Apply For The Best Job In The World

QUEENSLAND, Australia (CNN) -- Considering the dismal state of the world's economy, it's nice just to have a job. But what if you could find the perfect job? Thousands of people are competing to land a position that some call "the greatest job in the
world."

The ad could read: "Wanted - one 'island caretaker' of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Pay: $100,000 for six months of watching whales, feeding turtles, or whatever else you'd feel like doing on a tropical island."

The job description would also include cleaning the pool at the beachfront, three-bedroom house that comes with the job. All you have to do is write a weekly blog for the Tourism Board of Queensland about your island experience.

It sounds too good to be true. Tourism Queensland insists there is no catch. While it calls it the best job in the world, others might call it a publicity stunt for Australian tourism. But it might work.

"Word of mouth is really important. You need to hear from fellow travellers what a place is really like. What better way than to pay someone to do that?" says Jane Nicholson, regional manager for Tourism Queensland. "You need to be over 18, able
to swim. Apart from that, we're open to anybody. We want someone enthusiastic that has a passion for travel."

The land down under has been hit hard by the credit crunch. Tourism Research Australia says tourist numbers could fall by 4% this year, especially from mainstay markets like the United Kingdom.

So far, so good. On opening day the website has been flooded with about 33 hits a second. All applicants have to do is post a 60-second video expalining why they are perfect "island
caretaker" to islandreefjob.com.

Eleven lucky finalists will be flown to Australia for a final round of interviews before an island caretaker is chosen.

26-year-old Louise Cryan saw the job posted in the paper in London Monday morning. She became the first person to apply. ""It's a real job. That's amazing," she said on a dreary London day. What a great place to spend 6 months. I looked out the window. Such a great and miserable day. Who wouldn't?"

The application for applying for the job is February 22.