Queensland 4006
Phone 0452 357 005
Email: dongpham@cdluxe.com.au cdluxe.com.au
Elevate your space to new heights of sophistication and luxury with our exquisite collection of furniture at CD Luxe Interior. Our diverse collection brings an authentic charm to any home interior.
Time TO RELAX
Executive homes deserve an executive massage chair from Relax
for Life.
WHETHER NEEDED FOR A SPECIFIC AILMENT, a post workout/sports recovery session or simply to unwind at home, massage chairs are in a class of their own.
Along with the relaxation and health benefits, modern massage chairs are designed to reduce stress by targeting tension in the body.
Features like zero-gravity reclining and multipoint massage settings stimulate the nervous system, helping to lower cortisol levels, improve mood, and enhance relaxation.
By reducing stress hormones and improving circulation, massage chairs can also help your body defend against illness and maintain overall health.
Zero-gravity chairs, in particular, elevate your legs above your heart, reducing strain on the cardiovascular system, lowering blood pressure, and preventing conditions like varicose veins.
For those struggling with insomnia or irregular sleep patterns, massage chairs can be a game-changer.
By lowering anxiety, and promoting relaxation, these chairs can help you fall asleep faster and achieve a deeper rest.
Regular use may even reduce headaches and migraines associated with stress.
After a workout, muscle soreness and fatigue are common.
Massage chairs can promote faster recovery by improving blood circulation and reducing inflammation, making them a valuable tool for fitness enthusiasts.
As a proudly Australian family-owned and operated brand, Relax for Life have dedicated two decades to perfecting the art of massage chairs and have assisted thousands of customers in selecting the chair that is suited to each individual’s needs.
Their expertise extends to personalised consultations in showrooms across Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast, where customers benefit from the team’s professional advice, experience and in-home delivery, assembly and after-sales service.
Relax For Life exclusively offers Australia’s ONLY Japanese-made massage chairs from industry leading brands such as OHCO and Fujiiryoki, which has a 70-year history.
Experience Japanese ingenuity, elegance and refinement … the culmination of centuries of massage mastery and craftsmanship.
With unique touches such as built-in aromatherapy, ionizer, Bluetooth music and chromotherapy to focus on the triad of mind, body and soul, a massage chair is not just an investment in your own personal health and wellbeing, the entire family can also reap the benefits.
Relax for Life customers range from mid 20’s all the way through to 90+, with the selection of quality massage chairs offering multi-generational versatility to suit a huge cross-section of people.
No matter what your age or lifestyle, your massage chair is sure to become an important, and stylish, addition to your home.
Explore the premium range of massage chairs at Relax for Life to transform your life today.
Showroom 1/18 Broadwater Ave Hope Island - By Appointment Only. 07 3343 6548 | relaxforlife.com.au
Bringing the World’s Best Massage Chairs
Experience a demonstration in one of our luxury showrooms.
INTERIOR DESIGNERS CHOICE FOR LUXE DESIGNER MASSAGE CHAIRS
Not sure which chair is the best fit to help you with your aches and pains? Our massage chair specialists will help match your individual needs to the best chair fit. Enjoy a no time limit, private trial session at a showroom near you.
Featuring the Top Brands & the Only Japanese-made Chairs in Australia
Relax For Life are the exclusive supplier of Australia’s ONLY Japanese-made massage chairs, including Fujiiryoki, the world’s first massage chair company.
Call 07 3343 6548 or Scan to book your VIP demonstration 1/18 Broadwater Ave Hope IslandBy Appointment Only
Smart sleepSOLUTIONS
Adjustable beds and elevated comfort at Beds R Us.
AS YOUR LOCAL ADJUSTABLE BED EXPERTS, Beds R Us are here to help you sleep better, live better, and feel more supported.
At Beds R Us, the team combine comfort and design to deliver smart sleep solutions that elevate your space.
They proudly stock the TrueMotion range of premium adjustable beds, created to enhance how you rest, relax, and recover.
These bases help ease pressure, support better alignment and can reduce snoring to promote a more comfortable night’s sleep.
With features such as back and foot lift, Zero Gravity positioning, massage, memory presets, and smart controls, TrueMotion beds adapt to your lifestyle – whether you're reading, watching TV or simply winding down.
The TrueMotion TM1100 offers a next-level sleep experience with advanced comfort
features including massage, USB-C ports, under-bed lighting, and enhanced positioning for customisable support.
To complement your new adjustable bed, Beds R Us also offers the TrueMotion collection of stylish headboards and upholstered surrounds that complete the look of your bedroom.
These pieces are designed to elevate your aesthetic while discreetly concealing the adjustable base for a seamless, modern finish.
The TrueMotion LowRider is Australia’s lowest Hi-Lo adjustable bed base.
With its ultra-low entry height and adjustable elevation, it offers safer transfers and ergonomic support – an ideal choice for home care and lifestyle needs.
The Beds R Us team is factory trained and their stores proudly stock SleepMaker, Sleepyhead, and Wonderest mattresses – all featuring
premium Dunlop Foams and trusted Australianmade quality.
Whether you're upgrading your sleep or refreshing your bedroom, Beds R Us is your destination for comfort, style, and value.
Right now, customers can enjoy a discount of up to 50 per cent off adjustable beds and mattresses, plus Cove readers can take advantage of an exclusive Silver Service* offer including:
• Free local delivery;
• Free setup of your new adjustable bed, mattress, or furniture; and
• Complimentary removal of your old bed.
Visit participating stores at Homeworld Helensvale | Runaway Bay Shopping Centre | Tweed Mall | Logan Hyperdome | Macgregor | Browns Plains | Noosa bedsrus.com.au
*Available for a limited time. Conditions apply.
Get READY
Homes Ready 2 Sell are your one-stop shop when preparing your home for sale.
KNOWING HOW TO PREPARE your property for sale is often one of the most worrying aspects of the entire process.
This is where the friendly, professional team at Homes Ready 2 Sell come in.
They can take the stress out of every step –from cleaning and maintenance to styling and real estate recommendations.
“At Homes Ready 2 Sell we help with preparing your biggest asset for sale,” explains founder Kathy Ellis.
“We will meet you on-site and create a plan to present your home to potential buyers to ensure you achieve the best possible sale price.
“Our team handle everything including packing, gardening, rubbish removal, pressure washing, window cleaning, new carpets and painting.
“Our amazing trained stylist can also offer simple advice on how to rearrange your existing furniture to maximise space, or we can arrange a full styling package, depending on your home and budget.”
Homes Ready 2 Sell liaise closely with sales agents and owners so that all work is completed on time and the home is ready to hit the market in just a few weeks.
“Whether you are selling a family home, an investment property or corporate premises, our goal is to provide a one stop shop and help take the stress out of getting your property ready to sell,” says Kathy.
Kathy’s background in hospitality, along with a strong work ethic instilled by her parents, has been an important factor in her success.
“I left school in year 9 and worked in the family business running two wedding reception venues in Sydney,” she explains.
“I was the functions coordinator and really enjoyed helping our lovely couples on the biggest day of their life.”
Having taken a break from the workforce to raise her five children, Kathy found herself at a career crossroads after moving the family to Queensland.
“That was when I started my business doing bond cleaning and builder’s cleans,” Kathy explains.
“After 10 years of working in that industry and meeting amazing people, I established Homes Ready 2 Sell.”
In addition to preparing your existing property for the market, the team can get your new home ready to move in or take care of your final clean if you are building or renovating.
“I absolutely love helping people and taking the stress out of their life for them,” Kathy says.
“We are here to unlock your existing home’s potential or make your new house a home.”
1300 472 7355 admin@homesready2sell.com.au
Elevate YOUR SPACE
Explore quality homewares, décor items and statement styling at Sanctuary Cove Marine Village.
Cabana
Bring a sophisticated and relaxed coastal feeling into your home with Cabana.
Founder Liliana Rogers has taken inspiration from the Caribbean to create Cabana’s tropical décor, with the tranquil vibes felt from the moment you walk in.
Featuring a stunning collection of handpicked gifts, beautiful homewares and effortless fashion, Cabana also offer Interior Design services focusing on an elegant Coastal feel.
“Coastal is one of those trends that never really goes out of fashion,” says Lillian.
“Laid-back and casual, favouring simplicity and comfort above all, Coastal interior design is about creating a sense of harmony with little touches, like layered fabrics and soft textures paired with natural elements.”
Everything in your coastal space should feel lightweight and airy, so that you are instantly relaxed and at ease.
“Our team will work alongside you to bring all your ideas to life, designing a classically elegant look that makes your home feel complete,” says Liliana.
Cabana is located at 4D Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove.
07 5577 8762 | cabanastore.com.au
Steinway & Sons Spirio Piano
A masterpiece of craftsmanship, technology, and artistry, the Steinway & Sons Spirio is the world's finest high-resolution player piano, providing an unrivalled musical experience, indistinguishable from a live performance.
With the simple touch of an iPad, Spirio brings your Steinway to life with thousands of performances from the world’s greatest artists, inviting you and your loved ones to enjoy life’s great musical moments.
New pieces are automatically added to the in-app listings as they become available, ready to enjoy in your home.
Casa Guardi Home
More than just a furniture store, Casa Guardi Home is a design destination where interiors are curated with passion, expertise, and an eye for timeless elegance.
What truly sets them apart is their interior design service.
The team work closely with you to understand your needs, preferences, and vision – bringing it all together into a home that's not only stylish but truly personal.
They go beyond trends to offer interiors that are layered, thoughtful and tailored.
Casa Guardi Home also proudly offer Moran Furniture, Australia's premier name in luxurious, handcrafted upholstery known for comfort, quality, and enduring design.
Alongside this, Casa Guardi features a striking collection of artisan American furniture – each piece chosen for its craftsmanship, beauty, and individuality.
Many customers in Sanctuary Cove, Sovereign Islands, the Gold Coast and further North, are all enjoying listening to the world’s best pianists, playing their piano, in their own home.
You can also join the team at a selection of upcoming events, including in-home cocktail evenings hosted by some of Steinway & Sons happy clients.
Visit the Steinway Piano Showroom, Shop 36B, Ground Floor, Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove.
1300 199 589 | steinway.com.au
Whether you're furnishing an entire home or looking for the perfect piece to complete a room, visit the showroom at 34A Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove and step into a world of refined style and personalised service.
0422 449 911 | casasguardi.com
Immerse
Discover the wellness of a Diamond Spa – only at Captain Nemo’s.
IMMERSE YOURSELF in pure relaxation and experience the true power of hydrotherapy with a Diamond Spa from Captain Nemo’s.
More than just a luxury, spas and ice baths are scientifically backed tools for enhancing your health, aiding recovery, and reducing stress.
Regular spa use can ease joint pain, and promote deeper, more restful sleep, while ice baths are proven to reduce inflammation and speed up muscle recovery – perfect for athletes and wellness seekers alike.
Captain Nemo’s have been helping Australians invest in their wellbeing for over 40 years.
With a reputation built on trust, quality, and unmatched after-sales care, the team proudly stand behind every Diamond Spa they sell.
All warranty repairs are handled in-house by the company’s own trained technicians, giving you peace of mind long after purchase.
Captain Nemo's spas feature only the highest quality components – think American acrylic shells, paired with durable, Australian-made heaters and controllers – ensuring reliability and performance for years to come.
With five convenient locations across South East Queensland, including showrooms in Helensvale and Sanctuary Cove, expert advice and professional water testing are always nearby.
And with pricing starting from just $4,990, there’s a Diamond Spa available to suit every budget and lifestyle.
Whether you're looking to unwind at the end of a long day, improve your physical recovery, or create the ultimate outdoor sanctuary, a Diamond Spa is a smart and lasting investment in your health.
Plus, stay tuned – the next evolution in home wellness is coming soon, with a new range of saunas arriving shortly.
Experience the Captain Nemo’s difference and find out why generations of locals trust them for all things pool and spa.
Your health and well-being deserves nothing less than a Diamond.
Newport Custom Shutters offer tailored window coverings for every space.
FOR OVER THREE DECADES, Newport Custom Shutters has set the benchmark in premium window coverings, offering expertly crafted solutions that enhance both the style and functionality of homes across Queensland.
Family-owned and operated, this secondgeneration business continues to deliver the kind of personalised service and topquality workmanship that only true specialists can provide.
From timeless plantation shutters to contemporary outdoor solutions, Newport’s range is proudly Australian-made and built to last.
For outdoor living, their aluminium exterior shutters are a game-changer – perfect for transforming patios and verandahs into private, usable spaces with smart sun and privacy control.
Choose from 90mm or 115mm louvres, a wide variety of durable powder-coated colours and versatile installation options designed for the Queensland lifestyle.
Inside the home, Newport offers an impressive selection of custom synthetic and timber plantation shutters in sizes ranging from 64mm to 115mm.
Each piece is made in their purpose-built local facility, where their in-house spray-painting service allows for bespoke colour and stain finishes tailored to your interior vision.
Beyond shutters, Newport’s comprehensive shade solutions also include roller blinds, curtains, zip screens, privacy awnings and more – ensuring that every corner of your home is covered with style and precision.
From first consultation to final installation, the Newport team takes care of every detail.
With a reputation for professionalism and personal service, they remain committed to helping homeowners find the perfect blend of beauty, comfort and practicality.
Discover the difference that 35 years of local expertise can make. newportshutters.com.au
IT’S A STORY WE ALL LOVE, how three brothers were so inspired by the food on their family table that they opened a restaurant to celebrate it.
Their success was so remarkable that within ten years they had built an empire that is known across Australia.
Ask anyone on the Gold Coast to name where we should dine for great Italian food and they will mention Gemelli, Broadbeach.
Twins Alec and James Carney, along with their older brother Paul, grew up in the NSW country town of Griffith, an agricultural hub largely populated by Italian immigrants.
Coming from an extended family of excellent cooks, great food was central to their childhood, the boys learning to make traditional Italian food alongside their parents and grandparents.
“As kids, we grew up cooking with Mum in the family kitchen and making salami and tomato sauce beside our grandfather,” Alec tells me.
“We fell in love with hospitality and the way we can create memories for people,” he adds.
Flavour & FLAIR
The Gemelli Group, bringing new life to old traditions.
WORDS MARJ OSBORNE
After a few years working in hospitality in Sydney and the UK (Paul), the brothers decided to open a restaurant on the Gold Coast, where they had spent many holidays with their grandparents.
While they were not trained as chefs, they had plenty of assets, such as their cultural food background, their ability to work hard, and an interest in and ability to talk to people.
At the time, most restaurants on the Gold Coast were tourist-oriented and very seasonal.
Even our coffee culture was relatively new.
Advised not to go to the Gold Coast, that they would go broke if they did, the brothers saw opportunity rather than obstacles.
They secured a site in Broadbeach that had had a high turnover in restaurants, grabbing the chance to fulfill their dream of bringing fresh, traditional Italian food to the region, filling a huge gap in the market.
With the help of family, and friends who were tradesmen from Griffith, they melded ideas from their travels and experience to transform the
site into a rustic modern trattoria called Gemelli (meaning ‘the twins’).
They imported the oven from Italy and began making the first Neapolitan pizza to hit our shores, along with the traditional homemade pasta they had grown up eating at the family table.
Bold and brave, Gemelli opened in November 2013 against the odds.
Success was not immediate.
The twins were outsiders to the industry, having come from NSW, only 19 years old and a little naïve, but full of enthusiasm and good ideas.
Instead of aiming to get tourists as clientele, they set about winning over the locals, gaining their trust with consistency and flavour.
It was a move that paid off.
Before long, Gemelli was buzzing with activity.
Not only were locals convinced of Gemelli’s vibrant authenticity, but it also became a favourite dining place for seasonal visitors, who spread Gemelli’s fame throughout Australia.
“I am proud that many customers have returned every year since we opened,” James says.
“We have created a name for ourselves and built relationships in both Sydney and Melbourne; friendships we would not have thought possible.”
Two years later, the brothers opened the intimate trattoria Gemellini in Nobby Beach as well as a second Gemelli on the old Riviera Trattoria site in Sorrento.
Gemellini, Nobby’s ‘Little Twin’, a more relaxed and intimate venue than its Broadbeach sibling, pays tribute to its heritage, Italian trattorias.
On entering the venue, our eyes are drawn to the kitchen rather than the bar, the huge pizza oven vying for focal point with an overhead charcuterie cabinet holding legs of prosciutto that hang languidly from its roof.
Locals soon fell in love with the intimacy of Gemellini, a dining experience relished by couples and small groups.
In contrast, Gemelli Sorrento took longer to settle.
Replicating the successful formula of the Broadbeach restaurant, Gemelli Sorrento proved to be a learning curve for the team.
With a different demographic, the area was more focussed on children and takeaways than date nights.
Also, Riviera had been BYO, a local expectation for that area, so tweaks were made and the venue was renamed Roy’s by Gemelli.
“Roy’s taught us the need to know the customer,” Alec tells me.
“The business model needs to cater for the particular demographic where you are.”
He cites both Gemelli in James Street Brisbane (opened September 2021) and the newly opened Papa Rolly’s in Carrara (April 2025) as other examples of this principle.
Following the opening of a traditional gelato shop, Papa Rolly’s will be the group’s sixth venue, named in honour of their grandfather Rolando, the man who connected them to the flavours and culture of the Abruzzo region of Italy.
At Papa Rolly’s, the aim of the team is to bring homemade Italian food to the suburbs in a neighbourhood family restaurant.
