The Best Job In The World

The Best Job In The World

Synopsis

In February 2009 an extraordinary job position was advertised: for 6 months, the Great Barrier Reef, off Australia's East Coast, needs a caretaker. Wage: $AUD150,000. Open to all nationalities. 35,000 applications later, the 600 islands of the Great Barrier reef has a caretaker - Ben Southall, a 33 year old Englishman with a passion for travel and adventure. The Best Job In The World follows Ben and his girlfriend Breanna Watkins as they traverse a world-wide campaign and media frenzy - and not a bad job! In Ben's role he has to learn all he can about the reef: its ecology and its wildlife, the impact of tourism and global warming. Along the way he and Bre get to sample the best diving, resort, and island experiences to be had anywhere in the world.

Episodes

Season 1
  • Day 1

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    Englishman Ben Southall sets out to prove he has the best job in the world - Caretaker of Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

  • Girlfriend On The Run

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    Bens job begins at a fast pace on the Great Barrier Reef: diving and visiting a wildlife park on Green Island, learning to throw a boomerang, talking with scientists on Lizard Island National Park, and scuba diving off Heron Island. But girlfriend Bre is beginning to feel jealous, and takes off for a theme park south of the Reef to pursue her own dream job… while Ben camps and kayaks on Hinchinbrook Island.

  • Ben Goes Wild

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    Bens job continues on the Great Barrier Reef: diving the S.S. Yongala, taking part in the big yacht race, and greeting his parents as they visit Hamilton Island. Girlfriend Bre is back from auditioning for her own dream job, but then shes off again for a family gathering in Canada. Ben tries his hand at falconry, learns how to care for injured turtles, and becomes a ranger for a day on Magnetic Island.

  • Getting Fishy

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    Bens job continues on the Great Barrier Reef: fishing, meeting a master mud crabber, and even kissing a stingray! After catching back up with girlfriend Bre, they ride motorbikes in the town of 1770, dive in search of a manta ray, and learn some natural history about Lady Musgrave Island.

  • Grub

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    Ben meets up with some of the Kuku Yalanji people, local Aborigines who are known as the caretakers of Mossman Gorge. Then hes off to a tiny coral cay where he gets to know some Torres Strait Islanders. Next, Ben flies to Masig Island, where he gets a taste of a traditional delicacy: Green Turtle. Back home on Hamilton Island, he meets up with girlfriend Bre and they fly to Longreach, a dusty town in the Outback. After a busy day of whip cracking, horseback riding and sheep shearing, they hang out with local characters at a pub.

  • Last Hurrah

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    Ben and girlfriend Bre sand-surf down Mount Tempest, one of the highest sand dunes in the world. Then theyre off to explore the beaches of Fraser Island, the biggest sand island in the world. Next they visit Lady Elliot, the most southern coral cay of the reef. They dive, spot incredible sea creatures, and monitor the health of the local coral. After a surfing competition, they fish for a giant trevally. Finally on Mon Repos Beach, they work with a ranger on a very special task: helping loggerhead turtles.