The highlight of Paradise Resort is the free kids club and in that department they certainly don't disappoint, the kids love it! The waterpark and kids activities are also very good and keep the kids entertained. However if you don't get a renovated room like us, the place is certainly dated and in need of a bit of an overhaul. For approx $350 which we were paying, admittedly over Easter, I certainly expected more from the room than a faulty shower, visible signs of damage and wear and old beds. That being said it is still a great place to get away for a few nights and for parents to escape their children for a while.

Approximate cost: $300

What can you say about this place but that it is amazing. Right from entry the place oozes quality and opulence. My wife and I have stayed here twice and loved it both times. Its the little touches like a free bath spa experience on our second stay and remembering who you are. The cabanas around their pool are amazing and their isn't much need to leave the pool during the day. The buffet restaurant is great however we didn't eat at their main restaurant. This is definitely a place to spoil yourself and your partner.

This is the closest Thai restaurant and as such we have visited a few times and been impressed each time. They have a great menu with a nice range of dishes and I was impressed with their children's menu as it seemed to be better than other Thai restaurants I have visited. They have good lunch time specials as well as monthly specials. They have quite a few duck dishes too which I am a fan of as I love duck. They also have an app and let you choose how spicy you would like your dish

Approximate cost: $20

My wife and I bought our Mazda CX5 from Eagers and were very impressed with the service. We went to a few different dealers including other Mazda dealers, Honda and VW but Eagers had far and away the best service. The salesgirl we had was very attentive and gave us a great deal and was also very personable. The only issues I had were from the other departments trying to upsell once we had purchased but I'm sure every car dealer does the same thing. They had far and away the best service of the dealers we visited.

I am a fan of german food and beer and the Bavarian Bier Cafe lives up to it in the expectation. Their tasting platter is fantastic with my only complaint that I would also want the pork knuckle on the tasting plate. They have a great range of beers and you can have beer flights also to taste a number of them. My complaint is in regards to the prices with the beer and food both being overpriced. I prefer the Brisbane German Club for their price and comparable food and better range of beer however the atmosphere and location is better at the Bavarian.

Approximate cost: $30

This is a good little play area for your kids. I have never seen it too busy and there is a number or different areas for the kids to play in with smaller slides, balls, levels to climb and a big inflatable slide that the kids absolutely love. One benefit of it also is that it is free for adults so you only pay for your kids which makes it better for both parents to go.

Approximate cost: $10

I like the option of having large share plates at Pony. They do a number of dishes in their wood fired oven that are perfect for sharing as a group. The steak and lamb that we had very both very tasty and the perfect size for the 4 of us dining. The sides were also very good and were a great accompaniment. The price can add up here however I believe the share plate option is the most reasonable and it wasn't too expensive when I went. Being at Eagle St Pier too you can get some great views.

Approximate cost: $30

The location really earns a lot for this surf club being right on the beach at Noosa overlooking the awesome beach. The food and service also backs it up. Although it was quite busy when we were there our food came out promptly and was hot and tasty. My mussels special was great and was nice on a winter's day after a swim as it was nice in the sun but cool in the shade. There are plenty of options in Noosa but not many with a few as great as this and reasonable prices.

Approximate cost: $20

The location of this little hotel is superb right in the centre of town. We stayed there the night before and after ANZAC which was perfect for us as the dawn service was right next door. The rooms are only quite small but they are very good quality and the hotel has a great old school charm. My wife and I are both in the Army and it reminded us of old officer's messes with the hallways and little corners. It is a lot cheaper than comparable hotels in the area and I would highly recommend a stay there.

Approximate cost: $150

These are one of a few absolute must dos when you are visiting or living in Darwin. The markets are a true multicultural experience with a multitude of different options even when I was living there I didn't nearly get through them all. The experience of getting your food and then sitting on the beach and watching the sunset is truely breathtaking. Just do it!

Approximate cost: $10