---
okf_version: "0.2"
type: "Article"
title: "Homing Instinct – Home Swapping"
description: "Swapping homes is the next best thing to being at home. I found a perfect place on my favourite accommodation website, Love Home Swap"
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/new-zealand/homing-instinct-home-swapping"
language: en
author: "Justine Tyerman"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 14
tags: ["Architecture", "New Zealand"]
entities:
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/new-zealand"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/europe"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/germany"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/italy"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/architecture"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/design"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/museum"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/winter-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/air-travel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/restaurant"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/tyermanj", at: 2026-07-04T13:37:28+00:00 }
sources:
  - id: photos
    resource: homing-instinct-home-swapping.md#photos
    title: "Original photography by Justine Tyerman"
    author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/tyermanj"
timestamp: 2026-07-04T13:37:28+00:00
---

# Homing Instinct – Home Swapping

> A beautifully designed split-level home in Parnell, Auckland, discovered through the Love Home Swap platform, offers a masterclass in how home-swapping can deliver a luxurious, lived-in experience far beyond what hotels provide.

## Destination
Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand — a block from Parnell Village, close to Auckland Domain and the War Memorial Museum.

## Getting there
The article does not provide travel or transport details.

## When to go
The house is designed to be comfortable year-round, with architect-designed eaves that flood interiors with sun in winter and provide shade in summer.

## Why visit
Home swapping via Love Home Swap allows families to stay in spacious, characterful homes for free, spreading out and living as locals rather than guests in cramped hotel rooms.

## What to see
- **Auckland Domain and War Memorial Museum** — A short walk from the Parnell house, easily explored between home-swap downtime.
- **Parnell Village** — Bustling neighbourhood one block away, known for cafes and markets.
- **La Cigale French Markets** — Famous Parnell market where fresh produce can be bought for cooking at home.

## What to do
- **Home swapping via Love Home Swap** — International platform with over 68,000 homes in 160 countries; points-based swaps allow flexible, non-simultaneous exchanges.
- **Exploring the host home's design and art collection** — The Parnell house features limestone floors quarried near Persepolis, Maori-inspired timber palisade screening, and artworks sourced from Venice, Provence and local New Zealand artists.

## Good to know
Love Home Swap offers a points-based swap option where hosts earn credits for each night guests stay, redeemable at other member homes worldwide. Security provisions and direct communication with hosts are part of the platform's process.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Chandelier2.jpg"
    caption: "Chandelier"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Rainbow-fragments-on-the-feature-wall1.jpg"
    caption: "Rainbow fragments on the feature wall"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Sitting-room.jpg"
    caption: "Sitting room"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Eyebrows-over-the-windows.jpg"
    caption: "Eyebrows over the windows"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Parnell-house-and-garden1.jpg"
    caption: "Parnell house and garden"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Maori-skirt-or-piupiu.jpg"
    caption: "Maori skirt or piupiu"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Kitchen-1.jpg"
    caption: "Kitchen"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Dining-table-and-chandelier.jpg"
    caption: "Dining table and chandelier"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Guest-bedroom.jpg"
    caption: "Guest bedroom"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Peony-photograph-in-the-guestroom.jpg"
    caption: "'Peony' photograph in the guestroom"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Master-bedroom.jpg"
    caption: "Master bedroom"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Free-standing-bath.jpg"
    caption: "Free-standing bath"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Marble-handbasin.jpg"
    caption: "Marble handbasin"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Il-Grande-Libra2-e1435597944467.jpg"
    caption: "Il Grande Libra"
```