Home exchange and house swap holiday accommodation in Brighton East, bayside, VIC
We are a family of six. I'm Karen, a professional photographer (my studio is located just around the corner from our house). My husband, Jeff is an editor of medical journals. Our children are Flynn (age 14), Mikey (age 11), Pip (age 9) and Minnie (5). We are a family of readers that also enjoys time outdoors, biking, swimming, exploring and culture. We are interested in swaps within Australia at this stage, but we are hoping to develop our house-swapping abilities to travel further and further afield. Both Jeff and I have travelled extensively and we strongly believe that travel is the best way to learn about the world and the people in it. To date we have completed 7 excellent swaps through this site and is the only way we want to travel for now. We are very respectful of peoples homes and have only had the same experience from other swappers towards our home.
#17076
Jun 2017
7
Built in 1917, our house is cozy Edwardian located directly across from Little Brighton Reserve. (Please note: when we say 'cozy' that means 'small'). We have lovingly renovated our home over the years, and today, we are proud to say, it is widely recognised as the most charming house on Union street. We have done all we can to maintain the house's welcoming feel, from restoring the fireplaces to refurbishing the traditional arched windows.
There are two bedrooms inside, and third bedroom outside in the garden retreat. The house is light and airy with high ceilings, a functioning fireplace in the lounge room, a small sun room, a newly-renovated bathroom and a pleasant garden and patio with barbecue facilities outside. The standard amenities include: air-conditioning, heating, bath and shower, WIFI, TV, dishwasher and washing machine - with a clothes drier outside.
LOOKING FOR A NON SIMULTAENOUS HOUSE SWAP FOR MAY 11-21 2018 AS WE ARE AWAY.
House
Airconditioning, Heating, Bath, Internet, Wifi, TV, Cable TV, Stereo, Piano, Fans, Open Fireplace, Dishwasher, Gas Cooking, Coffee machine, Washing Machine, Security Screens, Computer
Play Equipment, Toys
Garden Yard, BBQ, Verandah, Deck, Carport, Bicycle
Parking space available
Anywhere
Yes
Yes
Simultaneous, Open to last minute, Non-simultaneous
Weekend, Short term (1-4 wks), Medium term (1-3 mths)
Yes
School Holidays, Christmas, Easter
Car Swap Negotiable, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Pets Welcome, Pet care required
Family holiday, City living, Cultural indulgence, Foodie indulgence, Romantic, Weekend Getaway, Sea change, Tree change, Mountains & Snow, Out there
Shopping, Golf, Lawn Bowls, Tennis, Snow Skiing, Kids Activities, Ice Skating, Ten Pin Bowling, Water Slides, Skateboarding, Biking, Hiking, Swimming, Sailing, Windsurfing, Surfing, Jet Skiing
Cafes, Restaurants, Cinema, Pubs/Bars, Clubs [e.g. RSL], Night Clubs, Live Music, Theatre, Art Gallery, Museum, Historical Sites, Public Library, Farmer's markets, Aquarium, Zoo, Parks, Playing Fields, Skate park, Public Pool
Close enough to enjoy everything that Melbourne has to offer, but far away enough to enjoy the safety and comfort of one of Melbourne's most highly-prized suburbs.
Getting around
Beyond the charm of the house, the most appealing aspect is its location. It's 11 kilometres from Melbourne's Central Business District and 5 kilometres from the iconic Brighton Beach boxes.
Bikes
There are two adult bikes, a boy's BMX and two toddler bikes which you are free to use. One of the adult bikes has a baby seat. Helmets, pumps, tools etc. are located in our bike corral, along the side of the house. The newly-built trail along Little Brighton Reserve leads a winding path to Allnutt Park to the East. You can also bike through Brighton to the Bay Trail, which follows along the shoreline of Port Philip Bay straight into St. Kilda marina.
Tram
Just 300 metres from the house is stop 66 for the 64 tram, which runs straight into the CBD. Once aboard, it's 25 minutes to the Royal Botanic Gardens and Melbourne's Art's precinct. It's 30 to the heart of Melbourne.
Bus
Interchanges for the 626 bus are on Union street, just metres away from the house (East to Chadstone shopping centre, or West to Church street Brighton).
Train
Brighton is serviced by the Sandringham train line, and the ride to Flinders Street Station in the CBD takes approximately 20 minutes.
Car
5 minutes (by car): Brighton Beach, the home of the 82 colourful bathing boxes which are the tourist icons of Melbourne. 10 minutes (by car): Middle Brighton Baths. 7 minutes (by car) to Luna Park, St Kilda.
Nightlife, Quiet, Hip, Family
Bakery, Convenience Store, Pharmacy, Supermarket, Gymnasium, Yoga/Pilates
melbourne CBD (12kms)
tullamarine melbourne (35kms)
Note: The location shown on the map is approximate only.
There are 5 endorsements for this house swap member:
Absolutely loved Karen's home - perfect location to everything- great shops , cafes , walks , beach & many supermarkets - yet was quiet and peaceful . Karen was so amazing to communicate with and swapping was a breeze . Karen's home is filled with love and the beds are so comfy , the open fire was so special to sit around and have family time , awesome coffee machine - which I will miss ! Karen's home was super clean , tidy & well organized. Our teenage sons loved the outdoor bungalow which also gave my husband & myself some space to just be together . Extra special that we swapped cars . Just a perfect swap ! So much gratitude to Karen & family
Tanya from Eumundi QLD (Jul 2022)
We recently did a last minute swap over New Years with Karen and her family. She was great to communicate with which made planning easy. Their beautiful home in Brighton East was clean, comfortable and the perfect setup for us. Karen's recommendations of where to go and what to do were thoughtful and appreciated. They left our home in a clean and tidy condition. Thank you for a seamless, easy swap!
Jessica from Bright VIC (Jan 2022)
We thoroughly enjoyed this house swap and would highly recommend this lovely home in Brighton East. Karen was very easy to coordinate with, had some great local tips and was so positive in the lead up to the stay that with all the complexities of covid and travel restrictions we still managed to complete the swap. Karen and family also did a great job of looking after our dog and walked her daily. They were respectful of our house and left it very clean for our return. The house was well equipped and easy to live in, we especially loved having fires at night, sitting in the garden in the morning and the kids loved playing on the swings/ treehouse. With trams and trains a short walk away we were able to get out and about and explore the city with ease. Including the car in the swap was really appreciated and allowed us to explore the Melbourne surrounds including the snow, the Dandenongs and the Mornington Peninsula and Karen's tips helped us find the gems in these outings. We loved our stay and would swap again in an instant.
Jody from Trinity Beach QLD (Jul 2021)
Karen's place in East Brighton is absolutely gorgeous. It is opposite a bike trail which takes you in either direction to beautiful parks. There is a small bungalow out the back which has 2 single beds and 2 bedrooms inside the house The kitchen has everything you need. The bathroom is spacious. The backyard has a lovely sitting area around a fire pit. Everything about the house is subtle and contemporary. It was very clean. Karen was good to communicate with and left my house exceptionally clean.
Gerardine from Beechworth VIC (Jul 2021)
Karen's house in Brighton East is gorgeous! We loved the architecture, styling, garden and ambience of the house and had a great stay there with our 2 girls last year. We also did a car swap and the whole experience was seamless. They're a lovely family and I would highly recommend swapping with them. Thanks Karen!
Caroline from Maroochydore QLD (May 2018)
