Ahh the Whitsundays… it’s the tropical paradise all of us dream about. Should you’re trying to escape the hustle and bustle of Australian metropolis life for a day, you then may take into account a Daydream Island day journey.
Daydream Island has been aptly named as a result of it’s merely dreamlike. Turquoise waters, white sand seashores, world-class resorts, and good vibes solely. That’s what meets you at this beautiful vacation spot in Tropical North Queensland.
Daydream Island Resort was simply one of many many locations we visited in Queensland, however we solely had 24 hours to discover the island.
Irrespective of, as a result of the island is so small, you may stroll the entire thing in quarter-hour, which makes it the right vacation spot for a day journey. And regardless of its small measurement, there are many enjoyable issues to do on Daydream Island, too.
However how do you go about visiting Daydream Island on a day journey? And what’s there to see and do? And what if you wish to keep longer? We’ll be answering all of those questions on this information.
The place is Daydream Island?
Daydream Island is only one of 74 islands in The Whitsundays Islands, which connect with the beautiful Nice Barrier Reef. Daydream Island is one among seven islands of the Molle Island Group.
It’s situated in Tropical North Queensland, only a 30-minute ferry journey from the Port of Airlie Seaside on the mainland of Australia.
Is a day journey to Daydream Island sufficient?
Should you’re pondering you desire to extra time than simply play for the day on Daydream Island, then it’s attainable to remain on the island at one of many seaside resorts.
The island could be very small and may simply be seen in a day, nevertheless, it provides a peaceable, stress-free vibe and an attractive setting, so many individuals do determine to remain longer.
If you wish to come for the day, it’s a good suggestion to base your self in Airlie Seaside so you may soar on the ferry for a day journey and be on the island inside half-hour. This offers you extra time to see the island and make use of the resort’s services (which you pay for per day).
Should you do determine to remain on Daydream Island, you get the benefit of having the ability to get up to an attractive dawn like we did from our balcony.
How To Get To Daydream Island
There are a couple of methods you will get to Daydream Island, however the best is to get the ferry from Airlie Seaside, Queensland. From right here it’s a 30-minute ferry journey from Airlie Maritime Terminal over to Daydream Island.
There are 8 sailings per day, and you may view ticket costs and departure instances from the Cruise Whitsundays web site.
Should you’re coming from Brisbane, you would wish to fly to one of many two islands within the Whitsundays; Whitsunday Coast Airport, Proserpine, and Nice Barrier Reef Airport, Hamilton Island.
From Hamilton Island Marina, it’s a 30-minute ferry to Daydream Island with Cruise Whitsundays. There are two airways that provide direct flights from Brisbane; Jetstar and Virgin Australia.
Issues to Do on Daydream Island
So what are you able to do on a Daydream Island day journey? Right here’s what we received as much as.
1. Catch a Sundown at Lovers Cove, Daydream Island
Each good island wants an attractive sundown and Lovers Cove is an efficient place to be on Daydream Island.
Immediately I acknowledged this spot from my good friend’s marriage ceremony photographs because the place they received hitched. What an excellent setting to say “I do”.
Lovers Cove is a beautiful little seaside space for the youngsters to play on while you sit again and take within the final hour of the day, the solar sinking slowly over the rocks and horizon, and a chilly drink in hand is obligatory.
2. Take A Seaside Stroll and Wildlife Recognizing
What I discovered superb is you may go to a resort island in Queensland and get up to the view of kangaroos on the seaside and outdoors your room. Apparently, they had been Wallaroos, however who’s judging!
I do know Whitsunday Island life is all about stress-free and perhaps sleeping in just a little, however hey, we had been there for twenty-four hours solely and in case you have younger youngsters like us sleep-ins are a factor of the previous.
So for those who’re the morning sort, get to the island as early as attainable and meet the pleasant and photogenic wallaroos down by Mermaids Seaside.
