Some observations from the trip.

 The timeline to get to Port Douglas seemed to be a tight schedule but when we emerged onto the Bruce Highway at Gin Gin we meet a retired couple. They were charging up their 2023 Hyundai Kona and while we waited to use the charger chatted to them. 

They were also going to Port Douglas and were aiming to arrive at their destination a day before we intended to arrive. Perhaps they were experinced travellers and had driven the route before. We were more cautious as we hadn't travelled the route before. 

There is lot of roadworks happenning along the QESH and the highway is mostly single highway but the cost of duplication would need some serious money but it would make it a lot safer for travellers as it is a busy road.

We travelled in the NSW and QLD school holidays and expected to encounter some delays at the EV chargers. But it only happened on three occasions (Holbrook,Gin Gin and Innisfail) on each occassion the EV drivers were very helpful.

When we were driving home we stopped at the BP Glenrowan North EV chargers. Since there were a couple of chargers and we may need to access them on other trips up the Hume Highway. We plugged in the car and went to the toilet grabbed a coffee and cake. 

It was fairly busy as it was about lunch time so while we sat facing the ICE petrol bowsers, people filled up their cars come inside,paid and drive off. Most of them only occupied the bowser apron for 10 to 15 minutes. 

When we had finished our snack and returned to the car we only waited 5 minutes to finish the fill up to 80%. We observed that there were at least 20 other cars parked in the car park of the service station. There were a long queues for the fast food oulet so by the time they filled their cars, eat their lunch we were already on our way to our next stop.

This is just some observations more to follow...so use the links below

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Day 46 - Back Home

 Left Albury travelled to Barnawartha North for a quick charge (44%) enough to get us to next stop BP Glenrowan as it was new and worth a look to check out. Typical service station fare but charger performed well. 

So we needed to top up in Yarra Glen to get home. They had been repaired the broken one we encountered at the start of our trip so we charger to 40%.. 

Reached home wilth 80 Kms on the GOM, and a cold house...

Now time to review the trip..

 

Day 45 - Albury

Left inner Sydney (Campbelltown) and became involved with the traffic including a lot of semi's departing Sydney. The transport was interesting as trucks passing other trucks held up the faster traffic.

After a few kms the traffic thinned out and we settled into a rhythm.

Did the usual hide and seek for the EV charger in Goldburn. Charged to 250 kms on the GOM enough to reach Jugiong. So that worked out OK. Jugiong wasn't as busy as last time.

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Arrived in Albury with enough charge to get to Barnawatha for more energy.

The only charger in Albury is still broken.

Day 44 - Campbelltown

Before we left Port Macquarie we had to check out to the Township.

One of those perfect day sunny with calm change from the windy days.

So a visit to the beach was an eye-opening.

Perhaps you  can see the whales in one of the photos.

Charged at Nabiac to 80% (as usual) then drove around Sydney in peak hour to arrive at BP Ingleburn with 70 kms on the GOM so we charged to 70% while sitting in the car.. Then drove to Campbelltown to find a Motel. Only a couple more days to go....

Day 43 - Port Macquarie

Left Coolangatta and headed south towards Sydney. When we had 200 km to empty we asked TGF for EV chargers and drove around Byron Bay found it. 

It was occupied so headed off to the next. Entered into usual hide and seek game to find a charger, found it and found a cafe for coffee and toast. 

Then later we needed a charge so thanks to TGF we found it

We eventually arrived in Port Macquarie for overnight stay.

Maybe tomorrow we will take some photos.

Day 40 - Coolangatta

Meet up with or relies at a cafe in Coolangatta and spent a couple days catching up with family.

And also drove to Pottsville after charging the car. Had a look around and spotted a pizza parlour with an appropriate name

.

We also managed to spot some Whales a fair way off shore but there were some surfers ride some waves, while we charging the car

Day 39 - Brisbane Day 2

The day was put aside to catch up with some relatives so not much exploring was done. Except for the marina.

Day 38 - Brisbane

Arrived at Maryborough to charge up and breakfast. Filled up to 80% and walked to cafe for food and drink. Noted that the walk and don't walk lights.

Maryborough has a few notable authors who lived there.

Next charge was at Coochin Creek so we could concentrate on driving to Cleveland on new roadways and toll roads.

Have dinner on the waterfront.

Looks interesting at night.

Day 37 - Hervey Bay

A good sleepin so late breakfast at the Stockland Shopping Centre while charging on the slow 7kw AC charger that was free anyway. Finally managed to start the charge without resorting to calling the Helpline.

When we returned to the car noticed a BYD Atto 3 connected to one of the Tesla charger so it woukd have been easier to use the Tesla as it comes with its own cable.

The a visit to the information centre (5 kms from city centre) and pickup a few booklets and maps for later reference, One of the pamphlets advertised a Lagoon in the area than turned out to be very intersting so after a coffe a walk through the bush around the lagoon was very interesting. Bird live was abundent and no crocs..   

So after that exercise time to retire and rest...

Day 36 - Hervey Bay

Noisy morning so on the road before breaky.

Eventually got to Miriam Vale for 40 minutes top-up. Businest bakery I have seen for a while in a isolated township. It ewas the only place selling take away food in the town but a lot of vistors with good facilities.

We expected to top-up at the Childers But it didn't go to plan..

Two model 3 in the charging bay one charging and one waiting. He had been waiting 40 minutes to get his turn. The Tesla driver indicated there was a slow charger in Hervey Bay so we headed off to Harvey Bay. 

Hervey Bay was a lot bigger than we thought we expected a seaside resort but it is major city with at least three shopping centres. We had to rely on TGF to find the charger so we checked it out and charged for an hour to add 50 kms to the range. Then to find a place for dinner...

