'Best job' Briton lands on Australian paradise island

The Briton who won a competition for the Best Job in the World arrived on Australia's idyllic Hamilton Island to begin his leisurely six-month posting in the tropical paradise.

Ben Southall, 34, started by sending a video blog from Brisbane airport departure lounge where he filmed himself alongside his girlfriend, Breanna Watkins.

"This is the bit I've been waiting for, to start the job on Hamilton Island," he said. "When we get there we're going to explore our house, and it's the first chance to drive the golf buggy as well, which is one of the massive perks of the job."

The outgoing charity fundraiser beat off thousands of competitors for the job in a hugely successful marketing campaign which captured the world's imagination and earned international awards for its creators.

His brief as "caretaker" is to snorkel, swim and sail around the balmy Whitsunday Islands and send daily blogs and video blogs with the aim of promoting the destination for Tourism Queensland.

Mr Southall, who is travelling with an entourage of about 20, was treated to a welcome dinner followed by a full day of exploration.