Sunrise exercise and family beach time with Kara Demmrich

Anyone who’s a fan of popular TV series The Block will probably recognise one half of 2015’s winning duo, Kara Demmrich. She and husband Kyal have been renovating properties for over 10 years. It’s simply their passion, alongside being in nature as much as possible. They live with their young family on the central New South Wales coast, close to Wyrrabalong National Park. We caught up with Kara to ask about her connection to nature:

What’s your favourite thing to do in nature? 

This is an easy one to answer: spending time with family at the beach. We have two children Ziya (7) and Vada (6) and we’ve just reached the point where we can all paddle out on our own boards and enjoy a family surf. There’s so much joy in watching your children master something, especially a skill we can all do together.

Describe your connection to nature: what positives does it bring to your life? 

Whether it’s a morning sunrise run along the coast, a quick ocean dip at dawn or a surf with the family, the ocean always brings a sense of calm to our everyday hustle. Some days, even just walking across to look at the ocean is an indescribable ‘reset.’ At this point in my life, I can’t imagine living away from the ocean.

What is your favourite natural scent, and why?

Eucalyptus has always been a favourite of mine. We live alongside Wyrrabalong National Park and the smell of eucalyptus always feels like home. When away from home, the fresh, minty aroma evokes feelings of being connected to nature.

Many of us are time-poor and might not get out into nature as much as we’d like. Any suggestions for a quick nature-based pick-me-up?

As a self-proclaimed night owl who’s had to train myself to embrace earlier bedtimes, I can’t emphasise enough what a game-changer it is to make sunrise exercise a routine. Whether it’s a morning walk, surf, run, yoga, or Pilates—whatever suits your lifestyle—starting your day with movement at sunrise is truly transformative. It not only sets a positive tone for the day but also brings an incredible sense of energy and clarity.