Heya,

We arrived at our next stop, Airlie Beach on the Oz bus and checked into the backpacker's waterfront hostel. It's has a really strange layout, it's located in the middle of a food court in between a Chinese restaurant and the public toilets.It has hot water and a double bed, which is a change from the last place so we are happy.The evening was spent with everyone from the bus in a local bar, which had free platters and drinks (Matt not so happy, because he can't drink whilst taking his medication).The next day was spent around Airlie Beach which has a lagoon similar to Cairns, makes you query the name of the place though.We have been cooking when we can in hostels, mainly pasta! There was a fireworks display and live music by the esplanade in the evening which was pretty cool to watch (lasted ages).The following morning we boarded the Camira (lilac catamaran) to sail the Whitsunday's.Such an awesome day! Rachael snorkeled over the reef (so cold!), we toured most of the 74 islands and then went ashore at Whitehaven beach. It has 98% silica sand which is pure white; you can clean your jewelry and teeth with it.After a BBQ lunch with an open bar and some whale watching we went back to Airlie beach.Our next stop was Kroombit, a cattle station, where we stayed for one night (such a long journey).Our new bus driver (Muppet) turned out to be the craziest one yet, the last driver had jumped in a tumble dryer to pass the time in Airlie Beach so we didn't know what to expect next. We stayed in converted stables and each dorm had 6 bunks, nice and cosey!We had a two course meal, learnt to crack the whip (Matt couldn't get the hang of it! he he) and rode the mechanical bull (never again!).It was a wicked night with everyone from the bus sitting round the camp fire and locals playing their guitars.We were up early the next morning at 6am!, after a night spent freezing cold (wish I'd worn my socks).Matt did some shotgun shooting, followed by goat mustering in teams of two.So, with just us and a goat in the enclosure, Rach had to run after the goat, catch it by the horns and drag it back to Matt who then had to flip it over whilst Rach acted out the marking with a poker. It was so much fun and it was followed by a human circle where we were all shocked by a cattle prod. After being electrocuted, Rachael went horse riding for 2hours which was really random herding goats to a new field, but really cool.It was amazing being out in the Australian bush on horseback.We then left for our short 9 HOUR bus journey down to Rainbow Beach.

(No animals were harmed in the time spent at Kroombit Cattle Station)