Ultimate holiday calls you
FORGET work from home – Cat Dark says she has the best job in Australia and wants more people to come and see why.
The 31-year-old adventure lover is the host on private Wilson Island, a coral cay off the Queensland coast where no more than a dozen guests at a time are treated to a private chef, amazing sea life experiences and 360-degree views of the southern Great Barrier Reef.
“I’d definitely say I have the best job in Australia,” said Ms Dark, who has worked on Wilson Island since it reopened in 2019.
“The others who work on (nearby) Heron Island are jealous.”
A world away from your typical office, she soaks up the surroundings as she ferries guests from Heron Island.
Her Instagram page is filled with magical marine encounters with rays, turtles and snorkelling through coral reefs.
“I believe that the whole island has this special feel about it, as soon as you step off the boat,” she said.
“Even for me as an employee. After so long, I still struggle to find the right words to describe Wilson Island and why it is so special, it simply just is.”
Her typical day involves organising activities for guests and ensuring they make the most of their island experience.
“It entails a lot of chatting with and looking after our guests, which I love,” she said.
“I love seeing our guests off at the boat, just knowing that they are about to have an epic experience.”
Tourism and Events Queensland is offering the
chance to win one of five holidays through News Corp Australia newspapers as part of a $5.2m Great Queensland Getaway campaign, which launches on Sunday.
The first of five holiday prizes is a two-night stay on Wilson Island for 12 people valued at $15,000.
It includes a private chef and island host, return boat transfers and a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef for the prize winner and one friend.
Hundreds of Queensland holiday deals, heavily discounted accommodation and cut-price airfares from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart and Darwin will also
be up for grabs, and promoted in the NT News on Monday.
TEQ chief executive Leanne Coddington said the Sunshine State was excited to welcome back interstate visitors.
“Our recent campaigns have shown us how much travellers love a deal – whether that’s free nights, a buy-one-get-one-free tour or a discount,” Ms Coddington said. “That’s why we are opening this one up for all Aussies to enjoy.”
New TEQ website data shows a 27 per cent surge in interstate interest in Queensland holidays since the borders reopened in December.
“Queensland ticks all the
boxes from a family trip to our action-packed theme parks, a romantic island getaway, our nature and wildlife experiences, pristine beaches, our diverse outback landscape and so much more,” Ms Coddington said.
“Come, reconnect with loved ones and create memorable experiences with some of our fantastic tourism products on offer and our exciting It’s Live! In Queensland events calendar.
“Over the past two years we have seen so many new experiences open up, as well as the ones you know and love.”