“People are so much more knowledgeable than when we first opened Gemelli,” James says.
“At first, we had to educate people about handmade pizza and pasta.
“It is simple food made well, an elevated product – 'old school’ Italian dishes using top quality fresh ingredients and simple methods.
“Nothing is overcomplicated,” he adds.
“This has been one of the secrets of our success, that we don’t take shortcuts.”
James gives the example of his favourite dish, Rigatoni ragu, a #1 hangover feed.
“It was the Sunday staple ‘homey’ dish that Mum used to make when we were growing up, a family recipe featuring eight-hour slow-cooked oxtail and pork shin, with crushed tomatoes imported from San Marzano.
“I’ve been eating it here for 11 years and I’m still not sick of it,” he adds.
Why?
“Onion, carrot and celery,” he tells me.
“They’re the cornerstones to our success –nothing pre-prepped, everything made fresh daily for maximum flavour.”
Even at their Brisbane restaurant, which is more corporate, the same principles apply, with polished service being the key to diners relaxing and spending time on their meal.
The group’s focus on staff has inadvertently been spotlighted since Covid, James says.
“During Covid, when businesses were backing off because of lockdowns and lack of patronage, we doubled down, paying our 120 staff so that we would have them working for us when we came out the other side of the pandemic.
"When we reopened we were packed," says James.
“We had kept our experienced team, whereas many other restaurants were left searching for staff.
“It was a lesson that when things get tough, you have to put everything into your business and go for it.
“Be brave. It pays off on the other side.”
Now with 200 staff, Gemelli has transformed from a single restaurant to a company, the Gemelli Group.
Some of the family’s original staff are still with them, some have moved through the ranks and gained skills, going from ‘dishie’ to chef, while others have moved on to open their own restaurants.
“A lot of Gold Coast pizzerias and trattorias that have opened in the last five years are operated by ex-Gemelli staff,” Alec says.
It’s a tribute to Gemelli as a ‘training house’, and to the brothers who themselves have succeeded through strong core values, hard work and respect for others.
After a recent visit to Canada, Alec says he is keen to take their team culture to even more elevated levels.
“I loved the old school hospitality that’s evident in Canada,” he tells me.
“Of course it’s incentivised by the tipping system, however there’s a standard of service there that we can aspire to.
“For example, we’re looking at each staff member keeping their own tips rather than sharing them between staff to help maximise the diner experience,” he adds.
“The demeanour of the team is a reflection of us and our ideals – a family-based business that makes handmade food with consistency and honesty.
“We have grown into a company, but we still need the personal touch and the passion to work hard.”
With success has come Australia-wide recognition with the Gemelli Group winning the award for Young Entrepreneurs of the Year 2022 and being named in the Top 100 Young Entrepreneurs Australia in 2025.
“Despite our recognition, it’s important to stay humble.
“We know where we came from and that hard work is what pays off,” James tells us.
“We’re proud of our achievements but being an entrepreneur can be super lonely.
“We study and follow modern ways to run a business, creating new systems that streamline operations as we grow, but we still hold old-fashioned values.
“We have good people who drive the dream as much as we do.
“We give as much as we can to the team and, in turn, they support us.”
As the aromas float out of the kitchen to bind our conversations together, we remember some of our favourite parts of Italy.
Our appetites and senses appeased; life is as it should be.
Behind THE PLATE
WITH ITS STUNNING VIEWS and fresh new menu, Tweed River House is the perfect place to dine this winter.
Executive chef Dayron Concepcion brings a wealth of experience to the table.
His passion is evident in every plate, and as Dayron explains, he thrives on the ‘rush’ of working in such a dynamic environment.
How did you get into the restaurant industry?
My journey began when I arrived in Montréal, Canada, from Cuba as a teenager.
At the time, I didn’t speak French or English, so I needed a job that didn’t require strong French skills.
I started as a dishwasher at Les Pyrenees restaurant and within the same year, I progressed to chef and then chef de partie.
That experience ignited my passion for everything related to the kitchen.
Even after 12-hour shifts, I would come home and immerse myself in classic cooking books to deepen my knowledge.
My first opportunity as a head chef came at ‘Le Cinq’, a fine dining restaurant in the heart of Montréal’s CBD.
However, I quickly realised that being a head chef was about more than just cooking.
It required strong leadership, menu costing, meeting deadlines, and managing various responsibilities – many of which were new to me at the time.
I moved to Australia five years ago and I happily live in Lennox Head with my partner and our two little girls.
What do you enjoy about cooking?
The rush, the adrenaline and, most important, the creativity.
Cooking is more than just preparing food –it's a way of connecting with people, cultures, and stories.
Whether you're a home cook or a fellow chef, never stop being curious in the kitchen.
Don’t be afraid to try new ingredients, make mistakes, or put your own twist on a classic dish … that’s where the magic happens.
Being a chef has taught me resilience, patience and artistry.
I’m grateful for every dish I get to create and every guest I serve.
To your readers: thank you for supporting chefs, restaurants, and the food world.
It means more than you know.
Do you have signature dish?
I have quite a few but one of the Tweed River House favourites is a dessert I created.
It is a fennel pollen panna cotta with Australian wild vanilla, rhubarb confiture, fermented strawberry caramel, fresh strawberry and elder flowers.
The dish was born from a desire to push boundaries and incorporate more vegetabledriven elements into our desserts – something that challenges the traditional expectations of what a sweet course should be.
Using fennel pollen allowed us to introduce a subtle herbaceous note that plays beautifully with the creamy, delicate texture of the panna cotta.
It's a flavour pairing that surprises people – in the best way.
Our goal was to create something that invites curiosity and conversation, while still delivering balance, elegance, and a memorable finish to the meal.
What is special about Tweed River House?
Tweed River House is a sanctuary for the senses – where wonderful cuisine, breathtaking views, and historic charm come together to offer a unique destination dining experience.
Perched gracefully on the banks of the Tweed River in Murwillumbah, the restaurant is housed in a magnificently restored century-old grand manor, offering panoramic views of Wollumbin/ Mt Warning and the caldera hinterland.
Guests dine either on the River Verandah, soaking in the views, or within the elegant dining room beneath pressed metal ceilings and chandeliers.
The atmosphere evokes a gentler, more gracious era, blending timeless elegance with a relaxed, welcoming spirit of country hospitality.
The restaurant has been awarded a hat in the 2025 Australian Good Food Guide Awards and two glasses in the 2024 Wine List of Australia Awards.
Describe the winter menu?
We offer a thoughtfully curated menu celebrating the finest local ingredients through a modern French/Australian seasonal lens.
Guests can choose from our à la carte menu or indulge in our 5 and 7 course degustation menus.
Our entrées include elegant dishes such as wild caught fish of the day with sea greens, kiwi and champagne sabayon; Hervey Bay scallops with kaffir and shellfish sauce; Potato mille-feuille with duck egg; or, Gooralie pork collar, salsify and morel mushroom jus.
The main courses include delicate Goulburn River rainbow trout served with warm potato salad, beurre blanc and caviar; dry-aged Angus short ribs with dauphinoise potatoes and truffle jus; Australian Bay lobster with fennel and finger lime and Northern Rivers Duck breast, smoked pumpkin puree, honey gastrique, and bigarde sauce.
For vegetarians, the cappelletti with yellow pepper and olives is a flavourful favourite.
For dessert, diners can choose from indulgent options like our signature panna cotta or the banana flambé with chocolate ganache and coconut sorbet
A fine selection of local and imported Kat Harvey cheeses is also available to finish the meal.
Located at 131 River Street, South Murwillumbah, Tweed River House is open for Lunch Thursday – Sunday; Dinner Friday & Saturday; Lawn Bar Saturday & Sunday. tweedriverhouse.com.au
Meet Dayron Concepcion, Executive Chef – Tweed River House.
Perched on the banks of the Tweed River in Mur willumbah, resides the award winning bistro, the Tweed River House
Savour à la carte or degustation menus, whilst enjoying panoramic views from the River Verandah, or in the elegant dining room under pressed metal ceilings and chandeliers
For a lighter, casual bite or drink, enjoy the riverside L awn Bar
Open Thursday to Sunday
7 - 10 August
Taste Port Douglas
Showcasing the region’s best produce over a four-day menu of exceptional cooking and unforgettable dining experiences, this year’s Taste Port Douglas program will see the return of stand-out signature events as well as brand-new additions to the line-up, giving guests the opportunity to learn from some of the industry’s most talented chefs and producers. Local hotspots will welcome the ‘Takeover Series’ presented by Singapore Airlines, while the Daintree Rainforest will come alive with Night of Fire: 'Flames of The Forest', a spectacular firelicked feast that immerses diners in FNQ's natural beauty. tasteportdouglas.com.au
Chef'sCHOICE
Coastal Haven
Located at Mondrian Gold Coast, Haven is redefining the rhythm of dining on the southern Gold Coast.
Led by Executive Chef Aaron Teece, the new restaurant and beach club venue offers a refined yet relaxed all-day experience designed to shift from sun-drenched lunches to twilight drinks and lively evenings. The cuisine is grounded in the coastline, with menus shaped by seafood from Cairns, the Sunshine Coast and Northern NSW, alongside premium paddock-sourced meats and seasonal produce from the hinterland. A woodfire grill sits at the heart of the kitchen, adding depth and character to dishes across both the restaurant and poolside menus. havenburleighheads.com
Neat knives
Premium German knifemaker Wüsthof have unveiled the new Wild Blueberry Collection. Perfect for the passionate home cook or seasoned chef, the set includes eight essential knives that can be bought separately, or when purchased together are housed in a sleek, modern knife block. RRP from $179 wusthof.com.au
The Art of Indulgence
W Brisbane is redefining high tea with The Art of Indulgence –a bold, design-led interpretation of the much-loved tradition. Set in W Brisbane’s Living Room Bar, guests are invited to enjoy a selection of hand-blended teas, artistic sweet treats and elevated savoury creations. The experience also includes an exclusive Ruinart Champagne trolley offering. Available Friday to Sunday, 11:00am – 3:00pm; Signature High Tea $80 per person, Champagne High Tea $99 per person. Bookings essential.
07 3556 8888 wbrisbanedining.com/living-room-bar
Signature salt
Designed to elevate everything from vegetables to grilled meats and seafood, Olsson’s Salt x Matt Moran BBQ Salt is a versatile essential for any kitchen.
Created by celebrated Australian Chef Matt Moran, this exclusive new premium seasoning brings together delicate Olsson’s Salt sea flakes, chilli, thyme, oregano, pepper berries, and onion to complement and enhance natural flavours. RRP $14.50 olssons.com.au mattmoran.com.au
THE HEART OF AFRICA
With over 56 years in the industry, Bench Africa is a premier provider of extraordinary African travel experiences, offering a diverse range of overland journeys, luxury safaris, and immersive cultural encounters. With a deep commitment to responsible travel, we strive to create authentic experiences that positively impact local communities and wildlife conservation. With an extensive network of travel partners and a dedicated team of experts, Bench Africa ensures that each journey exceeds expectations and leaves a lasting impression.
Bush & Beach Safari
9 days | FROM $10,070 AUD (per Person)
This 9-day journey begins in Livingstone, at the largest curtain of water in the world, the mighty Victoria Falls. Then head on safari to South Luangwa National Park, where you will experience a wide variety and abundance of game and some of the most experienced guides in the Luangwa Valley. You will then finish up on the shores of Lake Malawi, where you will have the chance to relax in one of the most scenic parts of Southern Africa.
Inclusions:
Luxury Lodge • All Meals • Local Drinks • Return Airport Transfers Game Drives • Includes Internal Flights • Game Walks
Non-Motorised Activities • Excursions • Entrance Fees Included
*Terms & Conditions Apply. Contact Cove Travel for details.
Southern Tanzania Highlights
7 days | FROM $8,250 AUD (per Person)
Fly by light aircraft to the Selous Game Reserve where you will spend two full days exploring the Reserve with professional guides on game drives, walking safaris and relaxing boating safaris along the waterways of Rufiji River. Then transfer to Ruaha National Park and experience the wealth of biodiversity that Ruaha has to offer on game drives in open safari vehicles and walking safaris with the experienced guide.
Inclusions:
Game Lodges/Tented Camps • All Meals • Return Light Aircraft Transfer 4X4 Safari Vehicle-Game Drives • English Speaking Driver/Guide Game Drives • Game Walks • Entrance Fees Included
Past & PRESENT
Wynns Coonawarra Estate – the wines, the vines and the winemaker.
WORDS TONY HARPER
SUE HODDER AND I SHARE A BIRTH YEAR, along with the other 235,687 Australians born in 1963.
We also share a love of wine, careers in wine, and an awful amount of time spent judging wine shows, occasionally together.
But unlike me, Sue has focussed her energy, skills, passion and determination into continuing one of the great legacies of the Australian wine scene.
And she has more than continued it … she has bettered it.
Which is quite an amazing accolade when you consider the winery in question –Wynns Coonawarra Estate – had its first vines in the ground more than 230 years ago and remains, all this time later, one of Australia’s most iconic wineries.
When I was a younger chap I managed, twice, to wrangle an invitation to Wynnsday.
They were terrific events; I think Jancis Robertson hosted one of them, which is a little like Bowie hosting musical chairs at your kid’s birthday party.
But it wasn’t Jancis that made the occasion so special; it was standing on the grass looking directly at the gabled building that is burned on the retina of every lover of Australian wine.
And Wynnsday was a big event, videolinked across the country (for those less privileged than us hobnobs at the winery) to launch the year’s release of the Wynns wines.
Culminating – always – with John Riddoch. Wynnsday has faded from the calendar, but the wines haven’t.
And thinking back to those event tastings it’s easy to see the evolution that has taken place.
Is the Wynns Black Label a better wine than it was 30 years ago? Definitely.
Have John Riddoch and Michael reached new heights?
Certainly they have, and you’d expect this to be the case given greater vine age, better understanding of the vineyard sites, advances in winemaking and massive revolution in soil and vine management.
And those wines from 30 years ago remain some of the most emblematic and sought after of their era.
Sue Hodder came from a background in horticulture and viticulture, before joining Wynns in 1993 under the tutelage of Peter Douglas – then Chief Winemaker and something of a legend in the kind of circles in which top-notch winemakers mix.
The style of wines Peter made were more robust, richer, more bombastic than the wines of today.
And it is kind of lore amongst the wine fraternity that Sue has added a female touch.
But is that really the case; is it truly a thing?
When, in 1993, the first of the modern era of Wynns Michael Shiraz was released (the original was a lone wine from 1955 which – along with the likes of Peppermint Patty and the early wines from Maurice O’Shea and Max Schubert – remain legends of our vinous past) it was bold.
Despite the tendency of Coonawarra to hold back on the weight and richness of its wines, the 1990 Michael was a thing of bombast, fresh oak and power.
Today’s Michael is more refined, more complete, and a wine more akin to something from Henty or Great Western – both across the border with Victoria – than those from McLaren Vale or the Barossa Valley.
And you could say the same for Wynns John’s Riddoch, or indeed any of the red wines.
However, if you were to take most of Australia’s best reds and compare the wines from three decades ago with those of today, I think (almost totally) you’d find the same thing.
Tastes and fashion have shifted; the ability to achieve ripe grapes with lower sugar levels has soared; the desire of winemakers to illustrate place, variety and vintage rather than power, oak and extract has become commonplace.
So yes, Sue Hodder has certainly finessed the wines, but perhaps that is as much to do with her being very good at her job, and attuned to the nuances that shape the desires of wine drinkers, as it is to do with her gender.
Whatever; she gets it and has guided, very skillfully, the Wynns wines through three decades of change.
I asked Sue to name her favourite wine from the Wynns collection … Black Label.
Which I understand: there are more hallowed wines, better wines, more collectible wines in the Wynns stable.
But it is the Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon (much like the NV offering from the champagne houses) that carries the Wynns brand on its shoulders and hence requires the most attention.
For a Coonawarra Cabernet that you can buy for under $30 it is truly stellar.
2023 has just been released and it really follows its forbears in its purity, its unerring sense of place (it is benchmark Coonawarra) and its ability to improve with age.
A good friend (sadly passed on), who understood more about wine than I ever will, always declared that Wynns Black Label is the best value red in the country, and I think he had it right.
Let’s take a detour, and look at what makes Coonawarra tick as a wine-producing region.
All of the blurb talks about its Terra-Rossa soils – iron-rich, red in colour, and composed of weathered limestone – that drains readily, but holds moisture.
While Coonawarra is on a strip of Terra-Rossa, there are differences in the depth and the makeup of the soils so one site delivers different grapes to its neighbour.
Then, despite the fact that it is 60 kilometres from the ocean to the Wynns vineyards, there is oceanic influence (because it is basically flat from the water to Coonawarra) and a thing called the Bonney Upwelling.
So the Coonawarra vineyards are maritime, not continental like most of us assume.
And the breezes from the Southern Ocean keeps things cool, even over the growing season.
Then that Bonney Upwelling brings another hit of cold air, all of which is good for retailing acidity in the grapes, prolonging the growing season, and hence building more flavour, colour and tannin without stretching the alcohol percentage. Brilliant.
I recently had the opportunity to taste through the 2025 release and I was thrilled.
I expect great things from Wynns, but this release made me take a deep breath.
For me John Riddoch is always a tour-deforce, but the 2022 Child’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – while different – is every bit its equal.
