Tuesday, January 13, 2009

This has me written all over it!

Australia offers 'best job in world' on paradise island


An Australian state is offering internationally what it calls "the best job in the world" -- earning a top salary for lazing around a beautiful tropical island for six months.

The job pays 150,000 Australian dollars (105,000 US dollars) and includes free airfares from the winner's home country to Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland's state government announced on Tuesday.

In return, the "island caretaker" will be expected to stroll the white sands, snorkel the reef, take care of "a few minor tasks" -- and report to a global audience via weekly blogs, photo diaries and video updates.

The successful applicant, who will stay rent-free in a three-bedroom beach home complete with plunge pool and golf buggy, must be a good swimmer, excellent communicator and be able to speak and write English.

"They'll also have to talk to media from time to time about what they're doing so they can't be too shy and they'll have to love the sea, the sun, the outdoors," said acting state Premier Paul Lucas.

"The fact that they will be paid to explore the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, swim, snorkel and generally live the Queensland lifestyle makes this undoubtedly the best job in the world."

Lucas said the campaign was part of a drive to protect the state's 18 billion Australian dollar a year tourism industry during the tough economic climate caused by the global financial meltdown.

"Traditional tourism advertising just doesn't cut it sometimes and we are thinking outside the box by launching this campaign."

Queensland Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said some people might question whether it was risky to let an unknown person become an unofficial tourism spokesperson for the state.

"I think the biggest risk will be that the successful candidate won't want to go home at the end of the six months," she said.

"This is a legitimate job which is open to anyone and everyone."

Applications are open until February 22. Eleven shortlisted candidates will be flown to Hamilton Island in early May for the final selection process and the six month contract will commence on July 1.

Job-seekers can apply on Islandreefjob.com

4 Comments:

Blogger Renee said...

So, did you apply?!

January 13, 2009 3:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dude, you should really apply for this job. I'm just saying.

January 14, 2009 12:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

No this is my job and you know it! I have the past experience section in the bag, don't you think?

January 15, 2009 11:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

THe ONLY thing I cannot do on this list is SWIM.

Not to be negative or anything but, you'd be pretty lonely on that island. It's like living in Cayman, minus the people. And what would one do for groceries?

I guess that's why the pay is what it is...

January 17, 2009 10:37 PM  

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