In 2009 Ben Southall was announced as the successful candidate for Tourism Queensland's 'Best Job in the World' campaign and became the Caretaker for the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Since then he has worked as a Queensland Tourism Ambassador travelling extensively throughout the state filming, photographing and blogging about his adventures. Read More
Ben embarked on the 'Best Expedition in the World' in 2011. 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. The incredible adventure showcased this natural wonder of the world, the Great Barrier Reef, to a global audience through this website.
Today Ben works with Tourism Queensland promoting the state, taking journalists and industry friends on adventures throughout Queensland and gets out to the Great Barrier Reef whenever possible. Ben is passionate about Queensland which is now well and truly home. Read Less
To contact us about the Best Expedition please email bestexpedition@tq.com.au.
516 Comments
Hi! I am biologist, have great fun in diving and in any nature activity, and this job is my dream job ever. So far I just spend my holidays going around the world and visiting islands – I love it.
Hey Ben, you`re having a lot of fun.
Let me take part in the fun.I`am 25 years old,german and i always dreamed of working on an island..i think thats the best job ever.
So go on, and pick me….
greets from Berlin/Germany
Hey,
I am a bored investment banker, who needs to be rescued!
I would be interested in any island work.
regards,
Peter
Hi ben,
me and my friends would like to make a bid for that employment. I´m 30 years old and living in germany, Jessen, a small town in the “east”. we are very naturally, friendly a. s. o., but i dont want to betray to mouch. You have to meet ourselves, then you can get a picture of us.
i hope we see you in australia..
lots of kind regards from germany
Heike
Hey!
Wahoooo i have just entered the competition this sounds AMAZING!!!! Wow what a dream!!
I love your blog (pang of jelousy everytime i read it but…)keep going with it and keep posting all your photographs just so i can shut my eyes and think im doing it aswell!!!
Take care
Louise
I´m the one!
hi ben.
i wan`t this job.please…australia is my favorite country. i was bin there in 2005/2006. i have a diving license and i like the ozzi people…i wan`t the job!!!
see you ben
Aloha, i am a 29 years old one from germany. ready for traveling, a lot of experience in photography and how to do hard work if needed.
i ve dreamed about such travel every day, i hope i will get it.,
greets from germany..
You need me!
Hey Ben, it lightens up my day to read you blog!!
)
You need some help? Call me…well no, just send me a mail and we can fix it all up ;-D
About me: I’m a almost 30 Year young woman wich likes heavy metal (okay,okay I like other music too!), love to sing even if I don’t really sound good and be an uncomplicated crazy chicken sometimes. With me, you don’t only get a great helper with the blogs, no no, you also have one to share good and maybe some bad times on the Islands!
And if you’re to stressed sometimes… no problem… I’m a Reiki Master so you will calm down soon….
And know, start on tipping me!
Greetings from switzerland, Michèle
Hi Ben
I m avaliable to leave right now!It would be fantastic to be able to help you on the islands.
Looking forward to it!
Lara Italy
Hey Ben, we heard you need some assistance, which would interest us! Write us and we will be there!
Greetings from Switzerland, Anni and Sil
Hy Ben im interrested on work on the island. im a steelworker from switzerland and i will help you.
Im 25 years old and a freak.
Greez from switzerland
Dear Ben,
My husbund and me with pleasure could be your helpers in such an interesting job. We are from Lithuania, 65 and 62 years old.Pls don’t be pussled of the our age: I’m still working in Danish shipping company, my husbund got biological education,likes nature, animals. Our vacations are always active : fishing, travelling, working in our garden.
Suppose among your four helpers two such experienced persons could be not a bad thing, isn’t it?
Kind regards
Liubov
Hi Ben ! I am very intersted to be a part in your great job.My experienced can proved that I am really qualified on that kind of work.
I am waiting for you!
Roldan ,Philippines
Hey there Ben,
this is Coskun from Germany.
You can count me in anytime, if you need help in paradise.
I am 36 years old and a passionate surfer that loves nature.
This job is definitely made for me, so contact me anytime and I’ll be there to protect and take care of this beautiful place.
Cheers from Germany,
Coskun
Hallo Ben
Ich bin 25. Jahre alt Mechaniker und komme aus der Schweiz. Gerne wäre ich dein Helfer auf der Insel. Meine Hobbys sind schnorcheln, PC, Mechaniken und Sport.
