Hi. Thanks for all of the posts. I've been down 3 or 4 times in the last year, and have ended up going to the following locations:

• Bale Salt in Kingscliff (twice)
• Bale in Port Douglas
• Barnbougle Dunes (Tassie)

I've looked at Herron and Orpheus, but they all require extra transfers or boat connections, which are very difficult when you only have a 2.5 day weekend to get away. Barnbougle is convenient from Melbourne. Kingscliff was actually my favourite...extremely quiet beach...easy flight from Sydney, etc.

I'm going to be heading back to Australia in mid-November for two weeks solo and would like to plan another weekend holiday.

I've got a booking request in at Royal Melbourne GC (fingers crossed!) - but if that is unavailable, I'd like to find another beach venue to visit. Bale Salt regrettably is fully committed during the weekend that I'll be there (and the regular Peppers there is too down market). Bedarra looks incredible, but tough to get to in my limited time frame.

It sounds pretty resolved that the Sheraton Mirage is long in the tooth.

Any other new thoughts? Is there anything nice on the beach within driving distance of Sydney? Also, one hotel probably not talked about enough is Palazzo Versace. It's in the Amex program, and is an easy flight from Sydney. Thoughts there?

Appreciate the help as always!