Day 10 - Port Douglas

Left Ingham @8.30 after breaky at the cafe next the Mosaic alley. 

After a 24 km tour to beaches nearby yesterday we decided head to Cardwell to get quick charge.

Tesla charging there but it had stopped. When he returned he been having trouble with Tritium charger so he headed off to Tully to try it.

Nice location near the beach, toilet and kids playground  - Cardwell

We charged for 25 minutes at Cardwell enough to get to Innisfail for a last charge before Port Douglas.

At Innisfail charger a Tesla was charging but it had stopped charging. After waiting the owner returned and after some discussion he decided to give us access to see what happens.

We pluged in and every thing worked so the other Tesla driver decided to wait while we charged to get to 80% would have taken 45 minutes. Plugshare was reporting issues at the Port Douglas charger but we decided to stop charging after 25 minutes and hand the charger to the Tesla owner to have a second go.

 

During this time another Tesla turned up and plugged into the AC charger getting 11kw he seemed to be happy wth that. So we headed off Port Douglas and arrived at 3:00 pm.

TGF managed to fit in another tour of the suburbs of Tully.

Unloading all our cases and bags. Breathing a sight of relief we had arrived at Basecamp (Port Douglas) and rest for a week before the final assualt..

Day 09 - Ingham

Left Bowen early 8:30 after breaky at nice cafe that had great setup that some military were eating breakfast also.

We set off with 70% charge and shorter day drive. The drivers agreed that the drive was more tiring. Not sure of the reason..but when I did the same drive from Melbourne to Cairns with 3 mates 2 cars in early 1960s as a fit 20 yr old and felt the same tiring fealing as we came into the humid weather.

Interesting drive eventuated as we approached the Township of Ayr "The Google Folosie" (to refer to as TGF) directed us down a side road through small rural roads and eventually back to the Bruce highway.

We couldn't figure out what happened but I did notice a lack of traffic behind us once we rejoined the highway.

But TGF hadn't finished we were directed to an EV charger in the city of Townsville that we couldn't manage to get to work for us. 

So after referring to plugshare manage to convince TGF to direct us to a charger in the grounds of James Cook University.

Eventually a helpful security guard was able to direct us to the charger. Found a cafe and toilets to occupy time enough to get another 80% charge

Glad to get to Ingham and relax..

Looking forward to tomorrow 

Day 08 - Bowen

We are now starting earlier as the journey continues.

We arrived at approx 9:00am Marlborough South with 79 kms left on the GOM Noone charging so we were able to start charging immediately.

Taking in 41.3 kWh in a hour,so had a coffee and a roll from the servo. Outside table under cover and a wait till 80% in the Kona.

Today was our longest drive 524 kms so next stop Mackay for a charge, but had to wait until the Tesla owner who handed over the charging for us to use and was he was unhappy as it keep stopping charging his Tesla.

We had no problems as we monitored the charge from Chargefox app. So after an hour we headed off for Bowen.

Passing a lots of sugar cane fields along the way. Also numerous stops and slow sections due to road works. 

But now in Bowen charged up and ready for tomorrow. Only 312 kms to Ingham for our last stopover before Port Douglas and a week of leisure.💤

Day 07 - Rockhampton

Started early left Kingaroy 9:00 am. 

2nd spotting of an Ora good Cat EV (or whatever they're called ln OZ) driving around Kingaroy..

I must say that Android Auto has been a great guide and know all. Today was no exception guided us along small rural roads then back onto Major highways as we headed to Gin Gin for first charge...

Didn't complain or raise her voice very calming influence.

The sun was shining and no need for heating today (improved economy).

When we arrived at the EV charger in Gin Gin it was occupied by later model Kona.

So we tried the slightly less powerful charger (22 kw [7 kw for Kona] compared to 50 kw) but after trying to charge using our cable no success. Rang the helpline and followed his instructions but no success.

Just we were giving up the owner of Kona arrived and said he was only needing a few minutes to finish. So as soon as he left (after he mentioned the Rockhampton charger was down) we attempted to charge and had ring the helpdesk and after they did some adjustments remotely we charged 40% to 80% in the time have coffee and cake and a visit the toilet.

Now we decided to charge to 80% (20 mins) as next possible charge (Miram Vale) before Rocky as the charger wasn't behaving itself either..

So we have arrived in Rocky with 180kms on the GOM and barmy 29c temperature.

So shorts weather and fingers crossed to get to the next isolated EV charger 100kms away..

