I managed to explain to everyone that they could participate in the contest and win 7 weeks of a wonderful holiday trip in order to help Ben Southall by registering on http://islandreefjob.com/best-experience/landing.php

Have fun and see you soon !

600 islands along The Great Barrier Reef… Too much for one man! If you think you can help Ben S. in his quest exploring and talking about Queensland and The Islands of The Great Barrier Reef , go and apply!

Give it a shot, become Island Caretaker Helper and invite your three best friends to share the Best Experience in the World !

Day 1 - Lyon St Exupery airport

Day 2 - London + Singapore airports

Day 3 - Brisbane + Lone Pine Zoo

Day 4 - Sunshine Coast + Meeting the other candidates

Day 5 - Official blue tshirts + Stamford hotel

Day 6 - Evening Stamford + Travelling to Hamilton Island

Day 7 - The Great Barrier Reef + Hayman Island

Day 8 - Reef View Hotel + diner + Daydream Spa

Day 9 - Announcement day

Day 10 - Flying to Cairns + Tjapukai Aboriginal Park + Skyrail + Paronella Park + The Elandra resort

Day 11 - White Water Rafting + Rugby match

Day 12 - Magnetic Island + Bungalow Bay

We had a one hour jet ski trip with Hailey and a nice guide, explaining us the story of the island (did you see the elephant?).

It was a great moment, offering me the best feeling ever!

Go and check for jet ski tours around Dunk Island with Calypsodive! They are really very helpful and the jetskis are so powerful

After a long shower and some internet surfing in the huge and luxurious hotel room, we went to the stadium of Townsville to watch the rugby match opposing the Cowboys team  (Townsville team) to the Dragons. 

The match was really exciting and the  North Queensland Cowboys scored an important 24-20 victory over the second-placed St George Illawarra Dragons (hurray!). I also enjoyed the Cowboys cheerleaders dancing during the match… It’s too bad we do not have some in France!

With Hailey (Australian candidate), Therese (from Townsville entreprise) and Sarah (from Tourism Queensland), we met “Bo-ling” and we spent a great day all together in the water.

Say “Raftiiiiiiiiing”

As we went in the begining of the evening, we got the night tour, which was incredible. I also discovered these beautiful flowers (Cat’s Whiskers).

The waterfall was impressive by day…

And even more by night

And finally we got in the garden and discovered all the magic of the Castle…

We really enjoyed our stay in Paronella Park. The great thing about Paronella is that you don’t know what to expect from the park before visiting it. So you know what you have to do

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, in Cairns, is a world first in environmental tourism taking you on an amazing experience over Australia’s World Heritage listed Tropical Rainforest canopy and deep into the forest.

I discovered why cassowarries are so useful for the rainforest. The Cassowaries feed on the fruits of several hundred rainforest species and usually pass viable seeds in large dense scats. They are known to disperse seeds over distances greater than a kilometre, and thus probably play an important role in the ecosystem. The cassowaries are now endagered in Queensland, we must prevent their extinction.

One of the beautiful views you can admire on board of Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

When we arrived, Hailey, Anjaan (+wife) and me, we were welcomed warmly by a hand-made fire. Stunning

Then we all got Aborignial paintings. These were great, and we kept them all day

During our stay at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, we learnt a lot about the Aboriginal culture (creation of the Earth, first human, etc.). First, we saw a holographic / acted show presenting their history and then we attended (and participated in)  their dance show. The Aboriginal music (digiridoos & percutions) is really entertaining and full of rythms!

After that, we had to try spear throwing - I did not do well - and the absolute come-back weapon: the boomerang (did you know: the aerodynamism of the boomerang was at the origin of airplanes wings design).

Green ants. Did you try the Green Ant tea? Delicious.

If you want to discover the Aboriginal culture alone, with friends, or with your family, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is the parc you need !