Let's face it: most little girls (and I daresay a number of little boys) dream of sprouting scaly tails and becoming mermaids and mermen. Merpeople, if you will. But somewhere along the line, when imagination has to give way to more 'practical' thoughts of phone bills and health insurance, our dreams of living in giant clam shells are washed away.

Deep down, though, those fantasies of brushing your hair with a starfish and befriending wise-cracking crustaceans never truly die, and the great state of Queensland has ample places for you to splash freely.

Of course, we ALL know these mystical creatures exist, but who's to say if they prefer salt or fresh water? A mermaid might feel just as comfortable beneath a cascade in Cairns as she would out on the reef.

In the wise words of Sebastian the crab; the human world? It's a mess. Up on the shore they work all day, out in the sun they slave away, while we devotin' full time to floatin' under the sea...

Opal Reef, Port Douglas

Swimming down to get a closer look at the BIGGEST GIANT CLAM I HAVE EVER SEEN!! by Dive•Explore•Conserve (@alyssa_adventuring) on Jul 13, 2015 at 11:01pm PDT

Noosa National Park

The beautiful @melissafindley finding bliss in a fairy pool Noosa National Park @visitnoosa #visitnoosa ✌️ A photo posted by Jewels (@jewelszee) on Mar 8, 2015 at 5:46pm PDT

Springbrook National Park

I never get tired of seeing shots of our very own Natural Bridge in Springbrook National Park and @jackmorrisphotog captured it perfectly. How good does that water look? #VisitGoldCoast A photo posted by Gold Coast, Australia (@visitgoldcoast) on Apr 16, 2015 at 4:27am PDT

Lady Musgrave Island

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever”—quote by Jacques Yves Cousteau. We had to share this beautiful shot by @mitchell_burns_imagery from the reef around Lady Musgrave Island, Capricornia Cays National Park @gladstoneregion #qldparks #capricorniacaysnationalpark #ladymusgraveisland #greatbarrierreef A photo posted by Queensland National Parks (@qldparks) on Jul 16, 2015 at 3:05pm PDT

Stoney Creek Falls, Cairns

This was Lauren @gypsea_lust swimming through the beautiful clear fresh water at Stoney Creek Falls up here in @tropicalnorthqueensland We are having such an amazing trip. Hopefully today I can edit a few more from the amazing locations I have seen. Shot with the @canonaustralia 1DX with @aquatech_imagingsolutions All natural light. It was like we were swimming in a studio. Loved it. @queensland @tropicalnorthqueensland @canonaustralia #thisisqueensland #exploretnq #canonaustralia A photo posted by Sean Scott Photography (@seanscottphotography) on May 7, 2015 at 5:31pm PDT

Killarney Glen, Gold Coast

A photo posted by @tramle_ on Jul 22, 2015 at 1:05am PDT

Serenity Falls, Buderim

Goodnight everyone, it's been a crazy busy day here on the Sunshine Coast where I'm gearing up for the official start of SoMeT (Social Media Conference) tomorrow. I spent the day photographing the area and even made it out to Buderim for the Serenity Falls. @VisitSunshineCoast #VisitSunshineCoast A photo posted by Lauren Bath (@laurenepbath) on Jul 21, 2015 at 5:06am PDT

Lady Elliot Island

Crush hanging out at the drop off #turtletuesday #crush #turtle #seeaustralia #thisisqueensland @ladyelliotislandecoresort A photo posted by Jeremy Somerville | Australia (@jeremysomphoto) on May 18, 2015 at 10:29pm PDT

Cedar Creek Falls, Airlie Beach

Beautiful Cedar Creek Falls in Airlie Beach. Nice place for a swim! #airliebeach @tropicalnorthqueensland #exploretnq #seeaustralia #thisisqueensland @queensland @whitsundaysqld #lovewhitsundays #waterfall A photo posted by Caz & Craig Makepeace (@ytravelblog) on Jul 17, 2015 at 11:37pm PDT

Lake McKenzie, Fraser Island

This guy!!!! I spent so much time underwater in Lake Mackenzie!! I have a couple more photos under water earlier in my feed! #FraserIsland #LakeMackenzie #CrystalClearWater #BlueWater #UnderWater #Lakes #GoPro #GoProHero3 #Adventure #Australia #Beautiful #Cool #SimplyAdventure #SeizeTheDay #TravelPics #TravelPhotos #travel #YouWishYouWereHere #ItsAllAboutTheShot #EarthPics #DiscoverAustralia #AussiePhotos #HappyMoments #Swimming A photo posted by Nathan kolakovic (@nkolakovic) on Dec 3, 2014 at 2:03am PST

Ellinjaa Falls, Cairns

So much explored, yet so much to explore ✧⚬✧⚬Elinjaa Falls, Atherton Tablelands #exploreTNQ A photo posted by Ellie ❥ (@elsas_wholesomelife) on Jul 17, 2015 at 3:00am PDT

Burleigh Heads

My favourite part of the Burleigh Headland. #visitgoldcoast @visitgoldcoast #nikon_australia @nikon_australia #exploreaustralia #exploringaustralia #sky #sunrise #sky_sultans #ig_australia #ig_down_under #ig_divineshots #IG_Mastery #mynikonlife #australia #seeaustralia #australiagram #amazing_australia #photooftheday #picoftheday #tokina A photo posted by Rob (@robrizzaphotography) on Jun 6, 2015 at 7:33pm PDT

Stradbroke Island

Prettiest place ive seen in Oz so far #travels #tourists #stradbrokeisland A photo posted by Melissa (@melissadunn90) on Jul 5, 2015 at 2:50am PDT

Mossman Gorge

↬Stay Wild↫ How Sunday's Should Be.. @khyorchard #ExploreTNQ #ThisIsQueensland #SeeAustralia @queensland @canonaustralia are running a competition to win a trip, Link in my Bio ✨ A photo posted by Lauren Bullen (@gypsea_lust) on May 24, 2015 at 1:55pm PDT

The Great Barrier Reef

Exploring the Great Barrier Reef with @seanscottphotography for @canonaustralia #thisisqueensland #exploretnq #canonaustralia A photo posted by #thisisqueensland (@queensland) on May 6, 2015 at 4:52pm PDT

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