Home exchange and house swap holiday accommodation in Sandringham, Melbourne, VIC
We are a family of 6 : mum, dad and 4 kids. The kids are 3 boys and 1 girl - twins in second year uni, and two grown-up and moved out sons but still enjoying having an annual family summer holiday together. Kirsty is a biomedical researcher at a university, Ian is a self-employed inventor with a chemistry doctorate. We love water activities and beautiful beaches while on holidays and are up for adventurous stuff too. Our approach to house swapping is to leave your home exactly as we found it and our endorsements reflect this to be so. The kids are very responsible, and careful with other people's homes and belongings. We have one Burmese cat who is very accepting of visitors and easy to care for. If you have pets of your own we are most happy to look after them. We love animals in general. We look forward to swapping with you!
#6037
Nov 2010
6
Family-friendly home on a corner block. The house is a single level, Californian bungalow style, built originally in the 1920's with an extension in the 1970's and renovation in the 1990's. Comfortable, airy and light-filled. Continuous large windows on 2 sides in the backyard-oriented living area (see photos) which is open plan with the kitchen. The master bedroom has a queen-sized waveless waterbed (super comfy and easy to get in and out of) and large ensuite with spa-bath. The second bedroom (large double sized) contains a queen size bed plus single bed and each of the other two bedrooms contains a single bed. There is an office/study where the computer with broadband internet is located. We also have Wi-Fi. Large screen TV in living area with Optus 'Fetch' TV available. There are cooling green window shades (which you can see through/allow light) for summer use and ceiling fans. There is a second, family bathroom and laundry off the main living area. A piano is located in one of the larger bedrooms.
The backyard is great for kids with a feature being a FULL-SIZED IN-GROUND TRAMPOLINE with safety matting surround. There is also a slide. Well-grassed central lawn area big enough to throw a ball around. The fence is 6 foot high all around (if you need to keep kids in!) We have a range of bicycles that are available for use and a new table tennis table in the undercover carport. Apricot, peach and plum trees to pick from in summer. We have two very friendly Burmese cats that mostly look after themselves.
House
Heating, Bath, Spa, Internet, Computer, TV, DVD, VCR, Stereo, Piano, Fans, Dishwasher, Gas Cooking, Microwave, Washing Machine, Wifi, Cable TV
Play Equipment, Toys
Garden Yard, BBQ, Carport, Bicycle
No
Non-simultaneous, Simultaneous
Short term (1-4 wks), Weekend
No
School Holidays, Christmas, Easter
Car Swap Negotiable, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Pet care required
"Kiara" female Burmese cat. Easy to care for and very accepting of strangers.
Family holiday, Sea change, Foodie indulgence, City living
Biking, Boating, Canoeing, Fishing, Golf, Jet Skiing, Kids Activities, Lawn Bowls, Sailing, Scuba Diving, Shopping, Swimming, Tennis, Ten Pin Bowling, Water Skiing, Windsurfing, Water Slides, Skateboarding
Cafes, Cinema, Parks, Playing Fields, Public Library, Pubs/Bars, Restaurants, Theatre, Clubs [e.g. RSL], Live Music, Skate park, Public Pool
Beautiful wide sandy bay beaches (lifeguard patrolled in Summer) close by, with clear, calm, shallow water - excellent for children- starting from 1.5 km away. Majestic cliffs overlooking the bay (the 'Red Bluff').
Brighton beach with famous, colorful bathing boxes a 5 min drive.
Sandringham train station 1.5km which takes you to the CBD in 27 min.
Fabulous choice of alfresco and indoor dining at abundant local cafes and restaurants .
High standard golf courses (private and public).
Shared bike/pedestrian path (The 'Bay Trail') which runs right next to the coast along the bay foreshore stretching for many kilometres. Also Art & Historical Trails along this same stretch.
Lots of parks and well-developed (inc.adventure) playgrounds.
Public tennis courts a 5 min walk away.
