We are semi-retired non-smokers with no children. We have completed several successful exchanges both overseas and in Australia. Last year we exchanged in California and the UK. This year we have exchanged in New Zealand during July.

Our home is a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom air-conditioned villa in a quiet unit complex located in a scenic residential area called Buderim in a beach holiday region in Australia known as the Sunshine Coast. Buderim is about an hour’s drive from Brisbane in the state of Queensland. We live within walking distance of the Village of Buderim where there is a large grocery store and many shops and restaurants. Several patrolled safe swimming beaches are within 10 mins drive of our home. The major Sunshine Plaza shopping centre is also only 10mins by car.

We offer the use of our computer for internet access and you would also have the use of our car which is an automatic air-conditioned Toyota Camry Sedan.

We also have a hinterland area a short drive into the hills where there is a very different atmosphere. Beautiful views, rainforest walks, arts and craft shops & many restaurants and cafés.

If you wish to travel further afield from here it is possible to visit the Gold Coast, about 2hrs drive south. This is another beach holiday area much more touristy. Here there are all the theme parks like, Movie World (similar to Universal Studios in the U.S.), Dreamworld (Wild West with rides) & Sea World (dolphin shows, shark feeding, water ski-ing displays & rides). For a quieter time visit Fraser Island, the largest sand island in Australia. A full day tour taking in rainforest, freshwater lakes and long sandy beaches. Best taken from Noosa which is about 30mins drive from our house.

The City of Brisbane also has some things to offer. Take a river ferry to South Bank where the beautiful park has it’s own sand swimming beach complete with Life-saver. In the same area is the city’s cultural centre where there are plays, ballets & musicals. A very good museum and art gallery are also here. Brisbane has two Botanic Gardens one is located in the City Centre by the river. This is the older of the two and follows the river on many of the walks. A popular way to see the gardens is to hire a bicycle. The second and much larger Botanic Garden is located west of the City at Mt. Cootha. The walks here are lovely too & there is a restaurant overlooking the gardens.

Australia Zoo is 20 mins drive away. Steve Irwin has his famous crocodile show as well as all the native animals.

Some good web-sites to visit are maroochytourism.com and sunshinecoasttourism.com.

If you would be interested in coming to Australia and spending some time in our area we would be pleased to hear from you. We will be happy to reply to all emails.