I’ve spent the last two days with my new family at the offices of Tourism Queensland in Brisbane going through my induction, working out how to use all of the equipment I need and learning the ropes of what will no doubt prove to be the most exciting role I’ve ever been employed for.
The clanging of my alarm clock awoke me from my slumber and the adrenalin for the day coarsed through my veins as I leapt from my pit in the knowledge that it was all about to commence, The Best Job in the World starts here….
….and the media attention starts here too, downstairs into the lobby for the first round of television interviews, then a phone interview, then off to the airport for the press conference. Assembled in the departures area were some familiar faces; the press from the finals back in May had once again gathered to tell the world about the Best Job campaign, but this time I didn’t have the support of the other finalists!
After relaxing in the Virgin lounge, Bre (my girlfriend who’ll be here for the next six months) and I made our way to the departure gate and boarded the flight which would finally take us to paradise and the promised land of the Whitsundays.
Our arrival at Hamilton Island was truly spectacular – talk about a fanfare from the assembled staff from the resort! It really felt as if we’d finally arrived in paradise; the flight over the reef, the view as we came into land and then this – a welcome which left me speechless.
I loved the next part – introducing Bre to Blue Pearl – our new luxury villa for the next six months. Her jaw dropped as we descended the steps into our new luxury apartment. I gave her the guided tour introducing her to the three double rooms and of course the amazing, huge ice dispensing fridge, then ended it off with a dip in our enormous spa on the balcony which looks out over the Coral Sea. There will be plenty of evenings spent here I imagine.
Once the media attention had died down we had half an hour to unpack and redress before heading out to the uber-glamorous Qualia resort; one of the worlds only six star luxury destinations and how it deserves this title. Infinity pools, spotless groomed sands and a view which can only be experienced as a description from me just won’t do it justice.
The welcome dinner was another great experience, the chefs at Qualia produced five courses of exquisite delights and when it was all over Bre and I made our way to the golf buggy and drove through the balmy air for a night of well earned rest at Blue Pearl.
If things continue as they’ve started I’ll be the happiest man on the planet, the most tired man on the planet and maybe even the fattest man on the planet!
170 Comments
That’s not only the best job… it is the cutest
Hey Ben! First of all i want to say that i´m happy for your sake. And i hope you will have the greatest 6 month of your life. Good luck with your new “job”
. Looking forward to follow your blog here and just dream my self away 
. Greetings from Sweden!
Good luck for your extraordinary adventure… you are really a lucky guy! Cheers from Italy!
Best wishes for your stay.
Bring us pictures and ideas about our modern world from where you stay !
Looks amazing – you are in paradise. Have an amazing 6 months!!
Wow! You won’t be so fat after all the swimming in the pools tho … so jealous of ya!
Just wathed your interview in CNN Ben, great to see that a brit has the best job in the world. Get stuck in and have a great time!!!
By the way i can spell “wathed” but just got off night shift a few hours ago and i have not got the best job on the planet!!!
Wish I could join you! Looks like fun.
Ben, one thing: CONGRATS!
Enjoy every moment, these things happen once in a life time!
And can I say how jealous I am when I see this deep blue sea, the dauphins, the sand… waw…
Looking forward to follow your adventure.
YOU HAVE THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD!
Get the best job in the world is definitely one of the biggest news here. God luck BEN.And I’ll be glad to hear from U in China!
Hi Ben. Good Luck in your new job. I always will read your blog. It is in my blog list. I live in Sidney and I’m writting about Sidney in my blog. Congratulations!
Ricardo (from Brazil). My blog is http://www.australianidade.blogspot.com
Enjoy your 6 months in Paradise Ben!
You blog is now on my favorites Bookmark and planning to be jealous of you everyday… for the next 6 months
Greetings from Canada!
Hi, Ben! You are so cool, I love your style, and your girlfriend and you seems very lovely couple, hope you two really enjoy there and have a wonderful time! I am looking forward and catch up with your blog
Wow, congratulations. I hope you have a great time, are safe, and I’m looking foward to following your adventures throughout the next 6 months. If they make this a yearly contest I will definitely consider entering next time around. CONGRATULATIONS!
Wow…well done, now if you can cope with the few visitors to the website now that the “publicity” has died down and no one gives a toss about the place … you will be a hero. Knowing you are nothing more than a marketing tool does little to assist the guests to the island in making their stay any better.
that is so amazing in your new job~~
it looks like exciting in first day.
enjoy your every moment with your girl friend on the island~~
I will enjoy reading about your adventures. I have always wanted to go to Australia.
Have a safe 6 months.
P.J.
Hi!
Congrats!!Lucky You!
