Residential construction is powering ahead at Amber by Living Gems with 60 percent of Stage Two, the resort’s final stage, now complete.Living Gems CEO Adrian Puljich said the residential construction team had been pulling out all stops to deliver Stage Two homes as quickly as possible and bring settlement day closer for future homeowners.“There are nearly 40 home builds underway at the moment and, weather permitting, we forecast residential construction winding up around June 2024,” Adrian said.“Stage Two is more than 60 percent sold out now with the resort as a whole 80 percent sold,” he said.“We expect Amber by Living Gems will be fully sold out before the end of the year.”Stage Two has six home design options, each with between 194.4sqm to 210.07sqm of living space, two bathrooms, stunning modern kitchens with walk-in pantries and lovely alfresco areas. There are a limited number of special RV-friendly homes available for buyers looking for plenty of space for a caravan,...

Couple elated with over-50s lifestyle at AmberSteve Urquhart describes the lifestyle at Amber by Living Gems over-50s lifestyle resort as being aboard a cruise ship with all the facilities, but without the rough seas."Moving here has undoubtedly been the best decision we have ever made, and we couldn't be happier," he said.Steve and wife Bertrina, who are both in their 50s, downsized from a large home at Waterford to move into Amber three months ago."Although Bertrina is still working, I've recently retired and didn't need the hassle of consistent maintenance around the home as well as the upkeep of the gardens and lawn. We decided we would rather opt for a smaller home in a community like this where all we have to do is enjoy the lifestyle. What could be better?" said Steve.When the couple first stepped foot in an Amber by Living Gems display home, they were pleasantly surprised with what they saw."We thought they would be quite...

A paw-fect transition for Amber’s newest residents. There are some new four-legged residents on the block at Amber by Living Gems with Spike and Ruby giving their owners Margaret and Roy Featherstone a tail wag of approval. Margaret and Roy recently relocated to Amber from Woodgate near Bundaberg and say that it’s been a perfect transition. “Spike and Ruby are settling in very well,” Margaret says. “Spike is 13 while Ruby is 12 and at their age, I didn’t expect the change to go so smoothly, but the move has changed their personalities and they have reverted to puppyhood, especially Spike. “We had a big backyard, and he was away from the house a lot, but now that he’s closer to us he’s so excited because he has so much to do and the two of them are just changing for the better.” “They play with all their toys now, and they haven’t done that in years,” Roy says. Roy and Margaret ended up getting Spike,...

Massive garage a highlight of new Living Gems homePerennial travellers Steve and Sandy Trevor couldn't believe their eyes when they moved into their brand-new home at Amber at Living Gems a few weeks ago and saw the size of their purpose-built RV garage for the first time."It was absolutely massive, and our grown kids likened it to an airline hangar," said Steve, who not only parked their 22-foot caravan inside the 10.5 metre garage but also a 200 series LandCruiser and a Mazda 2."And there was still more room up the back for storage," he said.Backing the caravan into the garage for the first time was a little daunting, according to Steve, who was concerned they needed more space to manoeuvre, but with Sandy at the wheel and Steve giving directions, the experienced travellers succeeded first go."I don't know what I was worried about," he laughed.Steve and Sandy, who have been married for 43 years, have 28 years of caravanning...

The Logan region has plenty of places to exercise your dog.Logan Village Dog Park Close to home, the Logan Village Dog Park has ample room for your pooch to run off leash in a safe, fenced area that also has a covered picnic table for their human owners. It's located off Towns Avenue - just a short walk from Amber by Living Gems and Opal by Living Gems. Logan Village to Yarrabilba Rail Trail If you're looking for a longer walk for you and your pet, why not get adventurous and take the Logan Village to Yarrabilba Rail Trail? This 3km paved track is an ideal place for leashed walks. At the end of the trail is Buxton Avenue Dog Park which has a safe off-leash area for your pet to run around in. Flagstone Regional Park For the ultimate in doggie activities, there is the Flagstone Regional Park which is 30 minutes' drive away.Featuring two off-leash areas - one for little dogs and another for...

Construction is powering ahead on the Amber by Living Gems $10.5m Country Club, with roof works set to commence this month.The commercial construction team has been making steady progress on the two-storey building which, when finished, will form a vibrant lifestyle hub for homeowners.Living Gems CEO Adrian Puljich said structural steel works were well underway and added that service rough-ins on the ground level were nearing completion.“It’s fantastic to see the Country Club take shape. I know residents cannot wait to enjoy all the incredible facilities that will be on offer for their exclusive use,” he said.The classically modern building and the surrounding precinct, which will boast a warm colour palette of earth tones, and hues of brass and chartreuse, have been carefully designed to harmonise with the semi-rural aesthetic of the Logan Village area.Facilities will include a main hall with a dance floor and stage, a formal lounge, cafe/dining area, fully equipped gym, hair salon, large games room with...

