Ben Southall Wins 'Best Job in the World'

"The Best Job in the World" has been chronicled all over the place, and now there's a winner: Ben Southall, an English "adventurer."

The news was announced today via Queensland Premier Anna Bligh:

“It was a tough challenge for both the candidates and the selection panel and I am proud to announce that on July 1 Ben Southall will become Tourism Queensland’s newest employee as Caretaker of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef," Ms Bligh said.

“We are looking forward to Ben starting his role ... and showing us what he can do during the six months.”

Yes, aren't we all. Except by "looking forward to" what she mean is "plan on being insanely jealous of." Now, I'm not sure what Southall will do, but he darn sure better be quirky, because if he's not, this is going to end up being a pretty lame promotion.

And yes, that's just me being bitter. Congrats to Mr. Southall.

Best Job in the World Finalists Announced Today

The Best Job in the World -- we've written about it plenty -- has been an international sensation. And now, the finalists for the Island Reef Job have been revealed. There are 15 of them and they are a pretty eclectic group.

Did you apply? Wondering if you got picked? Well, I would ask you: "Why weren't you sitting by your phone all day yesterday????"

You can read all about the finalists at the site, and you better believe that we'll be breaking down this competition as it continues. Excessively.

Best Job in the World: Update

Australia, as you recall, recently offered up "The Best Job in the World," which basically involves sitting back on an island, "caretaking," soaking in the sun, and blogging about it. (Actually, all you have to do, according to the site, is "Explore and report back, feed the fish, clean the pool, and collect the mail.)

It's already inspired one woman to get a huge tattoo on her back and managed to crash the website's servers. And, with just THREE DAYS REMAINING, if you want in on this deal of a lifetime (it pays over $150k for six months of "work") you better hurry. Oh, and be creative. Because you've got some competition.

There's not long now until applications close for The Best Job in the World. As of Thursday 12 February 4:30pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) we have received just over 15,500 applications in total. Not all of these have been approved due to a variety of reasons. You have until 22 February 11:59pm UTC to get your applications in. We'll continue to update you on the latest figures over the coming week.

This number, apparently, is already over 19,000. Which is simply stunning. And a pretty good indication that everyone in the free world would prefer to not actually work and to just hang out on an island all day. Obviously, right? Of course, not me. I have the real best job in the world*.

Which is why I haven't actually applied [under my real name]. 

*Just in case my bosses read this.

Austrailian Woman Gets Huge Ad Tattoo to Win 'Best Job in the World'

We've covered -- in great detail I suppose -- the "Best Job in the World". How can we not? It's all about travel, blogging and getting straight paid. It is perfect. And because it's so awesome, people are willing to go to ridiculous lengths in order to win this job. Like tattooing ads of the island on their arms.

Yeah, I can't imagine how this could possibly backfire in her face at all. And besides -- is this the craziest possible thing that could happen in this contest? If so, I'm figuring out something that will top it for Monday. Because I totally want that job. Er, um, haha. No, no. I'm happy here.

'Best Job in the World' Draws Over 200,000 Apps in 24 Hours

You likely recall the Australian island caretaker job we mentioned two days ago. And even if you don't, you've probably already heard about it. It's billed as the "Best Job in the World" and, well, it probably is; $150k to take care of an island snorkel and party? Yes, please.

And it's such an appealing employment opportunity that not only did the flood of international traffic crash IslandReefJob.com, but there have been over 200,000 applicants in a span of 24 hours.

"The global response in the first 24 hours has outstripped even our expectations," Australia's Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said.

Boyle said the campaign had already reached some 29 million people through television and print media coverage - worth millions of dollars in publicity.

In fact, the website is still struggling (I just tried it ... it moves sloooow) but that shouldn't be too surprising. After all, this is a cake job featuring a large salary and fun "demands" for work.

Oh, and no, it's not too late to apply. I doubt even your boss would blame you.