For Brad and Eden’s wedding, their florist went the extra mile with surprise elements in the bouquets, arbour, and reception space. Despite a vow mishap where Eden discovered a missing paragraph during the ceremony, their heartfelt exchange was flawlessly delivered. “Thankfully, I managed to play it cool without anyone noticing,” Eden recalled. Yet, the pinnacle of their day was their personalised first dance, featuring lyrics they wrote together, performed by wedding singer Dan Spillane. Venue | Tocal Homestead Catering | Sprout Catering Marriage celebrant | Michelle Woloschyn Wedding dress ..read more

They’re huge in winter and Mortels at Thornton is home to the largest pair in the world. UGGS. These sheepskin boots with a sturdy sole have become a cold weather staple in the wardrobes of everyone from surfers to celebrities. Mortels Sheepskin Factory on the outskirts of Maitland is one of the oldest, continuously running and most experienced UGG boot manufacturers in the world. Started in Sydney by master shoe craftsman, Frank Mortel in 1958, the business was relocated to the Hunter region in 1978. More than 65 years after it began, this Australian owned, family business continues to manufa ..read more

A tale of horses, a hotel and some equestrian entertainment among the vines. The Hunter Valley has a reputation for producing world-class horse sport competitors and the Hunter Valley Show Jumping Club (HVSJC) was a training ground for many of them. The club has produced more than a few Olympians, a subject that club president, Sue Middleton knows all about. “The Hunter Valley has a strong history of equestrian sport and has produced a number of successful riders over many disciplines. We currently have Jake Hunter who won the bronze individual jumping medal at the 2014 Youth Olympics. Jake be ..read more

6 July | The Aberdeen Highland Games is a great day out for the whole family. The Games will commence with a parade featuring bands, clan representatives, and other participants, leading into the grand Massed Band Salute and Chieftain’s Address, which officially inaugurates the day’s festivities. Throughout the day, a plethora of entertainment awaits, including Highland and Country Dancing, captivating Pipe Band displays, invigorating Strong Man events featuring the Kilted Warriors, as well as engaging activities like three-legged races and the renowned Kilted Dash. Surrounding the area, numer ..read more

Jim’s generosity gives 100,000 reasons to smile. Few people have as big a heart for volunteering as Newcastle’s Jim MacKenzie. For as long as it’s beating, Jim’s mission is to have the greatest impact on the greatest number of people. “I was very fortunate to have a great upbringing with a supportive family,” Jim told Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Magazine. “My parents instilled in us that if you’ve got the means, build a bigger table, not a higher fence.” An operator at Origin Energy’s Eraring Power Station, Jim has raised more than $100,000 for various charities by taking advantage of the O ..read more

Sustainable agritourism blooms in Hunter Valley. With equal parts passion and patience, Hunter Valley lavender farmers Marty and Karen McRae are cultivating the region’s latest offering in agritourism with a focus on sustainability. The husband-and-wife duo are the proud owners of Wine Country Lavender, a sprawling lavender farm and boutique Airbnb on their 21-acre property in Sedgefield, just outside Singleton. Almost three-and-a-half acres is dedicated to seven varieties of culinary and medicinal lavender; an impressive 11,000 plants equal to about six-and-a- half kilometres. From it, they ..read more

Author brings crime to hometown. Connection to place has laid strong foundations for bestselling Newcastle author Lee Christine’s novels, the latest of which is set in her own backyard. “It’s a little daunting setting a book in your hometown,” Christine tells Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Magazine. “You wonder how it’s going to be received.” Her tenth novel, Glenrock, is set in – you guessed it – the lush, enveloping landscape of the Glenrock State Conservation Area. It’s a thrilling tale of suspense that follows detective Senior Sergeant Callan O’Connor as he unravels the mystery of murdered ..read more

Fiona and Richard went on a decade long, inspirational journey to create their stunning forever home overlooking the beach where their relationship began. Dudley beach is where it all started for Fiona and Richard, more than two decades ago. “This place is very special for us, and being able to live here one day, has always been a dream of ours.” Richard is a keen surfer and the couple share a love of the ocean. They enjoy the relaxed community vibe in Dudley and appreciate the nurturing environment of the local public school. But more than anything, they wanted to eventually live near the pla ..read more

Suburban Coastal Blocks and Expansive Acreage: MOJO’s Carrington Series Offers Versatility for All In the realm of modern design, MOJO homes range of floorplans showcase architectural brilliance, catering to the diverse needs of families seeking their dream home. Whether you’re envisioning the tranquility of acreage living or the vibrancy of suburban coastal blocks, MOJO’s designs offer a perfect blend of style, comfort, and functionality. Enter the Carrington series: a range of home designs that are easily adaptable to your lifestyle, from country to coast. These flexible floorplans adapt to ..read more

This luxury modern farmhouse inspired by Scandinavian architecture and New Zealand barnhouses sits nestled in a peaceful bushland acreage in Anna Bay just a stone’s throw from the beach. Carina and Graeme Bakker’s latest Distinct Building Design project is a striking black and white modern farmhouse with 4.2 metre cathedral ceilings. The interior is filled with natural light thanks to the many generously sized windows that frame the Australian bush landscape outside. “In Scandinavian architecture, you’ll find a lot of these gabled houses and in New Zealand, you’ll find a lot of this style too ..read more