And for the first time I was totally wowed by the 2022 Michael Shiraz – elegant, medium-bodied, as spicy as it is fruit-weighted.
I need another page to get right to the heart of Wynns, Sue, the vineyards and the wines.
But this is a shallow-dive; a snapshot … and the bottom line is that Wynns Coonawarra has always been one of our iconic wineries, and it remains so, perhaps in more emphatic fashion, today.
Made IN THE USA
Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray –now available in right hand drive.
WORDS CHRIS NIXON
FOR
A
REMARKABLE
72 YEARS, the Chev Corvette has been the USA’s own sports car.
It’s been the star of countless movies and pop songs and a coveted icon for red-blooded young guys.
And it was quintessentially American, including garish styling, roaring V8s and road manners that were more highway than by-way.
If you wanted one in Australia, the only choice was a private import converted from left-hand to right-hand drive by small workshops of varying ability.
In some cases, the car was compromised before it hit the road and value-for-money was questionable.
But much – everything – has changed.
Chevrolet and its parent company General Motors have taken a global approach to recent products, building some of its cars – including the Corvette – simultaneously in left-hand and right-hand drive.
Around the same time, GM has shut its Holden business and replaced it with an import company selling only premium models (the Cadillac is landing about now).
Other factors have also been influential – such as market competition and emissions standards that required a more modern Corvette.
So the eighth-generation Corvette, called the C8, was born as a right-hand drive Ferrari beater from the famous factory in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
It’s the first factory-built right-hand drive Corvette and the first sold in Australia by the manufacturer, with all the promises for quality and owner support.
The C8 has its engine behind the driver and thus its stunning profile resembles a Ferrari, McLaren or Lamborghini.
Happily, the engine is still a traditional V8, a 6.2 litre version similar to what was found in the last of the Holden hot-rods.
Several variants called Stingray – an historic name in Corvette lore – are available from $182,000, while an ultra-performance model called ZO06 comes in at $336,000.
I’ll say straight away that some of the exterior and interior styling details and the finish quality don’t match that of European rivals, but otherwise the Corvette appears to be a bargain for someone wanting a proper high-performance sports car.
For comparison, the cheapest Ferrari is priced from $453,000, Aston Martin from $410,000 and McLaren from $477,000.
A base Porsche 911 – the benchmark in so many ways – costs $279,000.
They offer around the same performance.
The latest addition to the Corvette range, reviewed for this magazine, is the E-Ray and it’s another breakthrough in the line’s evolution as it features both petrol-hybrid electric power and all-wheel drive.
Good ol’ boys might be rolling in their graves –until they clock the E-Ray’s performance figures: 0-60 miles an hour (that's roughly 97 kmh, they’re American, remember) in 2.5 seconds and a reported top speed beyond 300 kmh.
This is thanks to the powertrain that combines a rear-drive V8 producing 369 kiloWatts with a front-drive electric motor producing 119 kW.
And the total torque for the two units is 806 Newtonmetres.
These massive numbers demand a sophisticated chassis.
The E-Ray obliges with good front-rear balance, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S ZP Performance tyres – 275/30ZR20 at the front and 345/25ZR21 at rear – magnetically-adjusting shock absorbers and carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes.
Transmission is an eight-speed dualclutch unit.
On paper, the E-Ray is more than a match for traditional British and European rivals and it proves to be so on the road – as much as one is able to explore the performance within speed limits.
There are selectable drive modes to manage the manner in which the performance will pin your ears back, anchor the chassis to the road and assault your eardrums.
It's easy enough to drive around town, but it’s best remembered the performance is truly enormous and demands skill and respect to go anywhere near approaching its potential.
Best saved for a track, but the point is clear that this Corvette has finally made it genuinely into the supercar ranks.
And if you do fancy some on-track recreation, the Corvette has a section devoted to a host of recommended tweaks, also specifying some special track components that can be bought from the factory.
I call that backing your game.
A word about the hybrid-electric system.
It’s a self-charging unit requiring no external power source.
Electric power alone will move the E-Ray for relatively short distances, although battery charge duration depends on chosen speed.
Perhaps its best asset is silent start-up –no need to wake the neighbours each morning with a thunderous roar; you can trickle up the street in silence until it’s time for the V8 to cut in.
The hybrid’s real purpose is to economically supplement performance and offer a mechanically simple means of providing all wheel drive.
There are no gearboxes or shafts connecting front and rear.
And by the way, the configuration allows a satisfactory amount of luggage room in compartments at both ends.
I did say it looks the part of a supercar, but minor details of the styling mark it to me as a mass-produced car, more Monaro than McLaren.
The impression continues on the inside, which has everything needed by driver and passenger.
But the layout of minor controls in front of the driver is scattered untidily and the thick, squaredoff steering wheel requires familiarity.
There’s an unusual kind of wall that starts at the dashboard on the left side of the transmission tunnel and curves down and toward the driver’s left elbow.
On top of this is a string of little buttons for controls such as fan speed, radio volume and so on.
I didn’t like it and understand it’s been changed for the latest versions.
Other things I did like?
A Bose 14-speaker audio system, performance data recorder so you can measure your own ontrack performance, head-up display that projects information on to the lower windscreen, perimeter cameras and, most importantly, a front-lift system to save the nose being scraped in every driveway.
Interior furnishings are, again, nothing like the Mayfair-club ambience of an Aston Martin, but look at the price difference and ask whether the most important thing is the performance or the aesthetics.
For only the first attempt at challenging the Brits and Europeans at their own supercar game, Chevrolet has done a brilliant job.
If some details don’t meet my expectations, they’re negligible compared to the fact the Corvette E-Ray is a mighty machine that 'goes' and looks the part ... and does so with impressive value for money.
Classics & COLLECTABLES
A curated collection of elegance and performance at Pickering Luxury Garage.
FOR THOSE WHO APPRECIATE ELEGANCE, performance, and pure automotive emotion –Pickering Luxury Garage is your destination.
Now proudly open at a new flagship showroom at 51 Ferry Road, Southport, Pickering offer a bespoke experience that redefines what it means to shop for and admire luxury cars.
Founded by renowned Gold Coast businessman Maurie Pickering, with over 40 years in the industry, Pickering Luxury Garage is the result of a lifelong passion for excellence.
Every vehicle in their collection – from iconic supercars to rare classics – is meticulously curated for its performance, pedigree, and style.
Brands like Ferrari, McLaren, Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche share the floor with timeless collectables and exclusive limited editions, creating a showroom unlike any other.
Pickering Luxury Garage are also thrilled to announce they are now the official Gold Coast home of Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Abarth – a trio of legendary Italian marques that bring timeless
design, racing heritage, and spirited driving to the already exceptional line-up.
Whether you're drawn to Alfa’s refined edge, Fiat’s iconic flair or Abarth’s pulse-raising performance, you'll find them all under one roof.
Inside Pickering’s bespoke showroom, you will discover an experience as refined as the vehicles themselves.
Relax in the luxury lounge, enjoy a handcrafted cocktail or premium wine from the in-house bar, and explore the collection with guidance from the expert team.
Private appointments, exclusive events and personalised service are all part of the Pickering philosophy.
Whether you’re searching for your next dream car, expanding a collection, or simply want to experience the best the automotive world has to offer – Pickering Luxury Garage is where your journey begins.
Visit the team at 51 Ferry Road, Southport or explore the collection online.
pickeringluxurygarage.com.au
Built TO MOVE
Carts’n’Parts roll out the all-new Magnum Series.
AS THE DEMAND for multi-purpose electric vehicles grows across the leisure, lifestyle, and commercial sectors, one Australian company is rising to the occasion with a range that is as adaptable as it is advanced.
Founded on the Gold Coast, with showrooms in Queensland, NSW and Victoria, Carts’n’Parts Australia has become a go-to supplier for golf carts, community transport solutions, and commercial and utility carts.
The latest release, ECAR Magnum Series of golf carts, is turning heads for all the right reasons.
Designed for both performance and practicality, the ECAR Magnum Series comprises a fresh lineup of carts built to tackle a wide variety of uses – from the fairway to the factory floor and everything in between.
With robust construction, modern styling, and fully compliant and certified OEM ECAR PRO-Li Lithium Batteries fitted as standard, these carts are positioned as a premium yet costeffective solution for anyone needing smart, efficient transport.
This new series offers a cart model for every purpose.
The dependable Magnum 2 Seat Golf Cart ($13,990 inc. GST*) is a sleek option for golfers and private users, featuring LED lighting, upgraded suspension, golfing accessories, and smooth drivability.
The Magnum 4LR ($18,990 inc. GST*) adds a touch of luxury with forward-facing high-back passenger seats, a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, sound system, and a reversing camera.
Delivering both versatility and comfort, this cart is ideal for families, resorts, or venues needing stylish passenger transport.
For commercial applications, the Magnum Housekeeping Golf Cart ($20,990 inc. GST*) delivers functionality without compromising on style.
Equipped with 3-point seatbelts, a bull bar, and an insulated weatherproof housekeeping box, this model is Australia’s most popular cart for hotels, hospitals, schools and even caravan parks.
All ECAR’s sold at Carts’n’Parts Australia are proudly equipped with ECAR’s very own OEM Lithium Battery Solution that is factory designed, fitted and calibrated.
The Magnum Series comes stock standard with a massive PRO-Li Plus+ 150Ah Lithium Battery ensuring that regardless of the intended use, the driver will enjoy approximately 4-5 rounds of golf* or the equivalent of 6-10 hours* of demanding use per charge.
All PRO-Li Lithium Battery packages are also available for individual sale from Carts’n’Parts Showrooms.
But the range of carts isn’t what just sets Carts’n’Parts apart, it’s the support and experience behind them.
The team offers expert, honest advice, nationwide delivery, and a deep understanding of the industry’s unique requirements for all makes and models with spare parts and accessories to suit.
Whether you’re purchasing your first cart or seeking a commercial cart that will be your business’s workhorse, Carts’n’Parts Australia is ready to assist.
*Range depends on various critical factors, including but not limited to driver behaviour, weight in the cart, and the cart's programmed parameters. Testing of run-time is based on 100% state-of-charge. Price correct at time of printing.
ECAR Magnum 2S Golf Carts
ECAR Magnum 4LR Golf Cart
Once you play here,
The blend of two championship courses, including The Pines golf course, Australia’s only Arnold Palmer signature course, and The Palms golf course, host of the 2026 Australian WPGA Championship, complemented by elite coaching, a private Clubhouse, and access to a full-service Country Club, offers our members premium sport, leisure, and dining facilities every day.
Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club is renowned by players across Australia and the world. Put simply, we offer golf at its finest.
Go UNCONDITIONAL
Secure your dream home with ENAYBL Deposit Solutions.
PRINCIPALS GRANT AND GORDANA BAILEY
launched ENAYBL Deposit Solutions in early 2023 to provide a boutique service to buyers who wanted to secure a property but did not have the cash deposit at hand.
The company offer a high level of service which is designed to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience.
What does ENAYBL do?
We ENAYBL people to secure the home of their dreams without the need to pay a cash deposit. We achieve this with a product called a Deposit Bond.
How does the product work?
When purchasers are buying a property, they have to pay a cash deposit when the contract goes unconditional.
However, many buyers simply don’t have hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash that is required these days to secure the average home or apartment.
With these buyers, we can provide a deposit bond in place of the cash deposit.
The deposit bond is an insurance related product that is similar to a bank guarantee but is issued by an insurance company.
The deposit bond guarantees to the vendor, that in the event the purchaser fails to complete on the purchase, they will be paid the deposit by the insurer.
Who is it suitable for?
It is suitable for any buyer who has the ability to buy a property but simply doesn’t have the cash at hand today to pay the deposit.
We find this most often includes upsizers and downsizers, along with property investors.
Can it be used to buy an ‘off the plan’ property?
Yes, many people use the product for this purpose as they want to secure the off the plan apartment now but struggle to come up with the cash deposit as all their money is tied up in a property they will be selling in the future.
The deposit bond ENAYBL’s the buyer to avoid cashing in investments or drawing on the equity in their current home.
What are some of the benefits?
The key benefit is the deposit bond ENAYBL’s a property buyer to secure their property now, without the need to pay the cash deposit.
The fee is also very attractive being around half the cost of borrowing the money.
A deposit bond for up to 6 months will attract a fee of 1.5% of the deposit amount while a deposit bond for 12 months will be 3% of the deposit amount.
For example, a property needing a deposit of $200,000 for a short period of a month or two, will cost $3,000.
And the buyer does not need to provide any asset security, unlike a bank guarantee or loan facility.
Because of this, we can organise a deposit bond in a day or two versus the weeks it takes to arrange other options.
What are the risks (if any)?
There are no risks to the purchaser in using a deposit bond.
Indeed, for off the plan buyers, it removes the risk of having a cash deposit tied up for a number of years.
What the buyer needs to know is that if they use the deposit bond to secure the property and then default on the purchase, they then owe the insurer the deposit amount in the same way they would have forgone their cash deposit. enabyl.com.au
A love of adventure
A Fijian Escape
My journey to Lomani Island Resort & Spa
THE MOMENT THE MALOLO CAT catamaran sliced through the turquoise waters toward Malolo Lailai Island, I felt the world’s weight lift.
This was our second visit to Lomani Island Resort & Spa, and hubby and I were excited to experience the new wellness centre.
I’d heard whispers of this sanctuary of rejuvenation and I was eager to immerse myself in its embrace.
Stepping onto the white sand beach, we were greeted by a chorus of Fijian voices singing a traditional Bula song, their warmth wrapping around me like a hug.
The staff, with their radiant smiles, handed us cold drinks as we soaked in the picture-perfect view >>
WORDS ANGELA ORAM
Our Beachfront Bure, just steps from the lapping waves, was a vision of understated luxury – mahogany furnishings, a king-sized bed draped in soft linens, and sliding glass doors opening to a private sun deck and plunge pool with uninterrupted ocean views.
The private outdoor shower, tucked away in a courtyard of fragrant frangipani, felt like a secret indulgence.
But it was the new Lomani Spa that called to me.
Nestled in a jungle oasis of swaying palms and vibrant hibiscus, the custom-built complex felt like a portal to tranquillity.
General Manager Shelley White described it as ‘a labour of love’, blending modern wellness with Fijian tradition, and I could feel that intention in every detail.
The air carried the scent of coconut and pineapple, and the distant crash of waves set a rhythm for renewal.
My first morning, I booked a Lomani Signature Fijian Bobo Massage, a 50-minute ritual rooted in generations of healing.
My therapist, Luisa Nuku Seruitukana, whose grandmother was a village masseuse, worked with rhythmic strokes and local Nama Fiji oils – sustainably sourced from wild sea grapes harvested by women in the Yasawa Islands.
As her hands eased the tight knots in my shoulders, I felt tension melt into the warm timber of the private treatment bure.
The spa’s design, with its open-air feel and private outdoor showers, made me feel both cocooned and connected to the island’s pulse.
I opted for a beachside session the next day, the ocean’s song amplifying the experience.
The wellness centre’s offerings extended beyond massages.
The spa’s four pillars – Relax, Regenerate, Restore, Rejuvenate – guided my experience, each treatment tailored to my energy.
I chose the Regenerate Journey after a morning of kayaking, pairing a body scrub with spa cuisine: fresh coconut ceviche and tropical fruits, vibrant and nourishing. >>
Sanctuary Resort Shoppe
FASHION FOR ANY OCCASION. FEATURING INTERNATIONAL AWARD-WINNING BRAND FRANK LYMAN. INNOVATION, VERSATILITY, AFFORDABILITY AND QUALITY.
INTRODUCING THE LATEST COLLECTION OF FRANK LYMAN TO SANCTUARY COVE
Lomani’s charm lies in its intimacy.
With only 30 bures, the resort never felt crowded, even at full capacity.
The staff remembered our names, greeting us as we wandered to the Flame Tree Restaurant for meals, lazed around the pool and strolled the resort grounds.
The Pacific Rim menu was a revelation –kokoda, a Fijian ceviche of local fish marinated in lime and coconut, burst with flavour, while the sunset painted the bay in hues of gold and pink.
The Lomani Bar’s cocktails, infused with local ingredients, were the perfect nightcap under a canopy of stars.
Beyond the spa, Lomani offers a tapestry of experiences.
We joined a complimentary snorkelling trip to one of six nearby reefs, marvelling at coral gardens teeming with fish.
A dolphin safari left us breathless as we glided alongside playful pods in the lagoon.
You are also immersed in local culture – with the opportunity to learn basket weaving, taste delicious lovo-cooked dishes, and join a kava ceremony that felt like a warm embrace from the island itself.
As our stay drew to a close, we lingered by the refreshing infinity pool, its edge blurring into the ocean.
The spa’s glow still hummed in my body, a reminder of the self-love the resort nurtures.
Leaving Lomani, the staff sang a farewell song, their voices ringing out across the water as the Malolo Cat pulled away.
We carried with us not just memories of massages and sunsets, but a sense of peace, woven from Fiji’s beauty and Lomani’s heart.
This wasn’t just a holiday – it was a love letter to us, signed in sand and sealed with the spa’s healing touch.
EXPLORE AUSTRALIA AND BEYOND ONBOARD THE LUXURIOUS SILVER NOVA
Silver Nova is here to change the way we sail forever. With her bold, asymmetrical design, she features wide open spaces and breathtaking views of your destination, everywhere you look. Novel, indulgent luxury experiences will make your voyage unforgettable.
