- MERMAID BEACH, Queensland, Australia
- Oct 24, 2017 - Nov 4, 2017
- We were very fortunate to spend 24 hours with Leonie and Bill as they were still in NZ when we arrived so they met us at the airport, showed us some sites in Wellington and then took us to a lovely seafood restaurant right on the water before we arrived at their really stylish home. The spacious, open planned house and the surrounding gardens were just delightful as were our hosts. We had a lot in common and as they were there with us, we settled into their home very easily. Because we are of a similar age, their choice of music, dvds, food and even cookbooks was perfect for us and living so close to the beach we relaxed and enjoyed our holiday from the moment we arrived. The vegie garden provided us with fresh vegetables almost every evening and we even found some rhubarb growing that was a lovely addition to our breakfast. The guide to their home and places to see was very comprehensive so we were never short of places to explore and we made the most of our time. They also had great neighbours who gave us advice on travel and places to eat locally. We particularly enjoyed the early evenings with a glass of NZ wine while we relaxed outside and watched the swans and other feathered visitors enjoying their grassy playground. Thank you Leonie and Bill for sharing your home with us and for making the exchange so enjoyable. Chris and Peter
WELLINGTON, Kapiti Coast.
New Zealand - WELLINGTON - WAIKANAE
ID : NZ1648
Became a member in: 2008
Renewal Date: 31/Aug/2023
6Exchanges
100%Response Rate
We are
- 2
- 0
Contact exchange Member
Bill retired from the building industry, a keen tennis player and enjoys working on our land around our home. Leonie now retired enjoys gardening, beach walking, genealogy, movies and writing personal stories, meeting up with like minded friends. We have been keen trampers and have enjoyed some of New Zealand’s Great walks. We love NZ and world travel particularly meeting up with our family in London and Lisbon Portugal and of course our beautiful Wellington city and Kapiti Coast along with pottering around home here developing our 5 acres with lake and bird life a constant joy and fascination for us both.
About us
Affinities
Plants & Gardens,
Tennis,
Fishing,
Wine Lovers,
Foodies,
The Arts,
Yoga / Meditation,
Music Lovers
MoreLessAffiliations
Retirees,
Seniors,
Construction
Profession
Retired Company Directors Construction (Retired)
NORTH FACING WINDOWS AND DOORS
GARAGE AND FRONT ENTRANCE
ENTRANCE
KITCHEN FROM LOUNGE
KITCHEN TO OUR DOOR DINING
LARDER TO LAUNDRY
DINING TO KITCHEN
DINING ROOM TO OUTDOOR DINING
MAIN BEDROOM
SINGLE BEDROOM
KAPITI ISLAND AT DUSK
LOOKING NORTH AND DOWN ON THE KAPITI COAST
WELLINGTON BY DAY
WELLINGTON CITY BY NIGHT
A TRIP UP ON THE CABLE CAR ABOVE THE CITY
NZ NATIVE BUSH IS BEAUTIFUL
- Sleeping capacity5
- Bedrooms3
- Bathrooms2
Simultaneous Home Exchange
Weekend Home Exchange
Smoking Not Allowed
Children Welcome
Use of Personal Car is possible
We are looking for a home exchange in ...
| Open to all dates | New Zealand |
Our Home For Exchange
Description of the home we are offering for exchange
MEMBERS SINCE 2012
Our home is on 2 1/2 acres on the Kapiti Coast 65k [3/4 hour] north of Wellington city. The house has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, library, lounge, separate dining, kitchen, larder & laundry, faces north west, is glass fronted and enjoys all day sun with views of lake and farmland to the north. Sliding doors open to patios from all rooms. The sun warms the house through the year, underfloor heating provides additional ambience with gas fire in lounge to supplement if needed.
Type
House - single floor/ Main Residence
Amenities
- Access for the disabled
- Bathroom / toilet wheel chair accessible
- Balcony / Deck
- Cleaning service available
- Dishwasher
- Clothes Washer
- Security / Doorman
- Extensive Grounds
- Peaceful Surroundings
- View
- Fireplace
- Privacy / Seclusion
- Garden
- Heating
- Garage
- Private parking
- Terrace / Patio
Entertainment
- DVD
- Internet access
- TV
- Wireless Internet (WiFi)
Extras
- Use of bicycle(s)
Setting
- Small Town or Village
- Seaside
Neighbourhood
Description of our neighbourhood and surrounding area
Our neighbourhood is a hamlet of around 50 houses on lifestyle blocks in a natural wetlands area. A variety of bird life are attracted here to the property and lake; Pukeko, white faced Heron, Royal Spoonbill, pheasant, Paradise and Mallard duck, black swan, Canada geese and more. There are walkways, cycle paths and streams to explore. We are a 5 minute walk to the beautiful under populated Peka Peka Beach which stretches as far north and south as the eye can see with views to Kapiti Island. You'll find popular Harrisons garden centre & café 2 mins drive at end of Peka Peka Road and Olde Beach Bakery 4 mins drive away, an iconic destination for freshly baked breads, baguette, pies with a difference and pastries. Tables in the inspiring vegetable garden at the rear is a lovely place to sit and enjoy your morning coffee and fruit Danish. Drive 15 mins north to Otaki and the Ruth Pretty Cooking School and cafe plus Outlet shopping. Drive 10 mins south to Waikanae for supermarkets, boutique cinema, specialty butcher, medical centre, pharmacy, gallery, library, outdoor pool, river walks, cafe's and restaurants plus a very popular Saturday morning market. Drive 20 minutes south to Paraparaumu with shopping mall, library, swimming complex, supermarket, medical + more.
