Jun 27, 2019 | News
Guests flew in for the exclusive event, held in Australia’s tropical paradise.
On Saturday 15 June, Australia’s most loved island officially opened with a star studded event. Stars in attendance included: Lincoln Lewis, Phoebe Burgess, Abby Coleman, Kate Waterhouse and Luke Ricketson who all danced the night away at this exclusive launch party.
A celebration two years in the making, 150 guests were flown in to experience the $140 million refurbishment of Australia’s most loved island resort, following the devastation of Cyclone Debbie in 2017.
Guests were treated to a night of entertainment, with a headline performance by Australian pop-singer, Ricki-Lee, tunes from DJ Feline, delectable food and even better company. Also celebrating in chic resort style was celebrity make-up artist Max May and content creators Ally May Carey and William Tresidder.
Celebrating this milestone for tourism in the Whitsunday region was: Assistant Minister for State Development, Julieanne Gilbert, Whitsunday Regional Mayor, Andrew Wilcox, CEO of Tourism and Events Queensland, Leanne Coddington and CEO of Tourism Whitsundays, Natassia Wheeler.
Officially welcoming guests to the island, Aunty Sue Blacklock; a respected Tingha Elder and Nucoorilma woman of the Gamilaraay, delivered the Welcome to Country, followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony conducted by Vice-Chairman of China Capital Investment Group, Mrs Huang.
Chinese lion dancers and a violinist wowed the invite-only crowd before guests were handed a glass of champagne from a custom Bollinger champagne wall and experienced live didgeridoo players, combining luxury with local heritage.
Food stations served the freshest local produce, including Whitsunday king prawns, Hervey Bay scallops and calamari on sugar cane. Guests also savoured Asian-fusion cuisine – Har Gow, Siu Mai and Chai Gow, with BBQ Pork Buns and stuffed pumpkin flowers proving a favourite on the night.
At the barefoot after-party, guests mingled poolside with tropical cocktails while watching a spectacular fireworks show over the water, the perfect end to the night.
Across the weekend, guests joined in the unique activities Daydream Island has to offer, from visiting the resort’s signature bar and restaurants, to a yacht tour to Whitehaven Beach, yoga in the Underwater Observatory and an immersive Living Reef Snorkel experience (only available on Daydream Island).
For more information or to book, please visit daydreamisland.com or contact the reservations team at reservations@daydreamisland.com.
Jun 25, 2019 | News
Our organic ‘Enchanted Garden’ is producing so many varieties of herbs and vegetables that we’re currently harvesting almost half of our daily kitchen needs fresh daily right from our very own garden! We’re also able to expand our cooking class activities to include traditional curry making and traditional coconut milk making classes, newly introduced in 2019.
In our quest for artisanal partnerships in various aspects of guest experiences, we’re excited to introduce a new addition to our wine offerings, organic ‘Golden Wine’ from Florette, Italy.
From June onward, we’re raising our commitment to sustainability with sustainable seafoods. Our Executive Chef has visited local markets and fishing communities in search of reliable, like-minded suppliers, ensuring that fish is line caught within 10-20 Km from Phuket only. Guests may expect to see such varieties as snappers, pomfrets, and monk fish on the menu, with seasonal availability.
Also on our path toward sustainability, our Executive Retreats are more mindful than ever with ‘Zero Waste’ meetings. Guests can expect to see no plastic bottles and packaging, and food waste is managed with onsite composting for our garden, for example. We will also be introducing our ‘Food for Thought’ coffee breaks that are inventive, healthy and fun for guests to experience authentic Keemala.
Going back to the roots of our Phuket culture, Keemala has added a special ‘Samrab Phuket’ set menu featuring traditional Phuket dishes such as Moo Hong (stewed pork belly) and Gaeng-Pu Mee-Hoon (rice noodles with crab curry). A perfect meal for two. Available for lunch or dinner, reservations required.
Jun 25, 2019 | News
‘Buy 1 Get 1 Free’ Cocktails & Mocktails every day from 17:00 – 19:00 hrs at Baan Ta Lounge & Lawn from now through 30th July, 2019.
Experience a perfect indulgence with a variety of refreshing and sophisticated drinks over the view of Ping River at Baan Ta Lounge & Lawn, Raya Heritage’s stylish cocktails lounge.
Menu: http://bit.ly/2WNyVFS
Service hour: Open daily from 11.00 – 23.00 hrs.
Tel.: 053 111 670-73
Email: reservation@rayaheritage.com
Jun 25, 2019 | News
Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa is proud to receive 2 prestigious awards as “Bali’s Leading Thematic Resort” and “Bali’s Leading Resort in Nusa Dua” by Bali Tourism Awards 2019/20 that took place on Monday, 27 May 2019, at Trans Resort, Bali.
