Australia: 28th April - 11th August

Obligatory innuendo-laden photograph at the pinnacles

This is the kind of photo that is just crying out to be taken at the Pinnacles. Sorry.

Me abseiling face first down a 30m rock wall in Kalbarri National Park.

Dolphins at Monkey Mia; they come in every morning to be fed by the tourists. Because it's so predictable, it really isn't all that special.

Echidna Chasm in Purnululu National Park

Walking up through Echidna Chasm in the Bungle Bungle range, Purnululu National Park.

Beehive domes in the Bungle Bungle, Purnululu National Park

In the distance are the famous Beehive domes of the Bungle Bungle range. Helen Daniels nowhere to be seen. (Obscure 'Neighbours' joke, if you're confused).

Katherine Gorge. Can't think of anything else to say about this one.

Giant termite mound in Kakadu National Park

The sun goes down over the billabong beside our camp site in Kakadu.

Rock pools above Gunlom Falls in southern Kakadu

Beautiful swimming holes and rock pools were my lasting impression of Kakadu. This one at the top of Gunlom Falls in the south of the park was one of the most stunning.

Freshwater crocodile on the banks of the Daly River, just outside of Kakadu.

Trying the didges at the Mindil Beach markets in Darwin

Trying the didges at Mindil Beach markets in Darwin. One length of termite-chewed wood sounds much the same as any other to me when all you can do is blow raspberries through it.

Dowsing on Silverwood Farm. It bloody well works!

During my agricultural training course at Silverwood Farm, Clive the instructor showed me how to dowse for water. Being an engineer, I was of course extremely sceptical. But bugger me, it bloody well works! And running on the spot tells you how deep the water is too!

Tara Station, a 40,000ha cattle property in Outback Queensland, near Cloncurry. My home for 5 weeks.

Mustering of cattle on Tara is done on 200cc trail bikes

All the cattle mustering on Tara was done on these 200cc Honda trail bikes, but 90% of my work involved paddock development; installing troughs, laying water pipes, building electric fences and watering centres.

Lunch in the paddock with Dan, Rino and Steve

Sitting under the shade of some trees for lunch with boss Dan and colleagues Rino & Steve.

Fate: the weaners come to inspect our kill. Go away fellas, you shouldn't have to see this.

Drafting a beast at the Cloncurry Stockman's Challenge

Camp drafting involves cutting a beast from a mob of cattle then driving her in a figure of 8 and through a set of posts.

Spectators at the Cloncurry Stockman's Challenge. You're not a real Aussie cowboy unless you're wearing an Akubra hat.

Quamby is your archetypal Outback pub.

Relaxing in my room after another long day in the paddock

After a long day working in the heat and flies of the paddock (yes Rino, Steve, Lachie & everyone else, I'm sure it's all MUCH worse in January), nothing beats sitting down in a comfy chair with a mug of tea and a lo-o-o-o-ong book.

Sunset over Tara.

Well, sticking your hand up a cow's arse to check whether it's pregnant is one of those dirty jobs that somebody has to do. Thankfully, that somebody wasn't me. But you should try everything once.

Sun sets on my brief career at Tara. It was nothing if not memorable.

A koala on Magnetic Island.

I spent a great week as Dive Deck volunteer with Mike Ball Dive Expeditions, on board MV Spoilsport on a trip to the SS Yongala, Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef.

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