No I didn't manage to take any pics perhaps tomorrow 😎

Day 06 - Kingaroy

Arose early breakfasted in Tenterfield and on the road at 10:00am wth 80% charge.

Had considered charging in the morning to more than 80% but decided to charge at Toowoomba.

So it was goodbye to free electrons (NSW but will be charging late this year) and hello to wet and rainy Queensland.

view from the car

Arrived in Toowoomba and wasted a few minutes finding a charger but it was occupied by a Tesla. So found the other charger near ALDI and set the charge to 30% - 80% and set off to find a toilet and a cafe..We used all of 45 minutes needed to charge the EV to 80%

Then onward to Kingaroy where we booked in and  charged to 80% before finding a place to eat then an early night for longer drive tomorrow and better weather (our EV economy is improving as the temperature increases and less heat needed)

Day 05 - Leg to Tenterfield

Spent the morning breakfast then information centre to find out about the mansion in the grounds of the Une (university of New England).

It's name of the house is Booloominbah it is now used by the Uni for admin purposes.

I took a few photos but very difficult to do justice..but here are some photos 

Some rooms from the windows (closed due to cold weather) Too cold in the building for tourists 

Entry area

Then charged  up to 246km charge and headed off to Tenterfield (2hr drive) arrived 2:30 pm connect to charger at the info centre. Found a nice cafe to have a coffee. Then tour of Tenterfield...

Cork tree and old house 

More photos 😁

Now for dinner and off to Queensland Kingaroy tomorrow 🕺

Day 04 - Lay day in Armidale

Cool day in Armidale approx 6 degrees but sunny..

Found EV charger outside the information centre. Great location what more do you need ...

Got a maps for walks or drives around Armidale so spent the day exploring.

Sunday is not a good day cafe that are open, but art centre had a attached cafe.

Some random photos of the Township

.

Tattersalls Hotel original was remodelled in Art-Deco style in 1936-37

Original Convent now converted to school 

Armidale Railway station first train arrived Feb 1883. 

Now to relax and watch the footy on the TV.

Day 03 - Leg to Armidale

Started a little earlier as it is to be a longer day. We intend to try out the Tesla charger at Dubbo and Tamworth as they are two of locations that are open to non-Teslas.

So left at 8:30 and decided to try a full charge at Dubbo so that it would minimise the stops. It is the first oppotunity to charge from a Tesla Super charger. 

Great location near the Arts Centre with cafe and exhibitions

. 

But a full charge was going to need 2 hrs so used 80 % as a better target.

So headed off after a quick breaky bypassed the charger at Coonabarabran and charged at Gunnedah to 60%.

Note : I am relying on memory as NRMA charger are presently no charge which is great we haven't had to pay for electrons since crossing the border except Tesla chargers. 

But the only down side is that you don't get a bill which would give info about the time the KWH provided but I'am not complaining 🙏 

We Pressed on after Gunnedah to Tamworth where we charged to 80%

Looking forward to spending the night in Armidale it's predicted to get down to minus 3 (presently 2.5)

Intening to see what Armidale is like in daylight.😎

 

Day 02- Leg to Parkes

Left Albury at 10am with 150 km left in the battery and 64 kms to Holbrook. Encountered our first line up at a charger at Holbrook on a wet and cold morning.

Charged to 80% due to walk to trendie coffee shop.

Then headed to Jugiong an interesting small town but loads of cars parked near the pub and cafe.

A car charging and another waiting so it was going to be a long wait. We decided to inspect the cafe and have coffee and a toastie. Well worth it. Enquired as why it was so busy and advised the snow season had started and school holidays had started.So it is stop on the way to the snowfield or journies south.

The co-driver thought the bathroom facilities were excellent.👍

The road to Young (next stop) was interesting, lots of sheep and cattle.

We arrived with 75 kms to go on the gom. Found the charger and empty spot so charged to 249 kms to get to Parkes for overnight stay. Travelled 80 km/h to conserve the energy arrived with less than 100kms in reserve.

Charged up to 80% in Parkes while having dinner at local pub, ready for tomorrow 

First day on the road -Day 01

 Destination is Albury so we will be in NSW now...!

We have first glitch the only fast charger in Albury has been vandalised a week ago and is not repaired yet. 

So decided to have breakfast at Yarra Glen but that charge stop didn't happen as it had been reported on PlugShare it was not working at at 20th june and not repaired yet.

Thanks to the drivers who report problems we could plan alternatives. We needed to have enough electrons in the battery to get us past the broken charger in Albury so a stop at Euroa was needed.

