So overwhelming was the response for the caretaker of the Hamilton island in the Queensland, the website crashed in just 60 minutes as over 300,000 people visited the site. Aspirants included a Swiss Olympic gold medallist and thousands of other sun-seeking teenagers.

The job had been advertised by the Tourism Department of Queensland, which could require the successful applicant to explore the Great Barrier Reef, laze by the beach and make friends with the locals.

The successful candidate will be asked to keep a blog and photo diary in exchange for six months rent-free on Hamilton Island as part of the salary package that includes return airfares and travel insurance.

"We have been flooded with over 300,000 people visiting the website on Tuesday in one hour alone and this led to the crash of the site," Queensland Tourism Minster Desley Boyle said.

"This is not a competition, it is a genuine job -- and it will be tough for the successful candidate," Boyle said.

"He or she will be required to live (on the island), undertake a range of activities such as swimming, snorkelling, bushwalking and exploring the islands of the Great Barrier Reef."

Eleven finalists from around the world will be chosen and flown to Queensland for an intensive interview process, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said.

The 'island caretaker' position was created as part of a three-year $1.7 million marketing strategy by Tourism Queensland.

The caretaker will promote the Great Barrier Reef islands, give media interviews and take care of a 'few minor tasks' throughout their tenure beginning on July 1.