The National Geographic program that was shot over the six months of the Best Job in the World goes to air in May and in the run-up to its launch there’s a final bit of filming to do and I have to go to Hamilton Island again – shame!

No time to soak up the beaches, views or the restaurants though. This is all about work.

What was supposed to be a two day shoot has to be crammed into one instead as my house move and my imminent next trip away have really put the pressure on us to get things done as quickly as possible.

As I walk through the arrivals area at Hamilton Island airport there’s an incredible reception waiting for me. Some of my great friends here have organised boards and banners saying ‘Welcome Home’ and “Best Ben in the World’ and the girls on the island are furiously waving them as I turn the corner. I love them. Thank you so much Anna, Rosie, Grace, Amy and all the others!

But before I can get caught up in the moment I’m quickly reminded that I’m here to work. Richard Meyer from NatGeo introduces himself, grabs my bags and whisks me off to Catseye Beach to film the first setup for the day.

We’re filming a thirty second promotional piece that will go to air in the month leading up to the series opener in May.

The piece has me introducing myself sat in a grey suit, shirt and tie behind a desk (actually the desk of Glenn Bourke – Hamilton Island’s CEO!), getting up from my chair and asking “How’s your job going?”

Throughout the piece I slowly loose the office attire, stripping the jacket, tie, shirt and trousers whilst suggesting the types of jobs you may do. Plumber, shop assistant, banker etc etc.

The penultimate scene sees me down to my boardshorts and shirt entering the bushes saying “Let me show you where I work”…

We filmed everything on Hamilton Island with the exception of the closing scene which is awesome. The weather had been very seasonal throughout the shoot with hot sunshine broken up by torrential downpours – this is the tropics during the green season!

Our final scene was to be me exiting the bushes but appearing on Whitehaven Beach. One of the world’s top beaches with pure white sand along its 7km length. We took off from Hamilton Island Airport in a Bell Ranger helicopter and headed for Whitsunday Island.

However when we got there it was pretty wet and windy so Greg, our helicopter pilot from HeliReef, came up with a new location. Langford Spit off Hayman Island.

We grabbed a break in the clouds and managed to film several takes of me exiting the bushes, stripping off the final layer of office clothing and standing on the beach pronouncing “Welcome to my office, this is where I work. My name is Ben Southall and this is The Best Job in the World”.

As I say this the helicopter pulls away sharply with the camera panning out to leave me stood on a stunning sandy beach with crystal clear blue water all around.

You’ll just have to see it to believe it. As soon as I get a copy I’ll upload it onto islandreefjob.com for you!

Just one little reminder for you all then…

If you live in Australia don’t forget to set your video/digital recorders to National Geographic Adventure channel on Thursday 13^th May. Local time variations may apply so be sure to check your listings so you don’t miss it! It’ll be broadcast across the rest of the world soon after so I’ll let you know when, when I know!