New chef cooks up changes at Daydream

Daydream Island Resort and Spa’s new Executive Chef Ashley Duff is cooking up some changes at the tropical Whitsundays getaway.

After spending almost a decade working on cruise ships around the world, Ashley brings a wealth of international experience to Daydream where he will be delivering a menu predominantly seafood-based complemented by tapas-style dining options.

“This perfectly suits our alfresco dining setting with the backdrop of the Whitsunday islands,” he said.

“I am incorporating more seafood into the menus and modernising them for the tropical climate we are in by steering away from gravies and jus and using more vinaigrettes.

“There is also more focus on locally produced food, from seafood such as Queensland scallops and tiger prawns, to fruit and veggies, beef, chicken and lamb. I’ll be working hard to source wonderful food from as close to Daydream as possible.”

Ashley kicked off his culinary career in Victoria where he cooked for Melbourne’s elite at various venues including five star hotels and at the exclusive Mornington Peninsula before moving to London to develop his skills.

For the past seven years he has worked with Royal Caribbean on numerous liners where he was responsible for catering for up to 3600 passengers, 24 hour a days, seven days a week.

Ashley is in charge of all food production on Daydream, from Splashes Pool Bar to signature restaurant Mermaid’s, and has already begun implementing some delicious new changes.

“In Fishbowl Tavern, we’ve introduced some of the best baby back ribs you can have. It’s a three day process to produce our ribs which are slowly caramelised on our char grill,” he said.

“In Mermaids, we will soon be introducing signature dishes like a Bouillabaisse-style seafood soup with lobster, mud crab and prawns, using some of the fantastic product we have in Queensland to really show off the restaurant.”

Mermaids a la carte restaurant offers a unique culinary experience where guests can feast on the freshest fish of the day caught straight from the sea to your plate.

Daydream also offers more relaxed dining options including the Fishbowl Tavern, Waterfalls Restaurant, Boat House Bakery, Lagoons Bar, Splashes and Gilligan’s Health Hut.

ENDS

Choosing your dream wedding ceremony location

Daydream is perfect for a tropical island wedding

THE diamond ring is on your finger and the wedding date has been set – now where on earth should you get married?

Choosing the venue for your wedding is one of the most important decisions that you will make during the wedding planning process.

Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime experience where all the people who mean the most to you are gathered together in one place. It makes sense that you choose a venue that will befit this special occasion.

Daydream Island Resort and Spa in the Whitsundays is one of the most popular island wedding destinations in Australia and has a range of amazing venues to suit every style of wedding, from intimate elopements to larger, more traditional affairs. From chapels to coral beaches, Daydream Island has you covered.

Here are some of the ceremony locations on offer:

Sunset at Endeavour Wedding Chapel

Endeavour Wedding Chapel – For a more traditional ceremony, the Endeavour Wedding Chapel isthe perfect venue. Located right at the water’s edge, the Chapel features a red carpet aisle, built in sound system and a floor-to-ceiling glass wall behind the altar, offering spectacular panoramic views of the Whitsunday Passage. The service can also be streamed out over the Internet for those who are not able to be there in person.

Lovers Cove

Lovers Cove – Lovers Cove is a private sheltered white coral beach that features a large wooden deck for ceremonies and receptions. It’s a truly outdoor setting with waves rolling in just metres away and the Whitsunday Passage as your backdrop.

Mermaid’s Beach – Mermaid’s Beach is a stunning expanse of coral beach with the picturesque blue waters of the Coral Sea offering a beautiful backdrop. Daydream Island’s resident three ‘mermaids’ are also a unique feature! If you’re looking at having a large wedding, Mermaid’s Beach is tailor made for your event.

Sunlover’s Lookout – This is one of the most beautiful outdoor locations on Daydream Island with expansive views over the Whitsunday Passage.  A romantic location that is perfect for more intimate services including elopements.

Sunset Beach Gazebo – Located on the south side of the island, The Sunset Beach Gazebo boasts stunning views over the ocean to the mainland. It’s ideal for more intimate services.

Whatever location you choose, romantic Daydream Island is the perfect way to celebrate your special day in your own individual way.

Please contact Daydream Island’s wedding executive on (07) 3259 2310 or email weddings@daydreamisland.com

Wedding at Mermaids Beach

Daydream’s Living Reef awarded 2014 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence

DAYDREAM Island’s Living Reef, one of the world’s largest man-made living coral reef lagoons, has been awarded a prestigious award from TripAdvisor.

