Wanaka offers a full range of outdoor activities and is less touristy than Queenstown. The summers are hot and not humid and the winters are crisp and dry. Winters offer two excellent ski fields within 30 minutes drive. Summers provide excellent world class alpine tramping (Mt Aspiring National Park) trout fishing and water sports.

Wanaka township has a population of some 6,000, provides all the essential services and has a range of good restaurants and pubs. For more extensive shopping Queenstown is just over an hour away by car or bus.

In recent years this area (Central Otago) has developed a global reputation for producing superb wines particularly Pinot Noir.

For more information about the area go to http://www.lakewanaka.co.nz

We are Patty and Doug in our 60s. Patty's career has spanned nursing and early childhood education. Doug has a background in civil engineering and more recently international management consulting. We both have a love for the outdoors and enjoy bush walking and exploring. Patty has a special interest in history and the arts and we are both keen on travelling to new places and experiencing other cultures.

Our primary residence is in Auckland, however we fell in love with this part of the South Island some thirty years ago and always wanted to return to this pristine environment. Now we are semi-retired we are in the fortunate position to be able to spend time here in our second home and also have friends and family to stay. Although we have travelled extensively we have not tried home exchanges before but realized we are now well placed to do so.