Charming Heritage House in Australia Near The Melbourne Biomedical Precinct

Description

We are looking to exchange our home in Melbourne, Australia, for a home in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, for approximately 12 months. Australia offers an incredible variety of experiences - from beautiful beaches and sunshine to the outback, world-class wine, and iconic Australian wildlife. You may spot kangaroos relaxing in parks and on golf courses, and if you’re lucky, even a koala resting in a tree. If you’re looking for a refreshing change of pace, with the outdoors on your doorstep and plenty of opportunities to explore and unwind, this exchange could be just the change you’re looking for. Ranked the world’s #1 city in 2026 by Time Out, Melbourne is known for its coffee, brunch, multicultural food, arts, laneways and vibrant sporting scene. The city hosts the Australian Open each January and Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix each March. On weekends, head to the Mornington Peninsula for wineries, beaches, golf, and the Hot Springs; visit the Yarra Valley for wineries and the famous Chocolaterie with alpacas; see the penguins on Phillip Island; or take a road trip along the Great Ocean Road to the Twelve Apostles. Our home is particularly well located for anyone working or studying in biomedical research, academia, or healthcare. It is only 4km (2.5 miles) from the University of Melbourne and the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, the third-largest biomedical precinct in the world. It is home to leading institutions including the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI), the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Peter Doherty Institute, the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and the global headquarters of CSL. Beyond biomedical research, Melbourne has a diverse research community spanning engineering, AI and technology, climate and sustainability, and the arts and humanities. Melbourne Connect, next to the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus, brings together researchers, industry, government, startups and students across disciplines. Our home is a charming heritage Victorian (1900) house filled with natural light throughout, with two king-sized beds, a bathroom and a loft study. The house is fully furnished and equipped with an espresso coffee machine, air fryer, two ovens, washing machine, dryer, projector for movies/streaming and an outdoor BBQ. The back garden has a lemon tree, a peach tree, a variety of herbs, and a veggie patch you are welcome to enjoy. Tram and train stations are approximately a 5-minute walk from the house. A gym, Pilates studio, supermarket and a variety of restaurants and cafés are all within a 5–10 minute walk. A local farmers’ market is held every Sunday at the nearby primary school. Our home exchange also includes Luna, our affectionate indoor-outdoor cat. She is independent, easy to care for, and very much part of the home, so we’re looking for someone who would be happy to have her as part of their Melbourne experience. We hope our home provides a comfortable base to experience Melbourne, whether you are here for work, research, study, or simply to enjoy a year of life in Australia. In return, we are looking for a comfortable home, ideally in or around Harvard Square or Central Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts.