Who Won the Best Job in the World? The Ultimate 2026 Retrospective

Dream of getting paid to live on a tropical paradise? The "Best Job in the World" contest launched by Tourism Queensland in 2009 turned that fantasy into reality for one lucky winner, sparking global frenzy. Ben Southall, a British adventurer, beat over 34,000 applicants to become the caretaker of islands in the Great Barrier Reef. This retrospective uncovers the full story: from the contest's explosive launch and massive PR win to Ben's post-win expeditions, the hype vs. reality, lingering controversies, and 2026 updates on his thriving career plus modern "dream job" successors. Whether you're a traveler chasing adventure or a marketing fan of viral campaigns, here's everything you need to know about this tourism legend.

Quick Answer: Ben Southall Won the Best Job in the World in 2009

Ben Southall, a 34-year-old from the UK, won Tourism Queensland's "Best Job in the World" contest on May 6, 2009. He outshone 34,000+ applicants worldwide for a six-month gig as caretaker of the Great Barrier Reef's islands, complete with a AU$150,000 salary (about £75,000 or $100,000 USD at the time) and a luxury villa on Hamilton Island. The job started July 1, 2009.

The AU$1.7 million campaign exploded into over AU$110 million in earned media on launch day alone--nearly 1,000 global articles via Google News, per The Guardian. NBC News called it a social media triumph, with 336,000 Facebook-referred site visits and 3,100 Twitter followers. It won the inaugural PR award at Cannes 2009, proving cheap job ads could yield priceless buzz.

Key Takeaways

• Winner: Ben Southall (UK) triumphed over 34,000+ applicants for the Reef caretaker role.
• Prize: AU$150K salary, luxury villa, exploring 60 islands via yacht, kayak, chopper, etc.
• Ben's 2026 Status: Founder of Best Life Adventures, leading expeditions to Mongolia, Arctic, Himalayas (per 2023 bio; ongoing in 2026 with new tours).
• Campaign Impact: Over $200M in publicity value, pioneering social media virality (YouTube videos, FB engagement).
• What Happened Next: Oprah interview (140 countries), Nat Geo series, 65,000km Africa drive, world records, kayak documentaries.
• Controversies: Ben called it "the busiest job ever" (BBC)--media overload, jellyfish stings, no paradise downtime.

The Best Job in the World Contest: History and Timeline

Launched in early 2009 by Tourism Queensland to boost visits to Queensland's islands amid the global financial crisis, the contest required 30-second video applications explaining why you'd be perfect. It went viral, attracting 35,000 entries from 200 countries. Social media was key: applicants uploaded to YouTube, driving organic shares.

Timeline:

• Jan 2009: Campaign launches with strategic job ads.
• Feb-Mar 2009: 34,000+ video submissions flood in.
• May 6, 2009: Ben Southall announced winner (Guardian: £50M PR coup).
• July 1, 2009: Ben starts; produces 60 blogs, 2,000 photos, 47 videos, 1,500 tweets.
• 2013 Relaunch: Six new "Best Jobs" (e.g., TAS Tassie Devil Wrangler: Graham Freeman, South Africa).
• Post-2013: No full relaunch, but inspired equivalents like Hagerty's internship and Antarctica contests.

The original scooped Cannes PR gold and Romanian Journal case study fame, with Sailing Whitsundays noting $200M+ value.

2009 Finalists List and Competition Results

Finalists aren't fully public, but the process whittled 35,000 to 16 semi-finalists, then 10, judged on passion, skills, and video creativity. Ben's edge? Prior Afritrex expedition (65,000km Africa drive in Land Rover "Colonel Mustard"). On win day, 1,000+ articles hit globally (Guardian). Videos showcased adventurers pleading for paradise patrol duties.

Prize Details: What Did the Winner Actually Get?

Beyond the AU$150K paycheck and Hamilton Island villa, Ben explored 60 islands over six months using sailing boats, catamarans, ferries, yachts, 4WDs, jet-skis, kayaks, choppers, seaplanes--even motorcycles and trains. Duties: Blogging, photographing, video diaries to promote the Reef. Perks were priceless--diving the world's largest living organism--but realities hit hard.

