Caloundra Rise Retirement Estate

Southern Cross Care Retirement Villages: Communities, Care and Locations Across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria

Southern Cross Care brings more than 40 years' experience to retirement living, with eight retirement villages and a network reaching across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. For people thinking about downsizing, that means a choice of villa living backed by an organisation that also provides aged care and home care. Find a Southern Cross Care community near you below, or read on for costs, care details and what sets Southern Cross Care apart.

Quick facts

About Southern Cross Care

Southern Cross Care began in 1979, founded by the Knights of the Southern Cross. It now runs eight retirement villages, with a network that reaches regional New South Wales and Victoria as well as Queensland. Its villages are built around independent-living villas. If you are comparing several providers, it helps to look at which of these villages is closest to the people and places that matter to you.

Residents buy their villa, and Southern Cross Care looks after the maintenance of the shared facilities and grounds. That leaves your time for family, friends and the activities on offer. Amenities and activities vary by community, so visit more than one if you can and compare how each feels.

Southern Cross Care is a signatory to the Retirement Living Code of Conduct, the retirement living industry's own voluntary code setting standards for how operators treat residents. That gives you a clear standard for how you can expect to be treated. Southern Cross Care (QLD) Ltd, a Catholic, not-for-profit organisation, owns and runs the network.

Costs & fees

For a current price, call Southern Cross Care directly on 1800 899 300 or enquire through the listing for the community you're interested in. Because buying a villa is a significant decision, it is worth asking exactly what the purchase involves and what regular charges would follow. Ask for the details in writing so you can read them carefully, and take your time before committing to anything. It can also help to talk the figures through with a trusted family member or adviser, so that you feel confident about each part of the arrangement.

Care & lifestyle services

You can live independently in your own villa and add support as your needs change. Help ranges from everyday living and independence support to clinical care. A 24-hour monitored emergency call is among the village features, so help is always close. Many people find that knowing support can be added over time makes the decision to move easier, because it lets them plan for the future without giving up independence now.

Some communities sit alongside residential aged care on the same site, so a move to higher care can stay close to home. Not every community has it. When you shortlist communities, ask each one what is available on site so you can compare them properly. Write down the answers as you go, because details are easy to mix up after several visits.

Residents share function spaces, a pool, a spa and an outdoor barbecue area. At Stretton Gardens, a social and wellness program keeps the calendar full, and the mix of facilities varies by community. A visit during an activity gives you a good sense of how the community works day to day. Notice who is there, how people interact and whether the atmosphere is one you could see yourself enjoying.

What makes Southern Cross Care different

Southern Cross Care covers retirement villas, residential aged care and home care. That range gives you options as your needs change, and some villages sit beside aged care on the same site. More than 3,000 people already choose Southern Cross Care for their living or care. For someone planning ahead, having several kinds of support under one organisation can simplify future decisions.

As a Retirement Living Code of Conduct signatory, Southern Cross Care also works to an industry standard. If the code matters to you, ask the team how it applies in practice at the community you are considering, and keep your questions written down so you can compare the answers from each place you visit.

Last updated: October 2026.