AUSTRALIA’S SCENIC SOUTH
Fremantle (Perth) to Melbourne
Departure November 14, 2025
Duration 16 days
Silver Nova
FESTIVE NEW ZEALAND
Auckland to Sydney
Departure December 12, 2025
Celebrate Christmas onboard.
Duration 15 days
Silver Nova
BEST OF JAPAN
Tokyo to Tokyo
Departure March 12, 2026
Duration 14 days
Silver Nova
Time to unwind
Together, Bimbadgen Estate, Esca Restaurant, The Lane Retreat and Alter Wines Cellar Door create an immersive Hunter Valley experience –where wine, food, and landscape are celebrated with style.
Bimbadgen Estate (Bimbadgen Cellar Door, Woodfired Pizzeria and Night Merchant Distillery)
Nestled in the heart of Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley, Bimbadgen derives its name from local Indigenous language, and translates to ‘Place of Good View’, reflecting the remarkable outlook over the vineyards and surrounding mountain ranges.
A must-visit destination for both seasoned wine enthusiasts and casual visitors looking for a relaxed, stylish venue, Bimbadgen Estate is located on their McDonalds Road vineyard, with the flagship vines used for their Single Vineyard wine range.
Open 7 days, the Bimbadgen Cellar Door is housed in a modern architectural space, combining clean lines, glass, timber, and concrete for an open, light-filled tasting environment.
Tastings are hosted by knowledgeable staff who provide insights into the winemaking process and regional characteristics.
There are two structured tasting experiences to cater to different preferences:
• Choose Your Own Journey allows you to select your own wines to taste from Bimbadgen’s extensive varietal range.
• The Signature Experience focuses on premium, single parcel wines that are not made every year, only when grape quality is at its peak.
Located next to the cellar door is Woodfired Pizzeria, a Tuscan-inspired outdoor venue where you can source freshly made wood-fired pizzas.
The Pizzeria is open for lunch 7 days a week, and dinner Fridays and Saturdays and also offers a variety of spaces for hire – perfect for private events, corporate events and weddings.
Night Merchant Distillery is Bimbadgen’s premium spirit brand championing gin and other limited releases.
Products include OG Makers Gin, Pink Gin (macerated with strawberries for 12 hours), a Cask Gin (matured in old chardonnay barrels), Agave spirit, OG Makers vodka and a white rum.
Opened in late June, the Night Merchant Distillery Tasting Room offers a selection of self-exploratory gin and botanical experiences.
Bimbadgen is also home to a stunning outdoor amphitheatre which hosts regular live music events such as A Day on the Green. >>
Woodfired Pizzeria
Night Merchant Distillery
Esca Restaurant
Perched above the Bimbadgen winery, accessed by a bridge walk, Esca offers a refined dining experience with sweeping views over the vineyards.
The restaurant's elevated location and fulllength windows create a light, open setting ideal for long lunches or romantic dinners.
Esca’s culinary philosophy is about simplicity and balance – letting the quality of the ingredients shine while pairing seamlessly with Bimbadgen wines.
With a menu built around seasonal produce, much of it sourced from the wider Hunter Valley region and the Bimbadgen estate gardens, the restaurant is ideal for special occasions, wine pairings, or simply enjoying a slow afternoon overlooking the vines.
Standout dishes are designed to complement the wine list, whether guests opt for a shared table menu or choose à la carte.
Head Chef Raphael Martinez has returned to Esca, marking a storybook homecoming after his initial role with Bimbadgen in 2018.
With experience at other prestigious neighbouring venues like Spicers Guesthouse and Brokenwood Wines, Raphael now oversees all culinary offerings at Bimbadgen, including Esca restaurant, weddings, events, Lovedale Long Lunch, and A Day on the Green concerts.
Dedicated to delivering exceptional dining experiences, Raphael’s cooking style is a harmonious blend of modern techniques and bold, seasonal flavours, with an emphasis on showcasing the best local produce.
The current Winter menu is a soft nod to his background of pan-Asian flavours melded with modern-Australian cuisine.
Open for lunch Wednesday to Saturday, and dinner Thursday to Saturday, Esca is a flexible choice for midweek getaways and weekend indulgence.
The combination of top-tier hospitality, estate-grown wines, and thoughtful cuisine makes Esca a destination in its own right.
The Lane Retreat
Set three minutes from Bimbadgen Estate on Palmers Lane vineyard, The Lane Retreat offers a unique combination of luxury and seclusion.
Surrounded by 15 hectares of vines, the retreat features 59 standalone studio rooms, each with private decks and expansive views of the surrounding landscape.
Interiors are modern yet warm, featuring premium bedding, elegant furnishings and soft textures that reflect the Hunter Valley aesthetic.
The retreat is ideal for couples, solo travellers, or small groups looking for a relaxing vineyard escape.
Onsite amenities include a serene pool with unbeatable views overlooking the vines and Broken Back Range; and the Lane Pantry, which is stocked with gourmet local produce, wine, and essentials for guests to enjoy in their rooms or take on a picnic.
Guests enjoy complimentary transfers to Bimbadgen Estate and sister vineyard Emma’s Cottage.
Complimentary bikes are also available.
For those looking for the ultimate indulgence, in-room massages can be arranged through the Guest Services Concierge.
With its blend of privacy, comfort, and vineyard charm, The Lane Retreat offers a refined base for exploring the Hunter Valley.
Alter Wines Cellar Door
Situated at Emma’s Cottage Vineyard in Lovedale, a scenic 10-minute drive from Bimbadgen Estate and The Lane Retreat, Alter Wines is a boutique label launched in 2022 as a contemporary creative outlet from the Bimbadgen winemaking team.
Under the skilful mentorship of Bimbadgen’s Chief Winemaker, the next generation of Hunter Valley winemakers have crafted Alter Wines to champion premium NSW fruit.
At this stage Alter Wines source their fruit from three local properties; Roxborough Vineyard, Merton Vineyard and Emmas Cottage Vineyard, all of which offer distinguishing terroir and viticulture prospects.
Alter Wine labels are designed by Australian textile talent, Annie Coop a Sydney-based designer who draws inspiration from her European and South American travels and love for the uniqueness of diverse cultures.
Her designs, characterised by vibrant, bold colour compositions and modern geometric styles, align perfectly with Alter Wines vision and approach to winemaking.
At the Cellar Door, delicious cheese and charcuterie platters from The Larder menu can be curated to your preferences for a light lunch option.
bimbadgen.com.au
The Lane Retreat
Esca Restaurant
Alter Wines Cellar Door
Crafting Unforgettable African Safaris Since 1962
Abercrombie & Kent has been curating luxury safaris for more than six decades. From mountain gorillas in Uganda to lions on the prowl in the Serengeti, we place you front row in the finest game reserves to witness Africa’s wild heart. Game sightings are unmatched, camps and lodges are dreamy hideaways, and our commitment to local communities ensures every journey gives back. A safari with A&K is unparalleled.
A&K Sanctuary Safari – Victoria Falls to the Okavango Delta 7 days from $8,695 pp
Classic South Africa: Kruger to the Cape 11 days from $18,995 pp
Namibia Desert Safari 10 days from $24,995 pp
The Ultimate Zimbabwe Safari 12 days from $26,495 pp
A&K Sanctuary Safari in Kenya and Uganda 11 days from $17,395 pp
East Africa’s Great Migration 12 days from $34,895 pp
The Wildlife of Madagascar 10 days from $9,495 pp
Chinese Garden of Friendship
Hidden Haven Elysian Retreat offers secluded luxury for those seeking a restorative Coral Sea experience.
With only ten oceanfront villas, Elysian Retreat caters to a maximum of 20 adult guests, ensuring privacy, tranquillity, and personalised service.
Each villa features uninterrupted views of the Coral Sea and surrounding rainforest, with private decks, organic linens, and alfresco showers designed to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living.
Kalleske TUCKED AWAY ON THE southern tip of Long Island in the heart of the Whitsundays, Elysian Retreat is a hidden gem offering an exclusive escape into sustainable luxury.
Dining is a highlight at Elysian, with daily changing menus crafted from fresh, seasonal ingredients – many sourced from the island’s own permaculture gardens.
Offering a fully inclusive food experience, guests enjoy gourmet breakfasts, long lunches, and sunset dinners, complemented by hand-selected Australian wines and pre-dinner canapés served fireside under the stars.
Wellness is also central to the Elysian experience, with twice-daily yoga sessions, magnesium mineral pools, and a tranquil day spa offering organic treatments tailored to guests’ needs.
For the adventurous, the retreat offers unlimited use of snorkelling gear, paddleboards, and kayaks, along with optional private boat charters to iconic sites including Whitehaven Beach and the surrounding Whitsundays region.
With helicopters available from Hamilton Island, Airlie Beach or Whitsunday Coast airport and boat transfers from Shute Harbour, Hamilton Island and Daydream Island, Elysian Retreat feels worlds away.
It is a destination where luxury, nature, and sustainability coexist – making it ideal for honeymoons, romantic getaways, or peaceful disconnection.
Elysian is not just a resort – it is a reimagining of what luxury travel can be: conscious, quiet, and deeply restorative.
For bookings or more information, visit the website. elysianretreat.com.au
AUSTRALIA’S WEST COAST ODYSSEY
FLY, STAY & CRUISE IN THE KIMBERLEY
Explore the Australian west coast during an 11-day expedition aboard Le Soléal. Immaculate beaches edged with turquoise waters, majestic landscapes designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, encounters with marine life and unearthing the mysterious history of the region … this unforgettable journey is sure to surprise you.
BROOME TO FREMANTLE - NEW VOYAGE 2026
From $14,260 per person
29 July 26 | 8 August 26
Experience an extraordinary journey during an expedition cruise discovering sumptuous scenery, unsuspected wildlife and fascinating history.
Including:
• 10-night luxury expedition*
• Return economy flights*
• 1-night accomodation & transfer*
• On Board Credit of EUR200pp in conjunction with any booking*
Stylish suites
Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the world’s leading ultra-luxury cruise line, has unveiled the stunning suite designs aboard its newest ship, Seven Seas Prestige Marking the beginning of a new legacy of elegance, the ship introduces all-new suite categories, including two-story Skyview Suites with serene private roof-top terraces, the expansive two-level Grand Loft Suites with dramatic floorto-ceiling windows, and the Horizon Penthouse Suite featuring oversized balconies for breathtaking ocean views. For more information and bookings contact Cove Travel.
covetravel.com.au
Jet set
Elevate your experience with exquisite personal travel essentials by Mont Laurént. This elegant set includes a custom travel wallet, keyring, passport holder and luggage tag – perfectly designed for the discerning traveller who values both function and flair. RRP $339 montlaurent.com.au
1-5 August
Kangaroo Island Photo Safari
Acclaimed travel photographer and Canon Master Richard I’Anson returns to the wildly beautiful Kangaroo Island to host an unforgettable photo safari through one of Australia’s most extraordinary natural landscapes. With just 10 spots available, this intimate experience at Southern Ocean Lodge offers rare access to Richard’s expert guidance while capturing the island’s iconic wildlife, rugged coastlines, and breathtaking light from dawn to dusk. southernoceanlodge.com.au
Very Important Pooches
Festive Collection
Golden Eagle Luxury Trains have released special savings for solo travellers during their Festive Collection for 2025. Guests can choose to have their own Deluxe cabin on the gorgeous Danube Express and pay no single supplement on two journeys – the 7 December Munich to Budapest Christmas Markets or the 28 December Budapest to Budapest New Year in Vienna departure. For those opting for adventures further afield, solo travellers can also enjoy no single supplement on the famed Treasures of Uzbekistan journey this September. These carefully curated journeys promise guests an unforgettable experience as they traverse through the winter wonderland of the Alps onboard one of Europe’s finest private trains. For more information and bookings contact Cove Travel. covetravel.com.au
Park Hyatt Melbourne has unveiled its newest offering – dog-friendly rooms that invite guests to experience five-star stays alongside their four-legged companions. Set beside the leafy Fitzroy Gardens, the hotel has long embraced its canine connections – from the legacy of retired guide dog Mr. Walker to the arrival of the new resident pup, Charlie. This next chapter welcomes well-behaved dogs of all sizes (with some breed restrictions in line with Victorian regulations) into specially appointed guest rooms designed with care, comfort, and a touch of play. Each VIP (Very Important Pooch) experience includes a plush dog bed, food and water bowls, a welcome treat, and a soft toy. melbourne.park.hyatt.com
Postcards from Portofino
Swarovski announces its arrival at Cracco Portofino Restaurant, providing the ideal backdrop for a picture-perfect postcard from Portofino. Swarovski’s activation will combine joyful extravagance with La Dolce Vita lifestyle of the Italian Riviera, welcoming visitors throughout the 2025 summer season. The outdoor terrace will serve as a focal point, featuring seating and parasols in Swarovski’s vibrant colours. Once seated, guests will be able to enjoy a range of sweet and savoury delicacies including a specially crafted Swarovski cocktail and dessert by renowned chef, Carlo Cracco. Each dish will be served on exquisite porcelain from the Swarovski x Rosenthal collections, designed by Giovanna Engelbert. craccoportofino.it
Q & A
Step aboard with Lisa Pile, Vice President Sales & General Manager, Asia Pacific, Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
What do you enjoy about travelling?
What don’t I enjoy about travelling?
I really like meeting new people, enjoying different cultures, tasting local cuisine and what you may not expect to hear is, I really enjoy airports.
Whether I’m travelling for business or a holiday, I love the energy and various emotions people have at an airport.
Be it travellers enjoying a wine in a lounge before takeoff, or people welcoming friends or family who have returned from a holiday, there are those who are joyful and those shedding a tear and I always wonder what their story is.
This is the great thing about travel, you realise you are just one person in a very big world.
What has been your most memorable travel experience?
I have many, so I couldn’t choose just one travel experience.
Some of my most cherished memories would include my very first safari in Tanzania, a half marathon across the Great Wall of China and taking my parents on an Alaska Cruise with Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Also, cruising Croatia for a friend’s special birthday, and inviting my mum on Seven Seas Grandeur’s™ inaugural sailing in Europe, before taking her back to Norway and Sweden for her 80th birthday.
Lastly, spending time with close friends in France … all these wonderful experiences are so memorable, I can’t just choose one.
Is there a particular place on your bucket list?
I cannot wait to explore Egypt … I would like to visit the Pyramids of Egypt, the new Grand Egyptian Museum, the Valley of the Kings and, of course, take a Nile River cruise.
I don’t have plans in motion yet but I am looking forward to taking a Regent voyage through the Suez Canal when we resume this route.
Not only do you get to sail there in true luxury, it ticks every 'wow' box.
Window or aisle seat?
Always an aisle seat, as it’s easy to get up move around and exit when needing to without excusing yourself past someone else sleeping, resting or eating.
How do you pass the time while in transit?
People watching as the emotion always seems so happy, I’ll complete a crossword or two, catch up on work emails and phone messages.
Transit time assists you to keep on top of everything.
Car, coach, plane or ship?
Always a ship, preferably a Regent Ship, which is a floating luxury hotel.
You unpack once, you feel safe and secure, you’re surrounded with likeminded people.
There isn’t the need for multiple types of transport as the beauty of cruising is that you are transported to each destination, docking in different ports of call along the journey, allowing for exploration both on board and ashore.
A luxury cruise ship is also very personalised; the crew is with you from embarkation right through to disembarkation and they quickly become familiar with your personal preferences.
What is your favourite iconic landmark and why?
Uluru/Ayers Rock in the Northern Territory is the most magical place I have ever visited. Ancient and spiritual and the colour changes almost every hour … it is truly mesmerising.
Is there one piece of travel advice you can share?
Pack your patience and a sense of humour.
Pack your essentials in a carry-on bag including a change of clothes in case of lost luggage, your passport, phone/ computer chargers, all documentation with paper copies, pens and e-docs plus any medicines.
What is one destination that everyone should see in their lifetime?
Africa, particularly a wildlife safari, which is a truly incredible experience.
There are so many to choose from that they can suit any interest, from culinary to adventure, or luxury, wellness and wildlife.
For me the idea of seeing the Big 5 in an open top vehicle with a guide talking about the animals and their surrounding environment was something I’ll never forget.
I was in awe of seeing African elephants, they’re enormous in size and yet so calm and intuitive.
I’d highly recommend this experience – a trip of a lifetime.
Can you name your favourite hotel?
I have two favourite hotels; Raffles Singapore and The Saxon in Johannesburg.
Both are truly beautiful, very unique and leave you with a very special feeling that stays with you forever.
What is your favourite Australian destination?
I don’t have just one – I have many, however, here are my top three.
I love Tasmania due to its sheer beauty and pristine wilderness,
I adore Noosa Heads as it’s so relaxing and I enjoy ocean swimming, plus my parents and many friends live there, so it ticks every box.
Lastly, I really love the Northern Territory, as it’s so vast, raw and different.
From indigenous culture and arts, to the wetlands of Kakadu National Park, the waterfalls of Litchfield National Park, Katherine Gorge and Mataranka Hot Springs and also my favourite landmark Uluru, it’s truly a magical and very unique destination.
What have you bought on your travels that you really enjoy?
I like to purchase special items that will remind me of my travels.
I’ve bought antique furniture in China, a rug from Tibet, Indigenous Art from the Northern Territory and a handbag in Paris.
The items I buy always bring a smile to my face … and they always come with forever memories.
Where have you just returned from and where to next?
My most recent travels have been business related, attending the TravelDAZE Conference in Cairns.
