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Health retreat responds to woman's suspected mushroom poisoning death

The alternative health centre where Rachael Dixon died after consuming a drink allegedly containing <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/woman-dies-after-suspected-mushroom-poisoning-at-health-retreat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">poisonous mushrooms</a> have issued a public statement on the incident. The 53-year-old and her friends took part in a holistic wellness retreat at Soul Barn Creative Wellbeing Centre when Dixon fell ill on Saturday night after <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px;">she allegedly crushed up mushrooms<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px;"> and consumed them in a drink. While her two friends were rushed to hospital and released a few days later, Dixon went into cardiac arrest, and despite best efforts by paramedics, she died at the scene just after 12am. Soul Barn, a self-described “creative wellbeing centre” specialising in holistic and alternative practices issued a statement on Thursday saying they were devastated by the incident. They also claimed that the event on Saturday that Dixon attended was not run by the centre or facilitated by any of its staff. “Soul Barn hires out workshop (spaces) to external businesses and facilitators,” they said. “The event which took place on April 13 was a private event, and those facilitating the event do not work for or represent Soul Barn in any way. “None of our regular therapists staff or facilitators were present at any point during this event. “We share the shock and devastation of everyone involved, and our hearts are with those families affected.” The health centre will remain closed while police investigate Dixon's death and a report is being prepared for the coroner. Image: 7NEWS

Legal

Woman dies after suspected mushroom poisoning at health retreat

A 53-year-old woman has died and two others have been rushed to hospital after allegedly ingesting poisonous mushrooms while at a holistic wellness retreat. Rachael Dixon became violently ill on Saturday night after she allegedly crushed up mushrooms and consumed them in a drink. Dixon and her two friends were at the Soul Barn Creative Wellbeing Centre, an "alternative health retreat" in Clunes, near Ballarat, when the incident occurred. An ambulance was called after reports she was in cardiac arrest and not breathing, and despite best efforts by paramedics, she died at the scene just after 12am. Her two friend were also rushed to hospital, but were released days later. Police are investigating her sudden death, and are expected to look into if the drink contained 'magic' mushrooms, which contain the hallucinogenic chemical psilocybin. Dixon's son Matthew paid tribute to his mother on Facebook, writing, "To the most loving, most caring person I've ever known can't thank you enough for everything you ever did for me and all the support you gave me." "Words can't begin to describe how much I will miss you, wish I could give you one last hug." Soul Barn has remained closed since the incident as local business owners and residents said the incident was "confronting" and "devastating". The death comes after Victorian authorities warned residents earlier this month that poisonous mushrooms were growing across the state. “Unless you are an expert, do not pick and eat wild mushrooms in Victoria,” acting chief health officer Evelyn Wong said. “There is no home test available to distinguish safe and edible mushrooms from poisonous mushrooms.” Image credits: Facebook

Caring

Pete Evans gives up his wellness retreat

Former My Kitchen Rules chef Pete Evans and his wellness advocate wife Nicola Evans are selling their Northern Rivers wellness retreat. The couple have been renovating the property - located 66km northwest of Byron Bay - since 2020, after initially purchasing the Byrrill Creek rainforest property for $1m. The seven newly renovated cabins now run as a space for Evans' cooking retreat, Evolve Sanctuary, which costs $1650-a-weekend. "Our weekend cooking retreats offer our guests to learn the fundamentals of a paleo and keto lifestyle,” the Evolve Sanctuary website reads. Recent events at the sanctuary include fasting retreats with Pete in a five-day juice, water and broth fast, costing $2250 per person. In addition to cooking courses, it also offers ice baths, red light treatment, a float tank and an infra-red sauna. JET Real Estate agents Tania Sheppard and Elizabeth Hickey have listed the 7.9ha property as “a leader in wellness tourism with a strong cashflow”. The vendors are offering a leaseback, as this is the first property for sale in Byrrill Creek in the last 12 months. This comes after Evans and Robinson sold their longtime 10ha Tweed Shire hinterland property in 2021 for $3.15m. They also previously sold two Malabar homes for a combined $6m when they were heading north. Images: Realestate.com.au

Money & Banking

We studied how the Antarctic ice sheet advanced and retreated over 10,000 years. It holds warnings for the future

