Bushwalk Australia

Hi there.
Having read this post, I got to thinking why people go bushwalking.
So I thought I would start a poll.
Feel free to add comments.

For myself, the closest match in the list is to "see some of the wonderful places in this state", but really it's more a matter being out there in the bush, or on a mountain, or in some remote place. I like that I've been able to get there and carry everything I need to live for a few days in my pack, and apart from what I've carried in, it's just me and the bush. I like feeling like I'm part of it (which I guess sounds like ethereal bollocks, but it feels right to me, anyhow). I suppose you could say that it's "getting back to nature".

Apart from that, I do like the photography, and the fitness too, and the feeling that I've accomplished something challenging, and sometimes the social aspect, but just being there appreciating the beauty of it all, and the Maker of it all (including me), is what makes it for me.

One other thing I like is taking people on their first bush walk, and helping to provide them with the opportunity to get the same joy for whatever reason they might appreciate it. Walking with newbies, while sometimes frustrating, helps me to appreciate it all the more through the eyes of those to whom it's all new.

Adam assumes writing guides is my major reason for walking in Tasmania but in reality its just about all of his list and writing guides is actually incidental in many ways. As a result I have no idea which one I would make first as they all apply and on different trips, different reasons take priority. Example when with a group of friends the social reasons might dominate and I might repeat a walk I have done quite recently just to participate with that group. On some trips its just for visiting some new place and on another it might be primarily for photography as its spring or autumn which are often the two best seasons in tasmania for photography. Yes of course we do also have to target some walks to check them before doing a new editon but often we have already done some of the walks recently for other reasons anyway as explained.

in response to the poll I found it difficult to nominate what is the prime reason for going bushwalking, I chose fly fishing; but photography and just being out bush are other prime reasons.

Hi again...
To make things clearer, the question for the poll is -

Poll :: Assuming that Tasmanian Bushwalking is the number one reason that you walk, what would your secondary reason be?

If there are too many reasons and none is a clear second, perhaps vote "other" and make some comments...

I chose photography as my second reason, but there are lots of reasons why I walk too.

The poll is not to be taken too seriously...

Its really hard to pin it down to one thing. I put photography...because I am doing a lot of that lately...but really I could have picked all of the above with exception of fly fishing.

Well, for me it's several reasons. At the moment it's just to get out and see the best of Tassie. But there's certainly photography, fitness, a social aspect (there are often friends and family to take to the cool short walks), as well as Geocaching, and a love of climbing to high places. The different terrain is interesting too... shall I go on?... no, probably not!

L8r.

picking this post to start in and say hi Agree it's all of the above except fly fishing - started primarily with see the place when we moved here and then socialising, then moved into fitness and now I think more onto 'other' - it's about challenging myself do do something out of my comfort zone ( I still find the whole experience a bit daunting and a little scary so it was nice to be shown this forum )

Sex under the stars or in a tent is pretty nice.

under10kg wrote:Sex under the stars or in a tent is pretty nice.

Just remember to take your packs off first kids. Playing the beast with 4 backs is only going to end in tears !

L8r.

i go bushwalking for the same reason i go scuba diving, not to get away from it all, but to get back to it. Just me and the world. Simple

I notice that social/friends as a reason for walking isn't attracting any votes. I voted for photography (of course) but social reasons are also important. Walking alone or with friends down a bush track is a great way to keep the head straight and the black dog away from the door. And all walkers know that Bushwalking is the only way to see the best parts of Tassie.

I voted for photography, but it not really just about taking photos - I have been taking a camera out bush for nearly 40 years and consider that the very fact that I have the capacity to take photos heightens my visual accuity and sensitivity to the colours and patterns that are part of the bushwalking experience for me. In one sense I enjoy getting "high" on the natural world's kalidoscope of colours and patterns, and at times feel like I am "feeding" some part of myself in the process. In broader terms, the experience of bushwalking to me is one of getting back in touch with who I am, where I have come from, and where I am going to. The physical exercise seems to release the mind to reflect on the meaning of life an all that! . . . and its fun, if not always during the process, more so in recollection!

For me all of the above results from flyfishing

A lot of the good lakes are a good walk and even a stay over night and then if your lucky enough to catch one then thats a photo opportunity along with some of the great sights that you see out there and the fitness is part of the package...and then sitting down next to your tent at the end of the day having a cup pa in the middle of where ever... theres not much better than that...

But it all starts from flyfishing

I voted for "Beautiful places to visit".
But fitness is another major.
A two-week trek in Nepal last year got my blood cholesterol down so far that the doctor was only half joking when he said I should do it for medicinal purposes!

I voted Photography but could have voted for a number of them. I love getting out and seeing what Tasmania has to offer and getting away from people is also a major attraction as well.

under10kg wrote:Sex under the stars or in a tent is pretty nice.

Not sure if you have heard about this book Sex in a tent Written by a Canadian girl, married to a Kiwi and living in NZ.

There is also a link to her blog on Our Hiking Blog

frank_in_oz wrote:Not sure if you have heard about this book Sex in a tent Written by a Canadian girl, married to a Kiwi and living in NZ.

And for fun, while I was there I did an Amazon book search for "tent" and got 257,960 results.
Sex wins, however, with 354,647 results...

tasadam wrote:

frank_in_oz wrote:Not sure if you have heard about this book Sex in a tent Written by a Canadian girl, married to a Kiwi and living in NZ.

And for fun, while I was there I did an Amazon book search for "tent" and got 257,960 results.
Sex wins, however, with 354,647 results...

Interesting! I'd accuse you of having too much time on your hands, except I did my own search. Apparently a book search for tasadam yields one result!

Draw your own conclusions people!

L8r.

Speculator - 38,268 results...
Who has too much time???