It’s been at least 30 years since I’ve visited this beautiful city and I’m so impressed by how clean it is, the facilities on offer and the manicured gardens.
Next, I will be heading to Miami, Florida, visiting Regent’s head office for our annual global sales and marketing conference.
Like Cairns, Miami is known for its beautiful coastline, something I always look forward to seeing when I return to HQ.
WHEN: Wednesday 20th August 2025
WHERE: The Sanctuary Cove Country Club
TIME: 4:30pm - 6:00pm RSVP: 6th August 2025
Value ADDED
Interest rate cuts keep the momentum going for house values.
WORDS NICK NICOLS
INTEREST RATE CUTS appear to be having the desired effect on the property market nationally with prices trending higher since the Reserve Bank of Australia announced in February its first easing of the official cash rate since the end of 2020.
Home values have broadly increased since that first rate cut – with the main capital city markets appearing to have turned a corner after mixed performances towards the end of last year.
After tepid growth in March, likely influenced by election uncertainty, house prices gained momentum with the second cut to the cash rate in May.
Data from Cotality, which was formerly known as CoreLogic, reveals that Australian dwelling values rose by 0.5 per cent in May, boosting the
national Home Value Index by 1.7 per cent over the first five months of 2025.
And while the lower end of the market has led the prices gains across most capital cities, the researcher says there has also been an acceleration in growth for more expensive market segments thanks to the latest rate-cut cycle.
“The continued momentum we’re seeing across almost all markets is no doubt being fuelled by rate cuts – both those that have already happened, but also potential cuts in the coming months,” says Tim Lawless, Cotality’s research director.
“With interest rates falling again in May, we are likely to see a further positive influence flowing through to housing values in June and through the rest of the year.”
That’s a massive change in direction for the property market which had recorded a drop of 0.4 per cent in the Home Value Index nationally in the three months to the end of January this year.
Even Melbourne, which has been an underperformer over the past year, enjoyed some interest-rate sunshine with a 0.4 per cent increase in May – although dwelling values are still down 1.2 per cent over the 12-month period.
Despite the gains, both Sydney and Melbourne are tracking below their peaks reached in September 2024 and March 2022 respectively, although three state capitals continued to hit new highs amid sustained demand.
The gains for Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth kept coming as dwelling prices broke new records in May.
According to another indicator, the PropTrack Home Price Index, the gains in Perth have been most notable because the city’s median home value has overtaken Melbourne’s for the first time in a decade.
It also highlights a major turnaround for the Western Australian housing market since 2022.
The Perth median of $787,000 in April just beat Melbourne at $782,000, which sat in fifth place below Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Adelaide in descending order.
However, when looking at the trend over the past decade, Cotality’s data shows two clear leaders in terms of sustained price growth in a market that has delivered mixed performances.
These are Adelaide, which has seen its Home Value Index increase by 93.6 per cent since
May 2015, and Brisbane which has experienced a 91.6 per cent gain over the same period.
The question is, how long can growth continue at this pace, regardless of any further interest rate cuts?
According to Cotality, the pace has started to slow already.
While Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane helped support the Home Value Index with annual gains ranging from 7.1 per cent for Brisbane to 8.6 per cent for the others, growth in the Home Value Index nationally over the year is tracking at 3.3 per cent – the slowest 12-month change since the year ending August 2023.
“The slower annual pace of growth reflects the easing in capital gains through the second half of last year, culminating in the modest fall in
values over the three months to January 2025,” says Mr Lawless.
Cotality still sees plenty of upside for the residential property market this year, driven by the rise in sentiment that interest rate cuts have delivered, but the researcher also warns that several ‘downside factors’ will likely keep any material increase in housing values in check.
Affordability pressures are expected to keep a lid on demand, along with tight lending policies by the banking sector and forecasts of lower population growth due to a reduction in immigration.
“Overall, we are still expecting housing values to post a modest rise in 2025, albeit at a slower pace than what was recorded in 2024,” says Cotality.
Waterfront LIVING REDEFINED
Introducing Stage 2 at Marina Point Apartments.
FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF ITS FIRST STAGE, Marina Point Apartments is proud to announce the release of Stage 2, an exclusive new offering that redefines waterfront living on the Gold Coast.
Positioned in the heart of Hope Island and created by a local, family-owned team with decades of experience, Stage 2 presents a rare opportunity to secure a spacious, elegantly designed home with direct access to the water.
This is luxury living with a personal touch, crafted for those who are ready to upgrade their lifestyle without compromising on space, privacy, or quality.
Stage 2 introduces a thoughtfully curated collection of oversized apartments, designed for owner-occupiers who expect more from where they live.
Ranging from 139 square metres to an expansive 319 square metre penthouse, each apartment offers stunning views of the water, open layouts, spacious balconies, and abundant natural light and ventilation through floor-toceiling windows.
Interiors are defined by high-end finishes and generous proportions, with ceiling heights reaching up to four metres in select apartments.
These are homes designed to feel open, elegant, and elevated, where lifestyle will not only continue, but flourish.
Behind this project is a vision not driven by short-term ambition, but by generational care and local legacy.
“We are not a large-scale developer working from afar,” says Rick Sheida, the developer behind Marina Point.
“This is a family business. We are locals. We have lived here, raised our families here, and we are building for people like us – people who value privacy, space, wellbeing, a sense of community, and the quality of finish that we expect.”
Marina Point Apartments is developed by the same team behind Anchorage Apartments, a boutique six-stage residential community also located in Hope Island.
With over 38 years of experience and a reputation for quality, this family-led team knows the area intimately and is committed to enhancing it with every brick they lay.
The Marina Point complex offers over one hectare of beautifully landscaped open space, encouraging a lifestyle that embraces the outdoors and the water.
Residents can enjoy the freedom to lock up and travel without worry, with the confidence that their home is protected within a secure, gated community.
From the beginning, the team behind Marina Point has placed wellbeing at the centre of its design philosophy.
The completed wellness pavilion features a fully equipped gym, an infrared sauna, a
yoga room, and a 25-metre seasonally heated lap pool.
“Health is the new wealth,” says Rick.
“We wanted to build an environment that inspires people to feel better, live better, and move through each day with more energy and clarity.”
With more facilities to come, Marina Point residents will also enjoy a second resort-style pool, spa, residents’ lounge, barbecue area, and a newly added putting green.
For boating enthusiasts, this development delivers something truly rare, offering direct bridge-free access to the Broadwater and open ocean.
Marina berths are available for vessels up to 25 metres, including catamarans.
Whether it is a spontaneous sunset cruise or a long weekend escape to Stradbroke, your boating lifestyle begins just metres from your front door.
Yet for all its sophistication and scale, the true luxury of Marina Point lies in its attention to detail.
From the exceptional finishes to the homesized floorplans and the personal approach of the architects and interior designers, everything here is built with care.
“We are not just building apartments. We are building homes, and we are building them with people in mind,” says Rick.
Interest in Stage 2 has been strong prior to the market release, and it is a clear signal that buyers are recognising the difference Marina Point offers.
You are invited to visit the onsite showroom at 72 View Line Terrace, Hope Island to experience the construction firsthand and view the interactive virtual tour.
Showroom open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. For more information, contact the sales team on 1300 424 127 or sales@marinapointapartments.com.au marinapointapartments.com.au
New HORIZON
Horizon buyers enjoy a luxury lifestyle in a premium waterfront sanctuary.
HORIZON – A LIMITED COLLECTION of 23 architecturally designed free-standing residences – is redefining luxury living in Sanctuary Cove.
Nestled in an elevated, parkside enclave in the heart of Australia's most prestigious masterplanned community, this exclusive development is more than just a home; it’s a lifestyle.
Surrounded by some of the estate’s most established and sought-after residences, Horizon offers a refined living experience tailored for those who expect the best.
Each home – available in three or fourbedroom configurations – has been masterfully crafted by Mulpha, renowned for its commitment to quality and innovation.
A Personal Paradise
Among Horizon’s earliest buyers are John and Bashor Waters, long-time admirers of Sanctuary Cove, having attended the iconic Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show for many years.
Their affection for the destination grew into commitment, so much so that they purchased not one, but two properties: an apartment in the ultra-exclusive Harbour One, and now, a threebedroom villa in Horizon.
Originally intended as a guest residence, John admits their Horizon home has become their personal sanctuary.
“The landscaping is beautiful, and we have a lot of privacy,” he says.
“We enjoy a good position with plenty of natural light and the villa itself is beautifully built. It’s pretty special.”
Each Horizon home embodies elegance and understated luxury.
Architectural lines are minimalist yet timeless, with natural materials and a refined palette that reflects the coastal environment.
Inside, open-plan living spaces flow effortlessly, bathed in natural light and designed to create both intimacy and openness.
These homes are as practical as they are luxurious – crafted for entertaining, unwinding, and everything in between.
A World-Class Lifestyle at Your Doorstep
To live at Horizon is to become part of one of Australia’s most exclusive resort communities.
Residents enjoy privileged access to two championship golf courses, The Palms and The Pines, and embrace the signature ‘buggy lifestyle’, travelling via golf cart along a network of dedicated trails connecting homes to the marina, golf club and The Marine Village.
The Waters make the most of this lifestyle, often heading out for a round of golf, boutique shopping, or dining – all by buggy.
They also recently acquired a luxury 30-foot Saxdor boat, moored at the state-of-the-art Sanctuary Cove Marina.
“It’s so easy to jump on board and head out – the marina is world-class,” says John.
The 330-berth marina, a state-of-the-art hub for yachting and marine adventures, is fully equipped for vessels of all sizes.
Residents can also enjoy the resort gym, sauna and pool, without the burden of upkeep.
“Mulpha does a great job of looking after the property,” he says of the Sanctuary Cove development.
“The best part is not having to worry about maintenance,” he adds.
Before moving to Sanctuary Cove, John has previously owned three waterfront properties in Sydney and his impressive career has included running his own construction business, during which he was a major contractor for Westfield developments.
Peace of Mind
With 24-hour land and water security, medical emergency response services, and alarm monitoring, residents enjoy total peace of mind, whether at home or abroad.
“When we travel overseas, we know our property is secure,” says John.
Each Horizon home features advanced security, including colour-screen video intercoms, panic buttons linked directly to Sanctuary Cove security, and private parking for vehicles and golf buggies.
A Gateway for International Buyers
Horizon at Sanctuary Cove also holds special appeal for international purchasers.
Thanks to the master-planned estate’s full FIRB (Foreign Investment Review Board) resort status, overseas buyers can invest in property and land here without requiring prior government approval, streamlining the path to owning a slice of this exclusive paradise.
The final release of Horizon homes is now selling with just a small collection remaining.
Now is the time to purchase in this coveted community with prices from $1,895,000. 1300 998 178 sanctuarycove.com/living-here/horizon
Ivy Realty
Ivy Realty is proud to close the 2024/2025 financial year with an impressive $250,014,277 in total sales. This milestone is a testament to the trust our clients place in us, the strength of our brand, and the dedication of our team. Thank you for being part of our continued success.
As we reflect on an incredible financial year, we’re proud to showcase our Top 10 Sales for FY24/25 — a testament to the trust our clients place in us and the dedication of our team. From record-breaking waterfront estates to prestigious family homes, each sale represents a premium result delivered through our commitment to excellence, transparency, and connection. Thank you to our valued clients and community for making this year one to remember.
Isaac Kim
Ivy
Isaac Kim
Ivy Wu
Exquisite ENTERTAINER
Enjoy waterfront living in sought-after Sovereign Islands.
EMBRACE A LIFE LESS ORDINARY with this exquisite waterfront entertainer.
Presiding over a wide water junction, the Sovereign Islands’ stunner is the recipient of flawless full-scale renovation and presents as a pristine, brand-new build.
Masterfully designed on a 741m2 block with 27m private waterfrontage, the home is defined by quality finishes and promises an enviable indoor-outdoor living experience.
Indulge your senses with spaces crafted for pure enjoyment.
The gourmet kitchen is a culinary dream, featuring an integrated Liebherr fridge and freezer, a substantial stone island bench, dual Miele ovens and an induction cooktop.
This space is perfectly complemented by a butler's pantry, with a second fridge, Miele appliances, integrated dishwasher and a Ziptap.
Expansive living and dining zones flow effortlessly from the kitchen to embrace a dedicated entertaining lounge with a wet bar, Husky vino pro wine fridge, dishwasher and icemaker.
A vast alfresco terrace hugs the entire length of the home, complete with a covered, cantilevered section and an outdoor kitchen.
Delight in drinks by the oversized mosaic-tiled pool as it shimmers in the sunshine or relish the
freedom to moor a massive 65ft boat on your private pontoon, boasting both a wide turning circle and bridge-free access to the Broadwater.
For moments of refined relaxation, retreat to the sophisticated lounge room with its ambient electric fireplace, or enjoy a cinematic experience in the theatre, boasting tiered seating, an Epson projector, large screen, and surround sound.
The allure continues with the sumptuous master suite, featuring a designer dressing room and ensuite, which lead onto a vast sun terrace via pillarless sliding doors.
Three additional bedrooms with walk-in robes and ensuites are complemented by a flexible ground floor office or fifth bedroom.
You'll also have access to a basement garage accommodating 4-7 cars.
Situated in a prestigious and secure Sovereign Islands enclave, the property is approximately five minutes from Paradise Point's village-style amenities, and its lush parklands and shoreline.
Love to golf? You're in luck with three championship golf courses located within a 15-minute drive.
For more information contact Ivy Realty.
Ivy Wu 0433 103 586
Isaac Kim 0433 268 046
S o v e r e i g n I s l a n d s
Natural BEAUTY
Contemporary riverfront luxury in exclusive Gracemere Estate.
INFUSED WITH AN INVIGORATING BLEND of contemporary luxury, this renovated riverfront residence promises a superb lifestyle.
Part of the prestigious Gracemere Estate, the home sprawls across a 939m2 block, gazing upon the greenery of Thomson Island.
In fact, the interiors draw upon a strong connection to the lush outdoors, with bold feature wall prints paired with extensive glazing framing views of the natural surrounds.
Simultaneously, the windows draw in abundant natural light, illuminating the timeless finishes and accentuating the soaring ceiling heights.
At its heart, this home is a marvellous entertainer.
A full-scale butler's pantry is more like a second kitchen, complementing the Miele appliances appointed to the main culinary hub.
Adjacent, the vast open plan living and dining space includes custom joinery with a concealed bar.
Select a bottle of your favourite vintage from the sleek wine bar housing over 600 bottles and join guests on the expansive new deck featuring a pergola and firepit zone.
Just beyond, a supersized lap pool sparkles in the sunshine, while a pontoon on 18.5m river frontage calls boating enthusiasts to explore the tranquil waterways.
Four bedrooms are thoughtfully positioned, including an ensuited ground-floor guest suite.
Upstairs, the elegant master retreat is a serene oasis, revealing bushland and water vistas from the balcony.
A luxe ensuite, and a dressing room with bespoke display shelving, complete the space.
Each additional bedroom boasts a walk-in robe and modern ensuite, with the home also featuring a study, stylish media room, a surplus of storage and a triple garage.
Situated within a secure estate, residents benefit from 24/7 security and close proximity to championship golf courses, shopping precincts and the world-class Sanctuary Cove Marina where specialty stores, restaurants and cafes line the water's edge.
Enjoy easy to access the M1, with quality schools also close by.
Every detail of this residence has been curated for those who appreciate exceptional quality, privacy and an unbeatable waterfront lifestyle.
For more information contact Ivy Realty. Ivy Wu 0433 103 586 Isaac Kim 0433 268 046
2
s l a n d
Artist Impression
Artist Impression
Artist Impression
Living Choice Parkwood: luxury retirement living meets a sense of wellbeing. Community CONNECTION
NESTLED IN THE LUSH, green heart of Parkwood on the Gold Coast, Living Choice Parkwood is redefining what retirement living can be.
Here, wellness isn’t a feature; it’s the foundation.
Designed for those who value vitality, connection, and independence, Living Choice Parkwood offers a unique blend of resort-style amenities and genuine community spirit.
Whether you’re seeking relaxation, recreation, or a renewed sense of self, everything here has been thoughtfully designed with your wellbeing in mind.
At the heart of this extraordinary offering lies the state-of-the-art Living Choice Leisure and Wellness Centre.
Picture yourself starting the day in a premium fitness centre with modern amenities, taking part in a tailored training session or enjoying a hearthealthy workout with garden and pool views.
Prefer something a little gentler? The heated indoor magnesium pool is perfect for soothing aqua aerobics or quiet relaxation.
For those drawn to movement with a social twist, the Pickleball Courts offer a space to connect and compete.
Whether you’re a seasoned player or curious beginner, the courts are always ready for your next friendly match.
But Living Choice Parkwood is about more than physical wellbeing – it’s about enriching the soul and engaging the mind.
The art room provides a creative sanctuary for painters and makers, while the resident workshop allows hands-on talents to flourish.
Literature lovers will enjoy the peaceful library, a quiet haven perfect for diving into a good book or researching a new passion project.
Social connection also thrives at Living Choice Parkwood, with beautifully curated communal areas like the resident bar and lounge, outdoor terrace and BBQ area.
These stylish gathering spaces set the scene for Friday night Happy Hours, relaxed morning coffees, and spontaneous chats with new friends.
The resident cinema screens everything from silver screen classics to modern blockbusters, while the auditorium is home to performances, themed events and guest talks.