Alarming stories from Antarctica are now more frequent than ever; the ice surface is <a href="https://theconversation.com/warmer-summers-threaten-antarcticas-giant-ice-shelves-because-of-the-lakes-they-create-180989" target="_blank" rel="noopener">melting</a>, floating ice shelves are <a href="https://theconversation.com/conger-ice-shelf-has-collapsed-what-you-need-to-know-according-to-experts-180077" target="_blank" rel="noopener">collapsing</a> and glaciers are <a href="https://theconversation.com/ice-world-antarcticas-riskiest-glacier-is-under-assault-from-below-and-losing-its-grip-178828" target="_blank" rel="noopener">flowing faster</a> into the ocean. Antarctica will be the largest source of future sea-level rise. Yet scientists <a href="https://theconversation.com/scientists-still-dont-know-how-far-melting-in-antarctica-will-go-or-the-sea-level-rise-it-will-unleash-166677" target="_blank" rel="noopener">don’t know</a> exactly how this melting will unfold as the climate warms. Our <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43017-022-00309-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">latest research</a> looks at how the Antarctic ice sheet advanced and retreated over the past 10,000 years. It holds stark warnings, and possibly some hope, for the future. <h2>The current imbalance</h2> Future sea-level rise presents one of the most significant challenges of climate change, with economic, environmental and societal impacts expected for coastal communities around the globe. While it seems like a distant issue, the changes in Antarctica may soon be felt on our doorsteps, in the form of rising sea levels. Antarctica is home to the world’s largest single mass of ice: the Antarctic ice sheet. This body of glacier ice is several kilometres thick, nestled on top of solid land. It covers entire mountain ranges beneath it. The ice sheet “<a href="https://vimeo.com/133626869" target="_blank" rel="noopener">flows</a>” over the land from the Antarctic interior and towards the surrounding ocean. As a whole it remains a solid mass, but its shape slowly deforms as the ice crystals move around. While the ice sheet flows outward, snowfall from above replenishes it. This cycle is supposed to keep the system in balance, wherein balance is achieved when the ice sheet is gaining the same amount of ice as it’s losing to the ocean each year. However, <a href="https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/ice-sheets/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">satellites</a> keeping watch from above show the ice sheet is currently not in balance. Over the past 40 years, it has lost more ice than it has gained. The result has been global rising sea levels. But these historical observations span only four decades, limiting our understanding of how the ice sheet responds to climate change over much longer periods. We wanted to look further back in time – before satellites – and even before the first polar explorers. For this, we needed natural archives. <h2>Digging up Antarctica’s past</h2> We brought together various natural archives to unearth how the Antarctic ice sheet changed over the past 10,000 years or so. These included: <ul> <li>ice cores collected from Antarctica’s remote interior, which can show us how snow accumulated in the past</li> <li>rocks collected from exposed mountain peaks, which reveal how the ice sheet has thickened or thinned with time</li> <li>sediment cores collected from the seafloor, which reveal how the ice sheet margin – where the edge of the land ice meets the ocean – advanced or retreated</li> <li>lake mud and old beaches, which reveal how the coastline changed in response to the ice sheet growing or shrinking.</li> </ul> When we started our research, I wasn’t sure what to expect. After all, this period of time was long considered fairly dull, with only small changes to the ice margin. Nevertheless, we studied the many different natural archives one by one. The work felt like a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle, full of irregular-shaped pieces and seemingly no straight edge. But once we put them together, the pieces lined up and the picture was clear. Most striking was a period of ice loss that took place in all regions of Antarctica about 10,000 to 5,000 years ago. It resulted in many metres of sea-level rise globally. In some regions of Antarctica, however, this ice loss was then followed by ice gain during the past 5,000 years – and a corresponding global sea-level fall – as the ice sheet margin advanced to where it is today. <h2>A warning</h2> Understanding how and why the Antarctic ice sheet changed in this fashion offers lessons for the future. The first lesson is more of a warning. The period of ice loss from 10,000 to 5,000 years ago was rapid, occurring at a similar rate to the most dramatically changing parts of the Antarctic ice sheet today. We think it was likely the result of warm ocean water melting the underside of floating ice shelves – something that has also happened in recent decades. These ice shelves hold back the ice on land, so once they’re removed the ice on the land flows faster into the ocean. In the future, it’s predicted ice loss will <a href="https://youtu.be/XRUxTFWWWdY?t=149" target="_blank" rel="noopener">accelerate</a> as the ice sheet retreats into basins below sea level. This may already be under way in some regions of Antarctica. And based on what happened in the past, the resulting ice loss could persist for centuries. <h2>Bouncing back</h2> The second lesson from our work may bring some hope. Some 5,000 years ago the ice sheet margin stopped retreating in most locations, and in some regions actually started to advance. One explanation for this relates to the previous period of ice loss. Before the ice began melting away, the Antarctic ice sheet was much heavier, and its weight pushed down into the Earth’s crust (which sits atop a molten interior). As the ice sheet melted and became lighter, the land beneath it would have lifted up – effectively hauling the ice out of the ocean. Another possible explanation is climate change. At Antarctica’s coastal fringe, the ocean may have temporarily switched from warmer to cooler waters around the time the ice sheet began advancing again. At the same time, more snowfall took place at the top of the ice sheet. Our research supports the idea that the Antarctic ice sheet is poised to lose more ice and raise sea levels – particularly if the ocean continues to warm. It also suggests uplift of the land and increased snowfall have the potential to slow or offset ice loss. However, this effect is not certain. The past can never be a perfect test for the future. And considering the planet is <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGI_SPM.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">warming faster</a> now than it was back then, we must err on the side of caution. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-studied-how-the-antarctic-ice-sheet-advanced-and-retreated-over-10-000-years-it-holds-warnings-for-the-future-185505" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

Lisa Curry lists her home and wellness retreat

Lisa Curry has put her Queensland hinterland home and business on the market. The former Olympian and her husband Mark have listed their Crohamhurst residence and wellness retreat of five years, called Mali, <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/96-crohamhurst-rd-crohamhurst-qld-4519-2017895384?utm_source=nine.com.au&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=editorial-content" target="_blank" rel="noopener">for sale</a>. Mali, a combination of Lisa and Mark's names, has hosted camping, weddings, corporate events, yoga getaways and fitness bootcamps. Lisa told the <a href="https://www.sunshinecoastnews.com.au/2022/06/24/lisa-curry-retreat-on-market/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sunshine Coast News</a> paper that her and Mark had been discussing what their future holds when deciding to sell their retreat. "For a couple like us who have been working our whole lives, we've been talking about what we want to do for the rest of our life. It includes travel, looking after ourselves and self care so that we can stay active and adventurous … being a fun Granny requires that," she said. "You have to make those decisions and be realistic about those decisions." "This is a beautiful place to either work it as a business, or a beautiful place to retire, or just to be in nature, have land all around you and just tinker with your passions." "Whoever buys this place will be very happy." Lisa's husband Mark told the news outlet that their priorities in life have shifted since the sudden death of Lisa's daughter Jaimi in 2020. "We've been here five years now and it was Lisa's dream to have a retreat space." "We've kind of achieved the dream and since the tragedy in her family with the loss of Jaimi … I suppose priorities changed." The 26-hectare former equine property, buzzing with local birdlife, includes the house and a barn, which has been used for events. The homestead is a traditional Queenslander with a wood-burning fire, panelled walls, rustic floorboards and a tropical-style pool. Image credits: Domain / Instagram

