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.
On the Job
From 1st July 2009 Ben Southall, a 34-year-old fundraiser and adventurer from Petersfield, Hampshire in the UK, donned a new work uniform for his role as Island Caretaker – a wetsuit and flippers! Keeping himself very busy as he explored one of the great natural wonders of the world. He immersed himself in life above and below the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef as a keen diver, sailor and now golfer, he has experienced the full wonder and ecological diversity of this magical region.
His itineraries allowed him to travel by sailing boat, catamaran, ferry, luxury yacht, jet-boat, 4WD, hoby-cat, chopper, seaplane, jet-ski, kayak, train and motorcycle – from Lady Elliot Island on the southern tip of the reef, all the way to the Torres Strait Islands, off Tropical North Queensland.
During this time, Ben fielded more than 300 media interviews from prominent outlets around the world, hosted an array of media and tourism trade to the region and made guest appearances at various official tourism events throughout the state of Queensland. One of Ben’s highlights was being interviewed via Skype by Oprah Winfrey! Airing in the US and then in another 140 countries around the world. As of the 31st December, Ben had posted 71 blogs to the www.islandreefjob.com site (equating to over 84,000 words; 1,800 photographs and 52 video diaries)
By the end of his six month tenure, the campaign had attracted over AUD400 million of global PR value* and climbing! [*conservatively estimated and not including online exposure]
Check out all of Ben’s adventures through his blog.