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Sheep, wind turbines and a chaff fire
Chatted to some of the local sheep about the giant wind turbines. They said they much prefer them to sharing the land with coal mines. We came across some of the crop chaff burning. Quite spectacular, but I wouldn’t like to live downwind of it.
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Searching for Noah's ark on Mount Ararat
We searched the top of Mount Ararat (One Tree Hill, in Ararat, Victoria) for Noah’s ark, with no luck. But we did find hundreds of wind turbines along the horizon. More electron mining! The only emissions were from many crop burn offs (which is, of course, also renewable). Close up photos to follow. Charging story: We had to spend an hour or so catching up on emails and such, so we plugged into the free Tesla destination charger at the Ararat RSL. It looked like the cable has been damaged and replaced or similar. It was so short. I had to back up over the gutter to reach it. Just as we were about to leave, another Tesla Model 3 arrived. They were worried that their Tesla was predicting only 5% charge when reaching their destination in Ballarat. I suggested that they just trust the prediction and drive to the fast charger there. But we left anyway, so they could top up slowly.
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Lunch in Moyston, the 'birthplace of AFL'
Stopped in Moyston for lunch and a cuppa. It claims to be the birthplace of AFL, which I believe is some kind of Victorian sport!
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The Elephant Hide, in The Grampians
At The Elephant Hide and Chatauqua Peak, in The Grampians.
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E-bikes through Halls Gap
We hired some electric bikes to ride through Halls Gap. After a fun and informative set of instructions from Stuart, we headed off along the extensive bike path. Many kangaroos and emus along the way. There was something slightly wrong with Fran’s bike controls, making stop and start a bit jerky. This, and her self confessed “unco” led to her coming off in dramatic and painful fashion while crossing an intersection. Fortunately, Tom had a supply of napkins (that he routinely stocks from each visited cafe). Adding some water, we managed to clean the wound fairly well. And later added some Savlon. Fran was a trooper, and kept riding, this time with a more predictable bike. These e-bikes don’t require any peddling, which we think is unusual, perhaps not legal in NSW? They are like little motorbikes, with very comfy seats. Stuart has been running this business for over a decade. He used to hire out horses. He said he wondered why the service station next door didn’t add a few EV car…
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Kangaroos for breakfast at The Lodges, Halls Gap
Beautiful start to the day in The Grampians. Cereal in our accommodation The Lodges, Halls Gap, looking out at the kangaroos. Scones and thermos tea while watching more kangaroos and a family of emus stroll by, at Brambuk National Park And Cultural Centre.
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Arriving in Halls Gap, in The Grampians
We arrived in Halls Gap, in The Grampians. Quick stop at the local service station to confuse passers by and to wipe the bugs from the windscreen. Lots of kangaroos near the road, which is both good and bad. Dinner at Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co.
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A Dunkeld stop, on the way to The Grampians
We decided to head directly north to The Grampians, from Port Fairy, Victoria, and not visit Mount Gambier is South Australia, this trip. We stopped on the south edge of The Grampians in Dunkeld. Note Francis’s stylish socks and thongs.
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Harman's Valley Lava Flow
Stopped by Harman’s Valley Lava Flow, near Hamilton.
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250 kW Superchargers in Warrnambool
Charging story: We arrived in Warrnambool and started charging at the Tesla superchargers. So simple and fast. We just plug in, the car and charger talk, already know who we are and what credit card to use. 250kW but our Tesla Model 3 RWD accepts a max of 170kW. Even at an average of 100kW, it would charge our 50kWh battery in half an hour, more like 15 minutes in reality because we are unlikely to have zero charge to start, or need more that 90% to go. Speaking of zero charge, while we were there, a guy dropped by with zero charge showing on his Ionic 5 EV. He had driven from Tasmania (on the ferry, presumably). It was his first long trip (I think with family too) and he hadn’t factored in the charging correctly. He said he had “only a handful of km to go” to get to his B&B which included a power point for charging. He asked if these Tesla chargers are for Tesla only, or compatible with other EVs. I said that I had only come across a few open Tesla chargers, such as those in…
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A late lunch at Port Campbell
We stopped for a late lunch (or was it an early dinner) at Port Campbell, along the Great Ocean Road, before Warrnambool. Lifeguards still operating at the beach – brrr.
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A Tesla 'cinema mode' date night
Netflix? ✅ Surround sound? ✅ Air con heating (with no engine running)? ✅ Popcorn and chocolate? ✅ Stars through the roof above? ✅ Reclining seats? ✅
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A slow charge in Lorne, while shopping
We stopped in Lorne to buy a few groceries, post a parcel and grab a coffee. Since we had to be there a couple of hours anyway, we connected to the slowish 7kW RACV destination charger at Lorne Visitor Information Centre. They handle queuing in a way I haven’t seen before. We had to ask in the center to borrow a permit to display on the car while charging. They also asked us to write our details in their log, so they could call us if we stayed more than two hours and someone else was waiting. Very proactive approach. We also looked through the visitor center media displays to learn how the hard work was done in the 1920s to build The Great Ocean Road, mostly by returned soldiers with picks. Amazing.