Real Estate

Retreat with private lake and outdoor bar for sale

A massive mansion tucked away in the mountains with its own lake and outdoor bar has hit the market for the first time in 15 years. Cedar Lodge Retreat sits on top of Tamborine Mountain in Queensland and offers breathtaking views of Canungra Valley to the Great Dividing Range. “Every day you will feel like the last on earth to see the sun as it falls behind the ranges, displaying colours and visual tones which need to be seen to be believed,” the <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/tamborine-mountain-qld-4272-2017753766?utm_source=nine.com.au&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=editorial-content" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listing</a> reads. The huge property, which also offers another home on the land, can be accessed along a private road but is still remote and private. The main residence, which was built in 1974, boasts five huge bedrooms and four bathrooms and has been constantly renovated to “align with the estate’s timeless quality”. The Master Suite on the top floor, includes a kingsize bedroom, parents retreat, luxury ensuite with dual shower heads, spa and large walk-in-robe. The lounge room has high ceilings and an open fireplace which is perfect for those cooler nights. There is also a tennis court, a large basement wine cellar and an entire top-floor primary suite. The Outlook Bar is also perfect to host a number of guests with the stunning views. Built only 12 years ago, the second residence includes an open-plan lounge, dining and kitchen experience. Perfect for guests staying the night or a few days, with the four bedroom and three bedroom amenities. The property is only minutes away from the local town centre, multiple wineries, cafes, breweries and distilleries. Cedar Lodge Retreat will go to auction with the real estate agent keeping mum about how much the property could fetch. Images: Domain

Real Estate

After the floods, the distressing but necessary case for managed retreat

From Brisbane to Sydney, many thousands of Australians have been reliving a devastating experience they hoped – in 2021, 2020, 2017, 2015, 2013, 2012 or 2010/11 – would never happen to them again. For some suburbs built on the flood plains of the Nepean River in western Sydney, for example, these floods are their <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/sydney-homeowners-devastated-by-three-floods-in-two-years-20220304-p5a1y0.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">third in two years</a>. Flooding is a part of life in parts of Australia. But as climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of floods, fires and other disasters, and recovery costs soar, two big questions arise. As a society, should we be setting up individuals and families for ruin by allowing them to build back in areas where they can’t afford insurance? And is it fair for taxpayers to carry the huge burden of paying for future rescue and relief costs? Considering ‘managed retreat’ Doing something about escalating disaster risks require multiple responses. One is making insurance as cheap as possible. Another is investing in mitigation infrastructure, such as flood levees. Yet another is about making buildings more disaster-resistant. The most controversial response is the policy of “managed retreat” – abandoning buildings in high-risk areas. In Australia this policy has been mostly discussed as something to consider some time in the future, and mostly for coastal communities, for homes that can’t be saved from rising sea levels and storm surges. It’s a sensitive subject because it uproots families, potentially hollows outs communities and also affects house prices – an unsettling prospect when economic security is tied to home ownership. But managed retreat may also be better than the chaotic consequences of letting the market alone try to work out the risks to individuals and communities. Grand Forks: a case study The strategy is already being implemented in parts of western Europe and North America. An example from Canada is the town of Grand Forks, a community of about 4,000 people 300 kilometres east of Vancouver. The town is located where two rivers meet. In May 2018 it experienced its worst flooding in seven decades, after days of extreme rain <a href="https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/news/climate/impacts/an-old-growth-forest-in-b-c-was-cut-down-then-a-nearby-town-flooded" target="_blank" rel="noopener">attributed to</a> higher than normal winter snowfall melting quickly in hotter spring temperatures. Deforestation has been blamed for exacerbating the flood. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/450871/original/file-20220309-22-v2begh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/450871/original/file-20220309-22-v2begh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/450871/original/file-20220309-22-v2begh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/450871/original/file-20220309-22-v2begh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/450871/original/file-20220309-22-v2begh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/450871/original/file-20220309-22-v2begh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/450871/original/file-20220309-22-v2begh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /><figcaption>Flooding in Grand Forks, British Columbia. Shutterstock</figcaption></figure> The flood damaged about 500 buildings in Grand Forks, with <a href="https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/climate-change/adaptation/resources/social_impacts_grand_forks_flood.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lowest-income neighbourhoods</a> in low-lying areas the worst-affected. In the aftermath the local council received C$53 million from the federal and provincial governments for flood mitigation. This included work to reinforce river banks and build dikes. About a <a href="https://www.rosslandnews.com/news/grand-forks-flood-affected-properties-to-be-bought-at-post-flood-value/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">quarter of the money</a> was allocated to acquire about 80 homes in the most flood-prone areas. The decision to demolish these homes – <a href="https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=POPC&Code1=0333&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&SearchText=Grand%20Forks&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=0333&TABID=1&type=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">about 5%</a> of the town’s housing – and return the area to flood plain has been contentious. Some residents simply didn’t <a href="https://building.ca/flood-victims-in-grand-forks-b-c-in-limbo-more-than-one-year-after-disaster/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">want to sell</a>. Adding to the pain was owners being paid the post-flood market value of their homes (saving the council <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/grand-forks-houses-assessed-post-flood-value-buyout-1.5197831" target="_blank" rel="noopener">about C$6 million</a>). There were also long delays, with residents stuck in limbo <a href="https://building.ca/flood-victims-in-grand-forks-b-c-in-limbo-more-than-one-year-after-disaster/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">for more than year</a> while authorities finalised transactions. A sensitive subject Grand Forks shares similarities to Lismore, the epicentre of the disaster affecting northern NSW and southern Queensland. Lismore is also built on a flood plain where two rivers meet. Floods are a regular occurrence, with the last major disaster being in 2017. Insuring properties in town’s most flood-prone areas was already <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/mar/02/lismore-businesses-that-couldnt-afford-insurance-premiums-face-huge-flood-damage-bills" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unaffordable for some</a>. In the future it may be impossible. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/451512/original/file-20220311-17-yd0jtm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/451512/original/file-20220311-17-yd0jtm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/451512/original/file-20220311-17-yd0jtm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/451512/original/file-20220311-17-yd0jtm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/451512/original/file-20220311-17-yd0jtm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/451512/original/file-20220311-17-yd0jtm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/451512/original/file-20220311-17-yd0jtm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/451512/original/file-20220311-17-yd0jtm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Lismore resident Robert Bialowas cleans out his home on March 3 2022." /></a><figcaption>Lismore resident Robert Bialowas cleans out his home on March 3 2022. Jason O'Brien/AAP, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CC BY</a></figcaption></figure> Last week NSW premier Dominic Perrottet said about 2,000 of the town’s 19,000 homes would need to be demolished and rebuilt, a statement the local council general manager downplayed, saying in the majority of cases “<a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-07/thousands-of-flooded-buildings-in-north-nsw-may-not-be-condemned/100889230" target="_blank" rel="noopener">people will not have to worry</a>”. For a community traumatised by loss, overwhelmed by the recovery effort and angry at the perceived tardiness of <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-11/morrison-lismore-community-calls-for-action-on-flood-disaster/100900496" target="_blank" rel="noopener">government relief efforts</a>, discussing any form of managed retreat is naturally emotionally charged. But there’s never an ideal time to talk about bulldozing homes and relocating households. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/451510/original/file-20220311-13-64nek3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/451510/original/file-20220311-13-64nek3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/451510/original/file-20220311-13-64nek3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=371&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/451510/original/file-20220311-13-64nek3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=371&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/451510/original/file-20220311-13-64nek3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=371&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/451510/original/file-20220311-13-64nek3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=467&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/451510/original/file-20220311-13-64nek3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=467&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/451510/original/file-20220311-13-64nek3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=467&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Lismore residents Tim Fry and Zara Coronakes and son Ezekiel outside their home on March 11 2022." /></a><figcaption>Lismore residents Tim Fry and Zara Coronakes and son Ezekiel outside their home on March 11 2022. Jason O'Brien/AAP, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CC BY</a></figcaption></figure> Uprooting communities Managed retreat has far-reaching financial ramifications. As in Grand Forks, the first questions are what homes are targeted, who pays, and how much. Some residents may be grateful to sell up and move to safe ground. Others may not, disputing the valuation offered or being reluctant to leave at any price. Managed retreat policies also affect many more than just those whose homes are being acquired. Demolishing a block or suburb can push down values in neighbouring areas, due to fears these homes may be next. Those households are also customers for local businesses. Their loss can potentially send a town economy into decline. No wonder many people want no mention of managed retreat in their communities. Pricing in climate change Markets, however, are already starting to “price in” rising climate risks. Insurance premiums are going up. The value of homes in high-risk areas will drop as buyers look elsewhere, particularly in the wake of increasingly frequent disasters. The economic fallout, both for individual households and local communities, could be disastrous. The Reserve Bank of Australia <a href="https://www.rba.gov.au/publications/bulletin/2021/sep/climate-change-risks-to-australian-banks.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">warned</a> in September 2021 that climate-related disasters could rapidly drive house prices down, particularly in areas that have previously experienced rapid house price growth. These disasters are also amplifying inequality, with poorer households more likely to live in high-risk locations and also to be uninsured. In Lismore, for example, more than 80% of households flooded in 2017 were in the lowest <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11069-020-03887-z" target="_blank" rel="noopener">20% of incomes</a>. These trends will intensify as growing climate risks translate into higher insurance premiums and lower house prices. A deliberate strategy of managed retreat, though distressing and difficult, can help to minimise the upheaval in housing markets as climate risks become increasingly apparent. We can do better than leaving the most socially and economically vulnerable households to live in high-risk areas, while those with enough money can move away to better, safer futures. Managed retreat can play a key role.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/178641/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/antonia-settle-1019551" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Antonia Settle</a>, Academic (McKenzie Postdoctoral Research Fellow), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The University of Melbourne</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/after-the-floods-the-distressing-but-necessary-case-for-managed-retreat-178641" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original article</a>. Image: Getty Images

