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

Mr Ben Southall, 34, filmed himself alongside girlfriend Breanna Watkins at the Brisbane airport departure lounge in a video blog. "This is the bit I've been waiting for, to start the job," he said.

"When we get there, we're going to explore our house, and it's (our) first chance to drive a golf buggy as well, which is one of the massive perks of the job."

The charity worker beat thousands of competitors for the posting in a hugely successful marketing bash that earned global awards for its creators.

His job outline as "caretaker" is to snorkel, swim and sail around the balmy Whitsunday Islands, and upload daily blogs and video blogs to promote the destination `for Tourism Queensland.

Mr Southall, who has an entourage of about 20, would have been treated to a welcome dinner before his first full day of exploration today.

He courted controversy earlier by admitting that he would miss Britain's long summer days and roast dinners, leading the Australian media to label him a "whingeing pom".

He later griped about having to travel economy class from Britain to Australia. He tweeted: "Can you believe it... I'm in economy!!"

Tourism Queensland chief Anthony Hayes said Mr Southall would have to work hard "communicating with people who really want to come to Queensland for a holiday". -AFP