Fun Times For All The Family

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday December 20, 2008

LISA WACHSMUTH

After a child-friendly holiday in the Whitsundays, LISA WACHSMUTH has become a Daydream believer.

We were headed to the tropical island resort of Daydream Island, yet I was worried it was going to be a bit of a nightmare.

It was the first holiday my husband and I had taken since the arrival of our beautiful baby boy who, having achieved toddler status, was prone to throwing tantrums, food and anything else he could get his hands on.

So it was with trepidation that we set off for the Whitsundays. However, our first hurdle - the flight - set the tone for the entire seven-day trip when he was lulled to sleep by a little turbulence during take-off.

And from the time we arrived at Daydream, one of 74 picture-perfect islands within the Whitsunday Islands on the North Eastern coast of Queensland, the three of us switched to holiday mode.

It's easy to do at Daydream Island Resort and Spa, which is just 1km in length and about 400m at its widest point yet contains everything you need for a relaxing break.

There's great accommodation, an array of shimmering pools and selection of warm and cool spas, a choice of bars, cafes and restaurants, and even a world-class rejuvenation spa.

Plus there's plenty to do. There's a comprehensive schedule of free activities, starting with shark and stingray feeding after overindulging at the breakfast buffet, moving on to a spot of coconut bowls, beach volleyball or water polo before lunch, and including options like a basketball shoot out, bocce or kids' circus school in the afternoon.

There's also the largest outdoor living coral reef aquarium in the Southern Hemisphere, an amazing mini golf course (at a small fee), a kids' playground, and a 13.4m open-air cinema which screens the latest movies three nights a week.

It's old-fashioned fun at its best, and is a great way to meet fellow guests, who consisted mainly of couples with young kids, babymooners, honeymooners, wedding parties (there's a chapel on the island) and retirees.

Those after a little adventure can engage in any number of watersports from parasailing, jetskiing and waterskiing to banana boat rides. You can also hire a tinny and try your luck fishing or visit secluded beaches nearby or snorkel or scuba dive and explore the reef off Daydream.

Most guests also take advantage of the many day trips available. We opted for the ocean rafting adventure to Whitehaven Beach, an hour or so away.

Hosted by Ben, formerly a Jervis Bay boy, we enjoyed a thrilling ride to Whitsunday Island - we even spotted some dolphins frolicking on the way. Whitehaven is truly the most awesome beach we've ever seen, with crystal clear aqua waters and pristine white silica sand.

It was stinger season so we had to don the oh-so-attractive stinger suits to take a dip but it was worth it. Snorkelling on the way back off Hook Island was also magical - one of our group even spied a giant turtle.

Another day, another day trip, and we were headed to Blue Pearl Bay, Hamilton Island, on the multi-Sydney to Hobart winning yacht, Maxi Ragamuffin. Beautiful coral and tropical fish abounded in this bay, which was where my husband and I both experienced our first scuba dive.

It was amazing, although I admittedly did not let go of our instructor Crystal's hand for the entire dive, as I'm not a strong swimmer and a little claustrophobic to boot.

You may wonder what said toddler was doing while we went on these ocean jaunts. Well, thankfully, Daydream has a great kid's club and babysitting service and the staff really are fantastic. Munchkin spent those days in airconditioned comfort enjoying the many toys and activities on offer. You can book your little ones in for an hour at a time, for a half day or full day.

The babysitting service is great for those who want to enjoy an intimate dinner (without the food throwing) or take part in some of the evening activities. The resort is totally child-friendly so you can take the little ones anywhere, but only if you want to.

On the night we had our toddler babysat, we enjoyed an a la carte meal at the resort's Mermaids restaurant overlooking the beach. Then we joined in the casino night where you play for chips and then bid for prizes at an auction (we successfully bid for the main prize of the trip on Maxi Ragamuffin).

So far from the hassles I had envisaged in taking a baby away, thanks to the resort's many facilities, activities and staff, we were able to really enjoy our island getaway. And the best surprise was how much our toddler enjoyed it too.

Too little to do day trips, watersports or sip cocktails by the pool, he instead enjoyed the simple things in island life - spotting the sharks, stingrays and "Nemo" in the outdoor aquarium, watching the resident birds pick up the crumbs around his highchair, coming across wallabies hopping across the sand at dusk, splashing about in the children's pool and dancing in the early evening to the resort band The Bali Boys.

I said to a fellow guest, "My little boy has had a smile on his face since we arrived." She replied "That's probably because his mum and dad are smiling too". I think she was right.

The writer paid her own holiday expenses.

IF YOU GO

Daydream Island is located within the Whitsunday Islands on the North Eastern coast of Queensland.

The Whitsundays are serviced by two domestic airports, Great Barrier Reef Airport on Hamilton Island and Whitsunday Coast Airport on the mainland at Proserpine.

From Hamilton Island you can enjoy a 30-minute catamaran cruise to Daydream, or from Proserpine catch a coach to Shute Harbour, Airlie Beach, and from there it's a 15-minute cruise to Daydream.

There's a range of accommodation options at Daydream. Plus there's a special Getaway package for couples until March 31, 2009. The package is $125 per person, per night, twin share (minimum three-night stay) and includes three nights accommodation in a garden balcony room, buffet breakfast daily and a $20 Rejuvenation Spa voucher per room. Please quote code 'Illawarra' when booking.

Details: phone 1800 075 040 or www.daydreamisland.com.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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