Domestic Travel

Hamish and Zoe Foster Blake snap up stunning natural retreat

Lego Masters Australia host Hamish Blake and author Zoe Foster Blake have jumped on the celebrity bandwagon heading south of Sydney after spending more than $4 million on a scenic home. The celebrity couple are <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/inside-hamish-and-zoe-blakes-43m-new-house-on-the-nsw-south-coast/?rsf=syn:news:nca:news:spa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the latest</a> to buy into the south coast, following on from recent purchases made by Deborah Hutton and Gerry Harvey in the area. Their new six-bedroom, five-bathroom home in Jamberoo - about an hour and a half south of Sydney - was last sold in 1996 for $566,000, but has undergone extensive renovations since. According to the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-jamberoo-137476998" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listing</a>, the home is nestled in “some of the most stunning scenery in Australia”, offering “breathtaking views of verdant valleys and hills to a sparkling seascape beyond”. It also has views of the Pacific Ocean and Lake Illawarra from the outdoor balcony that wraps around the entire house and looks over a croquet lawn. Spread out across just one level, the home’s interiors include an open plan dining room and gourmet kitchen, a lounge room with a stone fireplace, and bedrooms housed within two separate wings that also come with their own en-suites. Outside, the 7.47-acre property also includes an orchard with lemon, lime, orange and grapefruit trees, a herb and vegetable garden, and a double-car garage set up as a teenagers retreat complete with a billiard table and separate sitting area. The home is another large addition to the couple’s real estate portfolio which comes just a year after they dropped a whopping $8.925 million on a home in Vaucluse. The home was sold to the couple by Ray White’s Michelle Lay. Images: @zotheysay (Instagram), Realestate.com.au

