House Swap NZ? House swapping in New Zealand is a popular trend among people who want to travel but don’t want to spend all their hard-earned money on accommodation.

House swapping is a way for homeowners in one location to offer their house as free accommodation in exchange for someone else’s home in another location, and it can be a win-win situation, where everyone gets to experience the world without breaking the bank.

But there are some things you should know before embarking on this type of adventure. Here’s what you need to know about house swapping in New Zealand.

What is house swapping?

House swapping is a type of home exchange that’s been around almost 100 years and has become very popular over the last several years. It’s an arrangement where people from different locations, often different countries, swap homes for a period of time. Typically, one home will be provided as a free place to stay in exchange for the other person’s home.

[Side note: Sometimes people also throw in their car as an added bonus, but this is not necessary. It’s always important to only do only what you are comfortable doing and as long as you agree to everything in advance in writing, everyone will enjoy the experience!]

The whole idea of house swap is that you can live like a local without having to spend a ton of money on accommodation costs.

It also allows you to avoid the usual tourist traps while you visit a foreign country like an insider since you’ll be getting to know your neighbors and often even the homeowner’s friends and family who can help you navigate the new place.

However, there are some things you should consider before participating in this type of set up.

How does it work?

It’s easy enough to do.

You simply list your home on a specialized home exchange website like THIRDHOME, select the house you’re interested in staying at, find dates that work for both you and your exchange partner, and voilà!

Keep in mind that, if you have questions about the house or anything else, it is better to communicate more rather than less. Your exchange partner wants you to have a great time and will be happy to provide tips as to places to go and things to see around the area.

This insider knowledge will greatly improve the quality of your vacation.

House swapping in New Zealand

House swapping in New Zealand is still in its early stages, but many people are already signing up for this popular trend.

You can easily find house swapping opportunities on sites like THIRDHOME with over 13,000 listings around the globe including New Zealand. It’s easy to set up a profile and start browsing for your ideal house swap match.

It’s generally important to make sure you research the person you want to swap homes with before agreeing to anything. You’ll want to make sure they’re not only trustworthy, but also have a home that suits your needs. Reviews can be helpful in this instance.

Fortunately, THIRDHOME has already done most of the heavy lifting for you by pre-selecting houses that meet its strict quality standards. And even better, all trips are covered by SUPERHOG, a digital trust platform that provides protection for Hosts. In the rare event a THIRDHOME Guest causes damage during a stay and doesn’t reimburse the Host, they are covered for property damage and liability protection. Certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. This coverage means that you can focus on enjoying your travels as opposed to worrying about details.

You will still need to have your own insurance on your property which includes coverage for guests but going through a professional exchange like THIRDHOME makes the process much safer overall.

Conclusion

Home swapping is the perfect way to explore the world while building unique lifelong memories and beautiful New Zealand is a wonderful destination. This is why so many are jumping on this opportunity to travel the world like insiders.

If you haven’t tried it yet, what are you waiting for? Get started on your home exchange adventure with THIRDHOME here.

 

THIRDHOME Exchange members have recently returned from Arrowtown, New Zealand, and Port Douglas, Australia. Keep reading to learn about their THIRDHOME experience.

 

New Zealand

Cottage at Millbrook | Arrowtown, New Zealand

This central Otago resort property is located on the beautiful shores of Lake Wakatipu. Surrounded by alpine mountain ranges, The Cottage at Millbrook is the perfect place for a New Zealand nature retreat and nearby trips to destinations like Queenstown. Enjoy views of the golf fairways and mountains as you unwind after a day of outdoor exploration. Sleep up to 4 people in this open and modern residence.

THIRDHOME member David says, “We absolutely loved our time staying at the ‘Cottage at Millbrook’. The home was exactly as described and pictured online. What I did not expect was just how fantastic the surrounding area was and how excellent all the amenities were!” click here to read more of David’s review.

 

Port Douglas Australia

Chez Willow | Port Douglas, Australia

Find yourself in Port Douglas with this beautiful beach-block pool villa. Only two minutes from Four Mile Beach, this home is perfect for beach-goers and Great Barrier Reef explorers. Sleep up to 6 people across this home’s 3-bedrooms, after spending the day lounging poolside. This home’s modern comforts, tropical ambiance and nearby outdoor activities make for the perfect Queensland escape.

