Trail Notes, Trip Stories and Honest Advice from the Field
The Freewheeling Kiwi Blog
Sharon Evans is the founder of Freewheeling Kiwi and one of Australasia's leading small group Himalayan trekking specialists
She has walked the full length of Te Araroa — 3,000 kilometres from Cape Reinga to Bluff — and led multiple groups to Everest Base Camp with a 100% summit success rate. She also treks in Australia, Bhutan, the Annapurna region and across New Zealand.
Your First Overnight Walk
Thinking about your first overnight hike in New Zealand, but not quite sure where to start? There's something special about heading out on a walking track knowing you won't be coming home that evening. Yet questions about fitness, what to pack, where to sleep and what happens if the weather turns can easily put a first-timer off. The good news is you don't need to be an experienced tramper or invest in a mountain of gear to get started. You just need to know how to prepare.
In this guide, I share practical advice from thousands of kilometres of walking in New Zealand and beyond, so you can avoid common beginner mistakes, feel more confident about your first trip and spend less time worrying about what might go wrong. From choosing a manageable track and packing the essentials to planning food, staying safe and enjoying life on the trail, you'll find what you need to take that first step towards a multi-day adventure. Because once you've experienced the freedom of an overnight walk, you might just wonder why you didn't try it sooner. 🌿🥾
The Waikato River Trails
Some of New Zealand’s most beautiful outdoor experiences are closer to home than we think.
The Waikato River Trails are a perfect example, offering 104 kilometres of walking and cycling through native bush, along quiet stretches of river and past fascinating hydroelectric history. Having ridden the entire trail and walked almost all of it, I’ve come to appreciate the variety of experiences this wonderful network offers, whatever your pace or level of adventure.
One of my favourite sections runs between Arapuni Dam and Jones Landing, where towering cliffs reflect in still water, swans glide past with their cygnets, and kingfishers dart along the riverbanks.
Add the century old Arapuni Swing Bridge and the remarkable history of the dam and powerhouse, and you have a little adventure that doesn't require travelling far from home. Join me as I explore why sometimes the best discoveries are right on our doorstep.
Hiking Fitness for Real People
Think you need to be super fit before you start hiking? Think again. The truth is that hiking fitness isn't built in a gym or achieved overnight. It's built one walk, one hill and one adventure at a time.
Whether you're returning to the trails after a break or taking your first steps into the outdoors, there are simple ways to build strength, endurance and confidence without turning your life upside down.
In this article, I share the lessons I've learned from thousands of kilometres of hiking across New Zealand and beyond, along with practical tips to help you prepare for the trail.
You'll discover how to train for hiking in a way that fits real life, so you can spend less time worrying about whether you're fit enough and more time enjoying the journey. 🌿🥾
Sharon Evans is the founder of Freewheeling Kiwi and one of Australasia's leading small group Himalayan trekking specialists
She has walked the full length of Te Araroa — 3,000 kilometres from Cape Reinga to Bluff — and led multiple groups to Everest Base Camp with a 100% summit success rate. She also treks in Australia, Bhutan, the Annapurna region and across New Zealand.