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.

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.

For many in the developed world, striving for material wealth, status and possessions is given precedence above all else. What if instead, we recognised the importance of relationships, community contribution and service, self development, and physical and mental health? Purposely living a simple life asks that we reconsider our priorities. 

From a whisper to a howl, pine trees have their own mesmerising song though many times it’s all bluff and bluster with, despite the drama above, hardly a leaf stirring amongst the canopy below. 

But not always I mused as I listened to the rhythmic thud of pine cones hitting the ground nearby and the unnerving rattle, creak and clank as branches and trunks bullied each other for space like so many boys queuing outside the tuck shop. 

I knew once I’d spent a little more time on the land, sleeping under canvas, observing the twinkle of the Milky Way, listening to the wind whistle in the trees, the morepork and kiwi calling, even the possums squabbling, the name would present itself.

In Tibetan Buddhist traditions Shambhala is a spiritual kingdom that is believed to exist somewhere between the Himalayan Mountains and the Gobi Desert. 

Hidden deep in a valley, the land is inhabited by a mystical brotherhood whose members labour for the good of humanity. 

We tore down to the beach, our new inflatable flutter boards bouncing cheerfully behind us. We had enough experience not to swim in the first part as the sand was mixed with small rocks and if you were rolled by the huge waves, you’d end up with gravel rash.

Onwards a little further and the sand was pristine with the waves rolling in predictable sets of seven. We ditched our towels above the tideline and raced each other into the surf, excited to be trying out our new boards.