Position: The Caretaker of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Location: Hamilton Island
Employer: Tourism Queensland
Compensation: A salary package of AUD $150,000 for a six-month contract (that’s $96,950.34 in U.S. dollars)
Responsibilities: Through weekly blog posts, a photo journal, and a video gallery, tell the world what’s taking place on the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef. The schedule could include sampling a new luxury spa treatment at qualia on Hamilton Island, trying out new snorkeling gear on Heron Island, or bushwalking on Hinchinbrook Island. Not to mention mandatory daily walks on the stunning, white sand beaches.
Lizard Island in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Photo courtesy of Tourism Queensland.
The position, which is being touted as “The Best Job In The World,” has been advertised in newspapers around the globe and on the following video, which Queensland Tourism posted to YouTube:
Within hours of the appearance of the video, the agency’s website crashed when thousands of curious web surfers clicked through to see if the job was for real. And believe it or not, it is. I’m intrigued, and I’m not the only one. Nearly 2000 potential candidates have already filed their video applications, all of which can be viewed on the Tourism Queensland website.
The application process is open through February 22nd. I am tempted to apply. Let’s face it – I have most of the qualifications. I can write. I have excellent web design and blogging capabilities. I’m a great photographer. I can do video. I am an experienced traveler. I am single and fancy free. I love the beach, know my tropical fishes, dive, snorkel, love to hike…… So why am I not applying? Well, I figure they’re looking for some cute young thing with a body beautiful. I’m afraid this is just one job opportunity I’ll have to pass up.
