Inside the Gold Coast’s most luxurious ship

INSIDE THE SPACE: Yacht edition

Cannes called, it wants its boat back!

By POLLYANNA GARDNER

From the Catalano family and the team behind Byron’s iconic Raes on Wategos, comes a stunning foray into the exclusive world of luxury boating – Sea Raes – an unparalleled European travel experience, set right in our very own backyard.

With an expansive 95ft deck, the unmistakably chic superyacht is a lesson in minimalist grandeur and a noexpenses-spared toast to the good life.

Inbued with designer Tamsin Johnson’s signature insouciant luxury, Sea Raes is a seamless extension of the hotel’s brand and seaside lifestyle offering, complete with a round-theclock crew, gorgeous double cabins for up to 10 guests and of course, everyone’s favourite seasonal bites from executive chef Jason Saxby. So, you can have your lobster roll and eat it too – without lifting a finger (or a fry pan).

Mooring seasonally in several spots along the East Coast from the Whitsundays to Sydney, Sea Raes is available to hire for as little as four hours, and as much as a few weeks. So, what are you waiting for? Your best offduty-Leo-in-Saint-Tropez life is ready and waiting, and you don’t even have to chill the champagne.

SEARAES.COM.AU

The Wild

The Sunshine Coast’s latest in luxury accommodation – with your favourite furry friends!

By BETHAN WARRIOR

With warm sunsets, the scent of the blue gum eucalyptus in the breeze and some of the world’s most fascinating wildlife, it’s not hard to see why an escape to our Queensland hinterland is high on everyone’s hit list. Standing as one of our most beloved national treasures, the Irwin family and Australia Zoo are bringing a refined sense of luxury to the ultimate wildlife experience with the launch of The Crocodile Hunter Lodge.

Driven by Steve Irwin’s everlasting legacy of conservation and connection to our natural world, the lodge brings yet another vision of his to life. “Steve always had a dream that one day, people would not just visit Australia Zoo, but stay overnight, and have the immersive experience of listening to and being around wildlife after dark,” says Terri Irwin. “It was so important for us to make his dream come true through the opening of The Crocodile Hunter Lodge. This stunning luxury accommodation is surrounded by our conservation work, providing a home to endemic wildlife species while further continuing Steve’s important legacy,” she says.

The eight luxury, family-friendly cabins were created with the natural habitat at the forefront, building a remarkable multi-species habitat which is home to native fauna such as red kangaroos and emus. Guests can admire these gorgeous animals while enjoying a cocktail by The Billabong – a 25-metre infinity pool. The Lodge has also created a refuge for southern

SIDE OF LUXURY

koalas, who were sadly victims of the 2019-2020 summer bushfire season. The build of the Lodge includes timbers recycled from the world-famous crocodile viewing grandstands, built with Steve Irwin’s own hands at Australia Zoo. Over 3,000 native trees and shrubs are planted throughout the vast grounds, creating natural wildlife corridors for animals, along with purposefully placed nesting boxes. Adding to this is the Wildlife Hospital where pioneering veterinary staff provide specialised care to injured, ill or orphaned wildlife.

An indulgent stay at The Crocodile Hunter Lodge extends to fine dining as well. With delicious recipes influenced by the unique produce that Australia has to offer, the fare here is a celebration of our wonderful region and country. With locally sourced ingredients including native flora like karkalla and quandongs to create appetising dishes, Warrior Restaurant & Bar pays homage to the First Nation people and the plant life they have utilised for thousands of years.

With a passion for conservation and our unique Australian wildlife poured into every element of this boutique accommodation, a getaway up the coast has never called out louder.

Sarah Johnson

She’s one of Brisbane’s most stylish creatives with an Instagram page to envy. Get to know the woman behind the content with the effortlessly chic e.s.j.a.y!

@E.S.J.A.Y

Dion Lee Garter Corset Tank Top $490

One sentence to introduceyourself?

I’m Sarah/Esjay, I am a Freelance Stylist, Visual Content Creator and Designer.

Describe your style?

Neutral tones, masculine cuts, and statement touches where it counts. I am drawn to bold sleeves, deconstructed forms, and interesting, luxe fabrics.

Drink of choice?

A smooth glass of merlot or H20 – there’s little in between for me.

Wardrobe MVP?

An oversized blazer and a luxe silk set always and forever. I feel I can never go wrong with these two, especially when crafted from high quality fabrics that are beautifully cut.

Signature scent?

Whispers in The Library by Maison Margiela Replica.

Next bucket list holiday?

Italy – currently dreaming and manifesting a trip later this year.

What is your favourite part of your creative process?

Planning, I love the energy of a new project, the excitement to create, the ideas coming through in dreams, and the anticipation waiting for it all to come to life.

You never leave homewithout

Phone, statement sunglasses and my MAC lipstick.

Who are your style icons?

Christine Centenera, Mary Kate Olsen, Valentina Muntoni, and Maja Weyhe.

On Sunday, you’ll find me...

In the ocean and on the beach soaking up the sunlight with a book in hand.

Song on high rotation? Fashion brand you’d wear for the rest of your life

Dion Lee, he is a visionary who’s garments correlate perfectly between both art and fashion.

Beauty product you’re currently obsessed with?

Hmm so many – for skincare I love Youth To the People Superberry Hydrate & Glow Sleep Mask, it’s such a luxurious mask that my skin thrives on. I also can’t live without Ultraviolet Sunscreen and for makeup, Nars Light Reflecting Foundation.

Winter fashion trend you’reloving?

Loafer mules and deconstructed layered silhouettes.

SWEET SUCCESS

The homegrown Queensland business that went from zero to hero.

By TEAGAN WITHEROW

Savico Basset-Rouge, director of Le Bon Choix, set up his first café on Queen Street 15 years ago. Little did he know that the French-themed retail café would skyrocket – now with eight storefronts across southeast Queensland and a ninth one on the way!

Last year they moved into a $5 million, 1600sqm state-of-the-art production facility located in Brendale. The space is decked out with the finest European baking equipment to ensure high-quality standards with a dash of Parisian charm. “The capacity to increase production is instrumental to meet our existing demand and assist future expansion,” says Savico.

A new store is always an exciting moment in a brand’s history and this move means Savico will open his ninth store in a matter of weeks. Meaning, you’ll find more sweet and savoury goodies located in Indooroopilly by the end of August.

Salvico says, “the main priority is, and always will be, the authenticity of our products. Whether it’s indulgent cakes, almond croissants, or a loaf of sourdough bread… the authenticity is what makes us Le Bon Choix.”

Anyone who has entered a Le Bon Choix will know to expect a whiff of scrumptious aromas upon arrival followed by a tough decision – choosing what freshly baked delight to purchase. It’s no surprise that Le Bon Choix translates to “the good choice” because no matter what you opt for, you know it’ll be good.

HANDMADE RUGS FOR EVERY MOMENT