Below is a photo of school holidays use of chargers at Euroa, Why are there so many ICE cars parked  in the car park doesn't it only 3 minutes to fill up their cars?

Also the question that arises - Why are Tesla super chargers so reliable 

We will need to stop at a charger earlier tomorrow due to our "bibs and braces" attitude so we don't get caught with our pants down (run out of charge). Otherwise the co-driver will beome irratable.😈 

Pre trip thoughts

Before starting the the journey the concerns will be:

The present infastructue in Australia is equivalent to a single petrol bowser every 150 kms. We have decided to use 20-80% process. The statergy will means shorter stay at chargers but more often stops. 

Below is some people's comments regarding EVs . These are considered to an acumen in EV land as FUD (Fear Uncertainty and Doubt)  The attitudes are usually circulated by fossil fuel industry 

• Are the charging units reliable
• Are there enough to cover all posible problems. 
• Will all the planning pay off in the real world
• Will we keep up the pace to reach Port Douglas in ten days
• Will we run out of energy due to weather
• Is the car reliable enough to cover 6000 kms journey
• Is 400 kms/day a reasonable target.
• Will school holidays cause any crowding at chargers 
• Will the Kona be able to connect to all chargers since CCS is not a standard (manufacuters have slightly different versions)
• Are we still in the early adopters stage !

We will be able to disprove the concerns by the end of Grey Nomad tour...🕺

The stopovers to Port Douglas

Due to the fact we will be travelling initally during the school holidays (Vic, NSW,Qld) we decided to book accomodation in advance there will be nine overnite stops at the folloing location,.

The location have been set due to the availabilty to use fast chargers and a rough limit of 400 kms per day.

 Here are the planned stops and some slight detours to EV chargers adds a few kms

Warragul to Port Douglas
	Over nite stops		Est drive time /day
Days	Place	leg kms	Hrs	Mins
1	Albury	394	4	56
2	Parkes	449	5	37
3	Armidale	556	6	57
4	Tenterfield	183	2	17
5	Kingaroy	349	4	22
6	Rockhampton	485	6	4
7	Bowen	524	6	33
8	Ingham	312	3	54
9	Port Douglas	302.5	3	47
	Total kms (Albury  to Pt Douglas)	3,555	44	26

Reality may dictate a change of the intinery but since we have booked at each locations we will be tied to overnite stops. 

Reasons for creating a log of an actual trip

There are a few reasons why someone might want to create a log of an EV trip from Warragul  to Port Douglas and  highlight the charging infrastructure along the way especially inland Australia.

Documenting the experience of driving an EV on a long-distance road trip at this present time of 2023

Also to raise awareness of the lack of charging infrastructure in Australia.The dilemma is demonstrated by the details of planning required before setting off.

To provide information to other EV drivers who are considering taking a similar trip. 

Record any setback that may happen or how easy it is to use an non-Tesla EV in Australia.

The lack of charging infrastructure in Australia is a major challenge for EV drivers. In many parts of the country, there are simply not enough charging stations to support long-distance travel. (is it a percieved problem?) This can make it difficult and time-consuming to charge an EV, and can even make it impossible to complete a long-distance trip.

The log of an EV trip from Warragul to Port Douglas near Cairns would be a valuable resource for EV drivers who are considering taking a similar trip. It would provide information about the route, the charging infrastructure along the way, and the overall experience of driving an EV on a long-distance road trip.

By sharing the challenges of driving an EV on a long-distance road trip, the log could help to apply pressure on governments to encourage businesses to invest in more charging stations. Either by Grants or legislation. 

Ultimately, the log of an EV trip from Melbourne to Cairns would be a valuable resource for EV drivers and a powerful tool for raising awareness of the present charging infrastructure in Australia.

Preparation

Preparing the needs for a ten day drive for three thousand kms.

The website is tinyurl.com/tev23

EV vs ICE Travel

Why report on EV travel rather than a trip in a ICE car? 🚗

Reporting a EVs travel is a sign of the times ie the transision to EV.

There is a lot of YouTuber who are running channels for people to access info on EVs on all aspects of road tests, trips charging, battery developments and on and on.

There seems to be an insatiable appetite for information in the drive to justify the development of EV ownership.

Compare this to using an ICE cars most of the info was in printed medium ie car magazines.

Technology has disrupted the media outlets also the cars have changed.

Because there is presently lack of experience in EVs so any information is filling that gap.

So here we are preparing a report on a trip that is regularly travelled in an ICE car.