You have really the best job in the world!! I ve been reading all your story! i wish you all the best!
Salut Ya from Hungary!!
After your 6 month tour of “duty” come to Xalap Veracruz and later you can go to Bavaro beach in the Dominican Republic. For some extra joy !
Hey I wanted to point out something. Was I the only one who caught the fact that he made the comment about how it had been 6 to 8 weeks since he had last been their and the house looked bigger then the last time he saw it. Now I am not sure when they made the decision to hire him, but i was not aware that they had flown him out there previously.. Is this on the up and up or could he be a present employee assisting his company with one of the best advertisement schemes ever.????
Dude, rock on! If jealousy is the green-eyed monster, then I’m colored jade.
Have a blast!
Drew- Alabama, USA
Way to go, Ben!!! I was hoping for the position myself, but i’m glad they have a solid worker on the island. You deserve it! I’ll be looking forward to reading about your adventures over the next several months!
Blessings!
Wes
You’re funneh
I watch you on TV, and everyone in this room is laughing.
I’ve booked a flight and I’m coming out to Australia to see just how good it is – how can I not, it looks gorgeous and I’d never have thought of coming if it wasn’t for this competition. Well done and good luck Ben, maybe I will even get to see you when I head up to the Whitsundays in November! Enjoy it!!!
Hi Ben and Bre. Congratulations Ben on the job. It’s weird watching you on the BBC (as I write this) going through the rounds to know you’re actually already there. You won! By the way you don’t know me but I just wanted to say wicked and good luck. Funny thing is I’ve never wanted to go to Australia but watching you and even better Reading your blog, I’d quite like to come and meet you and Bre and see all the things you’ll be writing about. I’ll be following.
watching BBC and saw here that you won!
congratulations! lucky man.
you were def my favourite out of the brits.
good luck!
Ben…Good luck mate! go for it and enjoy yourself, this will shape the rest of your life…god speed
hey mate congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!! it couldn’t have happened to a nicer person and his beautiful soul mate
I wish you both all the adventure and excitement that this journey brings you. Take care and don’t forget to live life to the fullest!
Glad it was a hard working brit that won. Well done. Hope you have a great 6 months
Looking forward to following your blog
How do you vote?
Good look Ben.
Nice one ben, good luck mate
although holly was hotter 
Good luck, just watching the application process on BBC1, looks like you will do anything to get it!
Hello
i am watching the television programme at this very moment! FANTASTIC, congratulations!
Hey Ben!
Just watching the best job on the world on TV! I guessed immediately you would win – came online and you did! Ruined the program for myself but hey!! good luck – i hope you and Bre also have an amazing 6 months too
Have a great time Ben. Let’s hope England don’t win the ashes or they might evict you.
Greetings from England.
Hi Ben. I understand you went to Perins School? I am in year 9 (nearly year 10!) and I have been watching the TV programme tonight. I was wondering if you would be able to come and talk to us about your ‘Best Job in the World’ when you return to the UK?
Good luck for this beautifull experience and best wish for your stay
Greetings from italy
Hi Ben. I am watching the TV programme right now. Looks awesome! I am in year 9 at Perins – I think you went there too??? I was wondering if you would be able to come and talk to us at Perins when you return to the UK?
Congratulations on getting The Best Job in the World.
oops – posted twice…
It’s 21.46 and I’m watching that BBC1 prog you took part in about the job. Best of luck mate, you deserve it.
HI BEN,
I have just seen the program and am excited about coming out there.
We are coming over for a wedding in the first week of september with a 10 month old baby!! it would be good if we can meet, I would even like to follwo you how do I do that?
Thanks
Alex
Hey, currently im watching the show on BBC and I have to say you were the best applicant from the start and congrats on winning.
Looking forward to reading your updates and good luck with the new job
Ben, You are really lucky guy!!! Enjoy your time and be a good man
Just watching the programme did not realize how current this is. Good Luck!
The Best Man got the Job…Well done..Enjoy
best of luck Ben in your new job ..best wishes from ireland
Well done Ben, just been watching the program on the BBC. My wife and I went to Hamilton Island the last time we were in Australia and we loved it! have fun and don’t work too hard
Hey, looks great.
Just watched the documentary on BBC. Well done and enjoy, like you need me telling you to do that. All the best, beats Doncaster!!!
Gareth
Well done on the job! Just watched the doc and I thought you are the best man for the job. Congrats!
Just watched the programme on BBC1. You deserved to win, it bought me to tears when i saw you and Bre. Well done
One Trackback
[...] Ben Southwall became the lucky person to land “the best job in the world.” He started his work on July 2nd 2009. You can read his first blog post here. [...]