An Aussie city better known for snapping handbags than self care has been named the nation’s top locale for wellness.

Spa pool manufacturer Hot Spring Spas Australasia analysed Tripadvisor data based on the number of wellness-focused amenities in each location, including parks, spas, yoga and pilates studios, libraries, and landmarks per 100,000 people.

The cities with the highest final index scores were then ranked to reveal Australia’s best and worst places for wellness.

And in a surprise revelation, Darwin came out on top, scoring a final index score of 82.98 out of 100.

“The Northern Territory capital has 23.09 parks and 24.54 spas per 100,000 people, giving residents the opportunity for both outdoor recreation and relaxation,” the study found.

Perhaps the fact that you can’t swim anywhere else without the very real fear of coming face-to-face with a murder log (crocodile).

Hot on Darwin’s heels with a score of 82.21 out of 100 was the Sunshine Coast.

“The coastal region has the highest concentration of yoga and pilates studios in the country at 9.09 per 100,000 residents, as well as 40.67 spas per 100,000 people, the second highest in Australia,” the research revealed.

Cairns – another place where stingers and crocs are likely reasons for a home spa or pool – came in third with a score of 80.04 out of 100.

Cairns is home to 45.34 spas per 100,000 residents, which is the highest in the study, and 3.68 yoga and Pilates studios and 11.03 parks per 100,000 people,” the study found.

Hobart – where 22.7 degrees is a heatwave – came in fourth place with a score of 73.36, followed by the Gold Coast (73.21).

“Hobart stands out with 16.27 parks per 100,000 residents, the second-highest figure in the study, while the Gold Coast offers an impressive 26.50 spas per 100,000 people,” it said.

Rounding out the top 10 cities for wellness were Toowoomba (59.08), Canberra (55.20), Townsville (51.99), Brisbane (51.40) and Geelong (43.56).

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In contrast, the NSW Central Coast received the lowest final index score of 22.30 out of 100. “Central Coast is home to 2.28 parks and 3.42 spas per 100,000 residents, which equates to only eight parks and 12 spas in total,” the report said.

“Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city, ranks second worst, with a score of 26.24 out of 100.

“The Victorian capital offers just 2.78 parks and 4.38 spas per 100,000 residents, as well as the second-lowest concentration of yoga and pilates studios at 0.17 per 100,000 people.

“In third place, with a final index score of 28.05 out of 100, is Sydney.

“While the harbour city has a total of 121 parks and 322 spas, its large population means this averages 2.35 parks and 6.26 spas per 100,000 residents.

“Adelaide and Newcastle complete the bottom five, with final index scores of 29.88 and 32.93 out of 100, respectively.

“Adelaide has just 3.38 spas per 100,000 residents, while Newcastle offers a slightly better 5.80 spas per 100,000 people.”

Rounding out the worst places according to the index were Newcastle (32.93), Woollongong (35.58) and Perth (36.25).

Hot Spring Spas Australasia general manager Aaron Sampson said access to amenities, such as outside space and leisure facilities, positively impacted an individual’s mental health, according to research by the Heart Foundation.

“As such, this study might encourage Australians to consider how location can improve wellness,” Sampson said.

“From this research, it’s clear that smaller regional cities often provide better access to wellness amenities.

“Residents in Darwin, for example, have access to nearly ten times as many parks per capita as those living in Sydney.

“Australia’s largest cities may need to invest more in wellness infrastructure to keep up with population growth.

“While major metropolitan areas like Sydney and Melbourne have more wellness facilities, their massive populations mean residents face greater competition for access.”

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Australian pop sensation Vanessa Amorosi has finally closed the door on a bitter family feud with the sale of her sprawling Narre Warren North property, ending years of legal wrangling with her mother, Joyleen Robinson.

Property records show the six-bedroom estate in Melbourne’s southeast sold for $2.6m on August 20, marking the final chapter of a dispute that has dominated headlines and courtrooms for nearly a decade.

The sale comes after a Supreme Court ruling that ordered Robinson to vacate the property, which she had lived in since 2001.

Despite claiming the home was gifted to her by Amorosi during a kitchen conversation, the court found Robinson was never entitled to ownership.

Justice Steven Moore ruled in September 2022 that Robinson had to leave the estate within 60 days of receiving $870,000 in restitution from her daughter.

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While all remnants of Amorosi’s former life have now been removed from the 8.09ha property, including a dilapidated parking lot filled with rusty cars near her old studio.

