'Best Job in the World' Position Filled
You missed your chance—British man scores caretaker job at gorgeous Australian island
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Like your job? You won’t after you hear this.
England’s Ben Southall won a competition for “The Best Job in the World” as an island caretaker for Australia’s Hamilton Island. Not only does he get paid to live in an airy oceanfront villa in the Great Barrier Reef, his only real work is to write a blog about how he spends his days relaxing, swimming, and hiking around the island.
The job stems from a tourism campaign promoting northeastern Queensland, an area forgotten amongst tourist hotspots like Sydney and Melbourne. In order to get the job, Southall went through a not-so-vigorous interview process of snorkeling, eating barbecue, and hanging out at a spa. Listed on the Queensland Web site, his job responsibilities include feeding the fish and cleaning the pool: “The pool has an automatic filter, but if you happen to see a stray leaf floating on the surface it’s a great excuse to dive in and enjoy a few laps.”
We envy the guy but can’t say he doesn’t deserve it—he’s been a tour guide in Africa, works as a charity fundraiser, and manages a music festival “in his spare time.” Plus, the guy’s kissed a giraffe and ridden a freaking ostrich.
If you ever need to fill out those extra rooms, Ben, I know a few people willing to share some pretty sweet camping gear for island adventures…
—Morgan Keys
British Man Wins Australian Island Dream Job (AP)
Image credit: Bex Wade