News
Resort Spotlight: Living Gems Rockhampton
06
Feb
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
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
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!
22
Jan
Resort Spotlight: Living Gems Harris Crossing
Live your best life at Living Gems Harris Crossing! The resort provides a fresh way of living for over-50s, where lifestyle, comfort, and freedom come together in a thoughtfully designed resort environment. With plenty of active living options, full transparency, and the ability to keep 100% of your capital gains, Living Gems Harris Crossing is a lifestyle resort that attracts over-50s seeking an affordable, vibrant community. Located in Bohle Plains in Townsville, this gated community delivers relaxed North Queensland living, with modern homes and a suite of resort-style amenities designed to foster connection, wellbeing, and enjoyment. Operating on a land lease community model, Living Gems Harris Crossing allows homeowners to enjoy high-quality, well-designed homes at a more accessible price point.Thanks to the land lease model, it means no exit fees, no deferred management fees, and you get to keep your capital gains. This helps free up capital to focus on the experiences that matter most!Location like no other Set in the welcoming suburb of Bohle Plains, Living Gems Harris Crossing offers the perfect balance of convenience and tranquility. Vibrant yet peaceful, the resort is a private oasis that offers a relaxed pace of life. If you decide...
06
Feb
Resort Spotlight: Living Gems Rockhampton
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...
04
Feb
Deferred Management Fees Explained: A Hidden Cost for Over 50s?
Heard about deferred management fees and don’t know how it can impact your financial future? Deferred management fees (DMFs) lurk in many retirement village contracts, quietly eroding the financial security of over-50s. But that’s not the case at Living Gems. Operating on a land lease model, there are straightforward fees involved, with no hidden charges like exit fees or deferred management fees. Often disguised as "ongoing service fees," these deferred management fees accumulate over several years, deducted from your home's sale proceeds when you leave. For Australians planning retirement in Queensland, understanding deferred management fees is crucial to avoid surprises that derail your lifestyle dreams. What Are Deferred Management Fees? Deferred management fees represent a percentage—typically 25-35%—of your original purchase price or resale value, charged annually but deferred until exit. In retirement villages, operators like those under the Retirement Villages Act impose DMFs for "maintenance and services," compounding over time. A $500,000 entry might trigger $10,000+ yearly, and snowballing to $100,000+ after a decade, slashing your equity upon sale. How Deferred Management Fees Impact Over 50s Financial Planning For over-50s, DMFs create uncertainty when you need stability most. It disrupts retirement budgeting by...
02
Feb
Financial Benefits of Land Lease Communities in Queensland
Ever wondered how land lease communities in Queensland can supercharge your finances as an over-50s? Often referred to as lifestyle communities, they let you own your home outright while leasing the land for a simple weekly site fee—saving big on taxes, upkeep, and hidden costs that eat into traditional homeownership. Land lease communities in Queensland deliver substantial financial advantages for over-50s seeking a resort-style lifestyle without the burdens of traditional homeownership. As you plan your transition, this model supports confident downsizing and long-term financial planning. No Stamp Duty or Ongoing Fees Fees can add up when you own a traditional home, but you can skip the stamp duty sting with land lease communities. Purchasing a home in a land lease community means avoiding stamp duty and other upfront government taxes typically associated with buying property. This streamlined approach keeps initial and recurring costs low, putting more money back into your pocket from day one. No Exit Fees or Deferred Management Fees Land lease communities in Queensland stand out with no exit fees or deferred...
29
Jan
Resort Spotlight: Living Gems Moreton Bay
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
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!
22
Jan
Resort Spotlight: Living Gems Harris Crossing
Live your best life at Living Gems Harris Crossing! The resort provides a fresh way of living for over-50s, where lifestyle, comfort, and freedom come together in a thoughtfully designed resort environment. With plenty of active living options, full transparency, and the ability to keep 100% of your capital gains, Living Gems Harris Crossing is a lifestyle resort that attracts over-50s seeking an affordable, vibrant community. Located in Bohle Plains in Townsville, this gated community delivers relaxed North Queensland living, with modern homes and a suite of resort-style amenities designed to foster connection, wellbeing, and enjoyment. Operating on a land lease community model, Living Gems Harris Crossing allows homeowners to enjoy high-quality, well-designed homes at a more accessible price point.Thanks to the land lease model, it means no exit fees, no deferred management fees, and you get to keep your capital gains. This helps free up capital to focus on the experiences that matter most!Location like no other Set in the welcoming suburb of Bohle Plains, Living Gems Harris Crossing offers the perfect balance of convenience and tranquility. Vibrant yet peaceful, the resort is a private oasis that offers a relaxed pace of life. If you decide...
