Australia Offers Best Job in the World

[THUNDERDUCK]

SYDNEY (AFP) – 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 .

www.Islandreefjob.com

[SomethingWild]

Sounds good to me 

I wanted to give it a shot, but the website doesn't work for me at the moment.

[Sev]

I read about this in the paper today. Sounded pretty fucking epic to me.

[arun.yothin]

I have to swim and there are no naked, big-breasted island women serving me drinks? "Best job in the world" my ass. 

[Guchi_Jnr]

Can Aussies apply??

[Asmodai]

Website doesn't work, otherwise it looks pretty good. The timing even coincides with my current contract ending.

[Sev]

It's probably overloaded. I read the terms earlier today and basically what they want is for you to advertise their island with video blogs and stuff. You apply between 9th and 26th of February (i believe. dont have the pdf here) by sending a video thingie of you. What they're looking for is someone with travel experience, good social skills, likes to dive and swim and has an adventurous mindset. Anyway, it sounded good enough for the money.

I just assume there's an enormous demand and interest in it since the website has been overloaded more or less all day.

[Saikami]

I know it's major slim chances, but there's no pain in applying.

[StreakInTheSky]

I freakin suck at swimming.