Supported by world-class facilities and likeminded neighbours who share a zest for life, the spirit of community pulses through every element of this luxury village.
And while the lifestyle is alive with opportunities to connect, learn, and grow, the atmosphere remains warm and welcoming.
Here, residents don’t just find a beautiful place to live – they find a sense of belonging and the freedom to live life on their own terms.
If you’ve been searching for the ultimate blend of comfort, community, and contemporary luxury, Living Choice Parkwood might just be your next chapter.
Penthouse Display Apartment now open.
Phone 1300 421 414 to book a tour or visit the sales office at 76-122 Napper Road, Parkwood. livingchoice.com.au
Artist Impression
bespoke luxury in Calypso Bay. Paradise PERFECTION
A vision of
IN THE SERENE HEART OF CALYPSO BAY where shimmering canals stretch toward the Broadwater and luxury is a way of life, a new icon has emerged – and it’s redefining what it means to live on the water.
Welcome to 125 Paradise Parade, Calypso Bay – a three-level architectural masterpiece that commands attention from every angle.
Master-built by Resolve Constructions and completed just six months ago, this contemporary sanctuary occupies a prime 766m² waterfront block and delivers a rare blend of elegance, innovation and effortless coastal living.
From the moment you arrive, there’s a sense that this is not just another waterfront property – this is a bespoke creation, designed for those who demand excellence.
The clean architectural lines, sophisticated material palette and grand entry set the tone for what’s inside: over three levels of thoughtfully curated spaces that celebrate both form and function.
With lift access to all levels, this home has been designed to evolve with its owners.
Whether you're entertaining, relaxing, or retreating, every inch of the home has been considered for seamless living.
The open-plan main level flows effortlessly from an opulent kitchen to expansive living areas and an alfresco entertaining zone that blurs the line between indoors and out.
Step outside and you're met with breathtaking views down the wide canal.
Whether it’s a relaxed morning coffee as the sun rises or evening cocktails beside the water, this is a home that invites you to savour every moment of the day.
Better still, direct bridge-free boating access means you're under ten minutes from the open water – a rare luxury on the northern Gold Coast.
But it’s not just the lifestyle that sets this home apart – the craftsmanship is extraordinary.
Premium finishes, soaring ceilings, and bespoke detailing elevate the everyday.
The six-car basement garage is a revelation for collectors or those who need space for toys and tools – something seldom found in waterfront homes.
This property presents a turn-key opportunity in one of the most tightly held enclaves of Calypso Bay.
And with new builds in this area so rarely available, 125 Paradise Parade stands as a true one-of-one offering – an unrepeatable proposition for those seeking a forever home or an elite holiday escape.
Outside the home, Calypso Bay offers an unbeatable lifestyle with a marina, waterfront tavern, residents’ leisure club, pools, gym, tennis courts, and kilometres of walking trails.
All just moments from the convenience of the M1, and under an hour to both Brisbane and the Gold Coast’s best beaches.
For those who have been waiting for something truly special – something bold, beautiful, and ready to move into now – this is your invitation to live a life less ordinary.
Enquire today for your private viewing and step into the next chapter of waterfront excellence.
Nathan Simon – Director & Sales Agent All Property Group 0490 126 963
KeepIT COSY
Personalised comfort
For years, adjustable beds have prioritised function over form, often catering to practicality rather than aesthetics. Heatherly Design changes that with Maxine – Australia’s first fully upholstered, high-end adjustable bed, with its mechanics discreetly built into the frame. Wrapped in rich mustard yellow, Maxine offers complete adjustability, while maintaining a sculptural, seamless form. RRP from $4,950 (Queen) heatherlydesign.com.au
Pretty as a picture
Wallsauce has released a curated collection of Butter Yellow made-to-measure wallpaper murals including the stunning Golden Country Bloom Floral design by Lisa Audit. Perfect for brightening living rooms, bedrooms, hallways or bathrooms, these murals are available in a range of materials including peel-and-stick wallpaper and are printed to your wall’s exact size for a flawless fit. wallsauce.com
Portable sound
Bang & Olufsen introduces the third-generation Beosound A1, a reimagined version of its portable Bluetooth speaker. Now combining enhanced performance with circular design and elevated sound, the speaker is available two new colourways – Honey Tone and Eucalyptus Green – alongside classic Natural Aluminium. RRP $640 bang-olufsen.com
See-through style
Made from tempered glass, the Adularia nesting coffee tables feature a minimalist design with seamless joins that allows light to flow in. Perfect for any interior, the tables are available in two sizes and four colours. RRP $979 (85 x 85 cm); RRP $999 (140 x 60 cm) kavahome.com.au
Vintage elements
Textures and fabrics are a great way to add warmth and style to your room. The Vivid Curtain collection by Luxaflex traverses both a classic and modern interior landscape, creating depth and dimension with a slight vintage feel. luxaflex.com.au
Nod to Modernism
Tigmi has unveiled an exclusive collection that reimagines the seminal furniture designs of Geoffrey Bawa – the visionary Sri Lankan architect who pioneered Tropical Modernism. Produced in collaboration with the Geoffrey Bawa & Lunuganga Trust and Phantom Hands, this refined range brings Bawa’s timeless aesthetic to Australian interiors for the first time. Next Door Cafe Chair (pictured) RRP $3,475 tigmitrading.com
Warm nights
Embrace the magic of winter nights with the Haven Luxe Night Lights Signature Soy Blend Candle. Housed in an iridescent glass jar with a gold lid, this calming floral blend combines soft, exotic notes of ylang ylang with creamy musk to create a scent that is both unique and tranquil. RRP $26 haveninspired.com.au
LAUNCH Stage 2
9 May – Marina Point Onsite Showroom
Marina Point Apartments held an exclusive Stage 2 launch event in the completed resort style wellness pavilion at the Onsite Showroom in Hope Island. Invited guests and key stakeholders enjoyed an enchanted evening featuring delicious food, drinks and live music, while learning key insights about the project from the development team. Stage 2 at Marina Point redefines luxurious waterfront living on the Northern Gold Coast.
Shane & Sarah Leite with Thomas Sheida
Meka Valmadre & Angela Hall
Ian & Suzzy Luff & Colin Ivory
John & Carol Nelson
Lisa Cravea & Lance Tindel
Timothy Kelk & Kerri Meulman
Junli Zhao, Oliver Zhang, Jimmy Zhang & Kevin Wu John Purchase, Annette Maiden & Glenda Forgan-Smith Naamat Chaaban & Mostapha Afyolini
Nada Chaaban & Daniel Vanagas Cameron Byrne, Greg Forgan-Smith, Scott & Deanne McInally
Mohan Krishnan & Geetha Bakrishna
Steve & Kerrie-Anne Betros
Style Event
16 May– Pacific Fair
Invited guests enjoyed a night of cocktails and canapes at Pacific Fair with fashion authority Gab Waller. The Australian entrepreneur, whose sourcing expertise has made her a go-to for celebrity clients and fashion lovers around the world, shared some Autumn Winter styling advice at the exclusive event which was hosted by television personality Anna Heinrich.
Elizabeth Benson & Annabel Falco Amy Lenan & Emma Wharton Yvette Hardy & Kirsten Debray
Danny Clifford & Amy Richmond
Isabella Gray & Milli Ross
Stephen & Sandra Waller Carly McDonagh & Amanda Shannon Tessa Law & Vanessa Robinson
Dominique Nurtsch, Eva Mueller, Emma McCallum & Sarah Lamkin Simone Hughes & Bernadette Chapman Kate Halpin & Sally Barnett
Anna Heinrich & Gab Waller Carla Tooma & Yana Vanderbilt
SHOW Spectacular
22-25 May – Sanctuary Cove
The 36th annual Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) has once again cemented its status as the Southern Hemisphere's premier marine event, drawing an impressive 45,865 visitors over four spectacular days. Attracting both locals and tourists alike, SCIBS 2025 was a dynamic platform for industry innovation, product launches, and international networking.
Ant & Deb Steel & Suzie & Trevor Roberts
Hayley McDowell-White & Kikki Sinclair
Veanne Chambers & Tatyana Ani
Patrick Rust & Holly Todd James & Simone Douglas
Robyn & Darren Wheelhouse Stephen & Michelle Johnstone
Alana Tierney & Julian Messer
Sharon O'Brien & Grant McLaughlin
Marlena Osial, Bartosz Sotirow & Linda Tricket Gary & Sascha Patten
Angela Oram & Wayne & Jane Watson Denise & Michael Brown
Murakami THE
RETROSPECTIVE
20 June – Behlau Murakami Grant ArtSpace
Directors hosted an exclusive event at the Behlau Murakami Grant ArtSpace in Nind St, Southport to unveil The Murakami Retrospective 2000-2025. Officially opened by The Honourable John-Paul Langbroek MLA Minister for Education & the Arts, the exhibition is a celebration of works by Adjunct Professor of Law Jason Murakami spanning the past 25 years. Cameron Caldwell MP and award-winning journalist Hedley Thomas were also in attendance. Jason's expressionist paintings hang in corporate boardrooms, barrister's chambers and private collections across the country.
Dean & Amy McMahon & Paul Robertson
Patrick McCafferty KC & Dr Karen Graham
Linda Klarfeld & Dr Kirsty Wright
Mark & Hayley Mathie
Lisa De Michele, Sarah Taylor & Julie Ryan
Trudi & Max Murray
David Ryan & Nathan Causer Darren Soppa & Andrew Schulz
Ben Leeden & Deanne Harper Matthew Nunn & Emma Roberts Estelle & Steve Hunt
John Paul & Stacey Langbroek
Jason & Melizia Murakami
2 & 19 JULY
British & Irish Lions
Get ready to make a roar as the British & Irish Lions go head-to-head with the Queensland Reds and Wallabies in two epic battles. Whether you're keen for the Queensland Reds v. British & Irish Lions match on 2 July, the Wallabies v. British & Irish Lions on 19 July (or both), there's no shortage of action, so grab your jerseys and dive into an unforgettable experience at Suncorp Stadium. wallabies.rugby
25 JULY - 2 AUGUST
Australian Festival of Chamber Music
Now in its 34th year, the Australian Festival of Chamber Music 2025 features 36 extraordinary musicians, including 11 international artists, six world premieres, and 13 AFCM debuts. Set in Townsville-Gurambilbarra under the Artistic Directorship of famed international violinist Jack Liebeck, the Festival begins with the inaugural Long Table Lunch, followed by a program of stunning musical performances. afcm.com.au
JulyENTERTAINMENT
26 JULY
Party on the Point
The Sandstone Point Hotel on beautiful Bribie Island is celebrating its 10th Birthday with a huge Oz music event. Leading the line-up of legends will be the Hoodoo Gurus, together with a list of rock and pop legends including James Reyne, The Angels, Chocolate Starfish, Mi Sex, Spy Vs Spy, The Chantoozies and Matt Finish. sandstonepointhotel.com.au
18 - 27 JULY
NOOSA Alive! Festival
Ignite your senses with 10 days of live shows, literary events, thought-provoking performances and accompanying food and wine with Noosa as the backdrop. Celebrating its 23rd year in 2025, the festival presents a diverse program of events attracting some of the best Australian and international performers, writers, film-makers, musicians, artists, chefs, environmentalists and commentators. noosaalive.com.au
31 JULY - 10 AUGUST
BLEACH* 2025
BLEACH* 2025 returns with 11 unforgettable days of art, music, opera, drama, storytelling and feasting – all set across three vibrant festival hubs at Kurrawa Park, Emerald Lakes and HOTA. Under the creative direction of acclaimed artist Michael Zavros, this year’s program reflects his distinctive visual arts practice –making it a cultural experience not to be missed. hota.com.au
AugustENTERTAINMENT
6 - 10 AUGUST
The Play That Goes Wrong
Experience total mayhem and comic hijinks as this award-winning production comes to HOTA. A hilarious hybrid of Monty Python and Sherlock Holmes, things go from bad to utterly disastrous when The Cornley Drama Society performs a classic murder mystery complete with an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines). hota.com.au
28 - 31 AUGUST
Gympie Music Muster
With the likes of 19-Twenty, 8 Ball Aitken, Casey Barnes and Adam Harvey filling the line-up, it’s time to polish your boots for Australia’s most loved community camping and music experience. Pitch your tent under the stars for several days of music, dancing, workshops, bush poetry and more, staged deep within the natural surrounds of the Amamoor Creek State Forest. muster.com.au
8 - 9 AUGUST
23 AUGUST
Russell Morris –The Farewell Tour
After 58 hectic years of vans, hotels, auditoriums, pubs, clubs, planes, late nights, early starts, rehearsal rooms, backstage jams and meals on the run, Russell Morris returns to Twin Towns Services Club one last time. Featuring Russell’s various incarnations – from Hush, Sweet Sweet Love and Wings of An Eagle, through to the acclaimed blues trilogy that began with the record-breaking album Sharkmouth –this promises to be show to remember. russellmorris.com.au
Australian Wearable Art Festival 2025
Gaultier meets Picasso at this spectacular fusion of art and fashion held on the Sunshine Coast. Take your seat and enjoy the spectacle as models strut down the 27-metre-long runway wearing show-stopping, avant-garde garments crafted by a talented pool of designers. australianwearableart.com.au
15 - 30 AUGUST Julia
In 2012, our first female Prime Minister Julia Gillard gave a speech that sent shockwaves around the world. Now, following sold out seasons in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, Julia makes its Brisbane premiere at the Playhouse, QPAC. Starring Justine Clarke and directed by Helpmann Award-winner Sarah Goodes, this critical and box office triumph is sure to dazzle Queensland audiences with its timely and intoxicating exploration of gender, privilege and power. qpac.com.au
No. 3025
Crossword
Crossword
ACROSS
1 Wave given by amateur English footballer (7)
5 User prepared the writer’s summary (6)
9 Piece of precious metal found behind home (5)
10 Broken ducts closed with protective jacket (4,5)
11 Cheese standard, say, largely accepted by people (8)
12 Harmless bullets left in secure buildings (6)
13 Record number written by Tommy Emmanuel originally (4)
14 Supplement research to understand receiver (9)
17 Heroism shown by sergeants undergoing redeployment (9)
18 Vehicles are mostly parked in vacated centres (4)
20 Large duck eaten by such an ungainly person (6)
21 One backing Football Association attracts losers (8)
24 Criminal’s genetic material conveyed by one out to it (9)
25 Present-day generation’s proverb (5)
26 Hungry horse devouring half of feed (6)
27 Abridged contract annoying person is most profound (7)
DOWN
1 BMW’s first flexible airbag (5)
2 Smoker’s great ethic upset senior (9,6)
3 Professional killers turned them in (6)
4 Mother, not able to hear one, grimaced (4,1,4)
5 Wine increased in price (4)
6 'Locals Murdered', journalist alleged (2-6)
7 A miss, overacting, tripped up escalator (6,9)
8 Caught hasty people breaking machines (8)
13 Sodium gas, released by a kid, cut off large Japanese city (8)
15 Detective, especially before broadcast, lost hope (9)
16 Standard notice on front of electric fence (8)
19 Cut through stick (6)
22 Perfume is going up after the first of April (5)
23 Active agent found on banks of river (4)
ACROSS
1 Soccer star, David – (7)
5 Summary (6)
9 Billet of steel (5)
10 Protective sheet (4,5)
11 Hard cheese (8)
12 Vacant (6)
13 Record (4)
14 Letter receiver (9)
17 Magnitude (9)
18 Vehicles (4)
20 Slump (6)
21 Losers (8)
24 Hostage taker (9) 25 Maxim (5) 26 Avaricious (6) 27 Most deep (7)
1 Dirigible (5) 2 Smoking tube (9,6)
3 Assassins (6)
4 Scrunched up, say (4,1,4)
5 Flower (4)
6 Purported (2-6)
7 Escalator (6,9)
8 Demolishers (8)
13 Japanese city (8)
15 Lost hope (9)
16 Enclosure (8)
19 Split apart (6)
22 Perfume (5)
23 Lively (4)
Membership
Privileges
Enjoy two championship courses, world-class facilities and a lifestyle you can only find at Sanctuary Cove.
This is your opportunity to discover the unrivalled golfing lifestyle you can only find at Sanctuary Cove.
Our membership includes unlimited rounds on Australia’s only Arnold Palmer Signature Course, The Pines golf course and our championship golf course, The Palms, with unrestricted access to the exclusive member-only Clubhouse and practice facilities.
Benefits include:
- Access to The Pines and The Palms golf courses 7 days a week
- Access to Sanctuary Cove Country Club facilities and gymnasium
- Exclusive invitations to private Club events and tournaments
- Reciprocal and affiliate golf club rights
A limited number of memberships are available. Secure yours today.
For enquiries please contact Member Services on 07 5699 9000 or lynettec@scgcc.com.au
Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club
The Parkway, Sanctuary Cove, Qld Australia www.sanctuarycovegolf.com.au
Time for Ten
1. In which European country would you find the city of Bruges?
2. Who played Ilsa Lund in the film Casablanca?
3. Where is the cerebrum located in the human body?
4. Which 2019 TV series features the character Grogu?
5. In the 1600s, who became the first person to view Mars through a telescope?
6. What is the most spoken language in South America?
7. Which goat species is the national animal of Pakistan?
8. Which K-pop group consists of members Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook?
9. Which gas do plants absorb from the atmosphere during photosynthesis?
10. The Rio Grande forms part of the border between which two countries?
Pagemasters www.pagemasters.com.au
CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul
Consider how to bring more joy into your life, as your efforts will succeed. You'll gain insight into how to improve business and personal relationships towards the full moon on July 11. The end of July brings a chance to revitalise finances. In August, developments will spotlight shared concerns. Someone’s unpredictable behaviour will merit a constructive and patient approach.
