Living in a tent at Shambhala brings an intimate connection with the Coromandel bush. Every day is shaped by the rhythms of the forest, from the dawn calls of kākā to the night-time rustle of possums or pigs nearby. Tent life teaches patience, observation, and a quiet awareness that comes only from being fully immersed in nature.

In this post, I share the realities of off-grid tent living, from simple daily routines to the joys and challenges of being so close to wildlife. It is a story of adaptation, reflection, and the small but profound lessons learned when life is stripped back to essentials in the heart of New Zealand’s native bush.

Living at Shambhala brings daily encounters with New Zealand’s remarkable native wildlife. From the calls of ruru at dusk to the kākā heard at dawn, the bush is alive with movement and sound. Even kiwi make their presence known here, reminding me that life in this forested paradise runs to its own rhythms and requires a quiet, respectful presence to fully appreciate it.

In this post, I share some of the most memorable wildlife moments at Shambhala. You will find stories about the ruru and kākā, glimpses of kiwi in their natural habitat, and observations of other native birds. It is a mix of practical advice for noticing wildlife and reflections on the extraordinary connection that comes from living so closely with the untamed bush.

Living in the Coromandel bush off-grid gives a close-up view of the natural world, and sometimes the introduced wildlife that challenges it. From possums that sneak around at night to semi-grown pigs moving through the undergrowth, life in the bush requires constant awareness and a little courage. Trapping pests is part of the reality of living closely with nature, and it is a reminder of how delicate the balance of this environment truly is.

In this post, I share my experiences managing the introduced species on Shambhala, including possums, pigs, and the ongoing effort to protect the native bush. It includes practical tips, wildlife observations, and reflections on living so closely with the untamed side of New Zealand’s environment.

Living off-grid in the New Zealand bush is both beautiful and slightly unnerving. At Shambhala, the forest hums with life, from the soft calls of ruru at dusk to the sudden rustle of pigs moving through the undergrowth. Each day brings a deeper awareness of the land and its rhythms, where moments of serenity are balanced by reminders that the bush is wild, unpredictable, and very much alive.

In this article, I share the reality of life off-grid in the Coromandel bush including the wildlife encounters, the challenges of tent living while building a cabin, and the lessons learned from living so closely with nature. It’s a story of connection, resilience, and the quiet beauty found in the untamed corners of New Zealand.

Shambhala, my off-grid Coromandel property, is a place of learning, growth, and connection to the natural world.

From clearing tracks to starting the cabin build, this journey is about embracing challenges, celebrating victories, and living a sustainable, intentional life.

Explore what it takes to create a home in tune with the bush.

The Annapurna Base Camp trek is achievable with the right preparation.

This gear guide shares exactly what you need to pack, based on experience, to help you feel confident, comfortable, and ready for the trail.

Planning to trek Annapurna Base Camp?

This practical training guide covers cardio, strength, hills, altitude preparation and a simple 12 week plan to help you arrive confident and ready.

The Tama Lakes Track in Tongariro National Park is a spectacular alpine day hike, offering panoramic views of Lower and Upper Tama Lakes, Tama Saddle, and the surrounding volcanic peaks.

Though less crowded than the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, this out-and-back trail still demands preparation and the right gear.

From sturdy footwear and layered clothing to water, sun protection, and navigation tools, having the essentials can make the difference between a comfortable hike and an exhausting adventure.

In this guide, we break down everything you need for a safe and enjoyable hike, including a complete packing checklist you can download and take with you.

Whether you’re planning a summer trek or tackling the trail in cooler months, our tips will help you stay prepared, enjoy the scenery, and make the most of your Tama Lakes adventure.

Some walks unfold exactly as they should. The journey from Tarawera Falls to Lake Tarawera follows the river through native bush, past cascading water and quiet forest corridors, before opening out to the stillness of the lake.

It’s a steady, unhurried day where the scenery gently shifts and each section invites you to slow down and notice more.

Reaching the lake feels less like an endpoint and more like a pause — a place to sit, eat, breathe, and let the day settle.

With the return journey tracing the same path, there’s time to reflect, to walk with intention, and to enjoy the rare gift of a hike where nothing goes wrong — just movement, presence, and the quiet satisfaction of being there.

Just before the year closed I explored Bhutan, a land of serene valleys, misty mountains and vibrant culture. I visited skilled artisans creating intricate weavings, carvings, embroidery and paintings that have been passed down through generations. We also explored monasteries tucked into quiet valleys and hiked to the iconic Tigers Nest Monastery perched high on a cliff above the Paro Valley.

