The blueprint for a different kind of Tweed Coast family holiday.

There's a certain kind of travel snobbery that says a hotel room doesn't matter. "As long as the bed is comfy and the shower is hot," the argument goes, "it's just a place to sleep."

Let's be honest: that's never the case.

Where you come back to at the end of a long day of exploring matters. A lot. A great basecamp doesn't just support an adventure; it elevates it.

And when you're exploring the authentic heart of the Tweed Valley, especially with a family in tow, a brilliant starting and ending point is essential.

Our blueprint for this escape is built around Mantra on Salt Beach in Kingscliff.

It's a place that understands the art of the family holiday—spacious rooms, a magnificent lagoon-style pool, and direct beach access—while also serving as the perfect launchpad for the kind of "barefoot style" experiences that make a trip truly memorable.

From your balcony, the day starts with a coffee and an incredible sunrise over the Pacific. From there, the choice is yours.

Your Hub for the Perfect Tweed Coast Family Holiday

A short drive inland takes you to Murwillumbah, a remarkable town with some of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the country.

Or you can hire bikes and explore a section of the brilliant Northern Rivers Rail Trail, a beautifully restored former railway line that cuts a gentle, accessible path through the glorious hinterland.

And of course, no trip here is complete without a visit to Husk Distillery, a 25-minute drive away. This is not just a distillery; it's a destination. Set on a breathtaking farm in the shadow of Wollumbin, it's the home of the global phenomenon Ink Gin and a modern Australian agricole rum revolution. It's a "farm to bottle" operation in the truest sense, and a private tasting here is a masterclass in the craft of Australian spirits.

This is the genius of the Mantra model.

It provides the comfortable, high-value, and family-friendly infrastructure that makes a trip easy, while putting you on the doorstep of the authentic experiences that make it special.

It's a place where the kids can be happy, and the adults can still feel like adults.

The Insider's Tip: One of the happy coincidences of staying at Mantra on Salt Beach is your proximity to its next-door neighbour, the Peppers Salt Resort & Spa. While the facilities are separate, the real secret is that anyone can book a table at Peppers' excellent Season restaurant. It's a slightly more adult-focused dining experience that offers a beautiful taste of the region's produce. It's the perfect way for Mum and Dad to have a relaxed night out, even with the kids.

This is the starting place for a family holiday that doesn't feel like a compromise. It's a reminder that a great hotel brand can be a key that unlocks a region's authentic heart.

But what happens when you take the same brand and drop it into the heart of the action?

Next up, we head north to Surfers Paradise to see how the Mantra model works in a town that has never learned to use its indoor voice.

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