Best Job in the World’s Ben Southall embarks on his next Tourism Queensland adventure - ‘The Best Expedition in the World’. Ben explores Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef on a four month, 1600km kayak and sailing journey from the Town of 1770 on the Central Queensland coast, north to Cooktown in Queensland’s Tropical North. Keep up to date here on Ben’s experiences while he navigates one of the best protected reefs in the world.
Ben held the position as Caretaker of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef, during Tourism Queensland’s Best Job in the World campaign, where he developed a passion for this region’s magnificent environment.
“I feel privileged to have had so many wonderful interactions with the natural world whilst out on the Great Barrier Reef and now I’d like to encourage more people to share in the same experiences.”
Follow Ben on his expedition as he encounters the unique wildlife, including sea turtles, manta rays, humpback whales and thousands of marine fish. He’ll scuba dive, snorkel, charter a seaplane, cruise on a sailing boat and visit research stations to learn about the sustainability of the reef. All of this while making his way to some of the 900 islands and coral cays, from five-star luxury resort islands to national park camping sites.
While Ben is kayaking the Great Barrier Reef, his Ben’s parents Margaret and Duncan will be having their own great adventure – a ‘Queensland Road Trip’. The couple have followed their son’s travels through Queensland to date and have been inspired to leave the chilly UK to keep pace with Ben on the road along the Queensland coast.
Along the way they will discover the beauty of Queensland landscapes and national parks, explore tourist attractions and meet local Aussie characters. You can also follow the Southalls as they blog on their Queensland Road Trip.
From 21st May to 13th September you can follow Ben's route and read about his exciting adventures as he makes his way along the Great Barrier Reef.
Four thoroughly enjoyable but earth-shatteringly good days have just drawn to a close.
I’ve run through rivers, mountain biked some serious descents and paddled 10kms of open water between the mainland and Magnetic Island.
My body is telling me that’s enough, stop, don’t attempt anything else this week – its time for recovery. Aching arms, a tired core, overused legs, mosquito bites dotted over shoulders and ankles…and this isn’t even the real thing yet.
I’ve travelled to Queensland’s tropical north to sample exactly what I’ll be taking on later in the year. My first ever adventure race.
Tropical North Queensland is branded ‘Adventurous by Nature’, and rightly so. With rainforest, mountains and the ocean completing the outdoor tapestry it appeals to runners, riders and paddlers alike.
A diversion from the standard road marathon happens in Port Douglas on November 14 when the Solar Eclipse Marathon heralds the arrival of not just an inter-cosmic experience in the sky above, but also 3,000 people from around the world.
They’ll be pitting their wits against each other but also the challenging 42km course as it winds it way along flat roads, down Four-Mile beach and up the infamous Bump Track. A good way to attempt a different form of running…not a standard marathon by a long shot, but no pure trail-run by any means. Visit the website at www.solar-eclipse-marathon.com to find out more or watch the YouTube clip below:
If all of that sounds a little gentle, in no way strenuous and below you, then strap yourself in. Adventurethon is most definitely what you need.
Magnetic Island forms the backdrop for this event held over the last weekend in March; steep rocky trails, wide sandy bays and a humid climate will sort the men/women from the boys/girls!
There’s a number of disciplines on offer with the naming race being the daddy…professor…make that the executioner of the event – The Adventurethon.
Start with a 13km ocean paddle, throw in a 5km trail run, make them paddle the 13km back to the bikes, ride 30kms up and down the MTB trails before finishing with a knee-buckling 19km run along the beach to the finish line.
Absolutely ridiculous. So I signed up straight away…
It’ll take some serious training between now and then to even stand a chance of making the first paddle leg but these sorts of challenges are there to be taken on. If you’re still reading this now and aren’t completely exhausted by just the prospect of it, you’ll need to visit www.adventurethon.com.au to find out how to get involved or watch the YouTube clip below for a taster:
See you somewhere at the start line; barring training injuries or the fear factor kicking in!
Ben
Now I’m off to get some well-deserved rest, I’ll leave you with a couple of the local newspaper clippings from my visit:
Up for a challenge?
Four thoroughly enjoyable but earth-shatteringly good days have just drawn to a close.
I’ve run through rivers, mountain biked some serious descents and paddled 10kms of open water between the mainland and Magnetic Island.
My body is telling me that’s enough, stop, don’t attempt anything else this week – its time for recovery. Aching arms, a tired core, overused legs, mosquito bites dotted over shoulders and ankles…and this isn’t even the real thing yet.
I’ve travelled to Queensland’s tropical north to sample exactly what I’ll be taking on later in the year. My first ever adventure race.
__________________________________________________________________
Tropical North Queensland is branded ‘Adventurous by Nature’, and rightly so. With rainforest, mountains and the ocean completing the outdoor tapestry it appeals to runners, riders and paddlers alike.
A diversion from the standard road marathon happens in Port Douglas on November 14 when the Solar Eclipse Marathon heralds the arrival of not just an inter-cosmic experience in the sky above, but also 3,000 people from around the world.
They’ll be pitting their wits against each other but also the challenging 42km course as it winds it way along flat roads, down Four-Mile beach and up the infamous Bump Track. A good way to attempt a different form of running…not a standard marathon by a long shot, but no pure trail-run by any means. Visit the website at www.solar-eclipse-marathon.com to find out more or watch the YouTube clip below:
If all of that sounds a little gentle, in no way strenuous and below you, then strap yourself in. Adventurethon is most definitely what you need.
Magnetic Island forms the backdrop for this event held over the last weekend in March; steep rocky trails, wide sandy bays and a humid climate will sort the men/women from the boys/girls!
There’s a number of disciplines on offer with the naming race being the daddy…professor…make that the executioner of the event – The Adventurethon.
Start with a 13km ocean paddle, throw in a 5km trail run, make them paddle the 13km back to the bikes, ride 30kms up and down the MTB trails before finishing with a knee-buckling 19km run along the beach to the finish line.
Absolutely ridiculous. So I signed up straight away…
It’ll take some serious training between now and then to even stand a chance of making the first paddle leg but these sorts of challenges are there to be taken on. If you’re still reading this now and aren’t completely exhausted by just the prospect of it, you’ll need to visit www.adventurethon.com.au to find out how to get involved or watch the YouTube clip below for a taster:
See you somewhere at the start line; barring training injuries or the fear factor kicking in!
Ben
Now I’m off to get some well-deserved rest, I’ll leave you with a couple of the local newspaper clippings from my visit: