Zara Tindall shares some sweet words about Australia while on the Gold Coast for Magic Millions: 'A home away from home for us'

Zara Tindall has opened up about her love of Australia during an interview from Queensland where she is attending the Magic Millions equestrian event.

Zara, 43, has served as patron of the event for the past 10 years, travelling Down Under to the Gold Coast each January, each time joined by husband Mike Tindall.

"We have always loved Australia and it is like a home away from home for us," Zara has told HELLO! in an exclusive interview.

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"We have been coming to Queensland for so long now it has become a tradition for the start of the year - and although the Magic Millions carnival is busy with so much going on, being by the beach, with like-minded horse enthusiasts celebrating all things equine – we couldn't ask for a better way to start the year," she added.

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The royal explained their home in the UK is in the middle of winter in January, so they enjoy the warmth the Gold Coast offers.

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In 2024, there were even rumours the couple may have been planning to move to Australia.

"Mike and Zara had both been toying with the idea of moving to Australia for a while but have finally reached the decision that it wouldn't be right to uproot their family at this time," a palace insider reportedly told The Mirror in 2024.

Although Mike nipped this rumour in the bud, telling HELLO!: "Everyone keeps telling us we're moving there but we're not. It's so far away, especially when you have a big family."

This year Zara and her husband, former footballer Mike Tindall, have been having a blast once again, sharing photos and videos of their appearances at the Magic Millions on social media.

This year Mike, 46, even hosted a karaoke competition.

Zara and Mike Tindall met in Australia in 2003 in Sydney during the Rugby World Cup.

Mike was in the country playing for England, while Zara was on a gap year travelling with friends when they were introduced to each other at Manly Wharf Bar.

The pair bonded over their love of sports. Zara is an accomplished equestrian who has previously competed in the Olympics.

The couple have been married for 13 years.

Their children Mia, 11, Lena, six, and Lucas, three, haven't joined their parents for this trip however have previously spent time in Australia and "really like it" their mum previously told HELLO!

Zara has chosen to wear designs from Australian labels Rebecca Vallance and Leo Lin during her trip.

She chose a black Rebecca Vallance dress for the opening day of the event.

Ahead of this year's festival, she spoke about her family's love of racing and how she has continued the legacy from her late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II and her mother.

"Racing was a big part of her life and she absolutely loved the breeding side of it as well," she told the Telegraph UK of the late Queen.

"She had a big book of names that she had registered and when a foal was born, she'd go through all the names and pick one out, which gave her hours of delight.

"With my mum and my grandmother, the equestrian side is a huge sort of connection between us. It was a special passion that they passed down."

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