Best Job in the World's Ben Southall launches... The Best Expedition in the World!

Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said Ben would begin his new challenge in May 2011 - a three-month, 1600km kayak and sailing journey from the Town of 1770 on the central Queensland coast, north to Cooktown.

"Approximately 1.9 million tourists and 4.9 million recreational visitors enjoy the Great Barrier Reef each year, with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park estimated to have contributed approximately $4.4 billion to the Queensland economy in 2006-07," Mr Lawlor said.

"The Best Expedition in the World is a great opportunity to highlight the Great Barrier Reef; and spread the message of research, education and conservation of this natural wonder.

"Our aim is to encourage more people from around the world to experience the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef and perhaps to get involve d in research and protection of the reef themselves.

"It's no secret that tourism is a critical industry for Queensland, and while the last 18 months have been challenging, it's great to see Ben instigate such a positive initiative."

Mr Lawlor said during his stint as the Best Job in the World Caretaker of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef, Ben developed a passion for the region's magnificent natural environment.

Ben said in between his current Tourism Ambassador duties, he had continued to blog about life after the Best Job in the World and had begun planning his voyage of discovery.

"I'm thrilled to be undertaking the expedition, from Island Caretaker to promoting the caretaking of the Great Barrier Reef, I will once again take my experiences in Queensland and on the reef to the world," Ben said.

"I also want to encourage Australians to get behind this campaign and show their knowledge and love of this great natural asset to the world."

Ben said during the past 12 months he had been busy promoting Queensland to the world through a series of campaigns with Tourism Queensland's international offices and also through his blogs and media interviews.

"I will be documenting this trip in a similar way through www.islandreefjob.com, meeting the local characters and asking people to join me along the way," he said.

"I experienced some unforgettable, shining moments on the Great Barrier Reef during my time as the Island Caretaker such as diving with manta rays at Lady Elliot Island, sailing with humpback whales around the Whitsundays and kayaking along the unforgettable Hinchinbrook Island.

"I feel privileged to have had so many wonderful interactions with the natural world whilst out on the Great Barrier Reef and I'd like to encourage more people to share in the same experiences."

Mr Lawlor said in recent months Ben had gained support from local authorities and represe ntatives from the Queensland tourism industry who were keen to work with him on The Best Expedition in the World.

Media contact: Minister's Office 3225 1005 Tourism Queensland 3535 5474

10 November 2010