Living Gems
16
Feb
How Much Money Do You Need to Retire in Australia?
-
Posted by
Annie
Ever wondered, "How much money do I need to retire comfortably?" It's a big question for Australians eyeing retirement planning, especially in sunny Queensland. Whether you’re adjusting to retirement or planning for it in a few years, your retirement savings goal hinges on lifestyle dreams. There’s a handful of things to consider when it comes to answering the golden question, like age pension eligibility, expenses, and ideal lifestyle. Let's break it down to see what retirement looks like for you.
Define Your Dream Queensland Lifestyle
What does your ideal lifestyle look like? Is it quiet mornings by the coast, regular travel or staying active in the community? Your retirement lifestyle dictates how much you need for retirement. Whether you have a modest or comfortable lifestyle, factor in housing, entertainment, healthcare, and daily expenses.
Define your income sources
As you’re easing into retirement, consider your income sources. Everyone’s individual circumstances vary; some over-50s have multiple, while some depend on one income source. This can come in all forms, such as a salary, investments, superannuation, age pension, if you’re eligible, and a dedicated retirement savings compartment. Determine your cash flow to have an idea of...
16
Feb
Easy Ways to Stay Active and Social in Retirement
-
Posted by
Annie
Staying active and social during retirement keeps your body strong and your mind sharp. These simple activities blend physical movement with social connections, perfect for vibrant over-50s living.
Walking
It might be common sense but sometimes we stay sitting for too long without realising. Walking is an easy, low-impact way to stay active while building friendships. Join local walking groups to meet others and stay social. 30 minutes daily can boost heart health and mood without strain. Want to start slow? Make it a habit to walk every day after lunch to keep the body moving.
Aqua Aerobics
Aqua aerobics offers gentle resistance in a pool, ideal for joints. Aqua aerobics turn workouts into fun social hours with neighbours, keeping you active and social at the same time. You'll improve flexibility, tone muscles, and laugh through splashes. Book Clubs
Make reading social! Have a book you want to recommend? Join a book club and make your recommendations! It’s also great for those nights you want to kick back and unwind with some quiet time. Reading keeps the brain engaged and opens doors to friendships with like-minded...
06
Feb
Resort Spotlight: Living Gems Rockhampton
-
Posted by
Annie
Sprawled over 27 hectares in Parkhurst, Living Gems Rockhampton sits in a secure, welcoming neighbourhood designed for vibrant over-50s living. There are 505 contemporary, low-maintenance homes and resort-style facilities right on your doorstep to keep every day feeling like a new adventure. More freedom, less financial stress
Operating on a land-lease model, Living Gems Rockhampton gives homeowners more financial freedom, stronger community connections, and plenty of time to pursue what they love. Whether you’re relaxing in indoor lounges, taking up a hobby in the creative studio, or enjoying a casual chat with neighbours, our community supports an active, fulfilling life. Your haven in Rockhampton
Taking on a casual country charm, choose from five contemporary home designs that bring in Rockhampton’s nature into the resort. The homes emphasise seamless indoor–outdoor living, ideal for entertaining family and friends. Designed with the over-50s in mind, they’re modern and low-maintenance, featuring open-plan layouts, high ceilings, premium finishes, and clever storage to keep clutter at bay. There are plenty of inclusions, including security systems, generous walk-in wardrobes, and sunny alfresco spaces that feel like home from day one. Community Hub: The Country...
29
Jan
Resort Spotlight: Living Gems Moreton Bay
-
Posted by
Annie
Living Gems Moreton Bay is an over-50s haven right in the heart of Moreton Bay at Burpengary East. Situated in a secure gated community, there are 186 cleverly laid-out homes with plenty of resort-style features that makes every day an adventure. Operating on a land lease model, homeowners will have more financial freedom, stronger connections, and plenty of time to dive into the stuff they love most. Whether it’s relaxing on the indoor lounges or picking up a hobby at the creative studio, Living Gems Moreton Bay will support over 50s with an active, fulfilling life. Homes Built for Bayside Bliss From a choice of five different designs, the homes at Living Gems Moreton Bay take on a bayside charm, with seamless indoor-outdoor flow that makes the most for family and friends. Built with over-50s in mind, they're modern and low-fuss, boasting open-plan setups, high ceilings, premium finishes, and clever storage solutions that keeps clutter at bay. Throw in security systems as standard, generous walk-in wardrobes, and sunny alfresco zones, and it feels like home the get-go. Country Club: Social Heart of the Resort The resort’s Country Club is designed to spark activity, connection, and friendships. There is a grand ballroom to host gatherings, private cinema for movie nights, a golf simulator to practise your swing, and a range...
28
Jan
Strong Interest in the First Moreton Bay Information Session
-
Posted by
Annie
What a fantastic turnout for our first Living Gems Moreton Bay Information Session—huge thanks to everyone who came along to our event on the 27th January! It was so exciting to introduce all our guests to our vision for this amazing over-50s resort, and we loved the incredible energy, support, and all those great questions! Tucked in the Burpengary neighbourhood in stunning Moreton Bay, this multi-million-dollar lifestyle resort is set to raise the bar on resort living with an array of facilities like a resort pool, cinema, bowling green, tennis court, and a whole lot more. This stunning resort will offer 186 contemporary homes, with four modern timeless designs to choose from, plus the One Series. All homes are designed to be low maintenance and seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living to give you the best lifestyle possible. With demand going strong, our second session is now full! Due to an overwhelming amount of interest, we’re taking expression of interest in a third session. Please register your interest here. Thanks again to everyone who joined us! Keen to chat more? Give our friendly sales team a call at 1800 957 981—we'd love to hear from you!
