Adventure, Confidence and Life Stories

The Freewheeling Kiwi Blog

Explore authentic travel adventures, personal reflections, and practical tips to help you grow in confidence, embrace challenges, and experience the world more fully.

Hi, I’m Sharon Evans. Through this blog, I share stories from my journeys around Aotearoa New Zealand and the world—moments of discovery, courage, and connection with nature. Here you’ll find inspiration, insights, and real experiences to guide you in living adventurously while building confidence and self-trust every step of the way.

Te Araroa, New Zealand, South Pacific Sharon Evans Te Araroa, New Zealand, South Pacific Sharon Evans

Te Araroa Hitchhiking Tips for Solo Woman Backpackers

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.

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Hi, I’m Sharon Evans. I help people explore the world and themselves, sharing adventures and reflections that inspire confidence, curiosity, and courage.

Step into stories, insights, and experiences that show what’s possible when you embrace challenge and live adventurously.

Meet Sharon