Real Estate

Billionaire Justin Hemmes makes tidy profit on Pittwater retreat

Billionaire restaurateur Justin Hemmes has <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/hotelier-justin-hemmes-sells-his-morning-bay-pittwater-retreat-for-55m/?rsf=syn:news:nca:news:spa:strap" target="_blank">sold</a> a slice of his assets for a tidy price, after selling his Sydney waterfront retreat for $5.5 million this week. Set in Pittwater, Hemmes first bought the four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in 2016 for just $2.75 million from its creator, acclaimed theatre production designer and architect Laurence Eastwood. Eastwood built the bushland waterfront house with a vast floating roof, post-and-beam design, and large stainless steel gutters that feed into a 50,000-litre tank, earning himself a number of awards. The house features wide decks at the front and rear of the living area, taking full advantage of the surrounding bush and water views. <a rel="noopener" href="https://monavale.ljhooker.com.au/house-in-newport-nsw-2106-au-2kcsf6k?search=%2fsearch%2fproperty-sold%2fpage-1#.YblzFL1ByUk" target="_blank">LJ Hooker Mona Vale</a> agent Lachlan Elder handled the sale off-market, with Hemmes instructing him to “sell it to people who will give it more love”. With the sale of the Pittwater home, it seems that Hemmes is spending more of his time expanding his reach in Narooma, having spent an estimated $30 million in the area. “I love Narooma with a deep passion,” he said recently. He expects Narooma will one day be a strong competitor against Noosa as a getaway paradise. Images: @justinhemmes (Instagram), LJ Hooker Mona Vale

Real Estate

Megan Gale's Daylesford retreat up for rent

After purchasing their dream weekender a year ago, model Megan Gale and her husband, former Carlton player Shaun Hampson, have <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/28790133?source_impression_id=p3_1618269099_qcQ704JcVbotUTyk&guests=6&adults=6" target="_blank">listed it on Airbnb</a>. The couple bought Dollywood, a 1940s bungalow in the pretty Victorian town of Daylesford, from their friends, former footballer Marcus Baldwin and his wife Eloise Fox. After giving it some subtle updates, the couple listed it on Airbnb in April for up to six guests per stay. The weatherboard home is known for its neon ink sign at the front, and features vintage Hollywood and Palm Springs stylings throughout. As regular visitors to Daylesford, Gale and Hampton visited the area before and after they had their children, River, 7, and Rosie, 4. “Daylesford, for Shaun and myself, has always been a really special place,” Gale told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.domain.com.au/living/stay-at-dollywood-the-daylesford-airbnb-owned-by-megan-gale-and-shaun-hampson-1103561/" target="_blank">Domain</a>. In 2018, they discovered Dollywood, and snapped it up when it hit the market in September last year. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQN5G11DAVC/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQN5G11DAVC/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by MEGAN GALE (@megankgale)</a> </div> </blockquote> “We thought it was so sweet; it had great charm and the kids loved it,” Gale said. The bungalow now features an indoor wood heater, backed by a curved timber wall separating the living area from the bedrooms, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows that open out to the verandah. Throughout the house, artwork including a cactus print, a neon sign (a nod to Dolly Parton), and various wall hangings, have been chosen by Gale. “I wanted some warm mustard, navy and pink tones coming through the house, so I injected that here and there,” she said. Guests can stay at the home for between $400 and $800 a night and can enjoy a hamper filled with local goodies and curated soundtrack of Hollywood classics during their stay. Images: @dollywood_daylesford (Instagram)

Real Estate

Don Bradman's private retreat hits the market

A home once owned by renowned cricketer Sir Donald Bradman is on the market following his daughter-in-law’s decision to sell. The property has been listed with a price guide of $1.95 million. Bradman first bought the home in Adelaide Hills 62 years ago with his son John, who changed his last name to Bradsen to avoid unwanted attention. John’s former wife, Judith, has lived there for the past 27 years. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844909/bradman9.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a91958992cda4f46a6b284d34226ed05" /> The original certificate of title signed by Sir Donald Bradman. Image: Raine & Horne Strathalbyn “The press were always interested in Don, so this place provided a space where he could enjoy his family life without being observed,” Ms Bradsen <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/bradmans-hills-haven-at-117-sheoak-rd-crafers-west-set-to-bowl-market-over/">said</a>. “He could just be himself here because when we dined out people would always approach him. Nobody knew he owned it, nobody. Only very close family friends of Don and then John and mine enjoyed the property.” Ms Bradsen said her father-in-law would often spend time at the property enjoying the outdoors and doing maintenance work. “In the early days, he would come up here often,” she said. “He spent a lot of time clearing the woody weeds and he enjoyed the odd bonfire. “He had a fire get away from him once in the valley. We would joke about it later, and I’m not sure if the CFS was called or not back in the day. The property, known as Glenquarry Farm, sits on a whopping 8.893-hectare allotment, and is believed to have been built by a runaway from a British naval expedition in 1836. A four-bedroom freestanding home sits on the property, as well as outbuildings, a cellar, a studio, and a stable. The property also features a decommissioned Mt Lofty freestone quarry, extensive gardens, and a stretch of lawn well-suited to a game of cricket. Natural stone, slatted timber, and open fires are found throughout the home, which also includes a separate wing for guests and an undercover, gabled courtyard. The home has also seen several renovations over the years, with “The Don” playing his part. “Every time I paint I think of him telling me what to do because he was a keen painter,” Ms Bradsen said. “The simplicity of the house really reflects his tastes - the modesty of the cottage, I think he enjoyed. “He always had his own chair and he would sit on the verandah and watch everyone play, and our children climbed over him and loved him dearly.” Ms Bradsen has said it was time to move on to a new home after living alone at the property for many years, and hopes a new family can enjoy it. “I’m downsizing and I’d rather have this place enjoyed by more than just one person,” she said. Paul Clifford of Raine & Horne Strathalbyn is managing the sale of the home, which has been described as a “unique and historic hideaway” according to <a href="https://www.raineandhorne.com.au/strathalbyn/properties/117-sheoak-road-crafers-west-5152-south-australia">the listing</a>. Images: Getty Images, Raine & Horne Strathalbyn

