Job in paradise up for grabs

Relaxing on a tropical island is part of a dream job being offered on the Great Barrier Reef...
Relaxing on a tropical island is part of a dream job being offered on the Great Barrier Reef islands, off the coast of Australia, for six months. Photo form Tourism Queensland.
Where would you rather spend winter this year - hunched into your woolly overcoat, shivering in a cold Dunedin southerly as your umbrella turns inside out, or living rent-free on a tropical island, being paid more than $6000 a week to swim, snorkel and walk on white sand beaches?

Queensland tourism chiefs in Australia are on a worldwide hunt for somebody who loves the sea, the sun and the outdoors to fill a newly-created position of island caretaker at Hamilton Island, on the Great Barrier Reef.

They are describing it as "the best job in the world" and insist there are no catches to this "dream job".

All they want in return from the successful applicant is a weekly blog, complete with photo diaries and video updates of his or her island-hopping adventures.

Exploring the 600 islands of the Great Barrier Reef will be a key responsibility of the position, but other odd-jobs include cleaning the pool - there is an automatic filter but the caretaker will be expected to dive in and collect the odd stray leaf - and collecting the mail - apparently the aerial postal service gives a great bird's eye view of the reef and islands.

Acting Queensland Premier Paul Lucas said the campaign was part of the State Government's efforts to increase tourism in one of the toughest international climates ever experienced.

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

The campaign is expected to generate more than $70 million worth of publicity for Queensland.

Tourism Dunedin chief executive Hamish Saxton said the initiative was a novel idea which was already generating much interest and free publicity.

"It is refreshing to see a different approach.

"Whether or not it will translate into visitors is another thing, but I'm certain it will."

The Queensland job, which begins on July 1, includes a $A150,000 salary for six months, rent-free living in a three-bedroom home, return air fares from the successful applicant's home country and travel insurance.

People from anywhere in the world can apply at www.islandreefjob.com by uploading a 60-second or less video explaining why they are the best person for the job.

 

 

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