NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Resort

Seekers of peaceful rest and relaxation be warned, Treasure Island is designed almost exclusively with children and families in mind, and guests here love that. The pirate theme is big here, and many of the hotels public areas have been retrofitted to embrace it -- from the main gate crafted from swords to the large water park, mini-golf course with a one-eyed sentinel standing guard, and the casual on-site bar and restaurant called The Galleon (of course). The property is laid out according to type of accommodation, with cabins in one area, apartments in another, and RVs in yet another. The different sections are joined by walking paths. Guests -- almost exclusively families -- can be found throughout the expansive grounds, or by the outdoor pools and hot tubs. 

The complex is in a suburban area just north and west of the beaches of the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise. There are lots of strip malls and big box stores in the vicinity, and the highway that runs right past the resort is busy. A car is necessary here. It takes about 15 minutes to drive into the heart of Surfer’s Paradise, and the closest beach is about 10 minutes away by road. The Harbor Town Shopping Centre, packed with all sorts of factory outlets, is a 10-minute walk, or under five minutes by car, and Sea World is a 15-minute drive. Alternatively, the 704 bus reaches Sea World in under 40 minutes. Brisbane is just under an hour away by car, and the Gold Coast Airport (the closest) is a 35-minute drive from the property.

Guests have plenty of options here, from pitching their own tent to pulling in an RV to clapboard-sided bungalows with covered patios or decks. All of the apartment-style units, cabins, and villas are modern and pleasant, but hew to a dorm-like austerity and have a prefab aesthetic. Decor varies from unit to unit, but all have white walls, wood laminate or neutral carpeted floors, and simple armchairs and/or couches in soft tan tones. Some rooms have details like stained glass windows, but there is no wall art. All apartments, cabins, and villas have kitchenettes with hotplates or full kitchens, and come with dishware plus small dining areas. Several units have multiple bedrooms, and beds range from queens to bunk beds for kids. Some beds have bright bedspreads, while others have simple white linens. Each unit also has air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, bed linens, and towels. Bathrooms also vary in style, from simple and modern to more attractive contemporary spaces with glass tiles. Each has a spacious vanity and a stand-up shower, though some have whirlpool tubs. Some guests have complained that noise from the highway is audible in some units, and in other parts of the property the closeness of the units means noise from neighboring families can be heard. All camping sites have electrical hookups. 

The ample grounds contain a host of entertainment options for children and their families, including a water park with a fountains and waterslides, outdoor pools and hot tubs, pirate-themed mini-golf, a giant inflated jumping pit, a half basketball court, Ping-Pong, kids' cars, and a playground. There are also organized arts and crafts sessions and scavenger hunts in their Kidz Korner. The property features a casual restaurant and bar with a patio terrace for observing outdoor play, though no meals are included with rates. There is a convenience store and an internet terminal plus a common kitchen and BBQ area for those who are camping. Each unit has one parking space right next to the rental, and there is coin-operated laundry on site. Wi-Fi and Internet access is not free.