Anyone who wishes to be initiated into the bushwalking culture of Tasmania needs to first visit Freycinet National Park. The dusty paths trail through bush vegetation and copses of trees hardy against the scarcity of water across the lands. Taking on one of the shorter ascents, you will reach the metal railed lookout above the crescent shaped bay embracing the warm blue waters of Honeymoon Bay. A similar track would bring you to Wineglass Bay, before traversing the boulder strewn Hazards Range and sweeping Great Oyster Bay to finally wind back on itself to the entrance. Hidden beneath the branched canopies of the towering giants in the dense forest are the lagoons, spread over several square kilometers of land. The sweet prospect of water from areas such as the Moulting Lagoon attracts the feathered inhabitants of the park, so keep your eyes (and ears peeled) for the warbling call of black cockatoos, the twittering flight of yellow wattlebirds and their drooping orange sacs and the graceful glide of ebony swans across the water. The sand, seas and clear trails allow for surfing, kayaking and dolphin watching for those not as interested in endless walking. By evening, the mountain peaks glint rose gold, mirroring the final rays of sunlight lingering in the sky. The perfect marriage of land and sea, there’s no better way to explore Australia’s great outdoors than through Freycinet National Park.