Slow Down and Enjoy the Scenery
Hello, welcome and breathe…
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.
My feature article, the Larapinta Trail Diary takes a look at the expected and unexpected (even hilarious) events that occurred when we slowed down to enjoy the scenery. By remaining flexible with our plans, this adventure turned in to so much more than simply ticking something off the proverbial bucket list.
I’ve been asked many times where the concept of the Freewheeling Kiwi originated, both what it is that motivates me to share inspiring stories as well as how the name itself came about. My Freewheeling Kiwi Origin Story is a peak back in time to the circumstances that led to the Freewheeling Kiwi epiphany that has since morphed into what you see today.
The countdown is now on as we prepare ourselves for an EPIC Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal and for the first time ever, the Bhutan Highlights Tour. I’m thrilled to once more be sharing these extraordinary experiences with members of the Freewheeling Kiwi community who I know will be in for a trip of a lifetime.
There’s still time to join with us on these amazing adventures, check out all the details and more below
In the meantime, take care, lots of love Sharon 💚
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Feature Article
In June we walked the stunning 230 kilometre Larapinta Trail which I’m excited to say greatly exceeded all our expectations. The scenery was glorious and featured vast red desert landscapes, rugged mountains and ridges and numerous spectacular gorges.
Not everything went to plan however and as with every adventure, the Larapinta Trail forced us to confront the limits of our control and in doing so taught us greater patience, resilience and the difficult art of letting go. We were challenged to create our own closure and to find resolution not in the answers we sought but in the strength we discovered within.
Extract from the Larapinta Trail Diary
Larapinta Trail Diary
I stood quietly absorbing the spectacular views; in one direction dramatically crimson coloured mountain ranges pushed up out of a vast and seemingly empty plain, above an eagle lazily soaring on the gentle thermal winds and below, a precarious trail clinging to the side of the cliff.
The persistent cawing of crows brought me back from my reflections and I visibly relaxed, knowing we’d successfully climbed to the top of Brinkley Bluff, one of the most challenging sections on the Larapinta Trail.
The strain of the last few weeks immediately slipped away into insignificance.
Let’s Be Social
“Now more than ever do I realize that I will never be content with a sedentary life, that I will always be haunted by thoughts of a sun-drenched elsewhere.”
Freewheeling Kiwi Blog Posts
Freewheeling Kiwi Origin Story
Like many thousands of followers across the world, you may identify me as Sharon, the Freewheeling Kiwi however I led a very different life prior to being the adventurous, outdoors person that you follow today.
In this deeply personal blog I share with you some of the circumstances that led me to change careers in midlife, why I quit corporate life altogether and the epiphany that morphed into the Freewheeling Kiwi.
I know how difficult it is to welcome change but having successfully navigated some of life’s largest transitions, sometimes, the grass really is greener on the other side.
By sharing my story, I hope to provide you with the courage and inspiration to embrace the inevitable changes in your own life.
Travel Consulting and Adventure Planning
Feeling stressed about your new adventure and travel planning? I’m here to help simplify the process and take the weight off your shoulders. I will support you and provide expert advise tailored to meet your needs so that you can travel stress free.
Expert Travel Advise
Get personalised advise on where to go, when to travel, how to plan a pace that works for you and what to add to your bucket list. I’ll share tips on budgeting, packing, transport, apps and even foods that will be sure to tempt your tastebuds.
Custom Itinerary Planning
Let’s design an adventure that matches YOUR style, an active hiking getaway, relaxing on a beach or a once in a lifetime epic journey to the ends of the earth.
Solo Travel Coaching
Now’s the time to build your confidence, handle safety concerns and discover the joy of travelling independently.
My top three most widely-read articles ever published
Looking for the most popular articles to read? While there’s a wealth of resources on the Freewheeling Kiwi website, the following three articles keep people coming back again and again.
Te Araroa Gear List Essentials
In this article I share with you the gear that we took when hiking the 3000km Te Araroa Trail along with the reasoning and context behind our decision making to better help you when making your own decisions while planning your walk of Te Araroa.
The article finishes with my reflections on what gear didn’t last the full distance, what was sent home, the substitutions and additions along the trail and what I’d change next time.
Te Araroa Thru Hiker Diet
Committing to a thru hike is equal parts exciting yet at the same time, immensely daunting. Not only are you going to be away from your home, family, friends and work for an extended period of time, there’s also untold logistics to be taken into account.
Choosing to hike Te Araroa, Aotearoa New Zealand’s three thousand kilometre trail which traverses the length of the country from Cape Reinga in the Far North to Bluff in the Far South (or vice a versa) brings with it many of its own unique challenges.
Milford Track Essential Gear List
Milford Track has been thrilling hikers for over 150 years with its indescribably beautiful scenery, verdant rainforests, countless waterfalls, pristine rivers, the McKinnon Alpine Pass and sheer valleys carved out by ancient glaciers. It is the most famous of New Zealand’s ten Great Walks and understandably on many hikers’ bucket lists.
In this article, I share with you my Milford Track Essential Gear List, these are the items that I took with me when completing the track during a typically wet spring. I also provide some context around my choices. The article finishes with my reflections on which of my essential items failed, and what, with more experience and the benefit of hindsight, I’d now swap out for other options.
If you’re planning to hike in Fiordland, this is a must read
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Freewheeling Kiwi Group Tours
Come away with me on an Adventure of a Lifetime.
