Twin volcanic crater lakes, a ten metre waterfall, ancient kahikatea forest, and a mid-winter swim in Lake Ōkataina that nobody regretted. The July Reset and Recharge Walk delivered one of those days that stays with you, the kind where you arrive carrying the week and leave having quietly set it down somewhere between the trees.

This edition also tackles one of the questions I get asked most often: how do you actually get fit for hiking without turning your life upside down? Plus news from the August Reset and Recharge Walk at Pirongia Forest Park, and a small update from life at Shambhala where the solar is finally coming online.

Matariki is almost here and we marked its approach by walking into a gold mine tunnel in the Kaimai bush and coming out the other side changed.

This month: the Waiorongomai Valley story, the Great Walks comparison you've been asking for, a pop-up Friday morning walk at Karapiro, and the July Reset and Recharge Walk at Lake Ōkataina.

We finally slept under our own roof at Shambhala, and named her Kalapa. This month: a message from Nepal about a newborn daughter, the founding Reset and Recharge Walk, the Matariki winter walk, Trek Prep updates, and why trekking with me is nothing like booking online.

Autumn in Aotearoa feels like a collective exhale with golden light, quieter tracks, and a natural invitation to pause and ask what we actually need right now.

This April edition introduces something new and intentional: the Reset and Recharge Walk series, beginning 3 May at the beautiful Kauaeranga Valley in the Coromandel Forest Park.

Inside you will also find lessons from walking Te Araroa on rest, reset and coming back to yourself, a final call for the Nepal treks before bookings close, and coaching insights on navigating change and transition with clarity and courage.

Life often invites us to step into the unknown, try something new, or pause to notice what is unfolding around us.

Even small moments, like reflecting in the Coromandel bush, can spark clarity and show where our next steps might lead.

This edition also highlights upcoming Nepal treks, shares lessons from off-grid cabin life at Shambhala, and offers insights from the Coaching Hub to help you embrace curiosity, courage, and steady progress in your own journey.

A month of paths and possibilities, exploring off grid living, mountain journeys and the quiet work of building confidence and clarity from the inside out.

From Coromandel to the Himalayas, and into everyday life at home, this edition reflects on steady steps, purposeful choices and becoming more fully yourself along the way.

In this January newsletter, Sharon Evans shares highlights from recent New Zealand adventures, practical hiking tips, and reflections on personal growth.

Discover her latest coaching insights in the Freewheeling Coaching Hub, see what’s coming in 2026 — including group trips to Everest and Annapurna Base Camp — and get inspired to explore both the world and yourself.

A look back at unforgettable treks and a peek at upcoming journeys.

As 2025 draws to a close, I’m taking a moment to reflect on two incredible journeys in October and November. Our Everest Base Camp Trek carried our group through the majestic Himalayas, from vibrant Sherpa villages to the awe-inspiring views at Base Camp 🏔️. Shortly after, our Bhutan Short Tour immersed us in stunning landscapes, rich culture, and unforgettable experiences 🕉️.

Below you will find highlights from these trips, news about our 2026 Group Treks to Everest and Annapurna Base Camps, and stories, tips, and resources to inspire your next adventure — whether near or far 💫

From the rugged trails of Everest to the peaceful valleys of Bhutan, this month’s adventure is all about finding magic in motion. 🏔️✨

Join us high in the Himalayas as we trek, connect, and soak in the beauty of two extraordinary journeys — each one a reminder of why we wander. 🌍💚

Plus, there are more great stories waiting on the blog and a few exciting updates to share from the road — it’s been a month full of movement, meaning, and mountain magic. 🌿💫

🌿 The Adventure Begins the Moment You Step Outside

As hiking season arrives, it’s time to lace up your trail runners and answer the call of the open air. The trails are waiting — ready to restore your freedom, clarity, and connection.

Be it a gentle wander through nearby bush tracks or a climb that pushes your limits, every step rekindles your spirit and reminds you how alive you truly are. 🌸✨

We live in a culture that celebrates busyness, supposedly demonstrating through our very activity that we’re important, that we matter and that we’re indispensable. Imagine instead the opposite, of taking a deep breath, stepping away from the hurly burly of life and instead, enjoying the scenery. 

I love to travel slowly, to take my time and to really get to know a region and it’ll come as no surprise to you that my preferred method of transport is powered by my ability to put one foot in front of the other, to turn the pedals or to dip the paddles. I find slow travel offers a richer, more immersive and sustainable experience when compared to fast paced tourism.

I love a good podcast and have been listening to one of the very best for many years.

When I first starting listening to Sarah Williams, the founder of the multi award winning Tough Girls Podcast interviews I was in awe of both her and the amazing women who were sharing their stories. Fast forward several years and I’m beyond excited to now share my interview on Tough Girls. 

I have just returned from one of the best trips I’ve ever taken; hiking the multi day Larapinta Trail PLUS numerous day hikes which included King’s Canyon, Uluru and Kata Tjuta in the Red Centre of Australia. It’s been simply AMAZING and I’ve returned with countless images, videos and stories to share with you over the coming weeks. 

Being in the outdoors is my happy place and when combined with endless blue skies, fascinating history, culture and heritage along with extraordinary beauty in every direction I knew I was on to a winning combination with this last trip. If it’s a region that you’ve considered visiting, be sure to bump it up your bucket list.

I took my very first Trans-Tasman international flight at just four months old so I guess it was inevitable that I’d develop a love of travel and to this day, I’ve still an insatiable curiosity about what lays beyond the horizon. 

This winter I’ve two trips to Australia, it’s just the way it worked out and I’m so excited to be returning to the Red Centre today with Andrew. It’s decades since I’ve been there and can’t wait to experience once more the beauty of the Australian Outback.

In November we’ll be returning with another Group Tour to Nepal plus this year we’re also visiting neighbouring Bhutan. Any country that measures their GDP by happiness has to be an incredible place to visit and I’m thrilled to be going.

With what feels like only a few years ago, I was living the life of a typical over-achiever. A challenging yet fulfilling role that kept me on the treadmill and glued to “the system” with very little time off. 

With the 20th year anniversary in that career approaching, I realised that it wasn’t the reality I wanted to live nor the ladder I wanted to climb. I slowly stepped back and started to reconstruct my life.