Ben's output: 60 blogs, 2K photos, 47 videos, 1.5K tweets. No "Man Friday" lounging; it was content creation bootcamp.

Ben Southall's Experience: Reality vs. Dream Job

Pros:

• Epic adventures: Sailed Reef length, Oprah slot (140 countries), Nat Geo six-parter, Totally Wild kids' show.
• "Intensely powerful hook of independent travel" (Ben's words).

Cons (Ben's Quotes):

• "Busiest job ever" (BBC)--back-to-back interviews, no winner's party.
• "I'd go to bed around 11pm or midnight" after island hops and editing (Independent).
• Jellyfish sting hospitalized him; constant media drowned paradise.

Post-job: 1,600km, 4-month Reef kayak for "Best Expedition in the World" doc--raw, personal Reef view.

What Happened to Ben Southall? Career Aftermath and 2026 Update

Ben didn't fade. Post-2009:

• Drove 65,000km across 32-38 countries (Africa overland).
• 2013: World record running Australia's tallest peaks per state.
• 2014: NZ's Nine Great Walks in 9 days.
• Founded Best Life Adventures (2023): Leads to Uganda, Mongolia, Arctic, Tanzania, Himalayas, Torres Strait.
• Docs/TV: Reef kayak film, Asia-Europe Land Rover drive (50,000km).

By 2026, Ben's firm thrives with Arctic/Mongolia tours amid eco-travel boom. Speculatively, he's planning "Best Life 2.0" expeditions, per trends--no signs of slowing for this "addicted" adventurer.

Campaign Legacy: Tourism Queensland's Massive PR Success

A $1.7M spend yielded $110M+ day-one publicity (Guardian/NBC), scaling to $200M+ (Sailing Whitsundays). First major social win: YouTube/FB drove 336K visits, 3K+ Twitter fans. Global reach: China, US, Russia, Indonesia. Cannes win cemented it as PR blueprint--user-generated content as audience conversation (Romanian Journal).

Controversies and Criticism: Was It Really the Best Job?

Hype sold paradise; Ben revealed grind. BBC/Independent quotes clash with PR: "Busiest job" vs. "dream." Critics: Overworked winner, jellyfish risks, media frenzy. Yet positive--boosted Queensland tourism ethically.

Successors and Modern "Best Jobs": From 2013 Relaunch to 2026 Contests

2013 Relaunch (Six Jobs, $100K each):

• TAS Tassie Devil Wrangler: Graham Freeman (SA).
• Others: Varied adventure roles.

2026 Equivalents:

• "Coolest Job on Earth": Antarctica Marathon crew (entries closed Nov 2025; King George Island, Mar 2026).
• Hagerty Internship: "Second-best job" car mag writing.
• Restaurant critic gigs (LA Weekly nod).

Long-Term Impact on Ben's Career and Lessons for Dream Job Hunters

Ben's win built a portfolio powering Best Life Adventures--proof viral fame fuels real ventures. Impact: From charity fundraiser to expedition mogul.

5 Steps to Land Your Dream Adventure Job:

1. Build Portfolio: Like Ben's Afritrex--document epic trips.
2. Nail Video Apps: 30s passion pitch wins.
3. Leverage Social: YouTube/FB for virality.
4. Prep for Workload: Fame means busyness.
5. Network Post-Win: Turn buzz into business.

FAQ

Who won the Best Job in the World contest in 2009?
Ben Southall (UK), beating 34,000+ for the Great Barrier Reef caretaker role.

What is Ben Southall's current status in 2026?
Founder of Best Life Adventures, leading global expeditions (Mongolia, Arctic, etc.).

What were the prize details and requirements for the 2009 winner?
AU$150K salary, Hamilton Island villa, 6 months on 60 islands; 30s video app required.

What happened to the Best Job in the World winner after 2009?
Oprah, Nat Geo, Africa overland, records, expedition company.

Who were the 2009 finalists and 2013 successors?
2009: 16 semi-finalists (Ben topped); 2013: Graham Freeman (Tassie Devil), others.

What is the legacy and any controversies of the Best Job in the World campaign?
$200M+ PR win, social pioneer; controversies: "Busiest job ever," not pure paradise.