Walking works wonders at Tantula Rise

Exploring is in Eric’s blood. So when he moved into Bolton Clarke’s Tantula Rise retirement village almost two years ago, one of the first things he did was strap on his walking shoes and set out to see the local community.

“When I got here, someone said to me, the only way to settle in was to go to everything, so that’s what I’ve been doing ever since. We have lunches, I play bowls, we do aqua aerobics in the pool, there’s always lots happening.”

To add to the busy schedule, Eric gathered some of his neighbours and started his own walking group, too.

“Nobody wants to go walking on their own, so I started Eric’s EZ walking group!

“We try to go twice a week, which is tough to fit in among the busy activities schedule at Tantula Rise.”

Growing up in Townsville, Eric was a trained pharmacist before he moved to the Whitsundays, and into the travel industry – selling North Queensland’s gorgeous holiday market.

“We did lots of nice trips out to the islands, and the local area was our bread and butter,” he says.

A keen traveller, one of his fondest memories is of the world cruise he took with his wife.

“It was a three-month cruise around the world. We saw a lot of places, it was a great holiday and really spoilt us - I put on 10 kilos on that trip and I’m still trying to lose it!”

Together, the pair had chosen Tantula Rise as the place they would retire. With health specialists and family nearby and the coastal living they were used to, it was an easy decision to make and one Eric says he has never regretted.

“Kerrianne, the manager, is absolutely wonderful. There’s a great mix of people here.”