Island Caretaker mates arrive in Queensland for Best Experience in the World
Posted by editor (editor) on Nov 19 2009
2009 >>

Following a world-wide search for Tourism Queensland’s Best Experience in the World competition winner, Barbie Defeo from California and her family have arrived in Queensland to begin the trip of a lifetime, Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said today.

Mr Lawlor said the winner of the coveted competition flew into Queensland today to begin her five-week all-expenses-paid trip assisting Best Job in the World Island Caretaker Ben Southall explore the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef.

“Ms Defeo, her husband and two teenage daughters will kick off their Queensland adventure in Cairns with a trip to the Cairns Tropical Zoo, and will then go white water rafting before being whisked away in a hot air balloon,” Mr Lawlor said.

“The Defeos will then visit the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef, two of Queensland’s biggest international drawcards.

“During their visit to Queensland, the American family will also experience the magnetic attraction of the islands off Townsville and immerse themselves in the underwater magic of Reef HQ, the National Reef Education Centre for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

“They will then make their way further south to the Whitsundays to meet Island Caretaker Ben Southall at his office on Hamilton Island.”

Mr Lawlor said Ben would host his new Best Job in the World buddies on the island, starting with a breakfast with the koalas before giving the family a few tips for great places and activities to experiences during their stay.

“In addition to meeting Ben, the Defeos will have the opportunity to regularly report back to the Island Caretaker about their islands adventures and even lend him a hand, posting a guest blog on www.islandreefjob.com,” he said.

Mr Lawlor said the opportunity to sample the Southern Great Barrier Reef experience was also on the agenda for the Defeos who would visit Heron and Lady Elliot Islands before returning to their home to the US.

“Tourism Queensland has been working closely with Ms Defeo over the past few weeks to ensure the itinerary is filled with the very best experiences that Queensland has to offer,” he said.

“Ms Defeo and her family have said they love the water so we expect they’ll be blown away by Queensland’s fabulous water-based activities such as snorkelling, jet-ski tours, sailing and much, much more.”

Ms Defeo said the reality of winning the Best Experience in the World had only started to sink in once they arrived in Queensland.

“We are just so excited to finally be here, there is so much we want to see and do,” Ms Defeo said.

“I’ve followed Ben’s experiences in Queensland on his blog since he started as the Island Caretaker and taken note of a few things I’d love to do while we’re here.”

Ms Defeo said as family and friends were getting ready for winter back home, her family would certainly appreciate the opportunity to lap up some Queensland sunshine.

“Just getting here to see the Great Barrier Reef first-hand is like a dream come true,” she said.

More than 23,000 would-be ‘best mates’ from over 150 countries applied for the opportunity to help Ben explore the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef as part of Tourism Queensland’s Best Experience in the World competition.

To date almost 500,000 people have logged on to read all about Ben’s island adventures on www.islandreefjob.com with the campaign generating $400 million in publicity for Queensland.

Last changed: Nov 19 2009 at 9:39 AM