The listing, which also includes a well-kept family home with open-plan living spaces and rolling-hills outlooks, painted a picture of tranquillity for prospective buyers:

“Picture this: You turn off the main road onto your own private driveway, leaving the world behind. Twenty magnificent acres stretch before you, rolling hills dotted with mature trees, and in the distance, your lake catches the morning light like scattered diamonds. This isn’t just a property it’s your personal sanctuary,” the listings add on realestate.com.au read.

However, its serene exterior masked years of turmoil for Amorosi, who purchased the home at the peak of her career only to face financial ruin.

In an interview with Channel Nine’s 60 Minutes, the Absolutely Everybody hitmaker revealed she was forced to sell assets, including the estate, to repay debts she hadn’t realised she had incurred during her pop stardom.

Amorosi’s alleged her financial troubles stemmed from her mother’s management of her trust during her most successful years.

While forensic accountants found no evidence of mismanagement, the singer claimed she was left bankrupt and had no choice but to challenge her mother in court.

The legal battle, which began in 2014, exposed deep fractures in their relationship and culminated in both women taking the witness stand.

Meanwhile, Robinson described the Narre Warren North property as a “dream come true” during court proceedings, while Amorosi expressed frustration over the financial missteps that led to her downfall.

The singer, who earned an estimated $10 million during her peak, is now preparing to tour Australia next year to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her debut album.

The post Vanessa Amorosi’s $2.6m Narre Warren North estate sold after court battle appeared first on realestate.com.au.

It could shift how new suburbs are planned and delivered across the state.

A major land rezoning in Concordia, in the Barossa Valley, is set to enable 12,000 new homes to support an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 residents over the next 30 years. 

Located about 40km north of Adelaide’s CBD, Concordia was identified as a strategic growth area by the SA government in 2023. The rezoned land spans 984 hectares, making it one of the largest planned residential projects in the state. 

The latest step in the process is the release of the Concordia Basic Infrastructure Scheme, which is a planning blueprint outlining proposed infrastructure for the area, including new roads, neighbourhoods and a train station. It also earmarks potential sites for a future health facility, schools, sports and recreation spaces, community centres and a retail hub. 

According to the state government, the scheme introduces a fresh approach for South Australia, with infrastructure planning and delivery occurring in parallel with housing development. No residential construction can begin until requirements, costs and funding arrangements for essential infrastructure are finalised. 

A key feature is a new charging model that pre-defines the way infrastructure will be funded. This model sets out cost-sharing arrangements between landowners and developers before rezoning and development starts.  

The government has confirmed it will adopt this approach for other future greenfield projects statewide, replacing the existing infrastructure deeds. 

“The Infrastructure Scheme model will become the new benchmark for how to plan and develop growth areas, replacing ineffective and inefficient methods of the past that delayed and made critical housing supply more expensive,” SA premier Nick Champion said.  

Barossa Council mayor Bim Lange said the council had worked closely with stakeholders to make sure the community’s needs were addressed.  

“Council has partnered with stakeholders in planning for delivery of critical community and social infrastructure which complements the State’s Infrastructure Plan,” Mr Lange said. 

“This includes extensive negotiations to ensure adequate provision of social infrastructure including recreation, sporting, administration and cultural.” 

Alongside the scheme, the SA government has formally adopted the Concordia Code Amendment, rezoning the land from rural to residential to allow the creation of a masterplanned community. 

With the rezoning now in place, the project’s timeline estimatescivil and landscape works beginning by the end of 2027, and the first homes starting construction by late 2029. 

Are you interested in learning more about the latest in buying and building new? Check out our New Homes section.

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The grand Wahroonga home La Encantada that was used in the Stan series Prosper starring Richard Roxburgh and Rebecca Gibney has returned to the market with a new agent and a revised asking price of $15m.

The heritage home on more than 4046sqm of land east of the station came to market in February with a $20m price tag now $5m has been cut from the guide in the hope of attracting a buyer.

The owners say the 1937 old-world glamour of 98 Junction Rd is in high demand for film and television adverts and has become a popular venue for wedding photoshoots.

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Corporate events fees range from $4000 to $15,000 a day, location hire for fashion shoots and film are $3000 to $8000 a day and wedding fees are around $4000 to $6000 depending on guest numbers.

Agent Philip Waller, of Forbes Global Properties, said an annual income upwards of $200,000 would not be difficult to achieve.

A separate self-contained dwelling at the rear of the property has also proved valuable with production crews using it for makeup and wardrobe. Photo shoots for Gucci, Dior, Chanel and Vogue have all taken place at the distinctive landmark home.

La Encantada is a seven-bedroom, four-bathroom Spanish Mission style home designed by acclaimed architect Alan Edgecliff Stafford with a parterre garden created by Peter Fudge.

Records show the home last traded in 2010 for $3.4m and is owned by the Quinn family.

It sits behind wrought iron gates and there is a private fully tiled heated pool and guest studio in the grounds.

The house has an impressive foyer with seven-metre-high ceiling, hand-painted floor tiles and carved ornate fireplaces.

There are formal dining and lounge rooms, a sunny conservatory, a marble and gas kitchen, casual dining and multiple terraces.

A sweeping driveway leads to the double lock up garage.

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An idyllic sanctuary where architectural elegance, natural beauty, and family living unite — welcome to Flowerpot.

For the discerning buyer, No.238 Tinderbox Rd is more than a home; it is a generational estate.

First National Real Estate property consultant Shaun Clark described the 2.81ha property as “an extraordinary lifestyle property”.

“It is private, spacious, and showcases some of the best views in Southern Tasmania,” Mr Clark said.

“The location speaks for itself, but what really adds to the appeal is the attention to detail throughout the home.

“From the expansive floorplan to the entertainer’s design and the way every room captures the natural outlook, it’s clear this property has been crafted with care.

“Buyers will be drawn to the seamless blend of luxury, liveability, and the unique connection to the water and surrounding bushland.

“It’s a sanctuary, yet still only a short drive to Kingston and Hobart.”

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Set amid landscaped gardens with established fruit trees, and bushland, this four-bedroom, two-bathroom estate commands uninterrupted 180-degree views across to North Bruny Island, the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, and the iconic Iron Pot Lighthouse.

Arriving at the estate, a new asphalt road leads you through grand sandstone pillars crowned with coach lights that illuminate at dusk.

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Beyond the automated gates, landscaped gardens are enclosed by a white aluminium picket fence and rural-quality fencing, while the air is alive with the chorus of birds. Olive trees, a walnut tree, cherry plums, rosemary, and a variety of flowering natives line the grounds, blending seamlessly with manicured lawns, a children’s cubby house and swings nestled beneath the trees.

A private bush track meanders through the property, guiding you gently down to the rocky foreshore and the sparkling waters below, a rare privilege of direct coastal access.

The home is a showcase of craftsmanship, with digital keyless entry, handpainted leadlight feature doors, and glass crystal-look handles lending elegance at every touch.

Stepping inside, the residence unfolds across 264sq m of light-filled interiors, where porcelain tiles, marble-inspired finishes, and travertine feature borders highlight the artistry that has gone into every aspect of its design.

The heart of the home is a gourmet kitchen, highlighted by Miele appliances, including a pyrolytic oven, induction cooktop, dishwasher and a Sirius rangehood.

Stone benchtops extend across multiple surfaces, mirrored in a grand marble-look desk within the upstairs retreat and throughout the home’s cabinetry, creating a seamless sense of cohesion.

From the kitchen, walls of glass frame sweeping views of the river, while open-plan living and dining spaces offer warmth through hydronic heating, radiators in every room, and the soft glow of feature electric fireplaces in both lounges.

High-speed NBN ensures efficient connectivity, while LED downlights, Luxaflex mini venetian blinds, and roller blinds provide modern comfort.

Each bedroom includes mirrored built-in wardrobes, while the master retreat on the lower level is a sanctuary of indulgence.

Here, a spa room with Roman columns opens to a travertine-tiled terrace, inviting you to sink into the oval bath as yachts drift past and sun bathes the water in golden light.

A vast walk-in wardrobe with a marble dressing table completes the suite, elevating it to a level of opulence.

The upstairs bathroom features a skylight, a heat lamp, and handpainted leadlight doors, while both bathrooms have heated towel racks, marble feature tiles, dimmable lighting, and sensor-flush toilets — all underscoring the home’s commitment to detail.

The property is an entertainer’s paradise, including a courtyard, balcony, and a Roman-style gazebo, offering locations for relaxation with friends and family.

There is a recently installed 11.4kW solar system with Fronius Watt Pilot EV charger, four new water tanks with a three-stage filtration system plus a UV sterilising lamp, and hydronic heating throughout to ensure efficiency and peace of mind.

Mr Clark said Tinderbox is a tightly held enclave where properties are rarely released to the market.

He said many owners stay for decades.

“When a home like this does become available, it generates a huge amount of interest,” he said.

“Tinderbox has built a reputation for its prestige coastal homes, many of which are architectural and high-end builds on large parcels of land.

“Buyers know they’re getting something unique and exclusive, and that’s why properties here don’t come up often and when they do, they’re highly sought after.”

No.238 Tinderbox Rd, Tinderbox is priced at $2m-plus.

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