Australia's preparations for the forthcoming Ashes series against England start in relaxed fashion in the outback

The boot camp session begins under cloudless skies in the Beerwah State Forest near Brisbane in Queensland

Australia coach John Buchanan and paceman Jason Gillespie take on the morning session 12th-man duties

Captain Ricky Ponting's hopes of escaping the four-day commando-style survival course are thwarted early on

After lunch, Matthew Hayden and Glenn McGrath try to find a route to Brisbane in time for the first Test in late November

In a new tactical twist that England may wish to note, the two Shane's, Watson and Warne take the isotonic jerry can

Meanwhile, McGrath's blistering pace is welcomed by the majority of his team-mates, but for some, it's a little too quick

The early pacesetters power their way to the tea interval well ahead of their team-mates and await the refreshments

And they do not have long to wait, with superstars Brett Lee and Adam Gilchrist taking over as drinks carriers

And following a brief stop-off, it's back to it for the final session of the day among the insects and snakes