'My wife and I sleep apart to keep our marriage alive!' Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin don't share a bed but spend Saturdays in a hotel room together

By Lucie Morris Marr In Melbourne For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 02:16 EST, 19 August 2014 | Updated: 05:51 EST, 19 August 2014

They famously work intensely together on huge box office movie hits, which take years to produce.

Yet creative husband and wife dynamo Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin keep their distance at home - for the sake of their marriage.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia the director of hit Hollywood movies, including Australia, Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby, said they sleep separately because they found if they stayed together every night things got 'fraught'.

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Separate beds! They famously work together on huge box office movie hits but Baz Luhrmann told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that he and Catherine Martin keep their distance at home for the sake of their marriage

Creative talents! The director of hit Hollywood movies, including Australia, Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby, said they sleep separately because they found if they stayed together every night things got 'fraught'

'We worked out a long time ago that we both need space. We are surrounded by our teams of staff all day every day, whether travelling, at work and at our homes.

'I was finding I was saying things in passing that weren't properly thought through, things would become fraught.

'We both needed time to ourselves.'

The couple - who have been married for 17 years - have worked together since Luhrmann's debut feature Strictly Ballroom in 1992, where she served as the production and title designer.

Loved up! The couple - who have been married for 17 years - have worked together since Luhrmann's debut feature Strictly Ballroom in 1992

Award winning! Catherine has worked on every single one of his films, winning two Academy Awards

From there Catherine has worked on every single one of his films, winning two Academy Awards for her work on Moulin Rouge! and another two this year for The Great Gatsby.

Most recently they have worked on re-working Strictly Ballroom as a stage musical, which has been playing to packed audiences in Sydney since April.

The director, who celebrated his 52nd birthday on Sunday, says at their multi-million dollar homes based in New York and Sydney, the couple sleep on separate floors but spend every Saturday night together in a hotel without fail.

'We always do our Saturday night date,' laughed Luhrmann, speaking ahead of a special gala launch evening of Melbourne's new luxury Emporium shopping mall which the director is producing for VIP guests.

It's tradition: The director, who celebrated his 52nd birthday on Sunday, says the couple sleep on separate floors at home but spend every Saturday night together in a hotel without fail

'We dress up and go to a restaurant or maybe see a show, but mostly we just talk and catch up. It's very much our escape, our quality time together.

'It's very romantic and keeps us grounded and connected.

'Then we head back to the hotel and the next day is important too as we relax, watch TV and don't head home until after lunch.'

Spending quality time with the couple's two children Lily, 10, and William, aged nine, is also a top priority to the acclaimed director.

Father duties: Spending quality time with the couple's two children Lily, 10, and William, aged nine, is also a top priority to the acclaimed director

Although he revealed he was getting frequent text messages regarding his daughter Lily who he exclusively told Daily Mail Australia was involved in a surfing accident yesterday in Long Island, New York.

'She's back in Sydney now but she's broken her nose the poor thing - it happened at a beach at Long Island while she was at our home in New York.'

Asked whether she would require surgery he said: 'It's uncertain yet as it's very swollen so it's a matter if having to see what happens, to see what's needed exactly.'

The director told how after so many successful films he's now in a 'great' position of being able to chose his next projects around the needs of his family.

Well adjusted! 'The children are totally used to travelling and our crazy, circus lifestyle,' he said

'The children are totally used to travelling and our crazy, circus lifestyle but we are coming to a point as they get older where we need to be in the same place for longer.

'We want to spend more time with them.'

His wife Catherine however, ensures she eats dinner with the children every night.

'We are fortunate to have a house team of staff in both houses and dinner is served every night at 6pm.

'Catherine is amazing and no matter what she's doing she always eats with the children and I do my best to be there too at least a couple of times a week.'

Family meal: Catherine eats dinner with the children every night while Baz attends a couple of times a week

The children currently attend a school which has sites in both New York and Sydney so they can study in both countries.

'I love it when they visit me on set too, William has been known to shout 'action' which is a bit dangerous!' Baz added.

There are currently a large number of projects being offered to the director including rumours of an Elvis biopic and developing a mini-series on Napoleon for HBO but Luhrmann couldn't confirm the details as yet.

'Whatever project I do I want it to nourish me and be good for the whole family - that's my most important thing.'

Jet-setters! The children currently attend a school which has sites in both New York and Sydney so they can study in both countries

Cut! 'I love it when they [kids] visit me on set too, William has been known to shout 'action' which is a bit dangerous!' Baz added

The director revealed he'd 'love' to work with Great Gatsby star Leonardo Dicaprio again.

'He's not only one of the best actors of all time but he's also a great friend. I've known him and his family since he was very young so working with him is a wonderful experience when you have that trust and rapport.'

Speaking about tragic suicide of actor Robin Williams, Baz said he felt 'terrible sadness' about it.

'I only met him once and he was just an absolute comedy genius, but often what fuels with all that talent with comedians is inner turmoil of fear and insecurities.'

Star quality! The director revealed he'd 'love' to work with Great Gatsby star Leonardo Dicaprio again

Aware of the pressures of fame can have on actors, especially children, Baz said he's 'terribly protective' of young actors working on his films.

'I always make sure they have family back up and support because that's vital - it can be very tough on children in particular and I take great responsibility for the young people I cast.'

Catherine Martin is set to join her husband in Melbourne on Wednesday night to watch her husband as 'ringmaster' of the opening Emporium mall gala party which is said to be on a film noir and Art Deco theme.

'It's going to be fun - I'm looking forward to it,' said Baz.

'I love a huge party - it's in my DNA.' 

In the know! Aware of the pressures of fame can have on actors, especially children, Baz said he's 'terribly protective' of young actors working on his films

Archive: Baz Luhrmann speaks about Strictly Ballroom

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