Real Estate

See inside Jerry Seinfeld’s stunning Colorado retreat

Jerry Seinfeld’s stunning holiday sanctuary may just be one of the most glorious properties you’ve ever seen from a celebrity. The comedian and his wife, Jessica, are looking to offload the Colorado paradise for $19.65 million (US $14.95m). The 27-acreage is frequently visited by the Seinfelds and their three children as they are all avid skiers. Listing agent Bill Fandel told Mansion Global that the pair have decided to sell as their children are older and due to the fast-moving real-estate market The guesthouse that boasts four-bedrooms and adjoins onto the property is also available for $3.65 million (US$2.77m), reports claims. The Seinfelds bought the ski getaway in 2007 for a cool US$7.55 million. The estate has been up for sale in the past as well, including when Jerry tested the waters in 2011, with a price tag of $24 million (US$18.3 million). The couple then had a change of heart and took it off the market within a few months. Colorado is home to many incredible estates that cater to the rich, and this 1,140 sqm rustic lodge with 11 bedrooms, 11 full bathrooms, and three half-bathrooms, is no exception. Built in 1991, the home is nestled persfsctly into the private enclave and offers a perfect holiday spot for family and friends in the small town of Telluride. Seinfeld purchased the main house in 2007, and the guesthouse a year later to use as a caretaker’s cottage. “After the Seinfelds purchased the property, they did a remodel and re-imagined the whole place,” Mr Fandel said. There is a vaulted great room that comes with a stone-surround fireplace, and even offers unbelievable mountain views from the floor-to-ceiling windows. With an updated, state of the art kitchen and other features including a wood-panelled library, game room, gym and yoga room, and a four-car garage – it almost makes the multi-million dollar price tag sound reasonable. Seinfeld, a New York native, dominated the TV line-up in the 1990s with his long-running sitcom Seinfeld, which ran from 1989 until 1998.

Real Estate

Olivia Newton-John lists stunning Byron Bay retreat

Olivia Newton-John has listed her picturesque wellness retreat in Byron Bay. The British-born Australian singer and actress has put their Gaia Retreat & Spa on the market, which is set attract global interest. Between Newton-John and co-owners Gregg Cave, Ruth Kalnin and Warwick Evans, they have described the decision to sell the paradise as bittersweet. “For over 16 years and winning more than 55 global awards, Gaia Retreat & Spa was a dream that became a wonderful reality,” the Grease star said in a statement on behalf of the owners. “Over these blessed years, co-owners Gregg Cave, Ruth Kalnin, Warwick Evans and myself have helped make Gaia ‘heaven on earth’ by creating a healing and loving place that has become so important to us and our guests from all over the world. “Having won so many humbling and outstanding awards, we have decided it is time to ‘pass the baton’ to new custodians so they can continue our positive message that Gaia is ‘your timeout to reconnect, breathe and surrender’. “It’s bittersweet, but as a team, we always agreed that we would ‘go out on top’ and we couldn’t be more proud of the Gaia we have built with our incredible family team.” Colliers’ real estate agents Karen Wales and Gus Moors told realcommercial.com.au that the Byron Bay retreat is sure to receive interest on a global scale. “The current owners wish to entrust their custodianship to likeminded visionaries who are inspired to continue their ‘G.R.O.W.’ ethos – Gratitude, Respect, Organic, Wellness,” Mr Moors said. Mr Moors said that the location of the retreat makes it an attractive offer for potential buyers. “Highly-profitable luxury retreats are rarely traded, given the strong combination of excellent cashflow and enviable lifestyle offering,” Mr Moors said. “The opportunity to secure such a large, tourist-zoned site in the pristine hinterland of Australia’s highest growth tourism region overlooking the coastline of Byron Bay will never be replicated.” The Gaia retreat was founded in 2005 and has over 22 rooms, suites and villas along with a day spa, restaurant, swimming pool, walking tracks set over eight hectares and tennis court. “The simplicity of Gaia Retreat & Spa as a pioneer of barefoot luxury means an incoming owner has limited medium-term capital expenditure requirements through its understated, yet high quality, interior design,” Ms Wales said. Gaia over the years has developed a strong customer base. “Unlike many other Australian luxury retreats, Gaia is easily accessible from the domestic and international airports of Ballina and Gold Coast, thereby ensuring year-round demand,” Ms Wales said. Byron Bay has fast become a celebrity hotspot – a phenomenon fronted by Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky. Newton-John described the mesmerising paradise as a “special magical place”.

Real Estate

Pete Evans drops $1 million on hinterland retreat

Disgraced celebrity chef and conspiracy theorist Pete Evans has purchased a "healing retreat" in Byron Bay. The former MKR star's company Health Everyday Ltd splashed $1 million on the popular $100-per-night Mount Warning Forest Hideaway, according to the Daily Telegraph. Complete with mountain views, creeks, private swimming holes and waterfalls, the tourist venture previously catered to couples and families for holidays and corporate healing retreats. “The eight units can simply be continued as is or reimagined by the new owners,” Real Estate of Distinction Byron Bay selling agent Janis Perkins’ marketing suggested. The cabins do not provide mobile, internet or television reception, but an “authentic retreat from the distractions of modern life”. The Byrrill Creek property, located about 66km northwest of the Byron Bay township isn't too far from the Pottsville retreat he and his wife, Nicola Robinson, have called home since moving from Sydney last September. Evans sold his Malabar home for a cool $3.36 million and since relocating north has opened his Evolve Health Labs clinic, which offers “transformational practices” such as “cold and conscious breath-work” and cryotherapy. With his latest property purchase, he also moves one step closer to his plans to set up his own health retreat.

