Lincoln Lifestyle Huntly‘s Wellness Centre is proving that great communities are built through connection. Less than a year after opening, residents are embracing an active lifestyle, forming lasting friendships and reporting positive improvements in their health and wellbeing.
A Wellness Centre Designed for More Than Exercise
When Lincoln Lifestyle Huntly’s $8 million Wellness Centre opened in November 2025, it represented much more than a collection of recreational facilities.
It was the beginning of a vision to create a community where staying active, meeting neighbours and enjoying everyday moments together would become part of daily life.
Today, that vision is becoming reality.
Recent resident survey results show the Wellness Centre has become the heart of this growing over-50s community, with 42% of residents using the facilities more frequently than before, while activities centred around the indoor heated pool and spa, lawn bowls green, pickleball court and community barbecue areas are helping create genuine friendships.
As one of Bendigo’s newest land lease communities, Lincoln Lifestyle Huntly is still young – but it’s already demonstrating just how quickly a community can become home.
New Resident Survey Shows Strong Social Connection
Moving home later in life can feel overwhelming. Leaving a long-time neighbourhood often raises concerns about loneliness and starting again.
Lincoln Lifestyle Huntly’s latest resident survey tells a different story.
Despite 71% of residents having lived in the community for less than 12 months, they’re already experiencing remarkable levels of connection.
Survey highlights include:
The results reinforce what many residents say every day – that connection isn’t something you wait years to experience. It begins the moment you become part of the community
Steve and Jan Found More Than a New Home
For Huntly locals Steve and Jan, downsizing wasn’t about leaving their community behind—it was about finding a better way to enjoy it.
Having lived in the Huntly area for more than 40 years, they were among the first residents to move into Lincoln Lifestyle Huntly in 2024.
“When we first moved here, there were only a handful of homes,” Steve said, Now it’s really thriving.”
The couple have stayed close to family and lifelong friends while building many new friendships within the community.
“You can walk to the pool or the bowls green, and it’s a good way to meet people,” Steve said. “I’ve even started teaching a few of the others to play bowls, it’s become a bit of a social hub.”
“It’s been rewarding to be part of the community’s growth. With new residents moving in frequently, we’ve made many new friends, and the amenities provide great spaces to come together and connect over a fun activity.”
The amenities have also created new opportunities to spend time with family.
“We’ve had the kids and grandkids over to use the barbecue areas while they swim or play pickleball. It’s something we couldn’t have done before.”
For Steve and Jan, the greatest benefit hasn’t simply been the facilities themselves -it’s the friendships they’ve helped create.
Amenities That Bring People Together Every Day
Unlike many new developments where community facilities remain years away, Huntly residents are already enjoying completed lifestyle amenities every day.
The Wellness Centre precinct includes: Indoor heated swimming pool and spa, Lawn bowls green, Pickleball court, Community kitchen, BBQ and outdoor entertaining areas
These shared spaces have become natural meeting places where neighbours connect over morning swims, friendly bowls competitions, exercise classes and casual catch-ups.
In fact, 47% of residents identified the amenities as the best part of living at Lincoln Lifestyle Huntly, highlighting the important role these facilities play in everyday life.
Construction is also underway on a brand-new Clubhouse, due to open in 2027, featuring a residents’ lounge, open fireplace, private cinema, craft studio, games room and entertaining spaces -creating even more opportunities for connection.
Take a look a the latest development progress
Wellness Is About More Than Staying Active
While physical activity remains important, the Huntly community demonstrates that wellness is equally about belonging.
Portfolio Manager – Community Operations, Dalyss Briggs, said the recreation amenities were often what made people choose the community, with many reporting they now enjoy more social time and an increased active lifestyle since joining the community.
“More than half of Huntly’s residents have joined the community in the past 12 months, and many tell us they looked at communities where the facilities were still years away,” Mr Briggs said. “Here they’re already built and being used every day, that’s usually what makes up their mind.”
Whether it’s joining an aquarobics class, learning pickleball, enjoying a happy hour with neighbours or simply meeting someone for a coffee after a swim, every interaction helps build confidence, friendship and a sense of belonging. From the Wellness Centre that has become the social heart of the community to the friendships forming every week, residents are proving that downsizing can be the beginning of a healthier, more connected chapter.