Stars
by Patsy Bennett | For readings, see www.patsybennett.com
LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug
Steer your life where you wish it to go; you’ll feel more upbeat as a result. The Leo new moon on July 25 opens doors to take a relationship into new territory. Consider how you might improve communications to reach goals. Be sure to pace yourself from July 17 until the end of August. This may feel frustrating on the one hand, but the phase is ideal for reviewing circumstances.
SAGITTARIUS 23 Nov – 22 Dec
Your independent streak and your need for freedom will seek expression. Initially, this will be through your daily life, and slowly also in your relationships. A financial review will suit fresh circumstances which may be due to career developments or a business or personal partner’s circumstances. Be prepared to keep finances stable so you can fund future adventures.
ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr
Your finances and status are evolving, so be sure to take the reins. Jupiter indicates changes in your domestic or family zone; unexpected news early in the month could even set a precedent. The full moon on July 11 will spotlight how best to proceed, and the days after the new moon on July 25 are ideal to take action. You’ll see rewards for your hard work early and late August.
TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May
The conjunction of Venus and Uranus on July 4 brings a change of direction. Venus will help you make money in July, with early July ideal for research into the best path forward. August could be decisive career-wise as your focus will pivot around developments towards the 8th and 20th. You’ll also gain insight in August into ways to create more stability in your personal life.
GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun
Uranus in Gemini from July 7 brings you the chance to enter fresh territory in coming months. The full moon on July 11 spotlights finances, especially those you share, such as taxes. Romance could thrive in July, so be bold. A little patience will go a long way with communications. You’ll appreciate reviewing a circumstance or returning to an old haunt in August.
VIRGO 24 Aug – 23 Sept
July is a good month to revitalise your personal life. Find the information you need and take action, as your plans are likely to succeed. You’re best to get important matters on the table before July 18, unless you’re happy to review and renegotiate at a later date. The Virgo new moon on August 23 provides an excellent opportunity to turn a corner both at work and health-wise.
LIBRA
24 Sept – 23 Oct
July is a good time to invest in yourself, and also in your work and health. You may be drawn to revisit an old haunt or to reunite with a good friend. Be sure to maintain focus on the present and avoid acting on nostalgia alone. An influx of energy after August 7 will help you to navigate the month. However, you must be sure to pace yourself to avoid frustration with others.
SCORPIO 24 Oct – 22 Nov
July is an excellent time to bring more of what you love into your life. News in the first week of July could bring fresh territory to a relationship. August will be an upbeat or busy month. You may be drawn to plan travel, and to formulate other exciting projects. It will be a good month to invest in your home life or property as ways to establish more comfort in your life.
CAPRICORN 23 Dec – 20 Jan
The Capricorn full moon on July 11 brings a fresh pace in your personal life, and if you were born after January 8 you may also see a fresh work or daily schedule. Be prepared to be both practical and progressive, especially towards the new moon on July 25. Good communication skills will lead to success. Fresh financial arrangements may be needed in your new circumstances.
AQUARIUS 21 Jan – 19 Feb
In July, you could turn a corner in your personal life, and also at work or with your health. Aim to get arrangements on the table before July 18 to avoid having to renegotiate later. The Aquarian full moon on August 9 will spotlight a fresh chapter in your personal life if you were born before February 5, and a fresh chapter in your daily routine if you were born later.
PISCES 20 Feb – 20 Mar
Developments around July 4 will be surprising or will take you onto a fresh path. For some this will involve a financial arrangement, and for others, a new phase in your personal life. This will be part of a larger development as your values and expectations change. The new moon on August 23 will help you to progress at work or health-wise, so be sure to take the initiative.
CALYPSO BAY
WATERFRONT MASTERPIECE
Bridge-Free Boating • Lift Access • 6-Car
Basement
Welcome to one of Calypso Bay’s most prestigious waterfront addresses – a unique and bold, three-level architectural triumph that redefines modern luxury living.
Just six months new and master-built by Resolve Constructions, this stunning home is set on a prime 766m² block with wide water views and direct access to open water in under 10 minutes – no bridges, no compromise.
Property Features:
• 3 Expansive Levels with Lift Access
• 6-Car Basement Garage + Workshop
• Bridge-Free Boating to Broadwater in under 10 Minutes
• Grand Open-Plan Living & Dining
• Designer Kitchen with Butler’s Pantry
• Luxurious Master Suite with Canal Views
• Custom Inground Pool with Alfresco Entertaining Area
• Ducted Air Conditioning + Smart Home Integration
• Low-Maintenance Landscaping
• Calypso Bay Marina, Gym, Pool & Residents Club nearby
Whether you’re chasing the ultimate lifestyle home or a lock-up-and-leave waterfront retreat, 125 Paradise Parade delivers unmatched quality and sophistication – all in one of the northern Gold Coast’s most tightly held enclaves.
NATHAN SIMON Director & Sales Agent - 0490 126 963 Private viewings available by appointment.
INSIGHT FROM MICHAEL
“We’ve continued to support causes that deliver real help and foster a stronger, more connected community.”
As one financial year closes and a new one begins, it’s a natural time to pause, to reflect on the milestones achieved, the lessons learned, and the opportunities that lie ahead.
At Kollosche, FY2024/25 has been a year of strength, growth and contribution. Despite shifting economic conditions and a more cautious buyer mindset, our team has continued to deliver exceptional results in a prestige market that remains underpinned by confidence, lifestyle appeal and limited supply at the top end. We’ve helped our clients navigate change, unlock value, and achieve standout outcomes, from landmark beachfront and riverfront sales to tightly held off-market transactions.
This past year has also brought national recognition across multiple categories, with Kollosche and our agents receiving industry awards for excellence in leadership, innovation, sales and service. These accolades reflect not only the professionalism of our people but the collective effort that drives our agency forward each day.
Equally important has been our impact beyond the property market. Through the Kollosche Community Fund and flagship initiatives like the People’s Ball, which raised a record $1.192 million for Serving Our People, we’ve continued to support causes that deliver real help to those in need and foster a stronger, more connected community.
Looking ahead, the introduction of the Property Law Act 2023 marks the most significant reform to Queensland property legislation in 50 years. Coming into effect on 1 August, the changes place greater responsibility on sellers, reinforcing the need for clear guidance and experienced representation. Our in-house legal division is already working closely with agents and clients to prepare for the new framework.
This month’s magazine dives deeper into these highlights, from sales and awards to legal insights and community outcomes. Don’t miss the six-page feature on Rivers Bend Estate, at Riverbend Avenue in Carrara, one of the most exciting prestige listings to hit the Gold Coast market in a very long time.
To our clients, colleagues and community, thank you for your continued support. We look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.
MICHAEL KOLLOSCHE
MICHAEL KOLLOSCHE
THE FINANCIAL YEAR IN REVIEW
Throughout FY24-25, Michael Kollosche delivered a world-class service experience, offering strategic advice and achieving exceptional results for his clients across beachfront homes, Main River residences, luxury apartments, and new projects.
$6,281,626 * AVERAGE SALES PRICE $521,374,940 * TOTAL SALES VOLUME
90.48% * AUCTION CLEARANCE RATE
Kollosche’s individual sales stats
Michael was recognised with several prestigious national and state awards, including:
REIQ Salesperson of the Year – Settled Commissions
REB Principal of the Year 2025
REB Top 50 Agents QLD, #2 CY24 #1 Sales volume $594,316,500 #1 Average sale price $6,530,951
REB Top 100 Agents Australia #1 for Highest Average Sale Price
REB Top 100 Agents Australia #3 for Total Sales Volume
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
DESIGNED TO IMPRESS
This Main River estate offers a level of luxury and suite of amenities never before seen on the Gold Coast.
Raising the bar for luxury living on the Gold Coast is ‘Rivers Bend’ a magnificent riverfront estate set within a quiet and exclusive pocket of Carrara.
Spread across an enormous 6,297 square metres* with 36.7 metres* of prime Main River frontage, Rivers Bend is not just another inner-city estate, but rather a destination address delivering quality and amenity at a level never seen on the Gold Coast market.
European-inspired, the estate’s main residence is without doubt a grand and solid home with its muted blue and white facade, soft arched windows, stacked stone pillars and elegant white balustrades a perfect fit for its riverside setting.
14-16 RIVERBEND AVENUE, CARRARA
QUALITY AND SCALE
Inside, this residence is designed to impress. Its scale is vast – more than 1,700 square metres under roof – and mixes open-plan spaces that flow effortlessly to alfresco and communal areas facing the water, while more private rooms such as an executive study and sitting room offer refuge towards the front of the house.
The materials and craftsmanship used throughout leave a lasting impression and have been considered down to the finest of details.
Imported Italian marbles, hand-carved timber cabinetry, goldplated stainless steel, statement chandeliers and bespoke fixtures feature across every space, from the grand marble staircase to a 700-bottle, temperature-controlled wine cellar.
The kitchen is anchored by a four-metre Sovrano marble island and supported by a fully appointed butler’s kitchen ready to cater for the largest gatherings.
The bedrooms are generous and thoughtfully placed on the upper level. Here, the master suite is a retreat in every sense, with a private balcony, commercial-grade dressing room and an ensuite showcasing a 1.2-tonne freestanding Nero Marquina marble bath as its centrepiece.
Four further bedroom suites, each with their own ensuites and balconies, provide ample space for family or guests.
NEXT-LEVEL ENTERTAINING
The estate’s outdoor spaces and amenities are of a depth and quality that would rival those of a boutique five-star resort. A stunning 18-metre saltwater pool surrounded by sun terraces, a swim-up bar, and spa, set the scene for lazy afternoons in the sun.
The sunken firepit lounge invites conversation as day turns to night, while a rooftop pavilion offers an unbeatable vantage point for sunset drinks while taking in the Main River and city views.
Entertaining is effortless with a commercial-grade bar and full outdoor kitchen creating the ultimate setting for hosting on any scale. A private pontoon with jet ski docks provides direct access to the river for those who live for the water. Back on land, a championship-size tennis court rounds out the amenities.
STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY
Rivers Bend is as practical as it is beautiful. The entire estate is operated through a state-of-the-art home automation and security system, providing owners with unparalleled convenience and confidence.
A Control 4 automation system will alert you to an open window or unlocked door anywhere on the estate, while an integrated weatherproof sound system, 26 security cameras, and waterfront laser sensors ensure peace of mind to enjoy the elevated living.
Garaging for 12 vehicles, including a glass-fronted showroom, allows car lovers to showcase their prized collections, with automatic number plate recognition bollards along the driveway bringing an extra level of security.
COME AND STAY
Friends and family are properly catered for in a two-bedroom guesthouse located at the front of the estate to optimise privacy and independence.
The outdoor amenities mirror those of the main residence, with the alfresco area featuring a saltwater pool with sunken firepit and spa, seating area and wet bar.
A PREMIUM LOCATION
Positioned minutes from elite schools, golden beaches, golf courses and world-class retail experiences at Pacific Fair, Rivers Bend could sit confidently among some of the most desirable properties in the world and will resonate with buyers seeking privacy, space, and resort-style living.
14-16 RIVERBEND AVENUE, CARRARA
Rivers Bend at 14-16 Riverbend Avenue, Carrara, is being sold by Michael Kollosche and is open to expressions of interest, closing on Wednesday 13 August at 5pm.
To register your interest or arrange a private inspection, contact Michael on 04111 888 15.
MICHAEL KOLLOSCHE 04111 888 15
RECORD RESULTS, REAL IMPACT
As FY24–25 draws to a close, we sat down with Principal Michael Kollosche to reflect on the business’ standout year and the impact behind the numbers.
Q: How would you sum up Kollosche’s 2024–25 financial year?
A: This past year has been one of shared achievement across our team, our clients, and the wider community. Despite a more complex market environment, we stayed focused, accountable, and intent on delivering strong outcomes. Our team approached every campaign with professionalism, discipline, and care, and I’m proud of the standards we’ve maintained and the trust our clients have placed in us.
Q: How has the luxury property market performed over the past year?
A: The prestige market on the Gold Coast has continued to demonstrate strength and resilience.
We’ve seen sustained demand across beachfront, riverfront, and tightly held residential enclaves, as well as in luxury, permanent-residential apartment offerings.
The combination of limited supply, rising construction and replacement costs, and growing interstate migration has supported prices.
High-net-worth buyers continue to view the Gold Coast as a compelling long-term investment, and that ongoing confidence is helping to anchor demand at the top end of the market.
Sold by Ryan Ward, Darryl Bright, Sam Guo, Julia Kuo & myself
Q: Can you share some of Kollosche’s standout sales from the past year?
A: We’ve had the privilege of representing some of the most significant properties on the Gold Coast this year. Every one of these results reflects the service excellence, collaboration and deep market expertise of our team.
Our top 30 sales were each valued at $7,500,000 or above, with some of our more notable campaigns being both residential and off-the-plan sales.
These sales campaigns were not just about strong results they reflected meticulous preparation, strategic marketing, and world-class negotiation.
Lastly, our Property Management division is entering a new phase of growth and evolution, with a clear goal to become the Gold Coast’s leading premium property management service.
PRINCIPAL MICHAEL KOLLOSCHE
Q: Were there any notable recognitions for the team this year?
A: While awards don’t define us, it’s an honour to be recognised for the standards we uphold and the outcomes we deliver.
This year, I was named Principal of the Year at the REB Awards 2025, and Matthew Follent was awarded Rising Star of the Year. Jamie Harrison and Taylor Kleinberg won Sales Campaign of the Year, while Kollosche received the Social and Community Service Award.
Kollosche was also named the No.1 office on the Gold Coast, with team members recognised in the REB Top 50 Queensland: Troy Dowker (10th), Jamie Harrison (30th), and Rob Lamb (37th).
Personally, I was ranked 1st in Queensland for both highest sales volume and average sale price, and 2nd overall. Nationally, I placed 1st for average sale price and 3rd for volume.
At the REIQ Awards for Excellence, Kollosche won the Multimedia Award, Adam Grbcic was named Commercial Salesperson of the Year, and I was honoured as Residential Salesperson SEQ.
We were also proud to take home Agency of the Year Metro and Marketing Agency of the Year at the Australasian Real Estate Results Awards.
These results reflect the collective strength and dedication of an exceptional team committed to excellence.
Q: How did Kollosche contribute to the community in FY2024–25?
A: Community impact is not something we speak about lightly, it’s a core part of who we are. I think it’s what truly sets us apart and it’s one of our proudest achievements. We recently held the Kollosche People’s Ball which raised $1.192 million for local charity Serving Our People and will help them deliver essential services to individuals and families in need.
Meanwhile, our dedicated Community Fund has continued to support charities, sporting clubs and individuals in need ranging from Baby Give Back, 10 Cent Tom, Gold Coast Hospital Foundation, Gold Coast Community Fund and more.
Giving back is a fundamental pillar of our business and lies at the heart of everything we do with 1% of all property transactions going directly into the Community Fund to support our community. Since its inception we have raised over $1.3 million from this alone. We look forward to continuing expanding our community efforts over the next 12 months.
Q: Any reflections as you look ahead to a new financial year?
A: I’m grateful first to my wife Denise and our son Leonardo for their unwavering support, and equally to our clients, who entrusted us with sale, purchase and management of some of their most important assets.
To the Kollosche team, thank you. We work in a high-performance environment, and every individual plays a part in maintaining the standards and values that set us apart. We're a team of professionals committed to performance, growth, service and integrity and you live by that every day.
One thing is for sure the market will continue to evolve, shaped by global trends, interest rates, supply constraints, and broader economic conditions. However, our focus remains unchanged: to deliver exceptional service, uphold elite standards, and contribute meaningfully to our clients and our community.
MICHAEL KOLLOSCHE
SUPPORTING 10 CENT TOM: MICHAEL KOLLOSCHE, TOM PIRIE AND KARA CHRISTENSEN
BILINGA
291 Golden Four Drive
This exceptional estate comprises a three-level main residence and selfcontained guest house on a 1,030m² double block overlooking Bilinga Beach.
SALE PRICE: $16,050,000
SOLD BY:
Troy Dowker and James Roberts
Kollosche Sets
New Suburb Records
Suburb records were set across the Gold Coast in FY24-25 as the business expands its reach in response to buyers seeing value in inner suburbs.
WORDS: JANELLE ESTREICH
Modern turn-key homes, landmark trophy estates and properties with serious upside potential have emerged as stand-out sale price performers over the past year.
A review of the 2024-25 financial year reveals multiple new suburb records were set by Kollosche agents across the city, with absolute beachfront estates to lakeside new builds and grand hinterland havens performing well.
While blue-chip locations such as Broadbeach Waters, Sorrento and Mermaid Waters continued to excel, new benchmarks were also set in emerging suburbs such as Bilinga, Currumbin Waters and Pacific Pines.
These results suggest that buyers are casting the net wider, exploring up-andcoming areas where value and lifestyle align. In response, Kollosche is extending
its reach into these formerly untapped areas, with sales agents making considerable impact.
Strategic marketing campaigns have shone a spotlight on properties with wow factor, with greater competition reaping the rewards for owners.
