Daydream Island, The Whitsundays, Queensland Australia.

Daydream Island Overview

Daydream Island is a small intimate Whitsunday Island resort located just a few kilometres off the Australian mainland coast from Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour.

Local folklore has it that the island was named in the early 1930's after the yacht 'Daydream'.

The yacht was being skippered by Paddy Lee Murray who was taking his wife and faithful pet dog on a world cruise starting from Sydney. However, when they found what was then West Molle island they saw no reason to sail any further.

They negotiated to buy the island and established one of the first tourist resorts in The Whitsunday Islands.

Swim Up Bar

Daydream Island is a small, intimate island which takes less than 15 minutes to stroll its length.

The low rise resort buildings, pools, restaurants and sporting facilities blend seamlessly with the natural beauty of the island's waterfalls, secluded beaches, lagoons, rainforest and flowering gardens.

There are several idyllic pools including the essential and much imitated 'Swim Up' Bar in which you can sip your chilled champagne or beer.

Daydream Island resort facilities include three restaurants, three bars, a delicatessen and bakery, tennis courts, the famous 'Rejuvenation Spa', sauna, gymnasium, shopping centre and even an open air cinema.

There is live entertainment each evening, a kids club and a babysitting service.

Watersports

Daydream Island has an idyllic location with fabulous views of the Whitsunday Passage.

From some accommodation windows you can watch sailing boats glide by, which seem almost close enough to touch.

Complimentary water sports includes the use of paddle skis, windsurfers and catamarans and for a charge you can also hire jet skis, dingys, try para sailing, wake boarding, scuba diving, snorkeling and water skiing.

Explore The Reef and Whitsundays

Daydream island is ideal for exploring the Great Barrier Reef, other Whitsunday Islands and the nearby Queensland mainland.

Excursions operate from the islands own marina and the Fantasea operated high speed catamarans will whisk you to the 'Reefworld' moored in the outer reef.

There are several ways to see the Great Barrier Reef which include scuba diving, snorkeling, mini submarine, on board viewing galleries and even by helicopter.

Helicopter tours operate frequently and probably give the best view of the majestic Great Barrier Reef.

Where To Stay

Daydream Island has 289 completely furnished, spacious rooms.

You can choose from tranquil garden balcony rooms or spacious ocean balcony rooms with spectacular views across the Whitsundays.

See Daydream Island accommodation for online bookings.

Also see Hamilton Island, Brampton Island and Hayman Island .

Location

Daydream Island, located off the east coast of Queensland in the Whitsunday Island group, has a tropical latitude of 20.3°S and a longitude of 149.0° E.

Traveling To Daydream Island

Daydream Island can be accessed by ferry from Shute Harbour (near Airlie Beach), taking around 15 minutes, or from a connecting ferry from Hamilton Island, which takes just over half an hour.

If you are flying there is the choice of flying into Hamilton Island or Prosperpine, on the mainland. Regular connections run to Daydream Island in both cases.

Queensland School & Public Holidays

2008 Public Holidays

New Years Day Tue 1st Jan.

Australia Day Mon 28th Jan.

Good Friday 21st March.

Easter Monday 24th March.

Anzac Day Fri 25th April.

Labour Day Mon 5th May.

Queens Birthday Holiday Mon 9th June.

Christmas Day Thu 25th Dec.

Boxing Day Holiday Fri 26th Dec.

2008 School Holidays

(End and start school on preceding and next week day (Mon - Fri) respectively)

School Starts Tue 29th January

Easter Holiday 7th April To 11th April.

Winter Holiday 30th June To 11th July.

Spring Holiday 22nd Sept To 3rd Oct.

Summer Holiday 15th Dec To Jan 21st.

Daylight Saving

Daylight Saving does not operate in Queensland

Note: Dates for guidance only. Always check with your individual School as variations may occur for individual education authorities or establishments and dates may be subject to change. Always check with relevant State or Territory education department to confirm holiday periods at the commencement of each school year. Not all Public Holidays for individual regions within each state and territory are shown and public holidays falling on weekends are not listed. Not all Public Holidays may be applicable to all employers, organisations etc so always check with your employer, education authority etc which public holidays are applicable.

Whitsunday Island Climate

These figures are for guidance only: