Kroombit Cattle Ranch

Another early morning departure from Hervey Bay and our destination today was Kroombit Cattle Station where we had some fun and games prepared for us. After 3 days bouncing up and down like an idiot in the back of a 4x4 the bus was a pleasant change and time to chill out for a bit and take in the sites. On our route was the town of Bundaberg, home of the famous Bundaberg Rum. I was told at the time that this is the Australian version of Stella Artois or "wife beater". Having tried it since I can fully understand why!!

Who ate all the pies?! (Alex and Phil)

Bundaberg, home of the aussie "wife beater!"

We arrived at the cattle station, or ranch as they call them in the states, in the early afternoon and were given the choice of a horse ride or more 4x4. As I'm not that keen on horses I chose more 4x4 adventures. Oh dear!! On the bus on the way there our driver told us that because of previous accidents etc that one of the ranch hands would drive us round. Oh no, it was a free for all, Andrew the "superviser" even asked if I wanted a go. When I said I didnt have a license he said "..so what?!".. For the next hour we drove around clinging on for our lives the back of the oldest, most beaten uo 4x4 you've ever seen. All the cushioning in the seats was gone replaced by planks of wood, the back door was held on by a bungee cord and was slamming back and fore all the time. The best of all however was at the start when he asked Phil, who was the first to drive, to always keep it in the lowest hear possible. When Phil inquired why he replied "coz the brakes aint too good!!". Once we were back I felt like kissing the gound like the Pope and vowed not to do anymore 4x4 on the trip..
It was a quick change of clothes then up the hill for some clay pidgeon shooting and lasooing goats. I gave the clay pidgeon shooting a miss coz i'd probably be toss at it and decided to put all my efforts in learning how to lasoo. The aim was to stand in the ring and chose a goat you were going to get then you had a minute to get it with your rope. Amazingly I won and managed to do it in a staggering 2 seconds!!! I think I may have found my next job!!

Lasooing and shooting aside it was down to the camp for food and more ranching activities. When we got down to camp it was really good to see Frat, our guide out of Sydney and for the first 3 days of the tour. He was taking his bus back down south from Cairns. Firstly we were taught how to crack a whip. Its not as easy as a towel and it hurts a hell of a lot more than a towel when you get it a bit wrong!! Then it was onto the mechanical bull for rodeo time.. To say i was shite would be an understatement but my dismount was unlike anything they'd ever seen. I manged to do a perfect sumersault and land on the crashmats on my back, not hurting anything accept my pride!! Frat found it particularly amusing as he'd given me some tips on how to stay on. He used to work on a cattle ranch further inland before he started driving for Oz Experience..I think i managed 3 bucks. Despite not really wanting to do it and going last Alex won staying on for about 12 i think. Up stepped Frat and beat everyone, managing about 20/25 bucks before he jumped off and he did it no handed!! Very impressive...
After the bull it was more drinking and drinking games which decended into things which shall not be repeated, as they say, what goes on tour stays on tour!!!

Kroombit Cattle Ranch

Rockhampton, Australia