Nicole Kidman has bought a cattle ranch in her native Australia.

The actress - who gave birth to her first child with husband Keith Urban earlier this year - made the purchase after learning how to be a cowgirl while shooting her new movie.

Although Kidman admits she was scared of the grueling stunts at first, she has learned to love them - and finds the cowgirl lifestyle "so much fun".

She explains, "I was terrified beforehand. I even had to learn how to cut cattle. But once you master it it's so much fun. Now I can crack a whip, herd cattle, cut a cattle out of the herd, which is amazing. I can't believe I can do it.

"I've bought a company out in the country outside of Sydney. We don't have to muster them though, because there's only 40. they are basically on the property to keep the grass short."