Home exchange and house swap holiday accommodation in Laguna , Hunter Valley , NSW
We are a family of four, mum and dad and boy (15) and girl (13). We love to travel and can do non-simultaneous exchange . We love to discover new parts of Australia and abroad especially places with bush walks, good food and wine. Like us, we hope our guests enjoy sharing a good meal across the table- after a day at the beach or exploring the local area :)
#41550
May 2019
3
Welcome to Wombat Hill. A genuinely hand-sawn, hand-hewn Oregon-timber cabin that feels like it grew out of the ridge it sits on. Timber-lined and golden, wrapped in a rose-covered deck, it's the kind of place that makes your shoulders drop the moment you walk in. And yes, the wombats are real neighbours.
The Cabin:
The open-plan living room centres on an enormous stone fireplace fitted with a slow-combustion stove - the heart of the house in the cooler months. Sink into the long corduroy couch and deep armchairs, with a dining table and timber hutch alongside. Leadlight and stained-glass windows throw coloured light across the floorboards, and French doors open onto the deck and the valley beyond. There's reverse-cycle heating and cooling, a high ceiling fan, strong WiFi (with a repeater reaching across the property), and Sonos throughout downstairs.
The kitchen:
The kitchen is a proper cook's kitchen: slate benchtops, a dual-fuel Rangemaster with twin ovens, grill and warming zone, a coffee station (Nespresso and filter), microwave and fridge, plus a second full-size fridge outside for groups and long weekends.
Sleeping (please read — it's part of the charm):
The private downstairs bedroom opens through French doors to sweeping valley views. Above, two generous open loft spaces (each ~4×4m) sit under the timber rafters: one with two king singles looking east to the bush, the other with a queen and two singles looking west over the veggie garden and hillside. The lofts are open — there are no doors between the sleeping spaces — which makes this an idyllic whole-home for one family or a group of friends, rather than for multiple couples wanting separation. Sleeps up to 6.
Outdoors:
The wraparound veranda has rocking chairs and multiple spots to eat and linger. Out front, six custom Adirondack chairs ring a built-in firepit on a stone-walled terrace, with steps down through the garden to a long lawn and a festoon-lit gazebo — complete with a wine-cask bar and restored pub stools for a sundowner. A mud kitchen with a gas-fired pizza oven rounds out the outdoor cooking.
The land:
Forty private acres rising over three tiers: an olive grove, a dams fringed with reeds and water lilies, a veggie patch and garden, and bushland trails alive with wombats, wallabies, kangaroos, lyrebirds and cockatoos. Wake to mist in the valley; end the day around the fire under a huge sky.
The location:
Tucked away yet wonderfully close: 3 minutes to the Great Northern Trading Post (coffee, dinner and drinks), 4 minutes to the historic village of Wollombi, on the doorstep of Yengo National Park, and an easy run to the Hunter Valley vineyards, cellar doors, restaurants and concert and wedding venues. Roughly an hour from Newcastle and two from Sydney.
Good to know:
Access is via an unsealed, uphill drive — take it slow; a careful 2WD is fine, and there's parking for three cars. The lofts are open-plan (no doors between the sleeping spaces) and the home shares one bathroom. We're on rainwater (lovely and drinkable) and septic, so please keep wipes and sanitary items out of the loo. Dogs are welcome. Self check-in by lockbox, firewood provided. It's a working, lived-in piece of the bush — you'll share it with birdsong and the occasional wallaby.
Cottage/Cabin
Airconditioning, Heating, Bath, Internet, Wifi, Fans, Open Fireplace, Gas Cooking, Coffee machine, Microwave
Verandah, Rain Tank
Anywhere
Yes
Yes
Simultaneous
Short term (1-4 wks)
No
School Holidays, Christmas, Easter
Children Welcome, Pets Welcome, No Smoking
Family holiday, Tree change, Foodie indulgence, Mountains & Snow, Romantic, Weekend Getaway, Out there
Hiking, Bushwalking, Fossicking
Restaurants, Pubs/Bars, Cafes, Historical Sites
Tucked away yet wonderfully close: 3 minutes to the Great Northern Trading Post (coffee, dinner and drinks), 4 minutes to the historic village of Wollombi, on the doorstep of Yengo National Park, and an easy run to the Hunter Valley vineyards, cellar doors, restaurants and concert and wedding venues. Roughly an hour from Newcastle and two from Sydney.
Bakery
Cessnock (36kms)
Sydney (140kms)
Note: The location shown on the map is approximate only.
There are 3 endorsements for this house swap member:
We were so grateful to stay at Karen's outstanding home with her manicured lush gardens. Location was superb - we enjoyed many walks exploring the parks and coves within their beautiful suburb. The zoo is a few minutes walk away. We felt like locals with Karen's wonderful recommendations. Thanks for having us :)
Nikki from Cable Beach WA (Oct 2022)
We absolutely loved our stay at Karen's stunning Mosman home and feel so lucky to have such a wonderful experience for our first house swap! The home is beautiful, cosy and luxurious with central heating and comfy beds. It's also perfectly located near Taronga Zoo and the ferry, making it ideal for exploring the city. We loved the walks around the harbour and the cafes that Karen so kindly recommended. Karen was wonderful to communicate with and generous with information. Could not have asked for a better swap!
Geordie from Crescent Head NSW (Jul 2020)
What an amazing city haven this is. A gorgeous home in one of the best locations in Sydney. I mean, we could walk to the water, Taronga zoo, coffee, shops, the ferry and then come home, do puzzles on the deck and watch birds visit the verandah. Unexpected serenity with a cool, city vibe. We feel fortunate that this lovely family shared their home with us.
Cristy from Noosa Hinterland QLD (Jan 2020)