THIRDHOME member Francisca says, “We really enjoyed our stay at Chez Willow and loved Port Douglas. The house is very well located in the center of the village within walking distance from the beach, marina, all restaurants, and shops. It is as stated in the pictures, with three very comfortable spacious bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms…” click here to read more of Francisca’s review.

 

Members, click here to view all available weeks and plan your next THIRDHOME Exchange trip. Remember, you must be logged in to your account to see availability.

Want more information about our luxury home exchange club? Click here to learn more about THIRDHOME.

What are THIRDHOME members saying about their luxury home exchange trips (to the Necker Cup and New Zealand) this week?

 

NEcker Cup

Necker Cup | The Bahamas

After the devastation of Hurricane Irma in the B.V.I., it was uncertain as to whether the Necker Cup would occur in 2017. It was especially doubtful after Richard Branson was forced to take shelter in his Necker Island home’s wine cellar as 185-mph winds decimated the island. But this didn’t set back the Necker Cup team! The event was relocated to Baha Mar in The Bahamas and held with the special purpose of raising money to rebuild the British Virgin Islands. The event, including an End of the World Party, gala and auction, raised over $3,000,000 for beneficiaries working to help the B.V.I. recover from Irma. The Necker Cup was as star-studded and glamorous as it had always been but it was also a meaningful event given its unique circumstances. THIRDHOME‘s Sr. VP of Business Development, Roger Conner, had the opportunity to attend. You can see him pictured below with his daughter, Polly Fleming, and Actor Jamie Foxx.

Necker Cup

You can still donate to the B.V.I.’s recovery effort through Virgin Unite by clicking here.

THIRDHOME member Brice says, “This is an amazing experience that THIRDHOME has gotten involved in! I met Sir Richard Branson, Greg Norman, Martina Navratilova, Grigor Dimitrov, Tommy Haas, and many more!! Thank you, Liz Bates, for setting up this amazing experience!” click here to discover Necker Island Experiences.

Disclaimer: Necker Cup bookings will be available later in 2018. You can still book a BVI yacht excursion to Necker Island via THIRDHOME‘s Travel & Concierge program. 

Necker Cup New Zealand

Dunalistair House | New Zealand

Experience northern New Zealand’s natural beauty from the Dunalistair house at The Kinloch Golf Club. This minimalist home is situated on a hill overlooking the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course and Lake Taupo. With room for 8 people, this home is ideal for a family or small group golf getaway. The holiday village of Kinloch is only about a mile away and offers lakefront beach access, biking trails, dining and shopping. The Taupo region is also regarded for its world-class trout fishing. The waters are crystal clear and the Steelhead Rainbow Trout are abundant. Be sure to check out the Dunalistair House when planning your New Zealand holiday.

THIRDHOME member Susie says, “This was a family trip of a lifetime…The home on Kinloch Golf Club was stunning, comfortable, beautifully stocked and the perfect home for exploring the North Island….We could not give this higher marks. It was perfect all the way around. Don’t miss this opportunity to see New Zealand in style!” click here to read more of Susie’s review

 

Members, click here to view all available weeks and plan your next THIRDHOME trip. Remember, you must be logged in to your account to see availability.

Want more information about our luxury home exchange club? Click here to learn more about THIRDHOME.

Based out of Dublin, Ireland, Michael Johnson and Jane Forman love using THIRDHOME to travel the world. Their coastal South Africa home has taken them to New Zealand and Australia. Learn how Michael and Jane use THIRDHOME to enhance their travel lifestyle.

Michael Johnson

Waipapa, Golf Course North Island, NZ

How did you get involved with THIRDHOME?

We were recommended by members of THIRDHOME based in Canada.

Where are you based?

Dublin, Ireland

Who do you usually travel with?

We like to travel together as a couple.

What do you do for a living?

I am now retired.

What are your favorite travel hobbies?

Local Cultures, sightseeing, foodies and golf.

Michael Johnson

Queenstown, South Island, NZ

In your past travels with THIRDHOME, what was your favorite destination and what did you love about it? 

New Zealand and Australia were very special, we planned a long trip and stayed in a range of THIRDHOME member properties over a period of 3 months – this was the trip of a lifetime made possible in part by other THIRDHOME members.

What’s the next destination you are eyeing to travel to with THIRDHOME?