Paro, Bhutan
Dates: Tuesday, 18 - Friday, 21 November 2025
Price: USD $1,099 US $899 (limited time special)
Deposit USD $180.00
Make your way to the most beautiful country, Bhutan. An ideal introduction to the Dragon Kingdom, the safest and most peaceful country in the world which grants you a blend of natural beauty and cultures.
Nestled between some of the mightiest Himalayas in the world, Bhutan is a lesser-known travel destination that imparts its own unique and soulful vibe.
If you’re intrigued but unsure, let’s chat. I’d love to tell you why this adventure is so special
Here’s what awaits you on our Bhutan Short Tour
Hike to the extraordinary Taktsant (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery
Visit the world’s biggest Buddha statue
Immerse yourself in the vibrant Bhutanese capital, Paro
Explore Rinpung Dzong, the national museum
Visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest Bhutanese temple
And so many other cultural experiences
By the end of our 4-day short tour in Bhutan, you’ll be acquainted with the country’s rich culture, history, and stunning landscape, and be coddled with Bhutanese hospitality.
Everest Base Camp Trek, Kathmandu, Nepal
Dates: Sunday, 2nd November - Saturday, 15th November 2025
Price: USD $1,599 (Deposit $320)
Come and trek with me amongst the highest mountains in the world along with a group of other trek-loving enthusiasts.
Major highlights include tracing in the steps of mountaineers to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, the extraordinarily beautiful views of the Himalayan Mountains, immersing yourself in the local Sherpa culture and traversing through the UNESCO listed Sagarmatha National Park.
The Everest Base Camp trek introduces hikers to the Khumbu Region, steeped in history and culture and inhabited by some of the friendliest people you’ll ever have the privilege to meet.
We took two Freewheeling Kiwi Group Tours to Everest Base Camp in 2024 and to say I’m enthusiastic about this beautiful region is to understate it!
Still haven’t found what you’re looking for?
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Resources For YOUR Travel and Adventures
I’m asked daily for personalised travel and gear advise including what clothes I’m wearing, which are the best shoes for a long hike, what’s the best backpack or tent, where to stay and how to book accommodation, flights and activities.
My Resources Page provides the answers to many of those questions with practical advise for planning and gearing up for your own adventures as well as companies I use while travelling as a full time travel content creator or digital nomad.
Bookmark my Resources Page as I continue to develop it further while testing new goods and services for my own use.
Ready For More Stories
Freewheeling Kiwi Blog weekly articles including Travel and Trail Snapshots, Taste, Packing Lists, What to Expect, Tips, A to Z Guides, Day to Day Guides and so much more.
Te Araroa Blog - daily updates direct from Te Araroa covering the full 133 days we were on trail including daily statistics, vlogs and maps.
Newsletter Blog - easy access to all my newsletters which are jam packed with travel tips, unique tours, gear recommendations and travel discounts.
Success Stories - these stories have been shared by members of our generous Freewheeling Kiwi community and show that spending time in the outdoors is for all of us.
Other Travel News
Interesting articles that have been catching my attention
According to a new study entitled “Invisible no More: The Ageless Adventuress ” Women’s 50+ travel market is projected to double in North America by 2035
When traveling abroad by car, there’s a lot that’s different – from the laws of the road, to conditions like dirt or gravel or even icy roads DiscoverCars have collated what they see as the “Worlds 16 Most Unusual Road Signs”
Should I be worried? Meet Emma, an AI travel companion for the German National Tourist Board.
If you’re finding value in these newsletters and the information that I’ve been sharing,
please forward this along to any adventure loving friends
whom you think might find them inspiring.
Useful Resources for Your Next Trip
Use these helpful tools to manage and book your next adventure or trip:
Discover Cars. Save up to 70% by comparing the best car rental deals from 700+ suppliers in 10000+ locations worldwide and FREE Cancellation.
Expedia - Expedia offers travellers a wide selection of accommodation, flights, package, activities and travel services at attractive rates. With hundreds of thousands of accommodation options worldwide and comprehensive choices of flights inventory made readily available on Expedia.co.nz, travellers can easily plan and book their trip
Get Your Guide - Unforgettable Travel Experiences - No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination. Make memories all over the globe with their locally-vetted, expertly-curated experiences. From must-see iconic attractions to unexpected under-the-radar gems, they have something for everyone.
Skyscanner - Millions of cheap prices. One simple search Compare flight rates from 1000s of airlines and online travel agents to find the cheapest flight tickets to all major destinations. Once you find your best deal, book directly through the airline (no extra fees)
Airalo eSIM - Discount Code
Airalo is the world's first and largest eSIM store with eSIM plans for 200+ countries and regions world-wide, yes even far away places like Nepal and Bhutan! With Airalo eSIMs, travellers can get connected the moment they land in their destination and avoid nasty data roaming charges.
Airalo has provided the following discounts to the Freewheeling Kiwi community.
FREEWHEELINGKIWI10 (10% off for ANY users): https://airalo.pxf.io/FREEWHEELINGKIWI10
FREEWHEELINGKIWI15 (15% off for NEW users only): https://airalo.pxf.io/FREEWHEELINGKIWI15
Disclosure: My content is reader-supported, which means I may earn a small commission from links on Freewheeling Kiwi’s Assets if you make a purchase and at no cost to you. This is a way to support me so that I can keep sharing content and stories. Thanks in advance for your support.
Read Past Issues of the Freewheeling Kiwi Adventure Newsletter
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.