Despite wide smiles and hugs all round, behind the laughter and camaraderie lurks a steely determination to win "The Best Job in the World".
The 16 final candidates from 15 countries, including New Zealand radio host and TV presenter Clarke Gayford, 32, arrived on Hamilton Island yesterday for the final
round of interviews in the Queensland tourism promotion.
It will determine who spends the next six months exploring the delights of the Great Barrier Reef and sharing the experience on the internet to promote the region.
The winner will live in a cottage, and pocket A$150,000 ($192,000).
But Tourism Queensland chief executive Anthony Hayes won't bat an eyelid when he signs the pay cheque, not after the astounding success of the competition, which has surpassed everyone's wildest expectations.
"We were confident we had a pretty good idea, but the result's been absolutely brilliant," Mr Hayes said.
"We think we've just tipped over A$100 million in international publicity, with hopefully another A$20-30 million coming this week.
"At a tough time it's absolutely essential to turn it into bookings to make sure people are actually coming here for a holiday," he said.
No time was wasted on the flight from Brisbane to Hamilton Island.
A BBC crew shot footage for a documentary, photographers snapped away incessantly and TV teams grabbed interviews in the aisle.
The candidates had a ball - funny, engaging and confident as they shuffled from one interview to another.
On landing, there was an even bigger media scrum.
The international crews were waiting, including teams from France, Germany and Japan.
There was even Kei Shimizu, a famous Japanese comedian, wearing something that looked like a cross between pyjamas and a kimono.
He and the Japanese media horde, plus a few fans, swamped their country's finalist, Mieko Kobayashi.
The finalists were whipped off the plane straight into the resort pool to demonstrate their aquatic skills before they're let loose on the reef.
It was another opportunity for more hilarity. But one thing is clear: Tourism Queensland has dipped its net into the deep end of the talent pool, and no matter who it hauls out, it'll be well served.
- AAP
