Wallaroos and Mermaids!

The resident wallaroos at Daydream Island Resort and Spa are known to be curious creatures and that includes exploring the coral beaches around the island. The Whitsunday waters and Daydream’s mermaids make a spectacular scenic back drop.

Daydream’s famous life-sized bronze mermaids Serenity, Aphrodesia and Infinity sit atop a rocky outcrop.

There is a legend that in 1770 Captain Cook and the crew of The Endeavour heard a woman’s cry for help in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

Racing to assist, The Endeavour struck and lodged firmly on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. 

The story has it that night the Captain heard the cry for help again and in a tiny life raft he went to investigate, stumbling upon the mythical Atlantis.  A mermaid then appeared and promised to free The Endeavour if the Captain told no-one what he’d seen.

The latitude and longitude written in the ship’s log for this incident corresponds exactly with the location that is now known as Daydream Island.

Photo by James Burnell 2013

Daydream scores hat trick as family favourite in survey

Daydream Island Resort and Spa has been ranked as one of the top resorts for families in Australia for the third year in a row in a national travel survey.

The popular Whitsundays getaway was voted number four in the Top 10 Family Resorts for 2013 as part of an annual survey conducted by family travel magazine, Holidays with Kids, and voted on by readers.

The awards recognise hotels and resorts which exceed the expectations of guests in just about every area, from outstanding customer service to facilities, a high standard of accommodation and family-friendly activities.

The magazine described the resort as being “the perfect base for families wanting to explore the Whitsundays and the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef”, boasting a Skippers Kids Club, activities such as snorkelling, rainforest walks, outdoor movies, an Australian icons-themed mini golf course and the Living Reef lagoon.

Daydream Island Resort and Spa CEO Phil Casey said the resort team was thrilled to have been named a family favourite for a third consecutive year.

“This ranking reflects the hard work we put into offering an extensive range of activities and facilities to cater for guests of all ages,” Mr Casey said.

“We offer something for everyone, from activities such as snorkelling to the world class Rejuvenation Spa, the Living Reef lagoon where the kids can touch baby sharks and de-barbed stingrays and the Skippers Kids Club which offers fun games and activities.

“We’re delighted that so many happy holidaymakers have had such a positive experience at Daydream and took the time to nominate us as being one of Australia’s best.”

Daydream Island Resort and Spa is located in Queensland’s tropical Whitsundays in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, only a 30 minute boat ride from Hamilton Island and a 30 minute ferry ride from Airlie Beach.

The award-winning resort features 296 rooms and suites - so there’s plenty of space for the whole family - a great selection of restaurants and bars, lagoon swimming pools, a fringing coral reef to explore and a Rejuvenation Spa offering health and beauty treatments.

The whole family can enjoy over 20 free guest activities which include kayaks, catamarans, stand-up paddle boards, a stingray and shark feeding show and an open air cinema.

The Top 10 ranking comes hot on the heels of Daydream winning the award for Best Hotel/Resort Spa Australasia 2013 for its Rejuvenation Spa in the recent Pevonia Botanica Awards.

ENDS