Grüsse Mario
hi du need help? I can do evry job for free. as long as you want. I just need food and drinks. the payment is the job. Intresting? just write me
Hi Ben,
im a 38y old male from germany and im a computerspecialist and im sitting the whol day in a office. If i start my job i have a wight of 89kg/196lbs and now i have 128kg/282lbs. I need a job where i can move my body. Im intressting in swimming, diving, photographic, save the nature and world peace.
I bring with me my homur, photographic talent, and much more.
Cheers Olaf
Hi Ben!!!
It’s realy fantastic work on this job. I want so much to help and do part of this peace of paradise!
I’m Brasilian, São Paulo. 22 years old.
Luíza
Hi Ben ,
This is shashank bisht from india .I am 21 and pursuing bca 6th sem.I am really excited about this job and i want to experience the marvels of the nature, as well as I want to help the nature in any ways.
cheers Ben
A Dream
In visions of the dark night
I have dreamed of joy departed,
But a waking dream of life and light
Hath left me broken-hearted.
Ah! what is not a dream by day
To him whose eyes are cast
On things around him with a ray
Turned back upon the past?
That holy dream -that holy dream,
While all the world were chiding,
Hath cheered me as a lovely beam
A lonely spirit guiding.
What though that light, thro’ storm and night,
So trembled from afar,
What could there be more purely bright
In Truth’s day-star!!!
Am I right?
Funda / Swiss&Turkish&Funny&Adventorous&Happy&Cheerful&Sporty&Intelligent&Spirituel&Ambitious&Animal&Natural…
))
really,im so loving some great island!
i always dream about living in a beautiful island
im 21 and from china.
and i wanna find some miricles in the island
Hi Ben,
I came and grew up from an island called Guimaras. I want to be part of your team because I need the job and I love working together with different types of people in different culture.
regards,
Tina from Philippines
whatever job please…….
if i can take the chance i would love to try.thats sounds very wonderful to being that kind of amazin place.there are things that i dont know the answer but i will try to find out the answer and close it the best way i can done.
take care
hi from china
Hi Ben, I’m a local Marine Biologist and love the Great Barrier Reef. I have studied it intensly and woulod love the opportunity to join you.
Sounds like you are having an absolute ball. Continue to join our Great Wonder.
Hi Ben,
I’m a girl from China.I love nature.I’m warm-hearted and easy-going.And I have the ability of learning new things quickly.I think I can be a good helper.
May I have the job?
I’m looking forward to your reply.
Best regards from China.
I just want to say,i am choosen by GOD,so i believe you will!
Hi my name is Yuri,
i´m a fotografer, Tattoo Artist, Dj and i love the nature.
every day i think about to leave germany and make new experience and this job i think is the right thing for me.
I love to dive, i love long walks in the beautyful nature with my dogs, love to learn more about the nature.
I can work hard and serious and i think this is the right job for me, so please say Yes!!!
Greetings from Germany Yuri
Hi ben my name is joey and I am a 27 yr old Aussie girl, and my husband and I would love to come and work with you! I am a qaulified wildlife ranger and he is a surf instructed and into landscaping! We are actually going to be at the whitsundays for our honeymoon on october 27th. Hopefully we will meet you. Email me!
Hi Ben,
my name is Saviana, I’m 28 years old and I’m writing you from the North East of Italy.
I’ve found this blog searching for a job in Australia (I’m employee in a Graphic Department but I worked for 7 years in Germany. I left Italy at 18 years old, I’m back since 3 years and now it is time for me to leave again) and reading about you I thought that I’m crazy enough to be a good “partner” there, and “healthy” enough to be a valid help, so… who knows… maybe you can be the one who gives me the first valid chance in my life..
If not.. well .. good luck to the selected man!!
Ciao
I really love to join your group, im an aquaculturist from thr Philippines and I have many experiences from different countries to share.
Hi Ben,
My name is Rober I`m 26 years old, and I´m from the North of Spain, and I´m sure, that i can help you with your work there on Australia.
I like any nature activity and y love the adventure, and of course an adventure on the other side of the world.
Well… i hope i see you soon|if not,enjoy and take care!!!
Best regards from Spain.
I am super keen to be a part of the team and I’m always up for a challenge! I love the water and I have a strong passion for marine protection and I just completed my Emergency Rescue course with PADI.
