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 Coromandel Walkway
Walking the Coromandel Walkway between Fletcher Bay and Stony Bay is one of my favourite ways to spend a summer day. It's 20 kilometres return, with views of the Pinnacles, Aotea and Repanga, and an old bridle path that early pioneers forged to link the two bays. Allow about seven hours, take your time, and start from Fletcher Bay if you're not up for the whole thing.
There's no booking system and no queue. You just turn up, pick a good weather window, and start walking. Pohutukawa are often in flower in early summer, so it's a lovely time to go. Bring water, decent shoes and a warm layer for the sea breeze, and head out early before the crowds arrive.
Reset and Recharge at Lake Ōkataina
There's a particular kind of quiet that settles over a group standing above a lake nobody's spoken about yet. That was Rotongata, sun on the water, no one in any hurry to say something.
The July Reset and Recharge Walk took us into the Ōkataina Trails near Rotorua, through towering kahikatea, twin crater lakes, and a 10 metre waterfall called Te Auheke — tumbling water.
This is the story of that day.
Reset and Recharge in the Waiorongomai Valley
Every walk teaches you something. This one taught me that gold miners were tougher than any of us, that a broken gas bottle is character building, and that sometimes the best thing you can do after six hours in the bush is lower yourself into a hot pool and stay there.
The June Reset and Recharge Walk took us into the Waiorongomai Valley near Te Aroha, a place most people have driven past without ever stopping.
What they don't know is what the valley reveals only to those who walk into it — gold mine tunnels, hidden waterfalls, a swingbridge into the dark, and history scattered through the bush like it was left there yesterday.
This is the story of that day.
Reset and Recharge in the Kauaeranga Valley
Every idea has a beginning. This one had four women, a Coromandel valley, and a very cold river.
Sharon, Lietta, Karen and Irene gathered from across the North Island for the very first Freewheeling Kiwi Reset and Recharge Walk.
They walked without hurry through ancient native forest, stood beneath a 900 year old Kauri tree, and finished with a freezing swim in the Kauaeranga River and hot tea on the bank.
They arrived as strangers. They left as friends. This is the story of that day.
Tama Lakes Track Gear Tips for Your Out-and-Back Hike
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.
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.