'Best Job in the World' winner now off on 'Best Expedition in the World'

Melbourne, Nov 11 (ANI): The man, who won an international competition for "the best job in the world", is now going on what has been called as the best expedition in the world.

Ben Southall will be going on a 1600km sea safari along the state's coastline, and he will spend three months kayaking and sailing from the Town of 1770, on Queensland's central coast, to Cooktown in the far north.

"I'm thrilled to be undertaking the expedition, from island caretaker to promoting the caretaking of the Great Barrier Reef," News.com.au quoted him as saying.

Southall, who was caretaker of Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays, will set off in May.

"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," Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said.

"Our aim is to encourage more people from around the world to experience the islands of the Great Barrier Reef and perhaps to get involved in research and protection of the reef themselves," he added.

Lawlor said the past 18 months had been challenging for Queensland's tourism industry and that the expedition was part of efforts to improve operators' fortunes. (ANI)