It was advertised as the "best job in the world" - being paid for relaxing on a tropical island.

Almost 35,000 candidates applied for the role of caretaker of Hamilton Island in Queensland, Australia and yesterday a charity fundraiser from Hampshire was awarded the six-month dream assignment.

Ben Southall will move into a rent-free three-bedroom villa with pool, when he starts work on July 1. He was among 16 finalists who spent the past four days on the island for an extended interview process.

Mr Southall, 34, said:"It's been absolutely a real railroad of a ride. It has been non-stop. We haven't had much sleep. We have really been dipping our toes in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

"There are a huge amount of experiences to have over the next six months. I hope I can fill the boots as much as everybody is expecting."

Mr Southall, from Petersfield in Hampshire, plans to take his Canadian girlfriend Bre with him when he moves onto the island. His job, which includes a £74,000 salary, will involve him working just 12 hours a month, writing a weekly blog and making a photo diary and video updates on his explorations to attract visitors to the reef's 900 islands.

The position is part of an £833,000 tourism campaign to publicise the charms of Queensland.

About two million tourists visit the islands each year, but most stay on the mainland and visit only on day trips. Hamilton Island is the largest inhabited island in the region.

The job advert required: "Excellent communication skills, good written and verbal English skills, an adventurous attitude, willingness to try new things, a passion for the outdoors, good swimming skills and enthusiasm for snorkelling and/or diving."

In his application Mr Southall said: "The most important thing to me in life is to have an exciting job that makes me happy, puts smiles on people's faces and achieves challenging goals."