The Best Job in the World: The 2009 Island Caretaker Blogging Job
Do you remember the Best Job in the World? In January 2009 Tourism Queensland advertised for an “Island Caretaker” on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef: live rent-free in a luxury home on Hamilton Island for six months, explore the islands, and write a weekly blog with photos and videos. The pay was AU$150,000. We shared the job here because, at heart, it was a blogging job. Here’s how it worked, who got it, and what it means for anyone dreaming of a paid travel-blogging gig in 2026.
Quick answer: The Best Job in the World was a 2009 tourism campaign by Tourism Queensland. Applicants sent a 60-second video; tens of thousands applied from around the world. British charity fundraiser Ben Southall won in May 2009 and spent six months blogging from the Great Barrier Reef. The campaign became one of the most famous tourism marketing stunts ever, and Tourism Australia ran a follow-up “Best Jobs in the World” contest in 2013.
Table of Contents
How the Best Job in the World worked
- The job: explore the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, take part in activities like snorkelling and island hopping, and report back through a weekly blog, photos and video diaries.
- The perks: a three-bedroom villa with a plunge pool on Hamilton Island, travel, and a salary of AU$150,000 for six months.
- How to apply: upload a 60-second English video explaining why you’re the best person for the job.
- Selection: a shortlist of 50, then 16 finalists flown to the islands for interviews.
Who won?
Ben Southall, a British charity fundraiser and adventurer, was announced as the winner on 6 May 2009 and started in July 2009. During his six months he blogged, posted videos, gave hundreds of media interviews and was even stung by an Irukandji jellyfish. He later wrote a book about the experience and built a career as a travel presenter.
Why the campaign was so successful
- It turned a job ad into a global news story, with huge free media coverage.
- Video applications created user-generated content that spread the campaign.
- It won top awards at the Cannes Lions advertising festival.
Want a paid travel-blogging job in 2026?
Contests like this are rare, but brands and tourism boards still hire creators. To get noticed:
- Build a portfolio: a blog or YouTube channel with your best travel stories, photos and short videos.
- Grow a real audience in one niche (budget travel, diving, food) rather than chasing everyone.
- Watch tourism board and brand social accounts for creator calls and ambassador programs.
- Be wary of “dream job” ads that ask for upfront fees or personal financial details; real tourism campaigns never do. Scams also hide behind fake profiles, as in our piece on fake social media relationships and romance scams.
Turning a blog into income takes time; see our realistic plan for building an online business. Tourism Queensland’s official site is Queensland.com.
FAQ
Is the Best Job in the World still open?
No. It was a one-time 2009 campaign. Tourism Australia ran a similar “Best Jobs in the World” contest in 2013.
How much did the island caretaker earn?
AU$150,000 for the six-month contract, plus accommodation and travel.
How many people applied?
Tens of thousands of people from around 200 countries sent video applications.
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i am interested in doing some job on the net and earning some dollars please.
People are going nuts over this job. I think anyone who just sits in front of their PC and chatis into webcam for entry video is going to be a longshot. People over the world are getting so into it that they are coming up with some really creative entry videos, a lot of fun to watch.