The Living Reef was awarded the 2014 Certificate of Excellence, which recognises businesses that consistently earn outstanding traveller reviews on TripAdvisor.

TripAdvisor is one of the world’s top travel websites and provides directory information, reviews of travel-related content and travel forums.

Daydream Island CEO, Phil Casey said it was an honour to receive an award that was based solely on traveller feedback.

“It’s wonderful that the Living Reef was enjoyed by so many of our guests and it captured their imaginations – it’s a definite must see during any stay at Daydream Island,” he said.

“The Living Reef is simply amazing. It is home for more than 140 species of colourful marine fish and 83 species of coral and it holds more than 1.5 million litres of water.

“Guests can hand feed resident stingrays, baby sharks and barramundi, as well as learn about the marine-ecosystem.

“We believe it’s very important to protect our incredible marine environment and the Living Reef is a great way to raise awareness and educate the public.

“We’d like to thank our hard working staff for all of their efforts in maintaining the Living Reef and ensuring that it remains one of the top attractions in the Whitsundays.”

Daydream Island Resort and Spa is located in Queensland’s tropical Whitsundays in the heart of the magnificent Great Barrier Reef.

The multi award-winning resort is home to a great selection of restaurants and bars, a fringing coral reef and the award winning Rejuvenation Spa.

Daydream Island also boasts action-packed activities including jet skiing, parasailing, reef fishing and scuba diving, and day trips such as a helicopter ride to famous Whitehaven Beach for a private picnic and a sunset champagne cruise around the Whitsunday islands.

For bookings call 1800 075 040, contact your local travel agent or visit www.daydreamisland.com.

ENDS: Media enquiries to brenton@rgcommunications.com.au

Families give Daydream top marks in national awards

DAYDREAM Island Resort and Spa has been nominated as one of Australia’s best four-star resorts for a prestigious national award.

The resort is a finalist in the Best Hotel/Resort 4 Stars and Over category in the third-annual 2014 Out & About with Kids Best of Family Travel Awards.

Readers of Out & About with Kids cast thousands of votes for the finalists online. The winner will be announced in the July edition of the magazine.

Daydream Island Resort and Spa CEO Phil Casey said it was exciting news for the family-friendly resort, located in the tropical Whitsundays.

“I am very proud that Daydream Island Resort and Spa has been recognised by so many happy holidaymakers,” he said.

“Our team has worked hard to make the resort a success by providing our guests with warm, friendly and professional service in a beautiful, comfortable setting.

“Daydream Island Resort and Spa is a great place for families to relax and unwind with more than 20 free activities for all ages to enjoy including kayaks, catamarans, stand-up paddle boards, a stingray and shark feeding show at The Living Reef lagoon and an open air cinema.

“We’re delighted that so many people have had such a positive experience at Daydream Island and we look forward to welcoming them back here in the future.”

Daydream Island Resort and Spa is located in Queensland’s tropical Whitsundays in the heart of the magnificent Great Barrier Reef.

The multi award-winning resort is home to one of the world’s largest man-made living reef lagoons known as The Living Reef, a great selection of restaurants and bars, a fringing coral reef and a Rejuvenation Spa offering a comprehensive selection of health and beauty treatments.

Daydream Island also boasts action-packed activities including jet skiing, parasailing, reef fishing and scuba diving, and day trips such as a helicopter ride to famous Whitehaven Beach for a private picnic and a sunset champagne cruise around the Whitsunday islands.

For bookings call 1800 075 040, contact your local travel agent or visit www.daydreamisland.com.

ENDS Media enquiries to brenton@rgcommunications.com.au

Daydream welcomes new Living Reef manager

Marine biologist John Gaskell has joined Daydream Island Resort and Spa as the new manager of the Living Reef team.

The Living Reef is one of the world's largest man-made living coral reef lagoons and features more than 140 species of marine fish and 83 species of coral.

Mr Gaskell’s role is to ensure that the marine life is happy and well-maintained in their habitat. He will also further develop the Living Reef’s educational programs for visiting schools.

Mr Gaskell is an experienced marine biologist with expertise in Australian marine life and marine education. He has a Bachelor of Science, marine biology and a Bachelor of Teaching, primary and secondary majoring in environmental science and biology.

This training inspired him to set up his own small business in marine education, marine life research and underwater photography.

In addition to his theoretical knowledge, he has practical experience as a dive master at Ningaloo Reef off the north-west coast of Western Australia, and has held various roles with the Melbourne Aquarium.

