I live in one half of a single story duplex with a very friendly male neighbour occupying the other half. It was built in 2009 and it's normally advertised as a 4 bedroom home, but I am using one room as a study (with WI-FI for your perusal) and another as my hobby room, so there are 2 real bedrooms left. The main bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite. There is a 2nd bathroom for guests. The living area is open plan and roomy and looks onto a secluded garden and patio, wonderful for a quiet breakfast in the company of native birds. The kitchen is at the back of the living area and has all necessary facilities that can be expected in contemporary living quarters. There is airconditioning for really hot days (and reverse cycle heating during our mild winters if needed) and there are ceiling fans in all the rooms. The single garage, with laundry (new washing machine and very old dryer), holds one car and my hobby machinery. At the back of the house is a small shed for the bicycles.

Bongaree is the oldest, and most charming, part of beautiful Bribie Island, north of Brisbane. From my place you can go for walks to the beach, the foreshore at Pumicestone Passage and a wonderful bird sanctuary. Take the car for a very short drive or one of the bikes to go for a beach walk or a swim in the surf on the ocean side. Clubs, restaurants, coffee shops, shops, library and museum all within walking distance. Shopping centre, swimming pool, twin-theatre (even with 3D facilities) within easy reach. Golf course, tennis courts, parks with bbq facilities, markets, etc. etc. Something for everyone. Brisbane and the international airport are a good hour's drive from here; a big shopping centre a mere 40 minutes. Busses stop in our street and the train can be caught on the mainland, in easy reach by either bus or car. There is really no need to leave the island, it's got the lot, but..... if you really want to expand your horizon there's the Glasshouse Mountains, Fraser Island, Australia Zoo (home of Steve Irwin), Moreton Island and dolphins, the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise, all within easy reach. By the way, the island is connected to the mainland by a bridge.

If you like bike riding I will make sure I'll have a pair of bikes ready for you and, if you would like to, you can join our bike users group on the island. These friendly people go for regular bike rides together 1, 2 or 3 times a week and enjoy 'morning tea' together. And besides that there is Yoga, Thai Chi, a Laughing group and much, much more. The island community caters in particular very well for seniors.

Some of the things to do and to see:

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bribie_Island - More information on our beautiful island
* http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/ - Tourist information for Queensland
* http://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/Travel/Default.aspx - Things to do and see in Brisbane
* http://www.ozhorizons.com.au/whale_watching_queensland - Whale watching in Queensland
* http://www.tangalooma.com/info/home/ - Visit the dolphins at Tangalooma
* http://www.australiazoo.com.au/ - Australia Zoo, Home of the Crocodile Hunter
* http://www.australian-trains.com/tilt-train/ - Visit Queensland by train

I prefer to keep the length of an exchange between 4 and 6 weeks.

Abierto a cualquier fecha

I will carefully consider all offers, as I like adventure and am keen to travel. So, why not contact me if you are interested in coming to sunny Queensland...

My name is Marion. I am over 60, retired and recently widowed. When I am at home I love my hobbies which are varied, but my main hobby is dolls houses and miniatures. Hence a garage where my car competes with machinery, because my love of woodworking is part of the hobby.

My husband and I have experienced our first real (3 months) home exchange in 2011, and our second, third and fourth (shorter) ones in 2012. Everyone was very pleased. In the past we have swapped houses with friends. Our grown up children (and the grand children) live in the Brisbane area and are always available for assistance if needed. Besides the house I offer my well maintained (automatic) Toyota camry with GPS for transport.

I am proud of my house and keep everything in good condition. I would of course treat your house and contents with the same respect. About the no smoking restriction: You would be allowed to smoke outside on the covered patio.

Nederlands, English