Australia offers 'best job in world' on paradise island

[SirMoby]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090113...20090113032028

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 .

[Ms Naughty]

This has to be one of the cleverest marketing campaigns I've seen.

[pc]

I was about to ask if there is internet access but then I read it that the winner will update global audience via blogs and diaries.Yes indeed it's the best job in the world.

[bluebrit]

Sounds like the ideal get away job for a six month sabbatical.

[HowlingWulf]

I still can't get the webpage to come up!

[John-ACWM]

All the things that are said to be 'the best'...it's something not attractive to them. The location is a paradise indeed

[LeRoy]

That would be a sweet job. But the sharks over there make the job kinda risky.

[tickler]

Originally Posted by grandmascrotum

This has to be one of the cleverest marketing campaigns I've seen.

4 sure! There's going to be a zillion people checking it out.