17
Dec
Construction Underway at Living Gems Rockhampton
Exciting progress is being made at Living Gems Rockhampton, with construction officially underway at our brand new over-50s lifestyle community in Parkhurst.The project has reached a significant milestone, with the first slab poured and the first frame already standing — a clear sign that this highly anticipated community is quickly becoming a reality.Celebrating a Milestone with Community LeadersTo mark the occasion, Living Gems was proud to be joined on site by Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Tony Williams, Councillors Shane Latcham and Marika Taylor, and Living Gems CEO Anthony Puljich, as the first sod was turned.This milestone reflects not only strong progress on site, but also the shared vision for a vibrant new community that will offer exceptional lifestyle opportunities for over-50s living in Central Queensland.Strong Interest as Stage One Now SellingWith construction moving ahead rapidly, Stage One is now selling, and we are already seeing strong interest from both local buyers and those from across Central Queensland keen to secure...
Articles
16
Feb
How Much Money Do You Need to Retire in Australia?
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
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...
10
Feb
Four Retirement Living Options
As we get older, common thoughts arise about what suitable retirement living arrangements are available – do I need a smaller place? Do I want communal facilities? Do I have enough money to move? Do I need medical care? There are diverse retirement living options for over-50s in Australia; ranging from lifestyle resorts to traditional retirement homes, each with its unique ownership models, costs, and lifestyle perks, that’ll help you adjust to retirement best suited to your needs.
1. Traditional Retirement Villages
Traditional retirement villages feature self-contained villas, apartments, or townhouses in gated settings with shared amenities like pools, bowls greens, and clubhouses. Typically, homes in these complexes have high entry fees, deferred management fees (up to 25-35% on exit), and ongoing service charges. Regulated by state laws like Queensland's Retirement Villages Act 1999, they suit those wanting community support without full-time care.
2. Land Lease Communities (Lifestyle Resorts)
In land lease communities, like Living Gems, you own your home outright but lease the site. Similarly, homes are set in a secure gated community, while residents have access to a wealth of resort-style facilities, including indoor pools, golf simulator, recreational spaces, barbecue areas, and more. Protected under the Manufactured Homes Act 2003, contracts are simpler, letting you sell...
10
Feb
Downsizing for Retirement: Your Path to Easier, More Enjoyable Retirement Living
Downsizing for retirement can unlock more freedom, financial security, and a low‑maintenance lifestyle in your later years. This guide explores how you can adjust to retirement, what to consider before you move, and why over‑50s lifestyle communities such as Living Gems are an attractive option for modern retirees.
What is downsizing for retirement?
Downsizing for retirement generally means moving from a larger family home into a smaller, more manageable property. Many over‑50s choose to sell the traditional family home and move into typical options like townhouses, retirement villages, or over-50s lifestyle resorts that better suit their evolving needs.
Why people downsize in retirement
There are different reasons why you might want to downsize – are you wanting to cut down on maintenance, reduce ongoing and rising costs to free up time and money for travel, hobbies, and family? First, less space means fewer hours spent on cleaning, gardening, and repairs, which helps retirees focus on lifestyle rather than chores. Second, a smaller home usually means lower mortgage payments or no mortgage at all, plus reduced bills for rates, insurance, and utilities. Third, downsizing can release...
04
Feb
Deferred Management Fees Explained: A Hidden Cost for Over 50s?
Heard about deferred management fees and don’t know how it can impact your financial future? Deferred management fees (DMFs) lurk in many retirement village contracts, quietly eroding the financial security of over-50s. But that’s not the case at Living Gems. Operating on a land lease model, there are straightforward fees involved, with no hidden charges like exit fees or deferred management fees. Often disguised as "ongoing service fees," these deferred management fees accumulate over several years, deducted from your home's sale proceeds when you leave. For Australians planning retirement in Queensland, understanding deferred management fees is crucial to avoid surprises that derail your lifestyle dreams. What Are Deferred Management Fees? Deferred management fees represent a percentage—typically 25-35%—of your original purchase price or resale value, charged annually but deferred until exit. In retirement villages, operators like those under the Retirement Villages Act impose DMFs for "maintenance and services," compounding over time. A $500,000 entry might trigger $10,000+ yearly, and snowballing to $100,000+ after a decade, slashing your equity upon sale. How Deferred Management Fees Impact Over 50s Financial Planning For over-50s, DMFs create uncertainty when you need stability most. It disrupts retirement budgeting by...
02
Feb
Financial Benefits of Land Lease Communities in Queensland
Ever wondered how land lease communities in Queensland can supercharge your finances as an over-50s? Often referred to as lifestyle communities, they let you own your home outright while leasing the land for a simple weekly site fee—saving big on taxes, upkeep, and hidden costs that eat into traditional homeownership. Land lease communities in Queensland deliver substantial financial advantages for over-50s seeking a resort-style lifestyle without the burdens of traditional homeownership. As you plan your transition, this model supports confident downsizing and long-term financial planning. No Stamp Duty or Ongoing Fees Fees can add up when you own a traditional home, but you can skip the stamp duty sting with land lease communities. Purchasing a home in a land lease community means avoiding stamp duty and other upfront government taxes typically associated with buying property. This streamlined approach keeps initial and recurring costs low, putting more money back into your pocket from day one. No Exit Fees or Deferred Management Fees Land lease communities in Queensland stand out with no exit fees or deferred...
