23 floors above the Brisbane, Park Regis North Quay, Brisbane - James Hill © Sultana Studios 2009

I'm back... on the 23rd floor overlooking the beautiful bris-vagas.

My roommate, an Irish bas-stard by the name of George, you may remember him from such ad campaigns as the best job in the world, the lovable larrikin that just wants to surf and spout the line kiss me I'm Irish to the fairer sex. So why are we here? Well the contracts have been signed but I don't want to give too much away.

Basically, the ever fantastic Tourism Queensland has offered some of the Best Job in the World finalists some extra work... Nothing off the scale massive or lengthy like Ben will be undertaking come July 1, just a little something on the side to help us through these difficult times.

These projects are yet to begin and thus George, Mirjam, Magali and myself bide our time by kicking it in this intriguing city! This really is the longest period I've spent in Brisbane since Expo '88. Most of the time we Melbournites or Sydney-siders write off Brisbane as a second class (uncultured swine) citizen, but gone are the days of the world fair and in it's place are a diverse and varied mix of galleries, bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants and boutique clothing labels to satisfy even the most concerned fashionista.

But the killer is the weather... It's the middle of June and it's oh only about 20º outside! 20 freakin degrees!!! That's about the temperature in London in the heart of Summer, couple the beautiful weather with accessible deserted beaches and bountiful bush-land what's not to love about this city.

Woorim Beach, Bribie Island, Queensland - James Hill © Sultana Studios 2009

I wake at 6 am, eager to make our 7 am departure I head for the shower-block. Powered by a wood burning "donkey" the mineral rich piping hot water showers my ego-bruised body, the water has a distinct earthy organic charcoal smell. I swing by Mirjam's tent on the way to breakfast, it's now twenty to seven and she's still in peaceful slumber... I proudly announce it's nearly 7 and that she'd probably be late, and trundle off to breaky.

The lovely ladies in kitchen are preping breakfast for all the workers and contractors in the area. Bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, toast, tinned spaghetti or baked beans (your choice) all reminiscent of the last three years in London... With the belly full I venture off to see what Mirjam's up to... 7am our supposed departure time and she's still sleeping... I scout Matt three tents down and he states we'd be leaving at 8 not 7... dammit.

Rod picks us up in a 70's series land cruiser troop-carrier, We hit the rugged dirt roads and breathe in the beautiful Savannah planes and bountiful wildlife.

Brolga (Grus rubicunda) - Lawn Hill National Park, Queensland

Today's plan would be to learn about the Riversleigh fossils. Riversleigh was listed as a world heritage site in 1994 and is Australia's most famous fossil site, there's a plethora of bone fragments encapsulated in the limestone, and once you know where to look you'll see it everywhere. Definitely enlist the help of a Savannah guide to help you sort through the rubble and who knows you may even discover a new species!

Riversleigh Fossils, Riversleigh, Queensland

Plateaus, Lawn Hill, Outback Queensland

Our afternoon agenda would be to soak up a rare event where the Sun would set in synchronous with a full Moon rising... Trust me for the photographers out there this is a painful event to attend, with one camera pointed east and the other west it became all a little too frustrating to capture both gorgeous events. Forget trying to document this one and just sit back with a glass of red, some cheese and crackers and keep it a moment for yourself.

En-route to sunset

Full Moon rising, Lawn Hill, Outback Queensland

Eight seconds of footage to leave you feeling remote and isolated.

What a fantastic ride, over the last three months Tourism Queensland have had some surprises locked away for us candidates and the viewing public, but their last little treat experiencing Queensland was the icing to an incredible three month cake baking competition.

Westwing's bug-smasher Piloted by Sally, Mount Isa, Queensland - Copyright James Hill 2009

TQ paired us up in what suspiciously looked like a match making exercise and shipped us all off to experience what Queensland had on offer. Mirjam (from Germany) and myself were sent to the earthy red tones of the Queensland Outback. We were flown out to Mount ISA one of the world's largest mining towns and were greeted with a smiling RM Williams wearing regional tourism representative. Matt was a fantastic host, and immediately held true of his relaxed schedule by driving us to Lake Moodarra to soak in the serenity while knocking back a few tinnies.

The beers doubled as a sedative for our upcoming twin prop flight to Lawn Hill, approximately 180 Nautical miles north-west of Mount Isa, Matt and I shared light aircraft stories while slowly numbing the fear of any turbulence we would encounter, fantastically though Sally from westwing had already quashed the anxiety with her funky aviators and bravado attitude.

Sedatives, Matt & James, Queensland - Copyright James Hill 2009

We exchanged Sal for the ever so lovely and accommodating Rod & Michelle of Adels Grove. These guys really know hospitality! The grounds of Adels Grove conjure images from the beach, castaway or some other equally gorgeous filmset, semi-permanent tents line the beds of Lawn Hill creek, the small cascade of water is within earshot and emotes a tranquility second to none.

The inherent Australian in me screamed not to swim in this creek, with lilly pads lining the banks and Mirjam walking down to the water, the iconic scene from dundee flashed in through my mind (you know the one where she fills up her water flask only to be attacked by an animatronic croc). Croc sightings would be reserved for Sunday so rest assured we swam in relative assurance and enjoyed an afternoon of schedule free activities.

Full moon rising over the savannah, Lawn Hill, Queensland - Copyright James Hill 2009

Just a quick photo purge to let you know that we're alive and kicking. My laptop is on 7% battery life I have to be brief.

Indarri Falls, Boodjamulla Gorge - Lawn Hill National Park

Tourism Queensland kindly chartered a flight from Mount Isa to Adel's Grove (Lawn Hill). Matt (TQ) and I quietly sat in the back sipping our xxxx gold tinnies (can of beer).

Adventurous Mirjam took every opportunity to play with the wildlife - Children's Python

Mirjam and I canoe up the extremely tranquil Boodjamulla Gorge

Best job in the world finalists James Hill & Mirjam Novak on the Boodjamulla George.