Intending it to be a stop-over before a European jaunt with her fiancé Scott Barton instead the couple ended up buying a home.

“I sent Scott a listing of a property for sale in the morning and, by 3pm, it had a sale sticker on it,” laughs Stephanie.

“Since then, we have made so many amazing friends, all of whom we consider ‘family’.”

Born in New Zealand, Stephanie was contracted to model out of university, first in Japan, then in New York and, later, Paris.

During that time, she studied both public relations and interior design, before meeting and marrying her first husband, moving to Hong Kong for seven years, and raising two sons.

While renovating and decorating her own home after her return to Sydney, Stephanie began styling homes for market and subsequently founded her own interior design business.

A chance connection with a business owner who was keen to rent the Double Bay home she had renovated brought her to Sanctuary Cove in 2016.

“We stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel for a couple of months during which we fell for the Cove,” says Stephanie. “We still have the house in Sydney, and visit the city regularly, but we think it’s paradise here.

“We love golfing and boating and have an old boat O have dubbed The Queen Mary.

“We sail to Tipplers on South Stradbroke Island for breakfast, or we go fishing, or take a picnic to one of the beaches with friends. 

“I also love to cook and entertain and enjoy all the health and fitness opportunities – Reformer Pilates classes, yoga, walking and swimming that the Cove has to offer.”

Stephanie says the friendly attitude of those who live in Sanctuary Cove reminds her of an ex-pat community, so much so that she’s told Scott “I’m never leaving”!

“Out of all the places I’ve lived, it’s the best place on the planet,” she says.