We were up bright and early yesterday in order to check out and catch our bus at 7.00am. The bus was quite busy but we got good seats and left Airlie Beach just a little behind schedule (after picking up a very drunk/half hungover passenger!). The journey was the longest we are going to face on the way down the east coast and we made a brief morning and afternoon stop, which sandwiched a lovely BBQ lunch, cooked by our driver Deano - with a little help from ourselves. After a snooze, movie and coming a close second in an on-board quiz (so close to a free beer!) we arrived in the middle of nowhere at the Kroombit Cattle Station.

We checked in and dumped our bags in the nice, air-conditioned, cabins, before heading straight to 'Al's Bar' for a Bundy and coke (rum!). We enjoyed a bush dinner of Broccoli and cheese soup with homemade bread followed by roast beef - gorgeous! Whilst our tea was settling we were given some information about the cattle station and the surrounding area and wildlife before it was time to get the whips out!

We were taught the are of 'cracking the whip' and after a while we both got the hang of it. Once we had got the correct technique and were making the cracking sound we had to stand on a rock and show off our skills, after a good few attempts we finally made some deafening cracks!

Next up was the mechanical bull - yep thats right a bucking bronco! Most of the group had a go and most found getting on the bull the hardest part! Sarah's stint on the bull was brief whilst Laura lasted a bit longer but got a sore hand from holding on so tight! We had a good giggle watching people getting thrown off before the girl operating it showed off with some 'bull surfing' quite impressive. After everyone had been on the bull we played a couple of games, including musical chairs, then toddled off to bed ready for another early start.

This morning we awoke at 5.30am and were checked out and enjoying breakfast by 6.00am. As some of the group went horseriding we took a walk through the grounds of the station for an hour or so, then once everyone had returned it was time for a bit of goat rodeo! Firstly some people took the opportunity for some clay pigeon shooting, then we had a go at the lassoo, Sarah been considerably better than Laura! Finally it was time to get into teams of 3 (we were joined by fellow Brit Rebecca) and step into an enclosure where between the three of us we had to catch the goat (Sarahs task - and after a bit of a chase - she did a fab job) by the horns and drag it into a circle in the middle. Whilst Laura lifted the goat onto its back and held it down, Rebecca had to get a branding iron and (pretend - as it was not hot) brand the poor little goat! We did well but didn't make it into the 'goat-off!'

By this time it was gone 10.30am and time to make our way to Hervey Bay. After a lunch break and an afternoon movie (rubbish!) we arrived in Hervey Bay around 4.30pm. We checked into Palace Backpackers and did the obligatory grocery and alcohol run ready for our 3 day safari on Fraser Island.