For more information on Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa, click Here!
Jun 25, 2019 | News
Tangalooma Island Resort’s 2019 whale watching season is expected to be its biggest and best yet, with a 10 per cent increase in calves anticipated to enter the waters of Moreton Bay before the end of October.
A record 36,000 humpback whales will travel all the way from Antarctica to navigate Queensland’s warmer coastline. Here some of the whales will give birth to their calves before settling in the shallow lagoons around Moreton Island for a pit stop during their return voyage to the Southern Ocean.
Eco Centre and Dolphin Care Manager Susan Hassard says Tangalooma’s location has its advantages during the five-month migration, giving Brisbane residents and visitors a unique opportunity to witness the ocean giants and their calves as they put on a spectacular acrobatic display in the Bay.
“We have the longest continual whale watching season in Queensland because of our fantastic location and it means visitors get to see these ocean giants in ways never thought possible,” Ms Hassard said.
“The waters around Moreton Island offer a warm sanctuary for pregnant whales and mother / calf pairs to rest and play on their long trip. Last year alone over 60 newborn calves were observed from our Tangalooma whale watching cruises, so we’re expecting this number to increase by five to 10 per cent in 2019!”
Not only is Tangalooma Queensland’s largest and longest running whale watching operator, the Resort has become Brisbane’s wildest and best day out for locals and visitors. It is the only place in the world where visitors can spot whales by day and hand feed wild dolphins by night.
Visitors also have the opportunity to experience over eight unique animal encounters and island-based activities in a single day.
Ms Hassard says observers are very likely to see unique interactions between native dolphins and the visiting whales on every visit.
“When we come across pods of Bottlenose and Common dolphins, we often see these marine mammals interacting together on whale watches as they are part of the same group, Cetaceans. Both have a gentle and familial side, which always comes across when they breach so close to the vessel.
“The beauty of Tangalooma is that it is the only place you can see whales surface so close to shore as well as hand feed wild dolphins at dusk on the same day.”
With over 100 years’ combined whale watching experience, the Resort’s Eco Centre is directed by a team of trained Eco Rangers who provide leading marine education and conservation talks and tours. These ongoing marine programs are Silver-Accredited certified by Earthcheck, the world’s leading environmental certification and benchmarking program for travel and tourism.
Tangalooma Island Resort’s whale watching tours will be held aboard Australia’s largest dedicated whale watching vessel, the Tangalooma Jet. Each tour on the 40-metre high speed catamaran will provide 180 guests with an incredible 360-degree view of every splash, exhale and wave from the ocean giants. And with Tangalooma once again partnering with the Kids’ Cancer Project by donating $5 for every whale sighted during the 2019 season, all eyes will be peeled for numerous sightings each day!
Eager whale spotters are now able to enjoy Brisbane’s best day out on a once-in-a-life-time day trip combining whale watching and dolphin feeding from $199 per adult and $149 per child.* Standalone whale watching day trip packages are also available from $129 per adult and $89 per child*.
In addition to these incredible marine mammals, Tangalooma also hosts an array of wild residents including pelicans, kookaburras, bandicoots, possums, sugar gliders, turtles, and hundreds of species of tropical fish. Once the animal encounters are over, Tangalooma hosts over 15 adrenaline-fuelling adventures across land and sea that guests can enjoy; including quad biking, sand tobogganing, snorkelling the Tangalooma Wrecks, kayaking and more. For those interested in extending their visit and experiencing all the resort has to offer, there are a variety of overnight stay packages available.
For more information or to book, click Here!
Jun 25, 2019 | News
With romance unrivalled, Thala Beach Nature Reserve is nature’s private chapel and provides unique ceremony locations, enchanting receptions or boutique weddings for up to 60 guests. Of course, Thala is the perfect Honeymoon getaway and there’s something for everyone at beautiful Thala.
Wedding Ceremony Package
Valid 1 April 2020 – 31 March 2021
• Marriage Celebrant fees
• All administration costs associated with organising the wedding at Thala Beach Nature Reserve
• Private venue for the wedding ceremony (location chosen by the bride and groom after arrival at Thala Beach Nature Reserve)
• Bouquet for bride and buttonhole for groom (selected from our local florist after arrival at the Resort)
• Bottle of Australian sparkling wine served following the wedding ceremony
• Professional photographer to capture the occasion, images presented on a USB
• Witnesses if required
• Thala’s own in house Wedding Planner to take care of all arrangements and assist on the wedding day.
Retail rate: A$3695