Amber by Living Gems homeowners are spoilt for choice when it comes to great local places to experience with friends to mark this year’s International Friendship Day on 30 July. Thrive has put together a few options that can be enjoyed by all.Beenleigh Artisan Distillers Home to Australia’s original rum, Beenleigh Artisan Distillers was founded in 1884, on the banks of the Albert River, Beenleigh, and is the oldest registered and continuously working rum distillery in Australia. The boutique distillery still operates from the original stone building and uses the same copper pot still, housed in the big red building. A new visitor centre is a recent addition. Visitors have an opportunity to learn its history, take a tour of the distillery and sample some of Beenleigh’s award-winning rum such as copper pot distilled rum, honey liqueur and double barrel rum, aged in ex-bourbon and brandy barrels. Visit: beenleighrum.com.au Spirits of the Red Sand An extraordinary experience unlike anything you’ve ever seen awaits with Spirits of...

Bee populations are rapidly declining around the world due to pollution, the use of pesticides and habitat loss, among other factors - a fact that saw an Amber by Living Gems couple choose to establish a miniature beehive in their backyard.Kathy Clarke and Peter O'Sullivan have only been in their beautiful new home within the over-50s lifestyle resort for eight weeks but already their hive of tiny Australian tetragonula carbonaria or sugarbag bees have become a focus in their back garden."We are into sustainability and want to do all we can to safeguard the environment for the future. It is the reason we have bees. We don't do it for the honey they produce, but because they are in such decline and we want to help increase their population," said Kathy.The bees are great pollinators, and the couple currently hosts a few hundred of the tiny, sugarbag variety that are stingless and about the size of a fly. They will...

With World Environment Day falling on 5 June, check out some local eco-friendly events this month.  Discovering our Nature Spaces information session The Logan Eco Forum is hosting a free information session on 4 June from 11:15am to 12 noon. Join avid gardener and TV personality, Paul West, and local citizen science expert, Michelle Neil, on the Think Tank stage as they discover the area's nature spaces.The event is suitable for all ages and all you need to bring is a fully charged phone. Visit Griffith University Logan Campus, 68 University Drive, Meadowbrook.For more information, email [email protected] Creating our Nature Spaces activity dayThis is another event to check out from the Logan Eco Forum. A fun-filled day for all the family will be held on 10 June from 9am to 1pm. This free event offers activities to help you design and plant gardens that will benefit Logan’s amazing local wildlife and your homes. Adults and children will have the opportunity to create...

You don’t have to travel very far from Amber by Living Gems to find some great options for Mother’s Day dining.  Crunchy’s Dessert Cafe Who said you had to have dinner before you get dessert? Not at Crunchy's All-Day Dessert Cafe in Brisbane Street, Jimboomba. Run by a Dutch family, enjoy their traditional continental fare of Belgian waffles, poffertjes, crepes, sourdough baguettes and French croissants. Not a sweet tooth? Crunchy's has you covered with an extensive savoury menu. crunchys.com.au Bearded Dragon Enjoy the heritage-inspired Bearded Dragon in Tamborine Village. This family-owned hotel has eschewed the pokies to revive the traditional friendly community pub atmosphere. Enjoy a modern twist on traditional pub fare and comfort food along with live music. beardeddragon.com.au Pikoon Thai Say hi to Thai! Pikoon Thai Restaurant in Yarrabilba has a great range of Asian cuisine. Enjoy pad se-ew, a stir-fried rice noodle dish with dark sweet soy sauce, try barbecue roasted duck with vegetables or the tasty prilk khing stir fry. Pikoon also offers takeaway...

First look at the Amber Country Club Amber by Living Gems’ $10.5M future Country Club will blend refined contemporary elegance with warm, welcoming tones for an exceptional recreational and leisure facility for homeowners' exclusive use.Currently under construction, the two-storey Country Club will form the heart of the over-50s resort, providing a lifestyle hub for residents with everything from a swimming pool, ten-pin bowling alley, luxury cinema, bar and cafe to a golf simulator, games room and library.From its elegant modern entry, which flows onto an expansive ballroom, the Amber by Living Gems Country Club will balance its generous proportions with a sense of intimacy and warmth thanks to its carefully considered interior design.Living Gems Manager of Interior Design Jennifer Kyle said the look and feel of spaces were inspired by an updated interpretation of mid-century modern design with lots of clean lines, muted tones, and a combination of natural and manmade materials plus sophisticated furnishings.“In addition to looking beautiful, the team...