Ben’s time as the Island Caretaker is coming to an end!
On December 31 Ben will hang up his snorkel and wetsuit and bid farewell to his time as Caretaker of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef. The Tourism Queensland team will be sad to say goodbye and we know you will be too after following Ben’s adventures over the past six months.
We’d like Ben’s friends around the world to post him a final hoorah message below and let him know which blog, photo or video was your favourite and which destination/experience he’s inspired you to visit.
Many thanks
Tourism Queensland
15 Responses to “Ben’s time as the Island Caretaker is coming to an end!”
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Tom on November 18th, 2009
Hi Ben,
Just to let you know you did a wonderfull job over the past 6 months explaining all these great places to visit!
It helped me and my girlfriend a lot to plan our trip to Australia next year (april-may)! Among the places we are going to visit thanks to your advice are: Lizard island, Lamington NP, Daintree NP, Fraser island,…
And the great tips for activities overthere are already on our shedule, we’re really looking forward to the canopy adventure, the many scuba dives,….
Thanks for all that great advice and the cool movies you posted! Your blog is more usefull than all the travel guide books together, because you made us actually see the things we might expect
greetings from Belgium and enjoy your last month in paradise
Tom & Noreen Verschueren-Wolff
metubbs on November 18th, 2009
Amazing job Ben. I hope you may keep up your travels where ever you go. Is anyone taking over your blog to keep informing people about all Queensland has to offer?
crazyclare on November 19th, 2009
Hoorah Ben!!
What amazing, fortunate adventures you have had….I’m from Southsea so not far from you back in Petersfield….I’d love to come along to a presentation or something you do back home about all this when you return?!
I loved all the blogs but would love to visit the Torres Straight Islands in particular since I have a special interest in international development and different cultures.
Enjoy your final days…
Clare
laura on November 19th, 2009
i loved every story he wrote.
i was allready planning a trip to australie but now i really can`t wait.
hope that tourisme qeeunsland start another best job in the world next year and maybe can i write the blogs
ore i keep enyoing the blogs of somebody else:D
thank you for the nice blogs ben.
i loved them.
greetings from laura
Steven on November 19th, 2009
Wow, time flies! Have a great last few weeks, Ben. I hope it’s a fantastic ending to a wonderful adventure.
Steven
Jeanne on November 19th, 2009
Very lucky job you’ve had mate. Hope you had fun, and it looks like you have. I enjoyed your blog and adventures.
-Jeanne in Michigan
Helen O on November 21st, 2009
See you back in Blighty mate!
jenniferangela on November 21st, 2009
Thanks Ben for doing a great job! I was envious of the position and thought of how spectacular the winner’s year long adventure would be! I am finishing my PhD in Boston, USA and, thanks to your blog, have been vicariously living though your adventures. I will visit the Whitsundays in February via Virgin America/Australia. I will definitely book a day at Coral Ecojet Safari! I would like to know if there is camping available nearby. Maybe when you ‘retire’ you can Rummble some of the places so it’s easy for other people to access the awesome itinerary on-line. (Rummble.com)
Thanks again for expanding my horizons! Best wishes for your future!
Jennifer
April on November 26th, 2009
Hi Ben,
I have been away and i can not believe it is already time for you to go! I have not even had a chance to see all your blogs yet.
No doubt you have had a really good time! The pics and all look really good. what do you or TQ have in store now?
For me some vital points need to be answered still before i come to Aus, which i didn’t see in your blogs. But you never know maybe one day.
So what happened to the “best experience in the world”? Did i miss it………the anouncement? Who got it and what is going to happen about it?
Anyways hope you and Bre have a good life. Take care.
April.
yu ying on November 26th, 2009
hey ben, my name is Yu Ying.I am in Beijing and was one of the 50 shortlisted applicants in The Best Job in the World campaign.In two days, I will visit the Great Barrier Reef as a freelance writer with some Chinese TV crews, and we will meet you and Bre.Can’t believe how time flies.Looking forward to meet you!!
pilotHans on November 29th, 2009
hi ben,
great job mate…seems like it was just yesterday since you took the job…great stories and adventure that inspire not only me but a lot of people around the globe…I guess visiting the great barrier reef is indeed one of the 10must visit places before we die..looking forward to read ur future travel blogs..
thanks and may we meet someday…
babsnewtoy on December 1st, 2009
Hey Ben,
It was a pleasure to read all you’ve seen and done, just makes me want to get there sooner than later, hopefully i will get my chance soon. You did an awesome job, still envious that you got the job but still I think they picked the right person, I felt I was right there sometimes as I was reading and for that I’m grateful. Have a wonderful time on your next adventure.
Bazil on December 2nd, 2009
Wow, what a life. Enjoy the time you have left.
nida on December 8th, 2009
Wooow. very nice….
LMoon on December 11th, 2009
I have enjoyed the entire experience, starting with thinking up my application video (which did not get picked…) and deciding to go to GBR on my own to see what is was all about (your tourism ploy WAS successful!!). We just got back from 4 wks in New Zealand and 2 wks in Australia and LOVED it!!!
We toured around Whitsunday Islands and were astounded by the beautiful while silica sand on Whitehaven Beach. We waved as we passed Hamo Island ‘ “Hi Ben!!” And of course, we had an incredible time on a QuickSilver day trip to the outer reef. The coral and fish were amazing – it was like being in a National Geographic special. The blue colors of the ocean were so beautiful.
We also enjoyed the Australia Zoo, home of the Crocodile Hunter, in Brisbane. This is one of the nices zoos we have ever seen – the habitats are wonderful! And the skyride above the rainforest canopy west of Cairns was awesome – the gorge is unbelievable!!
Needless to say, we want to return and spend more time in and around the reef.