HINTERLAND HAVEN

Inspired by sunny seaside Queensland holidays, a Sydney family moves. north to create a beautiful home in a scenic setting

-  KYLIE JACKES

Stylist Amber Keller admits she's a city girl at heart, yet the allure of Queensland's Sunshine Coast prompted her and her family to leave the hustle and bustle of Sydney for a more laidback pace closer to the beach.

'We'd come every summer to visit my husband Matt's relatives, who live at nearby Sunshine Beach, with our girls, and each trip we'd want to stay longer,' says Amber. 'We just loved it so much? Four years ago, they made the permanent sea change and snapped up a little beach house - yet before long another move was on the cards after they discovered the Hinterland. We didn't know much about the area when we moved here, but on weekend drives to the Eumundi Markets we started exploring a few pockets,' says Amber.

'We found this whole other world, with homes among trees on acreage and with incredible views, not far from Noosa's main beach. It was magical.' Not shy of a renovation, having transformed their three previous homes, Amber began looking for a Hinterland property. She stumbled on a perfect 'ugly duckling' that had sat on the market for months.