From the rolling hills and sparkling rivers to the sacred temples and remote villages, every corner of Bhutan felt alive with stories, skill and tradition. Each moment was filled with wonder, reflection and a sense of calm. Discover the beauty, craft and culture of Bhutan through this immersive journey.

When I first stepped onto the trail towards Everest Base Camp, I promised myself I’d savour every moment. The quiet mornings, the endless horizon of peaks, the laughter over warm tea and even the wobbly breathless moments at altitude.

I filmed these daily vlogs as a way of remembering what it actually felt like to be there: the sound of yak bells echoing up the valley, prayer flags fluttering against a sky so sharp it didn’t seem real and the growing sense of “we’re really doing it”.

For our tiny, off-grid cabin in New Zealand, finding the right location to start building was paramount and as someone who feels the cold, maximising sunlight was a top priority.

Over the past year while camped out in our tent, we’ve carefully observed how the sun moves across our property "Shambhala" throughout the seasons and in that time, we’ve learnt a great deal.

The Larapinta Trail is an incredible adventure and one that I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend!

But it’s also rugged, remote and fire prone, especially in the hotter months from October through to March.

So as to take advantage of the cooler day time temperatures, we hiked the Larapinta Trail during June which is wintertime in Australia.

Fortunately we had no exposure to active bushfires though the threat of them in this area is not to be underestimated.

There were many days on trail when we navigated through areas that had previously been burnt out and the thought of watching a fast approaching, out of control bushfire does not bear thinking about.

I stood forlornly on the trail as my body trembled with the intensity of my shivering and my teeth chattered uncontrollably.

Tears created by the sub zero temperatures mixed freely with the sleet and snot smeared across my face. I could hardly see through my glasses not that there was anything to see other than the horizontal rain swirling manically about us.

Andrew handed me an OSM bar, with his frozen fingers he couldn’t open the wrapping and thought somehow that I’d be able to. While I fumbled with the wrapping, we attempted to communicate above the howling wind.

Finally getting the bar opened I offered him the larger half, we were clearly living the Te Araroa dream!

With many thousands of followers across the world, many of you identify me as Sharon, the Freewheeling Kiwi however I led a very different life prior to being the adventurous, outdoors person that you follow today. 

In this deeply personal blog I share with you some of the circumstances that led me to change careers in midlife, why I quit corporate life altogether and the epiphany that morphed into the Freewheeling Kiwi.

I know how difficult it is to welcome change but having successfully navigated some of life’s largest transitions, sometimes, the grass really is greener on the other side. 

By sharing my story, I hope to provide you with the courage and inspiration to embrace the inevitable changes in your own life. 

I stood quietly absorbing the spectacular views; in one direction dramatically crimson coloured mountain ranges pushed up out of a vast and seemingly empty plain, above an eagle lazily soaring on the gentle thermal winds and below, a precarious trail clinging to the side of the cliff.

The persistent cawing of crows brought me back from my reflections and I visibly relaxed, knowing we’d successfully climbed to the top of Brinkley Bluff, one of the most challenging sections on the Larapinta Trail. 

The strain of the last few weeks immediately slipped away into insignificance.

Winter in the Red Centre of Australia is magical. Imagine clear dry days under an enormous blue sky, pleasant daytime temperatures and last but not least, fewer flies when compared to the hot and wet summer months. 

While it’s possible to visit the region in any season, winter’s cool drier days provide the ideal conditions to explore the Red Centre’s iconic landscapes. 

I begin walking in tears. For many reasons, not least of which is the unknown.

As much as I’m nervous for what lies ahead, there’s something encouragingly familiar about the process.

I shove three or four sausage rolls into my mouth as my parents (and our family dog) bid me an emotional farewell (more on my part, than theirs) and I start walking uphill towards Bealey Hut.

Aotearoa New Zealand is an adventure playground which has been thrilling hikers for many years with its incredibly beautiful scenery, luxuriant rainforests, magnificent rivers, seemingly limitless mountain ranges, remarkable valleys and tranquil lowland plains.

In this article, I share with you my favourite New Zealand Hiking Essential Gear List, these are my go to items that I reach for when planning any hiking trip in our beautiful outdoors. 

Te Araroa is a dream hike for many outdoor enthusiasts and Aotearoa New Zealand is known to be a hiker’s paradise which internationally enjoy’s a reputation as a safe country to visit.  

As you traverse the 3,000 km Te Araroa route from Cape Reinga to Bluff there’s many exciting opportunities to immerse yourself amongst the diverse communities that you’ll wander by.

The chance meetings with locals were some of our best times on trail and these opportunities would have been completely missed if we’d skipped the roads.