Many of the top results were secured through auction or preauction negotiation, highlighting the effectiveness of Kollosche’s auction strategies. Others were achieved through private treaty negotiations where agents matched active qualified buyers with quality properties.
Together, these sales speak to the strength and depth of the Gold Coast market and to growing confidence as the financial year draws to a close. Let’s take a look at suburb records set by Kollosche this past year.
CURRUMBIN WATERS
122 Tierney Drive
This designer six-bedroom residence enjoys a lush outlook atop a 5,640m 2 parcel with access to Currumbin Creek.
SALE PRICE: $5,600,000
SOLD BY:
Troy Dowker and James Roberts BROADBEACH WATERS
87-89 Monaco Street
Set on a north-facing double block with 115.1m of water frontage, this Beverly Hills-inspired riverfront residence enjoys stunning views of the city skyline.
SALE PRICE: $16,500,000
SOLD BY:
Paul Harrison and Michael Kollosche
MERMAID WATERS
24 Winch Court
Occupying a prime north-east point on Lake Wonderland, this award-winning new build delivers five bedrooms, rooftop entertaining, and exceptional amenities over four levels.
SALE PRICE: $14,005,000
SOLD BY:
Jamie Harrison and Michael Kollosche
BENOWA
75 Sir Bruce Small Boulevard
This stately tri-level family residence captu res commanding views from a prime 989m 2 block with 21.7m of Main River frontag e.
SALE PRICE: $6,780,000
SOLD BY:
Sam Guo, Julia Kuo and Michael Kollosche
WONGAWALLAN
20 Del Court
A renovation elevates this singlelevel residence bordered by the tranquil Tamborine Creek.
SALE PRICE: UNDISCLOSED
SOLD BY:
Brad Coyne and Michael Kollosche
GOLD COAST
TALLAI
18 Tanja Court
Home to two separate residences, this acreage estate presents a versatile dual-living opportunity in a scenic hinterland cul-de-sac.
SALE PRICE: $4,225,000
SOLD BY:
Brad Coyne and Taylor Kleinberg
BONOGIN
337 Chesterfield Drive
This contemporary four-bedroom home on 4.5 acres overlooks bushland to the ocean and city skyline.
SALE PRICE: $4,025,000
SOLD BY:
Brad Coyne and Taylor Kleinberg
BUNDALL
26 Marseille Court
‘Bartinon’ estate is spread across more than 6,500m 2 where an unrivalled 100m of water frontage delivers east and northeasterly Nerang River views.
SALE PRICE: $18,000,000
SOLD BY:
Sam Guo and Julia Kuo
PACIFIC PINES
9 Zenith Crescent
This imposing two-level residence offers elevated living for a large family inside the prestigious Vue 360 enclave with breathtaking hinterland, ocean and city views.
SALE PRICE: $2,300,000
SOLD BY: Josh Finch
HOLLYWELL
1 Abel Tasman Place
This three-storey family residence holds point position on a coveted 907m² north-facing block with stunning views of Ephraim Island, Crab Island and South Stradbroke.
SALE PRICE: $9,380,000
SOLD BY: Paul Harrison and Michael Kollosche
2025 REB Top 50 QLD Agents
SALES AND SERVICE EXCELLENCE
Four Kollosche agents, including agency principal Michael Kollosche, have ranked among the industry's highest performers in the Real Estate Business (REB) Top 50 Agents in Queensland 2025.
Michael ranked No.2 after achieving a total sales volume of $594,316,500 across 111 sales – the highest in the state for the fifth consecutive year and the highest in the country for the 2024-25 year. His average sales price was $6,530,951 – a figure higher than any other agent nationally and the highest in Queensland by more than $1,500,000. His total sales volume also exceeded that of any other Queensland agent by almost $300,000,000.
He was joined by fellow sales agents Troy Dowker, Jamie Harrison and Rob Lamb, who ranked at No.10, No.30, and No.37, respectively.
Now in its fifth year, the REB Top 50 list acknowledges those agents who are setting the benchmark for excellence within the industry.
“These accolades are a result of hard work from a very supportive team, coupled with dedication and an unwavering commitment to customer service. I am extremely proud of Troy, Jamie and Rob, alongside everyone at Kollosche who show up every day with determination to deliver the best experience we can to our clients and the broader community.”
– Michael Kollosche
# 2
KOLLOSCHE
# 10
TROY DOWKER
4,400,006
JAMIE HARRISON Ranking # 30
# 37
ROB LAMB
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
AT ITS BEST
TOGETHER WE HAVE RAISED A TOTAL OF $1,192,000
The great and the good converged on The Star Gold Coast in May for the fifth annual Kollosche People’s Ball where $1,192,000 was raised for local charity Serving Our People (SOP).
More than 1,000 people from the local community attended the gala where they enjoyed moving speeches, auction action and high-impact entertainment, including a live performance by homegrown pop artist Ricki-Lee and rising singer-songwriter Tobiahs.
Kollosche has been a proud supporter of SOP since its inception with all funds raised from this year’s event going towards providing essential services to individuals and families in need across Australia.
Thank you to everyone who attended, donated, and took part in the live auction. Your generosity helps to create lasting change.
Learn more about Kollosche supporting our community
Sea Glass Sets Sail with Hutchinson Builders
DVB Projects has appointed renowned Tier 1 construction firm Hutchinson Builders (Hutchies) to deliver Sea Glass, a landmark 26-level luxury residential tower at 2 First Avenue, Broadbeach.
Dean Brown, Managing Director of DVB Projects, highlighted the significance of this partnership:
“Securing Hutchies is a strong signal of confidence to our buyers and the broader market. Their extensive experience and proven track record on the Gold Coast ensure Sea Glass will be built to exceptional standards.”
Architecturally designed by acclaimed firm Rothelowman, Sea Glass offers 29 exclusive sky homes featuring half-floor residences up to 273 sqm, full-floor residences at 557 sqm, and a spectacular three-storey penthouse (1,504 sqm). Each residence showcases premium natural materials such as timber, natural stone, and glass, complemented by stunning ocean views and refined luxury finishes.
Exclusive resident amenities include an ocean-view magnesium pool, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, a fully equipped gymnasium, co-working spaces, private meeting rooms, and dedicated surfboard storage.
Scheduled for completion in late 2027, Sea Glass will offer unparalleled luxury, located just steps away from Broadbeach’s vibrant lifestyle precinct.
JOSH FINCH
LUXURY SALES | SERVICE EXCELLENCE
With expert knowledge of the Sovereign Islands and Sanctuary Cove markets, and a strong network of qualified local, national and international buyers, Josh Finch is the agent you can trust to achieve a premium result for your home. Josh’s strategic approach combined with meticulous campaign execution, deep market insights and commitment to excellence has consistently delivered outstanding results for his clients.
LEE M c FARLANE
Delivering results for Burleigh Waters
Lee McFarlane is a trusted name in Burleigh Waters, known for his honest advice, clear communication, and strong local knowledge. With more than $7,000,000 in sales achieved in May alone, Lee continues to deliver tailored strategies and outstanding outcomes for homeowners. Backed by the Kollosche brand, he pairs genuine care with proven expertise to help clients navigate the local market with confidence.
RECENT SALES
Queensland Property Laws Are Changing
WORDS: LISA HUGHES
Queensland’s property landscape is set to be transformed with the introduction of the Property Law Act 2023, which comes into effect on August 1.
The new legislation marks the most significant change to Queensland property legislation in 50 years, when the Property Law Act 1974 was implemented. The new laws have arisen from a need to bring greater transparency and accountability to real estate transactions. It will also bring Queensland laws into line with other states such as New South Wales and Victoria.
Under the new system, sellers will need to provide the buyer with the prescribed documents, which take the form of a completed and signed Seller Disclosure Statement, which will be known as Form 2, and a list of prescribed certificates before a buyer signs a contract of sale. Failure to do so entitles a buyer to terminate the contract any time right up to the settlement date.
Providing these documents ensures that buyers have access to all essential information about a property before purchase, allowing them to make a more informed decision and reducing the likelihood of any future disputes.
Staying informed and compliant with the changes is essential for all stakeholders in the real estate sector.
Currently, sellers must only provide:
• A p ool safety certificate, or a notice of no pool safety certificate before settlement;
• S moke alarm compliance;
• B ody corporate disclosure, for properties within a community titles scheme;
• Warning statements in the contract of sale alerting buyers to their rights, such as the cooling-off period.
Specifically, a seller must provide:
• Title and plan details: A current title search and registered plan.
• Encumbrances: Disclosure of any registered and unregistered encumbrances, such as easements, covenants, and leases.
• Zoning and planning: Information on zoning, planning certificates, and any relevant statutory notices.
• E nvironmental and safety notices: Details of any environmental protection notices, pool safety certificates, and other compliancerelated documents.
• C ommunity Titles Scheme: For properties within a community titles scheme, sellers must include a Community Management Statement and Body Corporate Certificate.
Real estate agents will play a pivotal role in educating and guiding clients –be they a buyer or a seller – to ensure they are compliant.
In a move away from the current “buyer beware” approach to sales, where buyers must conduct their own due diligence on a property, the new laws shift this responsibility to sellers with the introduction of a mandatory seller disclosure regime. CONTACT AN AGENT TODAY
Kollosche has the benefit of its own in-house legal team, who are on hand to help sales agents and their clients navigate the changing landscape and assist in ensuring compliance to avoid contract terminations.
If you are unsure of what the new legislation changes mean for you, reach out to your dedicated Kollosche agent today, who can keep you updated.
Bilinga’s Beachfront Boom
Once a quiet coastal enclave, Bilinga is emerging as a sought-after destination on the southern Gold Coast, with luxury developments and record-breaking sales transforming its landscape.
WORDS: JANELLE ESTREICH
SOLD: 291 GOLDEN FOUR DRIVE, BILINGA
Tucked between Tugun and Coolangatta, Bilinga has long been one of the Gold Coast’s best-kept secrets –a sleepy seaside suburb known mostly to locals and frequent flyers. But with the better-known beachside hubs of Burleigh Heads and Palm Beach becoming increasingly competitive, this quiet coastal strip is drawing fresh attention from buyers and developers.
According to the latest Cotality data, Bilinga is home to 1,662 residents. More than 50 per cent of those have arrived in the past five years – a reflection of the suburb’s rising profile and the new wave of homeowners seeking a quieter, more accessible coastal lifestyle.
The shift in population has been matched by strong growth in property values. In the five years to May, house prices in Bilinga surged by 90.8 per cent, while apartment values soared by 102.2 per cent. With just 341 houses and 927 apartments across the entire suburb, limited stock has helped fuel demand and maintain upward pressure on prices.
Golden Four Drive and Pacific Parade are the suburb’s premium streets and the focus of new development. Nine new projects have been approved along these beachfront strips in recent years, with several already completed and others underway.
Among those projects is Navini, a ninestorey tower on Golden Four Drive offering just 16 absolute beachfront residences with sweeping coastal views and oversized floorplans. Sold out prior to construction and due to settle this month, Kollosche New Projects achieved a record result for the penthouse, which sold for a Bilinga apartment record of $5,395,000.
High-profile sales further underscore Bilinga’s ascent. In April, world champion surfer Mick Fanning sold his beachfront residence on Golden Four Drive for $16,050,000 prior to auction. The national campaign, managed by Kollosche agents Troy Dowker and James Roberts, attracted significant interest, with 126 enquiries and 28 private inspections.
find. There are no high-rises here, no tourist crowds – just a relaxed village atmosphere that continues to draw people in.
“You’ve got a lot of generational holding, people who inherited homes from their parents… they’re creating memories for their own kids like their parents did for them,” Troy says.
of Bilinga’s 1,662 residents have arrived within the past five years 50%
“Beachfront property from Burleigh to Bilinga remains among the most tightly held on the coast,” says Troy, who has been marketing real estate in the area for more than two decades. “Opportunities to purchase are few and far between.”
That appeal revolves very much around the pace of life and the accessibility in terms of location and pricing. Locals enjoy early beach walks, quiet streets and the kind of direct ocean access that has become increasingly hard to
Proximity to the Gold Coast Airport, opposite Golden Four Drive, makes Bilinga especially appealing to interstate buyers and frequent travellers, while Coolangatta’s vibrant dining scene and retail mix are only a few minutes away. With fewer crowds than its northern neighbours and an authentic beachside atmosphere, Bilinga offers a rare combination of calm, connection and potential – and it’s finally being recognised for it.
BILINGA
As we wrap up the financial year, the Troy Dowker Team would like to thank our clients for the opportunity to support them on their property journey.
We feel incredibly fortunate to have helped many clients achieve their goals across the Southern Gold Coast, delivering strong outcomes in what remains a highly competitive market. We’re proud to have been involved in a number of significant sales, including record-breaking results across key suburbs.
A standout moment this year was Troy’s inclusion in the REB Top 100, placing 10th in Queensland and 52nd nationally. While we’re honoured by the recognition, our greatest achievement remains the trust our clients place in us.
To every client who has entrusted us with our services thank you. Your trust is the foundation of everything we do, and the reason we strive to deliver the best possible service, every time.
If you’re thinking of making a move in the next 12 months, reach out to the Troy Dowker team to realise your property goals.
TROY DOWKER
0409 057 087
troy@kollosche.com.au
BEACH 291
FOUR DRIVE, BILINGA
Team Markovitch brings deep industry understanding and a passion for building genuine, long-term relationships with clients and their families. As hinterland residents with strong local knowledge, expertise and community ties, they are perfectly placed to represent home owners in this tightly held market.
Backed by the Kollosche brand, Team Markovitch delivers a seamless, strategy-led experience built on honesty, hard work, and genuine care.
Thinking of selling in the hinterland? Contact Team Markovitch today.
39 Tarrant Drive, Mudgeeraba
$1,570,000
“Working with Cooper and Simon was an outstanding experience. They were professional, knowledgeable and always available to answer our questions and always willing to help. Their guidance made our process smooth and stress-free. I would highly recommend Cooper, Simon and the team if you are buying or selling.”
Buyer
Why the Gold Coast Office Market is Bucking the National Trend
Gold Coast office vacancy rates sit at just 2 per cent –a sharp contrast to major cities. Discover why demand is rising and what it means for investors.
WORDS: JANELLE ESTREICH
While office vacancy rates soar in major Australian cities, the Gold Coast is defying national trends – and investors are paying attention.
Across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, office vacancies have climbed to between 8 and 20 per cent as companies reassess their space needs in a post-pandemic world. But on the Gold Coast, the vacancy rate for A-grade office space sits at a remarkably low 2 per cent – a figure that speaks volumes about the strength and stability of this decentralised market.
“This is one of the tightest office markets in the country,” says Adam Grbcic, Kollosche Commercial Lead Agent. “Unlike the capitals, we haven’t had the same pipeline of new office developments, which has created a genuine shortage of supply.”
With very little new stock delivered in recent years, competition for space is fierce. The upcoming Landmark development by Aniko Group, which will add 11,000 sqm of office space in Mermaid Beach, is the first major addition in over a decade and a clear response to the current supply-demand imbalance.
The undersupply is only part of the story. “The other key factor is that the Gold Coast didn’t embrace the work-from-home model in the same way other cities did,” says Adam. “People returned to the office, and we’ve seen strong demand for space in lifestyle precincts like Miami, Mermaid Beach and further south.”
Rather than concentrating in a single CBD, the Gold Coast’s office market has evolved into a spread-out, lifestyle-driven network of business hubs. This decentralised structure reflects the region’s appeal –easy commuting, coastal amenity, and proximity to where people actually live.
Even as some central areas report slightly higher vacancy – Colliers recently noted a minor uptick from 6.2 to 6.5 per cent – key precincts like Robina, Broadbeach and Bundall are still recording sub-5 per cent vacancy. Developers have been cautious, with high construction costs and labour shortages slowing future supply.
For landlords, these conditions translate to stronger tenant retention, reduced incentives, and shorter re-leasing times. “With vacancy so low, tenants simply don’t have many options,” Adam explains. “If someone vacates, the let-up time is
short, and you’re not needing to offer major incentives to secure a lease.”
Investor confidence is also being reinforced by local government. The Gold Coast City Council recently acquired the Gold Coast Corporate Centre in Bundall for over $117 million, citing the strategic value of holding a high-performing office asset with stable, long-term tenants.
While office investments were once seen as volatile on the Gold Coast, conditions have shifted. “Office is now one of the most resilient asset classes in our commercial landscape,” says Adam. “If you’re holding
quality stock in a well-located precinct, you’re in a strong position.”
With limited new supply expected before 2027, the tight fundamentals look set to persist – reinforcing the Gold Coast’s appeal for both businesses and commercial investors in the years ahead.
EXPLORE CURRENT COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES
19/33 Elkhorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise
19/33 Elkhorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise
DEBORA SUTTON
Experience, Expertise and Integrity
Kollosche lead sales agent Debora Sutton has 24 years’ real estate experience and has been awarded numerous industry accolades. Her former Brisbane agency was named No.1 in Queensland for 13 consecutive years and Debora was twice named in the Real Estste Institute of Australia’s Top 100 Agents list. In 2024, she was also named in the Courier Mail’s Top 50 Queensland Women in Real Estate.
A service-first approach and genuine caring nature, coupled with her experience and knowledge, have led to an extensive network of valued client relationships. This has resulted in a business built on repeat clients and referrals. Debora has a genuine interest and care for her clients and the results she provides are a testament to that.
Considering selling or just need some real estate advice? Call Debora for a confidential chat.
