Ben Southall enjoys close encounters at Daydream’s Living Reef lagoon - Launches Reef Education Packages

29 June 2011

Adventurer Ben Southall enjoyed a close encounter with Daydream Island Resort and Spa’s most iconic residents including Pikelet and Pancake the stingrays and Bruce the shark during a whistlestop visit to the island today.

The Tourism Queensland ambassador and former Best Job in the World winner visited the resort’s Living Reef lagoon as a part of the Best Expedition in the World campaign - a three month, 1600km kayak and sailing journey from the Town of 1770 on the central Queensland coast, north to Cooktown in the tropical north.

Mr Southall and qualified marine biologists from Daydream’s Living Reef presented educational modules on the fragility of the reef’s ecosystem as well as life cycles of Great Barrier Reef marine life. The adventurer also took part in a stingray and shark feeding show at the Living Reef lagoon, which is home to more than 100 species of marine fish and 50 species of coral.

Mr Southall’s visit coincided with the island’s launch of new educational packages aimed at teaching school groups about the wonders of the reef through the Living Reef lagoon.

“I’ve had a fantastic time at Daydream Island Resort and Spa sharing my experiences and getting up close to sharks, stingrays, sea stars and sea cucumbers at the Living Reef lagoon,” Mr Southall said.

“The Living Reef is a great example of how education and entertainment can be combined to provide a unique tourism experience for everybody, from island guests to day trippers and school groups.”

Daydream Island CEO Phil Casey said the island was delighted to host Mr Southall’s visit.

“We are thrilled Ben has included Daydream Island on his itinerary and have enjoyed helping promote Queensland as an international tourism destination,” Mr Casey said. “His visit was also a fantastic opportunity to showcase our man-made Living Reef lagoon.

“The lagoon provides a rare and exciting opportunity to experience the marine world with the perfect combination of entertainment and education, which is why we have launched new educational packages which cater to all school groups.”

Mr Casey said Daydream had introduced all inclusive three and four-day packages which include up to five educational modules delivered by the resort’s expert marine biologist team and a full day trip onboard ‘Seaflight’ to the Cruise Whitsundays pontoon at Knuckle Reef.

The modules tackle subjects such as inter-animal relationships, camouflage, animal behaviours, coral reef ecosystems, food webs, animal welfare, water quality, animal biology, human impacts on the reef and global warming.

Students will also enjoy a range of activities such as rainforest walks, pool sports and outdoor movies during free time.

“Students will learn a vast amount about marine life, from why reef fish are so colourful to how to set up and care for their very own marine aquarium at home or in the classroom,” Mr Casey said. “The emphasis is on safety and education while at the same time allowing for plenty of fun.”

Four day packages start from $479* per person, quad share (4-14yrs); or $554* per person, quad share (15yrs+). Three-day packages start from $379* per person, quad share (4-14yrs) and $454* per person, quad share. The packages also include all meals and return catamaran transfers from Abel Point Marina, Airlie Beach.

A newly installed grand stand gives up to 30 people prime viewing of the main lagoon and shark and fish feeding sessions and is especially suitable for school groups.

The Living Reef won the Tourist Attraction category in the 2010 Whitsunday Tourism Awards.

Daydream Island Living Reef facts:

·         Is home to over 100 species of fish and 50 coral specimens, including Sharks, stingrays and sea-stars;

·         totals a massive 2650 sq m in size and contains over 1.5 million litres of water through its numerous lagoons and displays.

·         has an average width of around 12m and a depth of more than a metre in some areas

·         has sea water pumping into  the lagoon system at a rate of 80 litres per second

·         has 7 million litres of sea water pumped through it every 24 hours

·         contains about eight tonnes of living coral rock.

·         Living Reef regularly contributes to on-going research and conservation of the Great Barrier Reef and marine environments.

For information and bookings about school packages, contact Tara Baker on 07 3259 2326 or email Tara_Baker@daydream.net.au

*Conditions apply, subject to availability. Prices valid from now until 22 December 2011 & 7 January 2012 – 31 March 2012. A minimum 3 night stay applies. Child Policy: Children are 4 - 14 years . One adult is required for every 10 children travelling. Adult Policy: Adult rate applies for guests 15 years and over. An indemnity form must be signed by the legal guardian/parent for all persons under 18 years of age. These are to be presented to Living Reef Staff on arrival to Daydream. Block out periods apply. Travel recommended for Feb-Jun or Nov each year.

ENDS for media enquiries contact Brenton Gibbs Tel 0419 828 440 brenton@crookpublicity.com

Daydream Secures Fishing License in Bid to Serve Freshest Fish in The Whitsundays

Daydream Island’s guests are able to dine on the freshest coral trout, top quality tuna and Spanish mackerel in the Whitsundays after the resort last year became the first in the region to gain access to a commercial fishing license.

The idea was the brainchild of Daydream Island’s skipper and commercial fisherman, Ashley Matthews.

“There is nothing better than the taste of really fresh fish,” said Daydream Island’s Food & Beverage Manager Jason Winter, who heads the resort’s four dining venues including its signature restaurant, Mermaids.

“When our guests visit Daydream Island they are surrounded by the magnificent waters of the Whitsundays and expect to sample some of the great fish of the area.

“We decided it was a fresher and more unique option to go out and catch our own as much as possible.

The only resort in the Whitsundays that contracts professional fishermen to catch fresh fish for the island’s restaurants, Daydream Island adheres to the strict regulations governing fishing in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park area and does not catch any protected or endangered fish species.

“There are a lot of steps needed to be taken when seeking access to a commercial fishing license but we were willing to go through this in an effort to offer the freshest fish possible to our guests,” Mr Winter said.

“We are mainly after the fleshy white meats of fish like coral trout and Spanish mackerel, all fish that are abundant in the area.

“Fresh fish really does taste amazing; the flesh is plump to touch and the skin is nice and punchy. It literally falls apart and melts in the mouth.”

One of Mr Winter’s personal favourites is coral trout served on a bed of traditional Thai salad with Nam Jim dressing, including a dash of garlic, ginger, chilli, coriander root and lemon juice.

“Our food comes with a story attached to it; when our guests visit the Whitsundays they want to experience the area and its produce,” Mr Winter said.

“What better way to do it than to offer them the freshest fish caught in the waters off the island?”

Daydream Island utilises fresh fish obtained from Ashley Matthews’ commercial fishing trips whenever possible and augments its seafood supplies from local suppliers.

Media enquiries:  Brenton Gibbs on +61 419 828 440 or brenton@crookpublicity.com.