“I’ve done a lot of work with southern animals and tropical species and the Living Reef is a great opportunity to broaden my experience by working with some of the animals of the Great Barrier Reef,” Mr Gaskell said.

“With a background in education, I plan to implement the Australian curriculum which does have a lot of relevant standards to marine biology and looking after the environment into our programs at Daydream.

“This will make our educational programs more useful for visiting students and teachers.”

The Living Reef totals a massive 2650sqm in size and contains over 1.5 million litres of water through its north and south lagoons.

Guided by Living Reef biologists, visitors can take part in fish and shark feeding shows or programs like the Stingray Splash, where guests walk knee-deep into the Living Reef and hand-feed and pat stingrays.

“I’ll also be looking to implement exciting new experiences where guests can further interact with the incredible characters of the Great Barrier Reef,” Mr Gaskell said.

ENDS Media enquiries to brenton@rgcommunications.com.au 

Baby shark boom at Daydream

Daydream Island Resort and Spa is in the midst of a baby boom with a record number of bamboo sharks born in the island’s Living Reef lagoon.

A total of 44 bamboo sharks have been born in the aquarium over the past two months with another four still to hatch.

The island has also welcomed its very first epaulette shark born in the lagoon.

“That’s double the best bamboo shark breeding season we’ve had in the past – a record,” Daydream Island Living Reef manager John Gaskell said.

“We also have our first baby epaulette shark born on Daydream Island and a second still to hatch in the coming weeks. We are extremely proud and excited to see the birth of so many baby sharks in the Living Reef.”

The bamboo shark lays transparent eggs that look like oblong cocoons. The eggs take about 14 weeks to hatch, and when born, the pups are about 15 centimetres in length and will grow up to a metre.

Mr Gaskell said a milder winter last year and improved care techniques by Living Reef staff had led to Daydream’s bumper bamboo shark breeding season.

“With our baby epaulette shark, the parents Mr and Mr Freckles have both just become mature so this is the first time we’ve seen a fertilised egg on Daydream,” he said.

The Living Reef is one of the world's largest man-made living coral reef lagoons. It is home to more than 140 species of colourful marine fish, 82 species of coral and 15 species of invertebrates such as starfish, sea cucumbers and crabs.

Comprising a north and south lagoon and holding more than 1.5 million litres of water, the Living Reef lets visitors learn about and get up close to the fascinating inhabitants of the Great Barrier Reef.

The baby shark boom comes as Daydream has made improvements to the Living Reef. They include the upgrade of the north lagoon with a new submersible pump, increasing water flow, filtration and clarity of water, an upgrade to the south lagoon filtration and the addition of new corals to both lagoons.

“We have improved the filtration and pumping system to produce about another 50% total volume of water going into the north lagoon,” Mr Gaskell said. “It’s made a big difference in the flow and salinity and temperature changes and will help ensure the health of the lagoon.”

ENDS Media enquiries to brenton@rgcommunications.com.au

Daydream Island nominated for best Australian resort

The accolades just keep rolling in for Daydream Island Resort and Spa.

The idyllic Whitsundays getaway is a finalist in the Spice Hot 100 Hotels, Resorts and Venues in the Best Resorts in Australia category.

Spice News is the most comprehensive news service for the Australian MICE and event management industry and the awards celebrate the best hotels, resorts and venues in Australia and New Zealand.

“Daydream has invested heavily in the MICE sector over the past three years and we’re thrilled to be a finalist in the Spice Hot 100 awards,” Daydream Island Resort and Spa CEO Phil Casey said.

“Daydream’s profile, stunning location and the ability to be flexible and provide a personalised, intimate service has made it a favourite destination for this growing industry.

“We are keen to further invest in this important segment and showcase just why Daydream Island is known as the ‘jewel of the Whitsundays’.”

Located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, the 4.5 star resort offers 296 beautifully appointed rooms, comprehensive facilities such as the Rejuvenation Spa and Living Reef lagoon, adventurous activities, sparkling bays and secluded beaches which all combine to stimulate and inspire delegates.

Daydream Island Resort and Spa is big enough to host major events, yet small enough to provide a personal touch.

The Conference Centre has the ability to cater for up to 300 delegates (catering for up to 600 including partners) per room with the flexibility to handle events from boardroom meetings to gala dinners.

Daydream is easily reached from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane through the Great Barrier Reef Airport on Hamilton Island, or Whitsunday Coast Airport at Proserpine.