05
Jul
Rockhampton set to welcome new over-50s lifestyle resort
-
Posted by
Matt Harris
A major new lifestyle resort for over-50s has been approved for Rockhampton, marking a significant milestone for housing for older Australians in the region.
Living Gems Rockhampton, located on a 27-hectare site in Parkhurst, will bring 505 new homes to market — making it the largest lifestyle community of its kind ever seen in Central Queensland. It’s only the second land lease project approved in the Rockhampton region in more than a decade.
The $360m resort will offer contemporary, low-maintenance homes alongside more than $23 million in facilities designed to support an active, independent lifestyle.
The homes — all two-bedroom with a flexible multipurpose room — will be nestled in a setting with views to Mount Archer and easy access to shops, cafes, and the city centre. On site, residents will have access to a country club, pools, bowling alley, sports courts, yoga spaces, a golf simulator, dog run, residents’ workshop and more.
Anthony Puljich, CEO of Living Gems, said the resort had been...
01
Jun
Gnocchi night just got better
-
Posted by
Matt Harris
There’s nothing quite like a plate of homemade gnocchi – soft, golden bites that are full of comfort and flavour. This saffron potato gnocchi recipe is a simple way to turn everyday ingredients into something truly special, whether you're cooking for yourself or sharing with friends.
Chef Matt Conquest recommends this dish as a go-to for cooler evenings or when you feel like something warm and hearty.
“The saffron brings a gentle lift to the gnocchi without overpowering it,” says Matt. “It’s a great base for just about any sauce – from burnt butter and basil to a creamy blue cheese or a rich tomato.”
With a bit of patience and a light touch, you’ll have a dish that’s as enjoyable to make as it is to eat – no fancy tools required.Saffron potato gnocchiServes 4
INGREDIENTS
750g starchy potato, sebago, russet or Idaho
150g plain flour
1 egg, whole
150g parmesan, finely grated
1 tsp sea salt
½ tsp saffronTreats can be stored in an air-tight container and in...
01
Jun
Six tips for saving for retirement – a practical guide
-
Posted by
Matt Harris
We squirrel money away for all sorts of things – holidays, home renos, a new set of wheels – so why not for retirement too? With a bit of planning (and a few smart moves), you can set yourself up for a future that’s not just secure, but seriously enjoyable.
1. Start with a plan
Getting financially retirement-ready begins with knowing where you’re at now. Take a fresh look at your budget and assess whether your current path will get you to the lifestyle you want. A clear savings plan will help you work out how much you need to set aside each month, based on your stage of life and financial goals. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach – your plan should be tailored to you.
2. Make savings automatic
Once you know how much you want to save, make it easy on yourself by automating your savings. One of the best ways to do this is through salary sacrificing – contributing part of...
13
May
Top 10 downsizing mistakes to avoid
-
Posted by
Matt Harris
Thinking of trading big for better? You’re not alone. For a growing number of Aussies over 50, downsizing isn’t just about shedding square metres — it’s about making space for more of what matters. It’s important to downsize positively: Less stuff, more freedom. Less upkeep, more time for the good things. But as exciting as it is, downsizing still comes with its fair share of gotchas, that range from emotional and practical to sneaky fees, so being prepared will help you enjoy downsizing and ultimately, enjoy retirement. Whether you’re leaving the family home or heading for a sea or treechange, here are some common downsizing mistakes to dodge — so you can start your next chapter with confidence.
Common traps when downsizing (and how to avoid them)
Downsizing isn’t about giving up — it’s about gearing up for something better. So, before you start packing boxes, take a moment to think about what your future lifestyle could really look like.
Not thinking long-termA smaller house doesn’t mean smaller dreams. Ask yourself: will you want space for visiting grandkids? A veggie patch or a hobby room? Maybe you’re ready to ditch the mower altogether. Whatever you’re into, plan for it....
13
May
Planning your transition to retirement – A practical guide for over-50s
-
Posted by
Matt Harris
After years of juggling work, family, and everything in between, the thought of stepping into retirement should feel exciting — not overwhelming.
But let’s face it: for many of us, the idea of calling it quits overnight doesn’t quite fit. That’s where a transition to retirement (TTR) strategy can make all the difference.
With a little forward planning, a TTR approach gives you more flexibility and financial freedom as you shift into the next stage of life — your way.What is a transition to retirement strategy?
If you’re aged 60 or over and still working, you might be able to access part of your super without fully retiring.
A TTR strategy allows you to move some of your super into a TTR pension account. This gives you the option to:
Ease back your working hours and top up your income using regular pension payments, or
Keep working full-time, increase your salary-sacrificed contributions, and draw a tax-effective income from your super to maintain your take-home pay.
You can...
13
May
A delicious nod to the season
-
Posted by
Matt Harris
As the cooler months start to roll in, there’s something special about a warm, savoury dish that brings people together. This wild mushroom and parmesan sformato is rich, earthy, and wonderfully comforting – the kind of meal that feels right at home on a cosy autumn afternoon.Chef Matt Conquest says: “It’s easy to make, perfect for sharing, and ideal as a starter or light meal.“Served with crusty sourdough or fresh greens, it’s full of flavour and simplicity. And the best part? You can swap out the mushrooms for your favourite seasonal vegetable – like cauliflower or baby spinach – to suit your tastes.”Warm, satisfying, and made for good company – it's what Living Gems life is all about.
Wild Mushroom and Parmesan Sformato (Italian set cream)Makes 8 x 120 ml moulds
INGREDIENTS10 g dried wild mushrooms, soak in water until soft
10 g dried porcini mushrooms, soak in water until soft
100 g field mushrooms, sliced
100 g button mushrooms
25 ml extra virgin olive oil
Truffle...
