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..

Day 22 - Trinity Beach

Is it true Canberra's temp overnite reached minus 5c ☃ 

What weather we had to indure. We had to have the fan over the bed on low speed overnite. Then before leaving the appartment put on sunscreen to avoid the tomato coloured suntan, Then walk to breakfast pausing in the shade on the way to the beachfront. On the beachfront it was 26c but had to wear a hat so that the sea breeze didn't mess with the hair.

After breaky a stoll allong the promanade to admire the beachfront appartments. But the biggest challage of the day occured a we come to some steps to the lookout.

 Bravely we climbed these steps to what turned out to be a landing as there were more steps..before we could reach the lookout.

Here is a photo of the view 

View from the lookout Trinity beach

Quiet night tonight 🌃 too much excitement for one day

Day 21 - Trinity Beach

 So another slow day rest and slow strolls

Blood test then Breakfast near a gated comunity.

View from the cafe table 

Some photos of the gates etc

The gates

The postal boxes

Then a stroll along the breasy esplanade shaded and seat at short intervals

Meet someone viewing the display boards that had been recently erected to give a glimpse of the activities on the beaches.

 She indicated that was the daughter of a soldier who had served in the Australian 6th Division and subsequently went to Port Morsby where he contacted Malaria and was repatriated. He had served in Tobruk prior to his training for Papua New Guinea at Trinity Beach..

It was the first time she had read the recently displayed infomation on the WW11 activities at Trinity Beach.

After our stroll we booked in at a recently opened restaurant "Eazytiger" for dinner as the part owner was originally from Warragul.

So ending a very lazy day..

Lazy day - Trinity Beach

Not any photos or movement as we decided to take it easy..

There weren't an inclination to  take photos but a lot of walking slowly.

Booked our train tour to Kuranda and the Glass bottom boat to view part of the great barrier Reef.

So looking forward to seeing the tourist attractions

Day 19 - Start the Return trip from Cooktown to Trinity Beach

Now that we have reached Cooktown and spent a day of exploring we start a more leisurely travel back home.

The battery is now full with 306 kms to Trinity beach (bypass the Port Douglas charger) we become more confident we will make our next stop.

Breakfast in the gardens 

then set off...

Arrived at 2:00 pm (with 36% left in the battery and showing 156 kms left on the GOM )  on time to book in.

Stopped three times to change drivers and take some photos

Now to check the night life in Trinity beach.

and a week's rest..

Day 18 - Cooktown

Woke up and checked how the overnight slow charge had resulted in and increase of storage.

All we will need is a 9 hour slow charge tonight to bring it up to 100%

So had a leasurely day visiting the Botanical gardens, museum (old convent) and cemetery. Also a walk along the foreshore. 

I certainly had a day of photography so I won't details but I've included photos in the Album.

We have already been taken to places by having to get to a EV fast charger but the Cooktown being at the end of bitumen roads North has been an eye-opening experience and history lessons alone but it is also an unspoiled location in Australia.

We needed two days to fully appreciate the town.

Day 17 - Cooktown

Left Port Douglas @ 10:30 arrived Cooktown @2:00 pm.So we have arrived 🏆

The road was interesting from Port Douglas the section was an ideal motor bike road one turn followed by another turn, no straight section until approx 30 kms. Then the road on the top looked like it had been made constant road surface and no roadworks.

Approaching Cooktown there appears a hill of rocks.

Most unusual...

Finally Cooktown quick drive around was enough to see that have a few places to visit tomorrow.

So dinner out tonight

View at sunset

Then the next dlimma is getting Trinity beach 😮

We will need to charge for 20 hrs to get back to 100%.

Day 16 - Pt Douglas

Well it was a slow day after breakfast visited the four mile beach. It was a very windy day with some people sunning themselves with their back to the wind.

Their tans indicated this their daily ritual so we left them to it.

Time to visit the charger to fill up to 100% for tomorrow's journey. But at the arrival at the charger someone drove in and asked if she could for ten minutes before she set off to Cairns. 

So after trying the 50 kw DC charger switched to AC charger and still no success. After the other driver left we tried all the possible connection process and no-go. The AC charger wasn't successful and a ring to helpdesk wasn't able to resolve the problem.

A couple of Tesla drivers said that someone visited the site and now no-one could charge🤐

So it was back to our unit and negotiated a slow charge from the laundry PowerPoint.

So we rolled all the extension lead and connectors (good test for Cooktown) and plugged in the granny charger

It indicated it would take 5 hrs to charge to 100% so that meant it would be ready after we had dinner.

So we are ready for tomorrow 

To finally get there will be great 👍

Day 15 - Pt Douglas

Must be the weather or the place..it was one those lazy days. Some more window shopping and other for the purchase of essential needs..🛍️

Then you would call a rest day..

Now to watch the footy on the TV..

Day 14 - Port Douglas

Leisurely breakfast then we headed to Daintree village for look-see at 55kms to 55 back. We 260 kms on the GOM no problems as the total trip would be 110 kms.

TGF managed to take on another tour past a lot of cane fields before emerging at the North end of Mossman.

We arrived at the Daintree village then 3 or 4 shops and caravan park. So we decided to go on the crocodile express Daintree river cruise.

We spent hour and a half motoring up and down the Daintree looking for Crocs.

We were at the front seats of the boat as found 3 or 4 sunning themselves on the various sections of the river. He (the pilot) managed to nudge onto sand bar for closer look and photos so very interesting..

We slow day traveling at a max 80kms/hr in the EV.

We achieved 15.5 kWh/100kms and on the way back 15.8 due the wind.

So we arrived at the problematic charger with approx 30% and decided to charge to 90% to set up a quick charge before the Cooktown leg.

We also helped the Tesla driver who was having trouble charging it appears his problem was his Chargefox RFID card. The MG turned up and need a charge to get home but since the fast charger was occupied resorted to use the slow charger using a borrowed cable. 

There was a fair amount of discussion regarding EV and how they worked. But it seems we don't need to using a granny charger just yet. We will need it in Cooktown..

Day 13 - Port Douglas

More window shopping today and a river cruise slow interesting look and the Mangoes jungle. We managed to see a baby crocodile (only 2 metres long) sunning itself

When I checked plugshare to see it was still working. There was a Tesla driver who was having trouble getting it working. So we hope to meet tomorrow to see if works😎

We will need to charge to 100% before we depart for Cooktown so we will need to develop a strategy to overcome any problems..

Day 12 - Port Douglas

Medical appointment today involved a trip to outskirts of Cairns. 

Ever thing took longer than expected but I did manage to drive the winding section of the Bruce highway twice again..

So short blog post today. I didn't manage to take any photos.

Day 11 - Lazy day Port Douglas

This is a time to recover. We started the day with a visit to Sunday Market. Lots of people wandering past the many tents with gifts, memobilia and artistic creations. There were a few food and drinks stalls.

We escaped and eat some breaky at local cafe. Then time to checkout the fast charger despite the plugshare entries that seemed to raise some concerns.

TGF managed to get us to the EV charger where I connected the plug and swiped the RFID card and charge started. We obtained 80% in approx 35 minutes.

The location was near a tourist attraction and had at last a info centre (near the charger) contained within the gift store.

The rest of the day spent in evaluation of the various shops.