Outdoor Activities
- Beach
- Biking
- Cultural Events
- Canoeing / Kayaking
- Diving
- Fishing
- Golfing
- Gym / Health Club
- Tennis
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Lake
- Public Swimming Pool
- River
- Sailing
- Scuba Diving / Surfing
- Windsurfing
Leisure
- Park / Playground
- Cafés
- Gym / Health Club
- Restaurants
- Shopping
Cultural Activities
- Concerts
- Galleries
- Museums
- Opera
- Popular Monuments
- Theatre
Transport Nearby
- Train Station
- Car Necessary
Neighbourhood Services
- Bakery
- Corner Shop
- Pharmacy
- Supermarket
Attractions
Our home exchange - places to go and things to do while staying in our home
The Kapiti Coast has many beautiful safe beaches that stretch for miles in the shelter of Kapiti Island a bird sanctuary, a must to visit. Let us know your personal interests + we will do our best to help you coordinate an itinerary. We have a comprehensive folder of information available on your arrival. To name a few: Cafe's and Restaurants are plentiful in every region offering excellent cuisine. There are numerous museums and galleries in the Wellington area. The Tararua and Orongorongo ranges provide wonderful walking and tramping opportunities. A vehicular ferry from Wellington connects with the South Island for a day trip or longer. Flights from Kapiti connect in 1 hour or less with Auckland, Nelson + Blenheim. Wellington airport is both regional and international. Many wineries and olive groves attaining International Awards are as near as Kapiti, Wairarapa or Marlborough. Mt Ruapehu + Mt Taranaki ski fields 4 hours drive north from here.
Our favourite restaurants
- Infin8te cafe + Water Front Restaurant/cafe Raumati and Louis French Patisserie
- Long Beach, Hey Coastie, Waimea and Relish in Waikanae Beach
- 50/50 Paraparaumu top class cuisine with degustation menu
Cafés & bars
- Ruth Pretty and River Cottage Cafe Otaki
- Relish Cafe Waikanae and Ono Street Beach Bakery coffee and
- Ambiance Paraparaumu + Fed Up fast food for blue cod fish and chips on the beach?
Special places to shop
- Wellington City
- Queensgate shopping mall, Lower Hutt
- Otaki Outlet stores, Otaki / Greytown Wairarapa
Leisure and cultural activities
- Te Papa Museum, Wellington / Government House free tours
- Michael Fowler Centre / Eva Street / Cuba street / Lambton Quay / Oriental Bay / Waterfront walk / Cable car Botanical Gardens /
- Wellington City Art Gallery / Dowse Lower Hutt / Pataka Porirua / many smaller galleries
Walks or jogging paths
- Kapiti Coast Cycle paths and Walkways
- Waikanae river walks and estuary / Bird watching tours
- Tararua Forest Park, Rimutaka Forest Park for tramping
Health or fitness clubs
- City Fitness Coastlands
- Configure Express Parparaumu
Interesting day trips
- Wellington City, Interislander Ferry
- Kapiti Island Tours
- Wairarapa wineries olive groves & typical picturesque small rural towns
Our Preferences
Our home exchange - here are our Preferences and House Rules
We hope you enjoy an enriching stay in this beautiful slice of New Zealand and our peaceful environment. We simply ask that you leave our home as you find it, as we will leave yours. Feel free to help yourself to supplies including vegetable garden and fruit trees. We prefer that you don't wear outdoor shoes inside. We have enjoyed many wonderful exchanges so far, arrangements falling in to place easily with
genuinely lovely people.
https://www.tepapa.govt.nz
http://www.wellingtonnz.com/discover/things-to-do/events/
https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Attractions-g255115-Activities-Wellington_Greater_Wellington_North_Island.html
http://rnzb.org.nz
http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/venue/st-james-theatre-wellington
http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/venue/the-opera-house-wellington
http://www.shorelinecinema.co.nz
http://www.penthousecinema.co.nz
http://www.doc.govt.nz/kapitivisit
Conditions
- Children Welcome
- Pets Not Allowed
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Plant Care Not Needed
Use of Personal Car
- Use of Personal Car is possible
Home Exchange Type
- Simultaneous Home Exchange
- Weekend Home Exchange
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