Afterward, take a brief stroll alongside the water’s edge (simply don’t count on powdery white tender sand like close by Whitehaven Seaside) and declare your solar lounge for the day.
How’s that for a begin to your day with your personal personal seaside? One thing to daydream about for certain!
3. Go to Dwelling Reef: Meet Bruce, Pikelet and Pancake
Should you’re visiting Daydream Island with youngsters, and even for those who’re not, one of many thrilling sights by Daydream Island Resort is the interactive Dwelling Reef instructional expertise.
Dwelling Reef is among the world’s largest man-made residing reef’ coral lagoons and Kalyra and Savannah cherished the chance to stand up shut and private with some pals from the ocean world.
It was like a miniature Nice Barrier Reef and was stuffed with vibrant corals and sea creatures, reminiscent of sea cucumbers, rays and starfish.
We met Bruce the sicklefin lemon shark, held a starfish, and received to feed the resident stingrays – Pikelet and Pancake.
However the spotlight second was watching Caz feed the barramundi. Have you ever ever hand-fed barra earlier than?
Be prepared, they’re like lightning taking the meals out of your fingers.
It was so nice seeing our child’s faces gentle up with this hands-on expertise and to have the ability to study marine life in a secure setting.
Daydream Island Resort places on free instructional stay fish feeding present twice a day, or you may take part within the Stingray Splash expertise – you stroll knee-deep into the Dwelling Reef and hand-feed the stingrays for 45 minutes.
Time to channel your interior marine biologist.
Reef Exploration Heart and Underwater Obseratory
Subsequent to the Dwelling Reef is the Reef Exploration Heart, which is type of just like the museum to the expertise. Right here you may be taught extra in regards to the reef and see interactive displays.
Additionally on the Dwelling Reef is The Underwater Observatory, which takes you downstairs to view underneath the tank.
That is the most effective place to see the marine life swimming fortunately of their tanks. There’s additionally free yoga periods right here daily.
4. Go Kayaking at Mermaids Seaside
Our children are like most children, they love the water, as we do. Any probability we get to get on the market we’re up for it. It was time for some bodily exercise and the primary cease was taking the kayaks for a spin.
Little Savannah sat with me as we went paddling simply offshore and she or he received to get pleasure from some pretty views out over The Whitsundays Islands and I received some much-needed train.
Apologies for the pixelated cell phone pics combined in right here, however you get the image.
Caz and Kalyra joined us in one other kayak for a household paddle and it was a beautiful technique to begin the morning actions.
You may hire kayaks from Daydream Island Resort.
5. Go Stand Up Paddle Boarding Daydream Island
I like stand-up paddleboarding, and that’s all due to Daydream Island. It was the primary time for Caz and now we’re each be in search of different alternatives to go for a paddle.
What a pleasing technique to get some train, it actually works your core muscle groups round your tummy space and helps along with your stability, moreover being a ton of enjoyable.
Caz went okay, nevertheless, probably the most thrilling half was seeing Kalyra take this on, and take it on she did.
While I needed to rescue her a few instances from paddling out to sea or crashing into one of many crusing boats, she did superior for a six-year-old and we couldn’t get her off it.
Subsequent time I’d throw Savannah on the entrance of my board, I’m certain she’d benefit from the journey.
6. Go Snorkeling at Daydream Island Resort
Subsequent up is snorkeling. Caz and Kalyra joined a guided snorkeling tour that took within the waters and coral starting at Mermaids Seaside and ending across the nook at Lovers Cove.
Savannah and I made a decision to comply with by kayak and play assist crew. In hindsight, it was just a little too far for Kalyra and we didn’t make the return journey, as a substitute we stayed at Lovers Cove for some simple snorkeling there.
Should you’re not up for the longer snorkel tour, simply seize some fins and a masks and head to Lovers Cove. It’s fringed by outcrops of stay coral and vibrant fish life, who will fortunately eat out of your hand.
