Daydream Island Resort & Spa is on the market, with a targeted marketing campaign underway to secure a buyer for the popular Whitsundays getaway.

Vaughan Bullivant, who has owned the Queensland resort since 2000, said the time was right to look at the next phase of ownership for the property.

“Daydream has always been extremely important to me and I have put many years of my life into making it the beautiful tropical island resort that it is today, as have many staff and my Daydream Island management team,” Bullivant said.

“But I am 65 now and looking to at some stage put my feet up and enjoy doing other things in life including more travel and spending time with my family, which has long been my goal.

“I intend to make sure that Daydream remains an industry leader and am looking for a suitable operator to take Daydream Island forward.

“My preferred purchaser would be one that would continue with the current management structure whilst being prepared to inject some further investment into the property to ensure it remains at the forefront of tourism in Queensland.”

CBRE Hotels Brisbane’s senior director Wayne Bunz has been engaged to sell the resort and expressions of interest have been called for by noon Australia-time of March 14th 2013.

Four and a half star Daydream Island Resort & Spa has 296 rooms and suites, each offering views of tropical waters or rainforest.

It is also home to the world’s largest man-made coral reef lagoon known as The Living Reef and the Rejuvenation Spa, a world-class facility with 16 treatment rooms that offers health and beauty treatments.

Daydream Island Resort & Spa chief executive officer Phil Casey said Daydream had never looked better and has just experienced its strongest financial result in years following excellent growth and strong occupancy.

“Daydream Island has just completed a very positive 12 months of trading which is extremely pleasing considering the tourism industry has had a very difficult time in recent years,” he said.

“The island’s management has worked hard to position Daydream as an Australian holiday destination of choice.

“Visitors are voting with their feet and giving fabulous feedback about our beautiful island and the great times they are having there.”