We have a number of trips already booked in the system, Arabella in South Africa,  Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Marabella in Spain.

Michael Johnson

Waipapa, Golf Course North Island, NZ

What do you love most about your property with THIRDHOME?

We know we have a lovely home in a great location that is very popular with members who enjoy what we have and that gives us a really good feeling.

Compared to other exchange and rental platforms, how has your experience been hosting other THIRDHOME members?

We get the type of guests who respect our home and are generally experienced in travel and protocols, we have never had a problem with THIRDHOME members as they are just like us!!

Any personal/family achievements you’d like to share?

Being able to retire early enough to enjoy long trips and visit exotic places has been a real achievement.

How has THIRDHOME changed the way you travel?

It lets us stay in wonderful homes in super locations, we can visit places that otherwise may never have been on our radar and brings us luxury travel at affordable levels.

Michael Johnson

Janet on a helicopter tour to see the Great Barrier Reef

What is the nicest amenity you have encountered while staying at a THIRDHOME property?

We have stayed in some truly spectacular properties that have everything you could ever want and one in particular in New Zealand had a wonderful master suite.

What makes a THIRDHOME stay so special?

Luxury is generally how we describe our experiences – properties live up to our expectations or exceed them, and the vetting and assistance from THIRDHOME staff is fantastic.

Michael Johnson

Michael and Janet’s view of The Great Barrier Reef

How is staying in a THIRDHOME different than other types of accommodations?

It’s home away from home, and the standards are very high and locations are special, we have not found that consistently elsewhere.

How would you describe THIRDHOME to a friend?

If you have a high-quality property that you wish to use for the purpose of traveling to similar quality properties in great locations, THIRDHOME is the best possible option.

Michael Johnson

Abel Tasman, South Island, NZ

What’s the most memorable restaurant you’ve eaten at during one of your trips?

Mudbrick Restaurant and Vinyard on Waiheke Island in Auckland, New Zealand. The food and ambiance was just fantastic.

Any travel tips for fellow members?

We found that building a “war chest of credits [Keys]”  allowed us to stay in THIRDHOME properties on a road trip type basis and this is a great way to assist organizing complex itineraries.

Michael Johnson

Pelican Point, Western Australia. 6 iron, 158 yards.

WHAT ARE THIRDHOME MEMBERS SAYING ABOUT THEIR LUXURY HOME EXCHANGE TRIPS (TO New Zealand and Australia) THIS WEEK?

 

New Zealand

Tuki Tuki River Valley Cottage | New Zealand

The Tuki Tuki River Valley Cottage looks across beautiful hills of Black Barn Vineyards, a boutique vineyard known for a variety of sustainably grown varietals. This home’s decor has been lovingly assembled to complement the panoramic landscape found just outside the patio doors. Sleep up to 6 people in this property while discovering all that the Hawke’s Bay region has to offer. Catch a show at Black Barn’s Underground Cellar or go fly-fishing in the Tuki Tuki river! Bike through New Zealand’s stunning wine country or golf at the world-famous Cape Kidnappers. Make this gorgeous property a part of your next holiday plans!

THIRDHOME member Christopher says, “What a wonderful time we had at this charming house in the gorgeous Tuki Tuki River Valley! Both the owner and the property manager were available, helpful and courteous. We prepared a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner with local ingredients, and gave thanks in toasts with delicious local wines!” click here to read more of Christopher’s review

 

Port Douglas Australia Fiji New Zealand

Mirage Villa | Australia

Discover the beauty of Queensland’s coast at this spacious resort villa. This 3-bedroom property puts you right next to Four-Mile Beach and its stunning views of the Coral Sea. Port Douglas, a seaside village, is also worth exploring while you’re not relaxing along the coast. For adventure seekers, visit the ancient Daintree Rainforest or cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. But the home’s marble finishes and large living spaces might make it difficult to leave. Book this property for your next holiday Down Under!

THIRDHOME member Andrew says, “As an introduction to Port Douglas, the Mirage Villa was outstanding. The development as a whole is maintained to possibly the highest standard we have ever experienced, and we have seen most places around the world. It is an oasis.” click here to read more of Andrew’s review

 

Members, click here to view all available weeks and plan your next THIRDHOME trip. Remember, you must be logged in to your account to see availability.

Want more information about our luxury home exchange club? Click here to learn more about THIRDHOME.

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