Parents panic buy as staff shortages turn island paradise into “nightmare”

Travellers have dubbed Daydream Island a ‘nightmare’, with parents spotted raiding a souvenir shop for food for their children, while other guests were left with no other option but a fixed $37.50 meal after restaurants closed amid Covid chaos.

Travellers have dubbed Daydream Island a “nightmare” and parents have been spotted panic buying food from the souvenir shop as Covid-19 wreaks havoc in the Whitsundays.

A reduced workforce has diminished the experiences of guests to Australia’s top island destinations as staff are forced into isolation with the virus or as close contacts.

Daydream Island, Hamilton Island and Hayman Island have all been impacted as well as tour providers based off the islands and Airlie Beach.

Travellers vastly outnumber available staff on Daydream Island following Covid disruption. Picture: Rae Wilson

Half a dozen negative reviews have been left on Daydream Island Resort’s social media pages in the past 24 hours as the holiday hotspot is devastated by the Omicron outbreak sweeping Queensland.

A visitor on the island told The Courier-Mail two of the three restaurants had closed and guests were nervous about finding enough food.

“Due to this, parents were panic buying at the souvenir store, buying up chips, ice cream and chocolate just to feed their hungry kids,” she said.

“The staff that are available are doing their best but they are outnumbered 20 to one.”

A Daydream guest moulded towels into “SOS” for a post to social media, captioning the photo “I hope we get food tonight.”

Another guest moulded towels into “SOS” for a post to social media, captioning the photo “I hope we get food tonight.”

“Daydream Island has turned to nightmare island so glad we are heading home tomorrow,” he added.

A notice for guests on Daydream Island. Picture: Supplied

A sign at the resort on Thursday night confirmed Inkstone and Infinity restaurants were closed. Guests were left with the option of paying $37.50 per adult for a plate of food from a grazing buffet.

The line-up for the buffet on Daydream Island on Thursday night after other restaurants were closed because of Covid. Picture: Supplied

A plate of food grabbed by one of the guests staying on Daydream Island on Thursday night. Picture: Supplied

Britt King, who is staying at nearby Hamilton Island, said her experience wasn’t as bleak, with no shortage of food.

The island on Wednesday confirmed it had decided to cancel guest arrivals for all its HIE managed holiday homes over the coming two weeks, as large numbers of staff were in isolation.

Despite a reduction in some services and venues, Ms King said those looking for things to do on the island could find plenty.

The Melbourne traveller said the island was quieter than when she visited in January last year, and she was spending her time hiking, snorkelling, kayaking, on a sunset sail and even swimming with a turtle on Thursday.

“Our experience has been that there’s heaps of food and you might not get exactly what you want but it seems food is coming in at least every other day,” Ms King said.

The marina at Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays.

“It’s a difficult time and people might be concerned about a different experience but if you were looking at the view I am, it’s hard to be stressed.”

Some tours across the Whitsundays have been interrupted with both Hamilton and Daydream Island not currently welcoming day visitors.

Cruise Whitsundays were forced to cancel their Whitehaven Beach tour on Thursday afternoon due to staff shortages, however, its resort connections are still operating.

Hayman Island appears to have kept their workforce woes from growing after confirming that arrivals on January 4 and January 8 had to be cancelled.

A spokeswoman from the island on Thursday said only the two dates had so far been impacted, with all services on the island still available.

Daydream has been reached for comment.

Originally published as Parents panic buy as staff shortages turn island paradise into “nightmare”