A couple enjoying coffee and conversation at an outdoor café table at St Aubins Village in Rockhampton, surrounded by greenery and a charming heritage-style building.

From Reef to Rainforest: Why You’ll Love Living in Rockhampton

Fancy breakfast by the river, lunch overlooking the ocean and a weekend exploring the rainforest? When you live in Rockhampton, you can enjoy all three without travelling far. There's plenty to love about calling Central Queensland home. Beautiful beaches, tropical islands, country towns and wide-open spaces are all within easy reach. And when you're living at Living Gems Rockhampton, in Parkhurst, you've got a beautiful home base to return to after every adventure. Whether you fancy a few hours out, a day on the coast or a weekend away with the caravan, here's a taste of what's waiting on your doorstep.  Start by exploring your own backyard You don't have to leave Rockhampton to find something special. Head into the city and enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Fitzroy River, where historic buildings, public art and waterfront cafés make a lovely backdrop for your morning coffee. If you're in the mood for a little culture, the Rockhampton Museum of Art is well worth exploring. Or spend a peaceful...
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Living Gems residents enjoying a relaxed meal together, sharing conversation and laughter around a dining table in a bright, welcoming setting.

The Power Of Good Company

A friendly chat over coffee. A game of bowls with the neighbours. A familiar face waving hello as you head out for your morning walk. Sometimes, it's the little things that make the biggest difference to how we feel. And as Australians grapple with rising levels of loneliness, those everyday connections are becoming more important than ever. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, around one in seven Australians aged 65 and over experienced loneliness in 2024. And while loneliness can affect anyone, changes that often come with getting older, such as retirement, children moving away or losing a partner, can make maintaining social connections more challenging. It's why having good company, shared interests and a sense of belonging can make such a difference to everyday life. That's a lot of people missing something most of us value enormously: good company and a sense of belonging.   Why staying connected matters Loneliness isn't simply about being alone. You can have a busy social calendar and still...
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Living Gems residents gathered in a bright community lounge, smiling for a group photo during a relaxed social get-together.

Club Bay is Open for Good Times!

There's a new place to catch up with friends, celebrate special occasions and enjoy a little friendly competition at Living Gems Moreton Bay. And the homeowners have already made it their own. Since the handover of the resort's new temporary recreation facility last month, residents have wasted no time putting it to good use. Living Gems CEO Anthony Puljich officially handed over the keys to the residents marking an exciting milestone for the growing community and giving residents a space to call their own. Affectionately nicknamed “Club Bay”, the new space is already buzzing with activity and quickly becoming a favourite gathering place for residents.   Good company and plenty to celebrate From birthday celebrations and happy hour gatherings to community meetings and lively games of mahjong, Club Bay is already bringing residents together. There's plenty more on the horizon, too, with residents making plans for a darts club, crafting club and book club. It's a wonderful example of how a shared space can become so much more...
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Artist’s impression of a modern Living Gems Country Club featuring expansive glass windows, a striking pitched roof, tropical palm trees and beautifully landscaped gardens.

First look: Living Gems Rockhampton’s spectacular Country Club revealed

A private Country Club, world-class facilities and a lifestyle that's anything but ordinary. Take a first look at what's coming to Living Gems Rockhampton. Something extraordinary is taking shape at Living Gems Rockhampton, and we're giving you an exciting first glimpse of what's to come. Brand-new architectural renders have revealed the impressive design of the resort's future Country Club, showcasing beautifully appointed interiors, sophisticated leisure spaces and a whole new standard of over 50s living. And with the spectacular Summer House preparing to welcome homeowners in time for Christmas, there's plenty to get excited about.   A little luxury. A lot to love. Forget stuffy country clubs and formal dress codes. This is country club living, the Living Gems way. Beautifully appointed interiors, inviting lounges and thoughtfully designed spaces will create an atmosphere that's sophisticated yet wonderfully relaxed.   Pull up a chair, catch up with friends or simply enjoy a little time to yourself. Whether you're dropping in for a quick coffee or making an afternoon of it,...
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Is Your Family Home Costing You More Than You Think?

You've paid off the mortgage. The house is yours. Surely the expensive part of homeownership is behind you? Then the rates notice arrives, the insurance renewal lands in your inbox and the ageing house needs another round of repairs. Sound familiar? Even without a mortgage, a larger family home can be surprisingly expensive to run. So could downsizing to a modern villa at a Living Gems over 50s lifestyle resort make better financial sense?   The hidden cost of staying put Owning your home outright is a wonderful achievement. But mortgage-free doesn't mean expense-free. According to Townsville City Council's 2026–27 Budget, the average residential ratepayer pays approximately $4,484 annually in combined council rates and utility charges, after the applicable prompt-payment discount. That's around $86 a week, before any other outgoings. In Rockhampton, the typical residential ratepayer faces approximately $4,663 annually in council rates and fixed charges, before discounts and water consumption.  Meanwhile, 2026–27 Queensland council rates benchmarking puts the annual cost for a median-valued residential property in Moreton Bay...
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Living Gems Moreton Bay residents Will and Tina Fedder sharing a playful moment in the kitchen of their modern villa.

