Tamarind Sands Resort

There's plenty to do on site, from the heated pool, giant chess and putt-putt to the playground and games room. The games room has toys, billiards, table tennis and shuffleboard, and there are lots of books, DVDs and board games too. There's also a gym, though I'm not much of a gym person. We spotted plenty of birds around the resort. They organize activities like Halloween fun, Melbourne Cup dress-up and fascinator making, glass decoration and musical bingo. You can also get barista coffee, pancakes and big breakfasts. It's well placed for Byron Bay, the Gold Coast and some very good beaches.

We only stayed a short time and I wish we'd booked longer. The apartments are spacious and have well-equipped kitchens, and it's an easy walk to the beach and township. There's also lots to do nearby for singles, couples, families or groups of friends. The resort is especially good for families, with a lovely pool and barbecues close by. It was fabulous, and I'll be back for a longer stay.

We used Cabarita beach as our base for a fortnight and found it easy to get around the surrounding area. The location is ideal if you want to explore nearby places, and it's great for families with kids. The rooms were exceptionally clean and the staff friendly. I'd recommend having a car, as there's so much around to reach.

Donna and James made us feel welcome from arrival right through to departure, and the staff were friendly and accommodating. The rooms were comfortable, the amenities excellent, and the resort was one of the best maintained I've stayed at in Australia. There's something organized each day for different interests. Cabarita's main centre is a short walk away, with cafes, restaurants, live music venues, Woolworths, a great butcher and the hotel. Walking through Johansen Park and up to the lookout is spectacular. It was a brilliant time of year for whale watching, and we saw plenty. I'm looking forward to visiting again.