Dream Holiday Turns Into Dream Life for Evans Couple

A two-week holiday in a historic homestead has led to a new life for Lyn and Bryan Evans who in May made the move from Tuncurry to Seachange Riverside Coomera. It was 2017 when the couple, who were travelling around Australia, came to the Gold Coast to visit their son and his family, staying in an Airbnb on the grounds of what was to become the five-star over 50s resort.

“We stayed in the original homestead on the property. It was a beautiful old home and the homestead was absolutely stunning,” Lyn said. “It was while we were staying here that we found out about Seachange Riverside Coomera. At the time we were living in an over 50s community in Tuncurry and we really enjoyed the lifestyle, so we made the decision to move here to be closer to family. “It was obviously meant to be.”

The couple have been living in the resort since May although the move had been planned for earlier. “We were living in the Foster region and because of the bush fires we had to be evacuated and it made it very difficult to sell. Then there was the COVID-19 lockdown and we couldn’t have people through our home to view it,” she said. “After that we had a contract on our house but that was subject to the sale of their house and they couldn’t sell. It was one thing after the other, but we finally were able to move here in May and we absolutely love it. We are very happy here … everything is lovely, the people are lovely.”

“We really enjoyed the eight years we spent in the over 50s village in Tuncurry and that’s why we chose here. “And it’s a newer development. There’s not many places where you have so many facilities … two swimming pools, a gym, tennis courts, the Coomera river … the list goes on. “You can do everything and nothing.”

Lyn said she was particularly delighted to find the builders had used as much of the original homestead in the design and layout of the resort. “They’ve used whatever they can in the work here including stonework, rocks, timber, the brickwork in the driveway and in the River House. You can see it everywhere you look. “Even the billiards table in the River House is from the original homestead. I’m so glad they have used everything they could – it really means something.” Lyn said her favourite place was the River House and she likes nothing better than whiling away the days there looking out at the river.

“This is such a lovely resort and the area is away from hustle and bustle. There’s no traffic screaming past because it’s a dead end street. It is a really well-thought-out design. “And even when you are in lockdown it doesn’t feel like it because you can sit on the jetty and look out and watch the world go by.”