In the second leg of The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and sister Melinda Sheldrick sadly were the second team to be eliminated.
Speaking to 10 Play after their elimination, Nat Bass said tackling The Amazing Race Australia was "One of the most rewarding things I've ever done". With Mel being a massive fan of the series since day dot, Nat knew it was the perfect fit for the pair.
"I had been asked to do a few different reality shows over the years and it just hasn't felt right," she explained. "There was just something about this show, it's a family show, a positive show, a feel-good show. I think we all need a bit of that in our lives at the moment.
"There's enough negativity in the world so, to be able to get together as a family and watch it, it resonated," Nat continued. "And to be able to see the world, experience stuff like that with my sister and shine a light on our charity, all three things were just an absolute bonus."
Heading into the second leg of the race, teams found themselves in Salta, northwest Argentina, where they travelled to the top of Cerro San Bernardo, giving them a view of the entire area. Already the challenge proved difficult for Mel, who suffers from a severe fear of heights. Things only got worse when teams found out they had to take a cable car back down the mountain.
“I thought I was scared of heights, so when my sister said she was scared it took me by surprise seeing her like that," Nat said. "I just tried to keep her calm, keep her focused. It was really awful to see someone you love, someone you care about, with that much fear. She was so proud of herself for getting through that."
After the race, Nat revealed that she and Mel were able to get on a helicopter together. "She was like, 'Oh my god I never would have done this in my entire life if it wasn't for the show!'
"It really took her out of her comfort zone and showed her what you are capable of when you do face your fears, and it’s one of the most beautiful experiences even though it was really hard.”
On the way to the next challenge, the sisters took a wrong turn and had to stop for directions where they were told they had to turn back around and drive for another hour.
"We didn't for one-second question that anyone would be behind us at all," Nat admitted. "We were like, 'Wow, we're out! On the second leg? Is this real?'
"We didn't want to give up, we wanted to fight for our charity and for each other," she continued.
"We were so excited to do the race and do so much more but, at the end of the day, we were grateful for what we did get to achieve. We can't ask much more than that... except for first place!" Nat added, laughing.
The sisters went through a roller coaster of emotions, from tears in a cable car overlooking the region to tears of joy watching a baby goat be born, all that was left was a footrace to the Pit Stop alongside Cyrell Paule and Eden Dally.
Knowing they couldn't beat Eden and Cyrell, Nat and Mel spent their last moments in the race being grateful for the experience, with Nat adding that it was a bittersweet moment for the pair.
"[It was] definitely a bummer that it was all done and dusted but, at the same time, like I said it was honestly one of the best things I've done in my life and to share that with my sister was another highlight.
"We learned a lot about each other and what each other needed in certain situations and you don't often get that chance in life."
While devastated that their time on the race had ended, Nat and Mel were competing for a very good cause, their chosen charity The Black Dog Institute.
"My sister and I have both experienced different things in regards to mental health and suicide, and it can be incredibly tough to navigate emotions when they’re your own but also when it’s a loved one’s," Nat said.
"The institute is a research centre that you can go to and find out more information on how to support your loved ones. They aim to do as much as they can in that mental health space and I’ve been very grateful to have them as part of my life for a very long time now."
You can find out more about The Black Dog Institute, as well as all the charities our celebs are competing for here.
The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition continues on Sundays at 7 and Mondays at 7.30 on 10 and 10 Play.