Real Estate

Hemsworth brothers list stunning Malibu retreat for $4.9 million

Australian brothers Chris, Liam and Luke Hemsworth are looking to let go of their Malibu home that they shared for $4.9 million. Together the trio have lifted the price $1.45 million more than they paid for the place using a trust four years ago, real estate records show. While there were not many changes made to the 4,612-square-foot floor plan, with its polished concrete floors, warm woody accents and shiny marble finishes - they did touch up the landscape and exterior of the house. The home hosts four marvellous bedrooms, four bathrooms, a sunny chef’s kitchen and a wine cellar. It also features a spacious media room that is decked out with purple walls and carpet floors. The back patio includes a sauna and beyond that is serene tiered gardens that overlook a grassy lawn and unbelievable mountain dunes. Altogether, the Malibu retreat is 1.3 acres and is above Point Dume. Chris Hemsworth, 37, is best known for his role as Thor in the Marvel cinematic universe. Liam Hemsworth, 30, gained fame for his role as Gale Hawthorne in “The Hunger Games” trilogy. Luke Hemsworth, 39, plays the part of Ashley Stubbs on HBO’s critically acclaimed sci-fi western show “Westworld.”

Real Estate

Anthony Hopkins sells off glorious Malibu retreat for eye watering price

Renowned actor Anthony Hopkins is saying farwell to his longtime Malibu reatreat for an eye watering $10.5 million. The gorgeous home that spans over one-acre, is located on Point Dume Bluff, and did not seem to be a difficult sell for Hopkins who listed it in February with a $11.5 million price tag. The 4,010-square-foot home may not have left his hands for the extra million, it is a definite jump in profit from the $3.8 million he paid for the property back in 2001. The main part of the home boasts a glorious four bedrooms and four bathrooms, along with a stunning white stone-framed fireplace in the living room. The kitten is a marvel in itself and is fitted with stainless steel appliances, wood cabinetry, terra-cotta style floors and built-in shelving. The property also includes a pool and spa, along with gardens and an impressive deck space. On another part of the property, there is a spacious guest house which has a private one-bedroom, one-bathroom guest house, as well as a pool house.. Hopkins and his wife, Stella, are selling the home because they want to be closer to Los Angeles. The couple already own three homes in the city. Along with a two-bedroom Pacific Palisades condo, they also maintain a $6.6 million contemporary house in the neighborhood, which they bought in 2018.

Real Estate

Dream retreat: The country farmstay that comes with 500 animal residents

When it comes to back-to-nature getaways, some things are to be expected – fresh air, impressive countryside sceneries and a sky full of stars. However, the Edgar’s Mission Tiny Houses take it a step further, allowing guests to stay with more than 450 rescued farm animals on a 153-acre haven near Lancefield, Victoria. The houses offer sweeping views of the Macedon Ranges, with sheeps and goats roaming around the backyard for the guests to observe, interact and feed with the Weetbix provided at the paddocks. Across the grounds also live pigs, chickens, cows, turkeys, rabbits and geese that have been rescued and housed the Edgar’s Mission sanctuary. Among the animals are Leon Trotsky the piglet and Tim Tam the goat, who have been equipped with customised wheelchairs to enable them to make their way around independently. Edgar’s Mission was established in 2003 by Pam Ahern, who was seeking to care for a Landrace/Large White cross piglet she procured from a commercial piggery. Since then, the tiny piglet has grown into a 400-plus kilogram pig, and the sanctuary community population has risen to hundreds. “We often laugh, saying that Edgar’s Mission grew exponentially pretty much like the eponymous Edgar Alan Pig,” said digital communications manager Kyle Behrend. In 2014, the not-for-profit organisation was looking for a new place to house their extended family of furry friends after having outgrown their original 60-acre space – and that was when they found the Macedon Ranges, Behrend said. The team soon saw the potential of the area to further their cause. “Daily we look out over the beautiful surrounding vistas. This is such a treasure we want to share with the world,” said Behrend. “I guess the idea of the tiny homes, grew out of a tiny thought several years ago on seeking more creative ways to capitalise of the tourism aspect of not only Edgar’s Mission but the greater Macedon Ranges.” The three tiny houses are also designed to reflect the organisation’s values. No animal fibres are used for bedding and soft furnishings, and all the stocked products are sourced from environmentally-friendly companies such as Aesop and Earth Choice. Despite the small size, all the houses pack a kitchenette, mini library, sleeping and living quarters, self-contained bathroom and a deck on which to sit back and soak up the sunlight. “The Tiny Houses are a tool in showing that we can have everything we need in a small space whilst reducing our impact on the environment,” said Behrend. “We trust the Tiny Houses will afford our guests the opportunity to connect with nature, animals and themselves.” In return, guests are expected to be mindful about what they bring to the lodging. “We do ask that when guests come, they don’t bring any animal products out of respect for our animals here,” Behrend said. Scroll through the gallery above to see the pictures from the Tiny Houses. Photo credit: Edgar’s Mission

Retirement Life

Obama shells out almost $22 million on bizarre island retreat

Barack and Michelle Obama are planning on buying a massive Martha’s Vineyard estate. The Obamas’ are in contract to buy an almost 12-hectare beachfront property, with a massive 640sqm main house. According to the <a href="https://nypost.com/2019/08/22/barack-and-michelle-obama-are-buying-15m-estate-in-marthas-vineyard/">NY Post</a>, the family were just renting the beachfront house for the summer but quickly fell in love and made an offer. The seven-bedroom, eight-bathroom property certainly has room for everyone and has a living room with vaulted ceilings and a stone fireplace. The home also includes a chef’s kitchen and a formal dining room with giant windows. The home is located in Edgartown, Massachusetts and was formerly owned by Boston Celtics chief Wyc Grousbeck. The master suite has a fireplace and a private sun deck for the power couple to relax in. Outside, there’s a pool with a fireplace as well as a private beach which include a boathouse. The location is known for its classic white-painted New England architecture and is ripe with world-class restaurants where other celebrities frequent, including David Letterman and Amy Schumer. Scroll through the gallery to see inside the Obama’s new home. Photo credits: <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.realtor.com/news/" target="_blank">Realtor.com</a>

