Neighbours star Natalie Bassingthwaighte reveals why her family ‘needed’ to move to Byron Bay
She’s one of Australia’s most recognisable actresses, having played the villainous Izzy Hoyland on Neighbours from 2003 to 2007.
But just over a year ago Natalie Bassingthwaighte stepped away from the spotlight and relocated to Byron Bay with her family.
The 45-year-old told WHO magazine on Thursday she felt like she ‘needed’ to embrace a more laid-back lifestyle after spending years living in Melbourne.
Retreat: Just over a year ago Natalie Bassingthwaighte stepped away from the spotlight and relocated to Byron Bay with her family. This is why she did it
‘I’d done a retreat up here four years ago and just had this overwhelming feeling that we needed to move here. Then, six months before Covid-19 hit, we did it,’ she said.
Natalie is married to her Rogue Traders bandmate Cameron McGlinchey and they share two children, daughter Harper, 10, and son Hendrix, seven.
The singer revealed that she and Cameron, 45, try to make sure they don’t take on too much work that will impact their family time.
Making the big move: Natalie, 45, told WHO magazine on Thursday she felt like she ‘needed’ to embrace a more laid-back lifestyle after spending years living in Melbourne. Pictured with her husband, Cameron McGlinchey, and their children, daughter Harper, 10, and son Hendrix, 7
Good timing: ‘I’d done a retreat up here four years ago and just had this overwhelming feeling that we needed to move here. Then, six months before Covid-19 hit, we did it,’ she said
‘We’re a family that really likes to spend a lot of time together, so any work we take on can’t involve too much time away from each other,’ she said.
‘We’ve got such a great house now with space; we’re actually building a big outdoor chess set because Hendrix loves to play. Harper’s always putting on shows with her Squishy toys for us.’
Natalie became a household name in the mid-2000s when she played ‘homewrecker’ Izzy Hoyland on Neighbours.
Quality time: ‘We’ve got such a great house now with space; we’re actually building a big outdoor chess set because Hendrix loves to play,’ Natalie added
Acting heyday: Natalie became a household name in the mid-2000s when she played ‘homewrecker’ Izzy Hoyland on Neighbours. Pictured with her co-star Alan Fletcher
She was also the frontwoman of electro-pop band Rogue Traders, whose hits include Voodoo Child, Watching You and We’re Coming Home.
Natalie left the group to release solo album 1000 Stars in 2009, which reached number one on the ARIA chart.
She has also starred in several musicals, including Chicago, Grease and Footloose.
Multi-talented: Aside from acting, she was also the frontwoman of electro-pop band Rogue Traders, whose hits include Voodoo Child, Watching You and We’re Coming Home