1.5km from Sandringham village and Black Rock village shops & Coles supermarket. Aldi 1.6km, Woolies 3km.
Large Westfield shopping mall ('Southland') 3km away.
Australian Open Tennis tournament at Melbourne Park in January, which is readily accessible via the aforementioned train service.
Vibrant, alternative St.Kilda (bayside inner city suburb) with nightlife 15 min drive.
Iconic St.Kilda Esplanade arts & craft market every Sunday.
Sport, Nature, Family
Gymnasium, Bakery, Convenience Store, Pharmacy, Supermarket, Yoga/Pilates
Melbourne (15kms)
Melbourne (40kms)
Note: The location shown on the map is approximate only.
There are 5 endorsements for this house swap member:
We have just returned home from a wonderful stay at Kirsty and Ian’s lovely home at Sandringham, Victoria. They certainly made us feel welcome, leaving us with numerous delightful goodies and lots of information about their home. In fact, Kirsty’s communication throughout the swap and beyond has been exceptional. Their house is very homely, tidy and spacious. It was big enough for everyone in our family to stay comfortably. The grandchildren loved the backyard and the cat with the quiet temperament. The location of their home is close to family and many amazing attractions, golf courses, beaches and cafes. Our home was beautifully looked after by Kirsty’s family. Everything was clean and tidy when we returned. We appreciated all the washing being done and folded. Thanks for a fantastic stay and we would be happy to stay again. I have no hesitation in endorsing Kirsty and Ian as great Aussie House Swap partners.
Catherine from Nelson Bay NSW (Mar 2024)
Robyn and I enjoyed our short stay at Kirsty's Sandringham home. The house was very clean and comfortable with everything you could need. The area is very attractive. I enjoyed walking along the coastal path from Sandringham to Rickett's Point. There were no children with us, however the house would be very suitable for children with inground trampoline and table tennis table. Kirsty was very easy to communicate with. Kirsty, Ian and family looked after my dog, texting me each day of his wellbeing, as I miss him when I go away. We looked after their Burmese cat, Kiara, who was no trouble at all. The house was immaculately clean when I returned home. I would highly recommend Kirsty and her family for house swapping.
Gerardine from Beechworth VIC (Jul 2022)
Kirsty, Ian & family did everything they could to make our stay in their home as comfortable & easy as possible & we all appreciated the extra effort they went to to give us all (4 adults & 3 young children) storage space for the week we were there. The location was great for us as we were close to relatives as well as having the conveniences of inner city living which we thoroughly enjoyed. We found everything efficiently organised for us to use in the house & plenty of information of the surrounds. I especially appreciated being able to accomodate my daughter & family in their lovely large home & the effort that Kirsty & Ian went to to get the trampoline repaired & ready for us - our grandchildren loved that, the space of the house & the garden attractions, as well as the two beautiful, placid cats. Our house & garden were also left in beautiful condition for us to just come back to. We are very happy to recommend Kirsty, Ian & family as house swap partners to other members.
Linda & Kevin from Lemon Tree Passage NSW (Feb 2020)
Had a lovely swap with Kirsty's house which being outside a bus stop & near the Bay was great.The house was very tidy & well documented. My own home was beautifully looked after,plants watered and kept very clean.I can endorse Kirsty & her family for any swap.
Joy from North Fremantle WA (Jan 2019)
Colleen and I and our children and grandchildren really enjoyed our stay at Kirsten and Ian's home in Sandringham. The large living area with ample entertainment options and spacious garden which included an in ground trampoline, a table tennis table and BBQ made it easy to keep the 'kids' entertained and the adults relaxed. We enjoyed pleasant walks through leafy streets to nearby parks, bayside beaches and cafes and made full use of the amenities in their very comfortable home. Kirsty and Ian were very flexible in assisting us with our desired swap dates and we came home to a spotless house. We are very happy to recommend Kirsty and Ian to House Swap members.
Ian from Green Point 2251 NSW (Jan 2018)