I am someone who will not whinge over the tasks that has been alloacted to me because I believe in team dynamics and the importance of completing each task in order to achieve the common goal. The most important thing that I can bring to the team is that I do not complain.
Your winning video was enthusiastic, positive and very clever, I’d love the opportunity to work with you because I reckon I could learn a lot from you.
You are faced with a big job of selecting candidates to join you on your fantastic journey and I wish you well.
hello my name is Paul, I’m from Argentina, do not live in dignity and when I learned of this opportunity the first thing I wanted to do was try my luck, I’m 18 and work in a tapestry with my father trying to carry out the 2 house and the daily bread would taste good as is the idea and I think while writing this time and I lose that I do not read this comment, let a place as distant as Argentina jaja I am using the google translator that English I have not advanced, although if I have intermediate English, anything I leave my email greetings pablosebastiansosa@hotmail.com cordial greetings from Argentina, Pablo Sosa
Hi Ben,
your work is fantastic! there is to say in your interview you said that you would soon tire of living in a desert island or almost .. Well I certainly do not get tired even if I had to live with less comfort than usual ..
useless be hypocritical! nobody in the world had never thought existed and you could do a job like yours! beautiful and fascinating figure irrespective of your salary! that cool! beautiful live in close contact with Amre, nature, sun, beautiful clear water …. in heaven !!!!!! I’d like to be part of your team of helpers … and live for a while even if this wonderful experience that I will stay forever!!
Good time of the day! =)
My name is Ale. And I’m in love with the world. I’d like to see all its corners, and I’m trying to go somewhere each seasone. But I’m living in Ukraine, really nice country but to get some visas is unreal. And I thought about your expiriance, thats really cool =)
Maybe, in some future if you’ll need some help, try to connect me! I’ll help you with pleasure! =)
Best regards
Alex
WOOO HOOO PICK ME, YOUNG OUTGOING AND FUN. IM READY TO GET OUT OF MY LITTLE NOWHERE TOWN AND GO EXPLORING… IM EXCITED FOR THE ADVENTURE I LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING TO YOU SOON WHEN YOU PICK ME
!!!
i need job any
I am the one you have been waiting for.
Hey, just wanted to let you all know that posting on the link doesn’t get you entered for the job, but going to http://www.islandreefjob.com.au/best-experience/landing.php?cmpid=275 can. Remember, the more friends you get to enter, the better your chances are of getting the best job ever!
hi Ben….!!! I am happy that i Heard that you need people to apply as Island caretaker..That’s why i am much very willing to apply in such great oppurtunity.
Iam ronnie Casis,26 ,Male from philippines..
you can contact me at my mobile No.+639107443843 at your convenience..
thank you and GOD BLESSED..
Ronnie
Hi Ben,
I met you in South Africa when you were on Afritrex with your amazing jeep, briefly in Jefreys Bay. I was pretty excited when I got back from travelling to switch on the TV one night after work and see you’d won this amazing job!!! Good effort and congratulations!!
I’d love to come out to Queens land and explore and help out, it looks like a real adventure. Congratulations again on the job, and congratulations on making Afritrex all the way back..hope you got home for Christmas,
Clare
Hello Ben:
I am from China, I hope it is appropriate to.
Best regards.
G’day from England,
what an amazing experience you must be having and to be probably the only person in the whole world doing it – Amazing. I have just finished my degree in Adventure Tourism Management and it really would be a dream come true to do what you are doing, inspired me so much i have booked my flights for Oz and leave in two weeks – i am SOOO excited and then i discovered this opportunity, and i got goosebumps. This could be a life changing experience one that could be the beginning of the rest of my life. I just hope the person who wins this prize is so unbelievably gratful because it really is a life changing, eye opening, once in a life time opportunity. Best wishes Emma
Ciao Ben,
My name is Stephanie I’m Italian and I’m a photographer, I would love to join you in this experience. I travelled a lot and I lived for a few month in a remote fijian island. I love nature and adventure and I like to work in team for a project.
well if you chose me I assure you want regret it. Good luck with your decison!!!
Dear Ben!
It’s me, your assistant
Gennadiy
Brest/Belarus
Wooow Ben…You are deffinitely having a great time on the islands..keep on that way! Your blog is truly amazing I love it. Please pick me for the best experience in the world =))) thanks
hey ben,
well am an architect and know about environment and nature.i will love to be there.am african.name thompson