Day 35 - Rockhampton

Slow day to checkout the city. It seems to a different city to explore. The city centre contains a lot of historic buildings.

After a visit to the shopping centre we visited the Kershaw gardens where there was a  children's playground that was fully of structures for kids to explore. Great place for a family entertainment.

There is more of Rockhampton and surrounding area that needs to be investigated but not this trip.

Day 34 - Rockhampton

We left Sarina and headed to Carmila to add some kWh to the Kona. But the charger was occupied by a model 3 with an half hour before he was up to 80%.

So after a discussion regarding the availability of food we decided to head to Marlborough and a variety of food.

We arrived with 17% and stopped after 70% as we could get a charge in Rockingham.

Drive around Rockingham revealed some interesting buildings and walks.

Day 33 - Sarina

We decided that Sarina wasn't our scene so we spent the day back at Mackay. A place that has more interesting environment. After filling the car up to 80% while having breakfast. We visited the tourist information centre, then took a walk along the River and visited Myers.

These Queensland trees are fascinating whether the are one tree or two.

Mackay has beaches, harbour and walks.

We went to a lookout after a scramble we were able to take some photos..

The harbour and marina were difficult to stop and photograph but lots of boats and high rise accommodation.

Now have to find somewhere to eat and return to Sarina for a sleep.

Day 32 - Sarina Day

Left Bowen early an breakfast at only cafe open on Sundays. 

On our way we diverted to Arlie Beach to see some part of the Whitsunday attraction...

It was only possible to drive through Airlie Beach as it was so crowded.So had to resort to photos of the yachts and Super boat's..

Definitely not our cup of tea

So recharged at Proserpine to 80% which we needed as at Mackay a Tesla was charging to 100% so wouldn't be finished for at least an hour.

So we had enough to reach next charger so left them to sort out why the charger was stopping. 

Arrived at Sarina in the afternoon and settled in for two day stopover.

Day 31 - Bowen

Another relaxing day..the beachfront unit was in a caravan park so an early morning due to the activities around us.

So breaky then tour of the beaches, observing the navy exercises boat off shore.

Eventually ending in a view of the sunset.

Day 30 - Bowen

Left Charter Towers early intending to get breakfast at Ravenswood but that proved unsuccessful. So the co-driver took over the drive to Ayr. It proved to be an interesting drive as turned out to be gravel for first 42 kms then bitumen for rest of the 100 kms drive.

We charged up at Ayr while we drank a coffee. Arrived in Bowen at 2 pm just in time to book into the beachfront park and check the sea views.

Day 29 - Charter Towers

We had breakfast at the stock exchange in City. Next door was the information centre so we visited it. Learnt some of the history of start of Charter Towers. 

We then walked down the main St taking photos of the old buildings and checking out the stores. The stock in them was interesting as it catered for expensive and less expensive tastes.

We then ventured to attraction the "hill" overlooking the city. It was well worth the visit as there was audiovisual displays of the involvment in the American flying to Coral sea battles and Kokoda trail. The aerodrome was used. The hill is dotted with deserted bunkers (some can be visited) indicated the importance of the site.

The evening meal was interesting as the barman was a local and filled us in with the latest developments for Charter Towers. Most of the mining is for gold and he seemed to think that is being developed into new ventures...also the aerodrome is going to be upgraded plus a new bridge over the Burdekin river. So it will be worth watching the development.

Day 28 - Charter Towers

We started in the rain and it continued until we passed Ingham. So it was a slow day again. We charged up in the rain to 80% at Cardwell again and we estimated that we get to Charter Towers and have 100 kms left. The bypass for Townsville is almost completed but it is slow going that helped with our range. 

We made it to Charter Towers with a little less than 100 kms, so it was great to see the charger was working..

So more photos of historic buildings

I am sure there will more 😎

Day 27 - Mission beach

After breakfast at a local cafe. We decided to visit Tully and check out the charger and town. The Township is focal point for the cane sugar industry. The charger failed as there was a intermittent problem that was due to fact it is an early charger that needs some attention. 

The photo shows how the factory dominates the township. There were factory tour available but we decided to not take it.

But we decided to drive on to Cardwell and get a charge. The foreshore at Cardwell is very neat and well developed. It also is the view of Hinchinbrook Island.

Photo of some of the information signs around the walk tracks

Day 26 - Mission beach

Arrived at 1:25 at Wongaling Beach and booked in to our accommodation just south of Mission beach (4kms).

An inspection of the beach shows why it's a popular spot. The beach is more gradual slope to the water. The wide firm sand gives people the opportunity to strolling along the foreshore. Perhaps for us tomorrow...

Day 25 - Trinity beach

Drove to Clearwater station and board the the Kuranda Scenic Railway Train. The a day of enjoyable sightseeing and strolling through the Kuranda village and of course some photos...

facinating trees in the village

Waterfalls..

then a few visitors

Day 24 - Trinity beach

What a slow day nice day about 24c light wind. So usual breaky Ecai bowel then a meander along the beach prominade.

Some photos of course..

A lot more people on the beach today and a constant stream of car looking for a spare parking spot.

Then to settle down and watch some footy.

Day 23 - Trinity beach

Early start today for our trip to Fitzroy island from Cairns.

The trip involved staying on the island of or approx 7 hours...

The tickets included transfer, snorking and Glass bottom boat ride. We decided not to dive into the water. So we did some walks in the forests..and took some photos.

Since we needed to charge the car we used the charger in the car Park after our trip..so decided to explore the area near the charger. The Cairns shire has developed an great area on the waterfront for families. 

Sand surrounded the pool for creating sand castles etc.

Once again an EV charger has lead us a remarkable location.

No to catch up with some sleep..