Resort-style living for the over-50s

A whole new life in country Highfields

AFTER 40 years working underground in the mining industry, Phil Cook now has his feet firmly planted top-side — and his wheels too — exploring the beautiful Highfields countryside on his racing bike and enjoying an active lifestyle at GemLife Highfields over-50s lifestyle resort.

Mr Cook cycles a few times a week — recently completing a 25km leg of the Ride the Second Range Crossing on the new Toowoomba Bypass before it opened to traffic — and likes to keep fit by working out at the resort’s award-winning country club gym.

When Mr Cook and his wife Belinda decided to downsize from their family home, the semi-retired couple took their time to research different options before settling on GemLife Highfields.

“This is not a retirement village — it’s a lifestyle resort,” Mr Cook said.

“It’s exactly what we wanted — it’s secure, safe, and the facilities are excellent,” he said.

Facilities at the resort’s multimillion-dollar clubhouse include everything from an indoor swimming pool, tennis court, champion-grade bowling green, arts and crafts room and ten-pin bowling alley, to gold class style cinema, library, bar and cafe.

The Cooks also appreciate the resort’s active social life, a fundamental part of the GemLife lifestyle, designed to support strong social networks for total wellbeing.

“It’s a friendly, social community with lots of activities,” said Mr Cook.

Regularly getting together with neighbours for rounds of lawn bowls, he also plays social darts and pool in the clubhouse’s well-appointed games room.

“The beauty of living here is the flexibility and freedom it gives residents. People can go away for weeks or months without any worries. In the ‘real world’, you’d have to worry about the yard, mail and security,” he said.

“It’s easy to just get up & go.” GemLife Highfields’ gated,, pet-friendly community is convenient to nearby dining, shopping and medical facilities.

Call GemLife Highfields on 1800 910 278 or visit the website at www.gemlife.com.au

Photo: Lucas Muro IDEAL FACILITIES: The gym within the Country Club is perfect for Phil Cook’s lifestyle.

Photo: Contributed HEALTHY HABITS: Phil Cook enjoys his time out on his bike, and the lifestyle at GemLife Highfields is perfect for doing so.