Home & Garden

Paradise on the Gold Coast: Gwinganna

The steep, seemingly endless driveway mentally prepares you to escape into another world. In fact, you are advised to leave your baggage (emotional, that is) at the large sliding gate at its summit. I’ve only driven 40 minutes from home, yet I feel hours away. As I mingle at the welcome afternoon tea, I notice that apart from a couple of other Gold Coasters, guests seem to be mostly from Sydney, Melbourne, and New Zealand. Many singles, a few couples, and refreshingly, some family groups. Some come for health and fitness, others for healing, and some to strengthen relationship bonds; the reasons are as many as there are people and this weekend is a full house at Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat. This is not my first visit. I confess: I am a recidivist. I don’t intentionally go out and reoffend, it is just the craziness of the highly competitive, tech-saturated, fast-paced outside world that causes me to stray. Gwinganna gets me straightened out — from the exquisite, picked-fresh, organic food to the multitude of health and wellness activities packed into each stay. I love the fact that technology, smuggled-in chocolate and alcohol, and newspapers are contraband except in emergencies (and I don’t mean an alcohol emergency). It’s one less decision I have to make: I can’t check on home, or answer a family or friend’s request — this time is for me. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMKqUVkDJRY/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMKqUVkDJRY/" target="_blank">Gwinganna is by far one of the most magical places I have ever been. I recently took my mum there for an early birthday surprise and was blown away. The staff, the food, the activities, the educational workshops, the hikes, the spa, the stunning views, the wildlife... EVERYTHING! 🙌They don't miss a thing. This was the first time my mum has ever been on a retreat let alone done anything (and I mean anything) like this and even she was blow away. I think she might think I am a little cray cray sometimes with all my hippy stuff, but I know she felt right at home here. We both did! It was great for our relationship too. We went a little deeper (which I crave) and got to really connect on a more intimate level. Gwinganna is by far one of the most magical retreats I have ever experienced and I couldn't recommended it enough. Have you been? If so, what did you love most about it? #gwingannalifestyleretreat #gwinganna #gwingannaretreat</a> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/melissaambrosini/" target="_blank"> Melissa Ambrosini</a> (@melissaambrosini) on Oct 29, 2016 at 5:15pm PDT </div> </blockquote> Each return visit has come with a mix of excitement and trepidation. I want it to be as life-changing as it was the first time. I anxiously look for consistency, that breathtaking surprise when I enter my room to find luxury rather than adequate accomodation. I secretly hope for something inspiring, something new that will widen my world, and in turn, who I am. That has always been my experience and this time did not disappoint. I have been assigned the Lychee Orchard Suite and as I have zero sense of navigation, I follow the cobbled bush path, carefully focussing on landmarks. The silence of Tallebudgera Valley is deafening at first, before the sounds of the Australian bush work their way into my consciousness. Four or five wallabies flank my path and stop foraging to ascertain my threat level. They are so close I could touch them. Two magpies stop squabbling over a plump seed to do the same, but as I move slowly towards my villa, they soon ignore me and get on with their business. The native Australian birds clearly claim Gwinganna as their own and they constantly add a narrative to your journey there. Later that day in the spa, my therapist whispers Ayurvedic chants as she performs her aromatic ritual but it is the eastern whipbird outside — calling to me for the entire 80 minutes of my treatment — that soothes my soul. In my deep water running class, small brilliantly-coloured birds mischievously dive-bomb between us, mocking our efforts with their skill and excitement. Gwinganna is not a place of "halves" or "nearly theres". Every meal is laden with exotic herbs and greens that are now on my grocery list for life, every mouthful a delight to everyone at the table. Meals are a sensual time of enthusiastic groans and murmurs, the men amongst us especially delighted at some alternate dishes they may not have willingly ordered had they the choice. The mornings are filled with Bosu and boxing, yoga, drumming, and bush walks — you create your own journey. In the spa — which is the “Dreamtime” prescribed each afternoon — massage oils are warmed, pink desert sands softly sprinkled, and silky clays applied with long strokes that finish at the tips of the fingers and toes. Each treatment is skillfully executed and we all willingly succumb before debriefing at the evening meal. “They really have it mastered here, don’t they?” someone offers enthusiastically. We all agree as we sip 100 ml of organic wine and anticipate the first tantalising dish. So, what was my intent for this weekend? Let’s just say, I left feeling slimmer, lighter, cleansed inside, buffed outside, muscles and nerves soothed. My mind is clear and relaxed, I’m yet again inspired to live a better life and be a better me. Thank you Gwinganna, you never disappoint. Written by Nicole Tujague. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/travel/gwinganna-paradise-on-the-gold-coast.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a>

Domestic Travel

Inside Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s $3.8M country retreat

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban put their country home up for sale for a cool $4.6 million in 2016, and with many bumps and bridges such as price cuts and negotiations, it is reported that the couple have finally managed to sell their Tennessee property for $3.8 million. The spacious home features four bedrooms, six bathrooms and is surrounded by woods and greenery in what is considered to be a beautiful sanctuary outside Nashville in Franklin, Tennessee. The couple purchased the 36-acre gated estate back in 2007 for $3.2 million. While the home appears to be rustic from the outside, the interior is modern and fresh as it’s decorated with luxury items, while still keeping the feel of the rooms subtle and modest. With features such as steeply pitched vaulted ceilings and skylights, the house is given an air of comfort and cosiness. The rustic interiors are contrasted with otherwise modern centrepieces, such as stainless-steel accents and granite counters. The walkway leading towards the master bedroom is covered with floor-to-ceiling windows, bringing plenty of light into the home. But the bedroom doesn’t compromise on privacy, as it’s tucked away in a perfect nook. The property also contains a large fitness room and an office space that looks over the scenic views of the yard. On the large block of land is also a separate cottage, that would be deemed fit for guests, caretakers or live-in staff.

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