7. Stroll the Daydream Island Resort Boardwalk
After a morning of water actions, you may wish to relaxation your legs on dry land for a bit. We determined to stroll the boardwalk which hugs the sting of Daydream Island Resort and leads you to the opposite finish of the island.
We grabbed a chunk to eat on the Boat Home Bakery and loved a unique water view.
At this finish of the boardwalk, there’s additionally the 44ft Out of doors Cinema display, we didn’t see any films on our brief keep however with the open water as a backdrop, I can think about a film screening here’s a must-do.
8. Take the Children to the Playground or Children Membership
After lunch, the youngsters sprang to life once more and made some pals on the close by Jungle Jumble Children Playground.
In the meantime, daddy kicked bacok on the grass and loved just a little day out, while mummy loved one among her favorite actions of all time, swinging within the breeze in a hammock.
Subsequent time we go to Daydream Island Resort, we”re reserving the youngsters into The Skippers Children Membership program so we are able to sneak off for a couple of chilly ones on the Tavern, or the poolside bar, or perhaps a little bit of pampering on the rejuvenation spa, really we’ll do each!
9. Get pleasure from Beer O’Clock
Time flies once you’re having enjoyable they are saying and simply earlier than you head house, it’s time to get pleasure from a refreshing beer.
Our ferry was resulting from depart late afternoon however we couldn’t depart with out some pool time and one final beer in honour of island life.
Yow will discover respectable cocktails and funky beer from Inkstone Kitchen & Bar or from the Marina Tavern. That is additionally an excellent place to select up some snacks or afternoon tea.
Staying at Daydream Island Resort
Should you’re pondering a Daydream Island day journey isn’t sufficient and also you wish to keep longer, then it is best to decide to remain on the island’s world-class resort, Daydream Island Resort.
After the devastation of Cyclone Debbie in 2018, there was in depth redevelopment of Daydream Island Resort and it’s tremendous swanky (not that it wasn’t earlier than).
Daydream Island Resort is the one resort on the island, and provides 277 refurbished trendy rooms and suites with state-of-the-art facilities. Every room has its personal en suite and the selection of interconnecting rooms for households and particular entry rooms.
There’s an expanded meals and beverage providing throughout the island with three eating places and three bars together with an thrilling new Asian Fusion restaurant that joins the buffet and trendy Australian eating places.
Should you’re travelling with youngsters, they are going to love watching films on the resort’s open-air cinema, or taking a dip into one of many a number of out of doors swimming pools.
One pool comes with a swim-up pool bar, however we went with the one with the open-air spa overlooking Mermaids Seaside.
The resort additionally provides Tennis courts, mini golf, seaside volleyball, and crusing, and a gymnasium.
The resort connects to Daydream’s rainforest stroll and in addition provides excursions and watersports leases, together with kayak rental, paddle board rental, ocean rafting experiences, and extra.
Remaining Ideas on A Day Journey to Daydream Island
Daydream Island was fairly merely, a dream. It has stunning surroundings and lovely waters. Should you’re solely visiting for a day, one can find there are many issues to maintain you busy.
However for those who do have the possibility to remain for the evening, there’s something particular about waking as much as the dawn over a low tide, and sipping your morning espresso from your personal personal balcony whilst you lookout on the views.
And keep in mind, you’re in The Whitsundays. You may merely island hop between the islands for the day.
Close by Airlie Seaside is a enjoyable city in its personal proper with loads of cafes, bars, and the superior lagoon your youngsters will love, and did I point out well-known Whitehaven Seaside is at your fingertips?
Sure, you may see Daydream Island on a day journey, however it is best to keep within the space for some time.
Extra Tropical North Queensland Inspiration
Are you planning to go to different components of the Tropical North? You then may discover these assets useful…
So what do you suppose? Is Daydream Island a spot you may see your self having fun with? Are you continue to up for a Daydream Island day journey? Tell us within the feedback.
Supply: Breaking Travel News