SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Candidates ranging from "fish-spirited" divers to jaded journalists will find out later this week if they have made the final 11 for "the best job in the world" on Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Tourism Queensland will name a shortlist of 10 applicants on Friday (April 3rd), which it selected from a global field of almost 50, for the six-month job of highly paid caretaker for the tropical paradise island of Hamilton.

Taiwanese interpreter Clare Wang has already won a wildcard slot thanks to the public - making 11 finalists in total - after attracting 151,676 votes, almost three times as many as her closest rival.

The candidates have all posted online pitches explaining why they should get the job, featuring the applicants doing everything from chasing zebras around while wearing a wetsuit to boasting they can crack coconuts naked.

A Tourism Queensland spokeswoman said the promotion had been wildly successful, attracting more than 34,000 applicants worldwide and snaring an estimated 100 million dollars in free publicity.

"The response has been truly global, we've had responses from Antarctica to Zimbabwe," the spokeswoman told AFP.

The process has not gone totally smoothly, however, with one Russian candidate dropped after a pornographic video of her turned up on the Internet.

"We also had some nudity and obscenity in the initial responses which had to be screened," the spokeswoman said.

The winner will receive 150,000 Australian dollars for six months' work and free airfares to the tourist paradise.

In return, he or she will be expected to have as much fun as possible - soaking up the sun, swimming, snorkeling, sailing - and report to a global audience via weekly blogs, photo diaries and video updates.

Applicant Jimmy, from Singapore, bemoans the fact that he is "stuck in the concrete jungle" when he would rather be diving at his spiritual home.

"Please help this fish-spirited, fun-loving, adventurous little fish experience the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and live his dreams," he says in his online application, available at www.islandreefjob.com

London-based Sarah Louise shot her pitch from the back of a Peruvian taxi, listing among her attributes: "I can crack coconuts on rocks while naked."

Canadian Mitchell roped in about a dozen friends to accompany him in a musical number performed on the snow-lined streets of Ontario.

"I'm from Canada, and truth be told, there's one little problem, it's just too cold," the parka-clad hopeful sings before bemused onlookers.

Kenyan DJ and chef Kiran resorted to chasing zebras around the African bush in his wetsuit to show his suitability for the role, while Malaysia's Jackie shows herself eating a witchetty grub, an Australian Aboriginal delicacy.

South Korean journalist Juweon said he would rather tell the world about frolicking dolphins and turtles than a daily diet of misery.

"I'm a news man and I tell people through my show about war, terror, the faltering economy, political unrest, devastation and hopelessness," he said.

"Doing this every single day definitely takes it toll on you, sometimes I feel like uuuurgh. But I know there are better things to talk about."

The 11 finalists will be flown to Hamilton Island in early May to take part in the final selection process - an interview with panelists and group activities - with the successful candidate announced on May 6.

The winner will take up his or her post on July 1 and is allowed to bring a friend or relative to share the island's three-bedroom home, complete with private spa and modern conveniences. (AFP)