The best job in the world comes with an island and a $100,000 salary

by Scott Carmichael on

If the current economic climate is starting to make you feel a little down, how about taking a job as a caretaker at the Great Barrier Reef?

You’ll work very hard (for several hours a week), posting to a blog, picking up the mail and feeding the fish.

And for all that hard work, you will be paid about $8400 every 2 weeks (or $100,000 for the 6 month duration of your contract).

When your contract starts, you’ll be flown from anywhere in the world to Hamilton Island and you’ll live in a 3 bedroom house, all for free.

Sounds too good to be true? Well, it’s all part of a job hunt/pr stunt by Queensland Tourism to find their next caretaker and promote the area.

Of course, this isn’t as simple as sending in an application and packing your bags. You’ll be competing with thousands of others who think they are better suited for this job than you. That said, it is a real job, and the offer is most certainly legitimate.

If you feel up to the challenge, and think you have what it takes to send in an interesting application, head on over to their “apply now” page and keep your fingers crossed.

The final selection process for candidates takes place on Hamilton Island, and if you make the final cut, you’ll be flown there, all expenses paid!

The PR part of the job means you’ll sit on your island telling the world what a fantastic place the Great Barrier Reef islands are. To help you with your job, the tourist agency even provides you with Internet access, a computer and some video equipment.

You have until February 22nd to submit your application!

UPDATE: Please don’t contact Gadling with applications or questions about this job. Gadling is NOT sponsoring this job. If you have questions, please visit IslandReefJob.com to learn more.

UPDATE 2: If IslandReefJob.com does not load, it’s because their server is getting crushed from visits. Please be patient and try again soon.

Click the pictures to read about the 10 stupidest laws you could encounter abroad … are any in Australia?


Only in OZ: Irwin’s Whale Watching Boat

by Kelly Amabile on

Visitors to Queensland, Australia will soon be able to sign up for whale watching trips aboard a new boat named in honor of Steve Irwin. The Australia Zoo’s latest venture will depart from Mooloolaba Wharf on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast beginning July 1st.

Steve’s Whale One vessel was named by Irwin’s kids, Bob and Bindi, as a tribute to their dad. The 130-seat boat will offer 360-degree views from large observation decks around the ship, educational talks by on-board biologists and an underwater hydrophone so passengers can hear whale songs.

At yesterday’s dedication, Terri Irwin revealed that it was Steve’s dream “…to be a full-on warrior for whales, to tackle the Japanese harpoons head on.” These educational excursions realize his vision and serve as the latest “weapon” in whale conservation.

Photo of the Day (5/12/07)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Could it be me or does the man’s foot look like that of a baby or airbrushed? It looks perfect and almost soft to touch, but seriously everything grabs me about this photo. Every part of me wants to cut and paste myself into the scene and pretend as if I were on the boat sailing somewhere – anywhere. I can’t promise my feet would look as nice as the model or photographer found here, but you wouldn’t be paying attention to that after all with the blue water and the sunset out ahead. Sweet shot out of Australia, Kouiskas.

Australia’s Open Water

by Iva Skoch on

Sleeping under the stars, with the magic of the underwater world beneath you is about as cleansing of an experience as you can get. Far from civilization, the stars are amazingly bright and–but for the waves breaking over the boat–it would be almost unbearably quiet.

The best way to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is definitely a live-on-board scuba diving trip. Because in most places, the GBR is some 2-3 hours from shore, it is really not worth it to just do a day trip. In Cairns, a gateway town to the GBR, there are numerous establishments offering just that. We went with Scuba Pro and would recommend them to anybody. A three-day trip is about $400/pp, all-inclusive: boat trip, two nights on the boat (there are private rooms, but some people choose the sleep-on-the-deck option to enjoy the stars), food and drinks, equipment rental and 11 dives, including 2 night dives. All in, it’s a pretty good deal. This is also a good way to get certified, although after diving the GBR, you’ll be spoiled and other places will seem like a cold pool of muddy water.

Needless to say, the diving is incredible. Turtles, sharks, lobsters, dolphins…all in water so warm you don’t actually need a wetsuits, if it weren’t for the damn jellyfish.