Less work, more living: Will and Tina’s next chapter at Moreton Bay

After a lifetime of working hard, Will and Tina are looking forward to something a little different. More day trips, holidays to plan and the chance to enjoy life at their own pace. For Will and Tina, moving to Living Gems Moreton Bay has been the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Like many Australians in their 50s and beyond, they've spent years juggling work and everyday responsibilities. Now, they're ready to make the most of the time ahead. "We've been really hard workers all of our life," says Tina.  It's a sentiment many people will recognise. Between work, household responsibilities and everything else life throws your way, the things you really want to do can often end up waiting. As Will and Tina explain, "Then that stops you from doing all of the things in life that you should be doing every day, like enjoying life."  "So now we're wanting to start doing our day trips and, you know, thinking about holidays and everything. And that's what we're...
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Harris Crossing Spring Open Day Draws Over 300 Visitors for a Day of Fun in Townsville

More than 300 visitors, delicious food, live music and smiles all round! Living Gems Harris Crossing came alive on Saturday, 17 October, as locals and their families gathered for a Spring Open Day filled with entertainment, community spirit and a taste of the resort lifestyle on offer.  The atmosphere was lively from the moment the gates opened, with early queues and visitors making the most of the opportunity to explore the resort, enjoy a bite to eat and discover what life could look like at one of Townsville's newest over-50s lifestyle communities.  Live music set the mood throughout the day, with delicious food served up by Michel's Catering, freshly brewed coffee from Migoo 'The Croffle House' and refreshing frozen yoghurt treats from Crave Mobile Frozen Yogurt.  Lawn games brought out a little friendly competition, while Gallivanter Travel was also on hand to inspire future adventures and highlight the freedom of the lock-and-leave lifestyle available to Living Gems residents.  Even the weather played along, with...
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Spring Open Day Event - Moreton Bay

Moreton Bay Spring Open Day Delivers a Taste of Resort-Style Living

Spring sunshine, great food, live entertainment and a whole lot of excitement. Living Gems Moreton Bay was the place to be on Saturday, October 10, as hundreds of visitors joined us for our Spring Open Day.  With coffee flowing from Mowbray Coffee, delicious bites served up by Good 2 Eat and an acoustic duo setting the scene, there was plenty to enjoy. Between catching up with friends, exploring our stunning display villas and soaking up the atmosphere, visitors got a taste of the lifestyle that makes Living Gems Moreton Bay such a special place to call home.  There was also a special surprise for the Rugby League fans as footy legends Chad Townsend and Denan Kemp streamed the SEN Saturday League Kick Off broadcast live from Villa 2!  Set in the heart of Burpengary East, mere minutes from the highway, Living Gems Moreton Bay offers beautifully designed villas and will boast access to an impressive private country club featuring a heated swimming pool and spa,...
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Rockhampton Spring Open Day: A Day to Remember

“It just looks stunning!” “There’s so much space.” “I love the walk-in pantry.” The brand new Living Gems Rockhampton display villas have been the talk of the town since the active over-50s resorts threw open the gates for a Spring Open Day earlier this month.  More than 250 people showed up to envisage in-person how their lifestyle could look like at the Parkhurst site. Three gorgeous, fully-furnished display homes were available to view on the appointed tours, showcasing the different floorplans and colour schemes, as well as the luxurious fixtures, appliances and finishes that come standard at Living Gems resorts. When not exploring the villas, visitors were treated to live entertainment - brightly coloured hula dancers and a soulful acoustic singer - as they made their way leisurely around the event precinct to take a sneak peek at the Summer House and enjoy a bite to eat. A coffee van ensured everyone was well caffeinated, while others sat down with their curated...
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A milestone moment for our Moreton Bay Country Club

It was a milestone worth celebrating at Living Gems Moreton Bay last week, as current and future residents and special guests came together to officially mark the start of construction on the community’s $15 million Country Club.  Under sunny Moreton Bay skies, City of Moreton Bay Councillor Mark Booth and Living Gems CEO Anthony Puljich were joined by residents John Pascoe and Neil McLoughlin to turn the first sod on the much-anticipated facility, which is set to become the social and recreational heart of the growing Burpengary East community.  A great group of current and future residents joined the occasion, hearing addresses from Cr Booth and Mr Puljich before gathering for food, drinks and the chance to meet some of the people they’ll soon be calling neighbours.  For Mr Puljich, the occasion offered a glimpse of exactly what the Country Club is being created for.  “The Country Club will be a home away from home for the community; a place that will become its...
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Beyond the front gate: Building better connections in Rockhampton

There’s a lot more to building a new community than what happens inside the front gate. At Living Gems Rockhampton, work has been progressing on a major upgrade to Norman Road – an important infrastructure project improving accessibility, safety and connectivity in the growing Parkhurst area. The $8 million Norman Road infrastructure upgrade is being delivered by Living Gems in partnership with Rockhampton Regional Council, funded with $4.3 million support from the Queensland Government’s Residential Activation Fund. The project includes significant improvements to a critical 350-metre stretch of Norman Road bordering Living Gems Rockhampton, Parkhurst State School, Parkhurst Town Centre and established residential areas. Works include road and intersection upgrades, traffic lights and signage, as well as upgraded drainage and stormwater infrastructure. The Residential Activation Fund is supporting the delivery of critical infrastructure needed to unlock new housing across Queensland, including the 505 homes planned for Living Gems Rockhampton. The benefits extend beyond Living Gems, improving connections for residents living between Boundary Road and Olive...
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