We normally stay down near Eurong, New Years 2013 stayed up at Orchid Beach, I found options were limited at High Tide up at Orchid Beach, whereas down south tide isnt as much of a hindrance, thats just how I felt anyway.
Having said that, I did find up north very nice, Wathumba was excellent, Sandy Cape awesome, the fishing was better up there but less pippies than down south.