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Sunnymead Hotel, Aireys Inlet
We stayed last night at Sunnymead Hotel in Aireys Inlet. Beautiful decor. Dinner just across the road at Airey's Pub.
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First Great Ocean Road stop: Torquay
First stop on The Great Ocean Road at the RACV Resort Chargefox chargers in Torquay. Seemed quite popular, with a couple of EV Volvos pulling up next to us. Looks like even more bays under construction. Just enough charging time to eat a burger. Then we were off again, towards Aireys Inlet.
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Planning a Great Ocean Road and Grampians loop
We’re thinking of this road trip over the next week or so, from Melbourne down along the Great Ocean Road and back through the Grampians. Any suggestions?
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Tesla 'Office' mode in a Melbourne park
We set the Tesla to “Office” mode. Technically, it’s just a profile like for any driver, but with the seat set right back and up. Peaceful in the park, and sheltered from the Melbourne drizzle. Cup of tea on hand, via the thermos. Air con without an engine. No interruptions, very productive. The #Tesla includes four powered USB-C ports (such as for laptops), two wireless charging pads (for phones), large screen, web browser, Zoom and camera, synced calendar and contacts and its own internet connection.
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Loan Model Y day out at St Kilda
After the morning downpour across Melbourne, the sun started to emerge for us as we walked along St Kilda beachfront. Yummo Greek lunch at Beachcomber Cafe St Kilda Beach. You might notice that our Tesla is a bit larger than normal. It’s a loan Model Y, while our Model 3 was at the service centre in Mulgrave.
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Windscreen replaced at Tesla Mulgrave
We followed the instructions in the Tesla app to bring our Model 3 to the service centre at Mulgrave. Great system. We were getting the windscreen replaced, because the chip is larger than the 2.5cm limit of repairs and we had elected the extra windscreen cover with NRMA Insurance. Glad to see that a loan vehicle is standard issue, from Tesla. At the drop off desk, we requested a Model Y, so we could try it out for the day. We explored the bigger storage space and potential sleeping/camping space. When we first hopped in, it felt like a mini van compared to the Model 3. It felt very high. Easier to get in and out. More visibility out the front window, due to the height. Less visibility out of the rear window, partly due to the smaller area (which actually wasn’t so bad) but more due to the extra tinting on the rear window. The roof window visibility is great. We watched some kind of air show (perhaps the Roulettes?) flying over Melbourne while we waited in traffic. The Model Y is…
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Submarine mode engaged!
On our way to Tesla service in Mulgrave, in eastern Melbourne, this morning, the heavens opened and created localised flooding. Submarine mode engaged!
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3,800 reactions in 30 days — thank you!
We've received 3,800 reactions to our posts in the past 30 days. Thanks for your support. 🙏🤗🎉
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Prefab homes at Ecoliv, The Gurdies
Checking out prefab homes at Ecoliv in “The Gurdies”, near Philip Island, Victoria.
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A quick top-up in Yarra Glen
Quick stop for toilets, stretch and a cup of tea in Yarra Glen, with a short top up charge at the 50kW DC charger. The car has a new layer of bugs and dust from unsealed roads.
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Lunch in Mansfield
Lunch today in Mansfield
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Charging from a power point at Motel Views
We stayed overnight at “Motel Views #Yackandandah”. Scenic setting and town. Our host, Jackie, was happy for us to plug in overnight to charge. She said they have talked about adding wall chargers, but for now offered us a power point near reception, which was very kind. No extra cost ☺️. There’s also a 50kW fast charger in town, which we used for 15 minutes while waiting for our takeaway Thai order from Grace's Place Cafe Yackandandah. Next, heading through Beechworth towards the east of Melbourne.
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Past Murray 1 Power Station
Part of the Snowy Hydro electric scheme. “One of the seven engineering wonders of the world” which “provides 11% of the [national electric grid]”. Coming down the west side of The Great Dividing Range, the car added 7% charge from the regenerating (going down a hill puts power back into the battery). Then along the Murray Valley Highway beside Tallagatta Creek (which appears to have been dammed).
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A lunch break at Geehi
Lunch break, along The Alpine Way, at Geehi, beside Swampy Plain River.
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Thredbo and Dead Horse Gap, on the Alpine Way
Today we drove through Thredbo and Dead Horse Gap, as we started along The Alpine Way. Beautiful scenery and fluctuating temperatures. No petrol for two hours, but there is electricity here and there.
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An açai-bowl breakfast in Jindabyne
Morning açai bowl and fruit toast at Jindabyne, before heading west along The Alpine Way. And, yes, Francis’s white top did not survive unscathed.
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The Panorama Jindabyne, with destination chargers
Staying the night at The Panorama in Jindabyne Snowy Mountains. Pleasant surprise: free on site Tesla destination chargers (one working) and a double rainbow! 🌈 🌈 Unpleasant surprise: no bare feet allowed 👣 🚫
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A quick charge in Cooma
A quick charge at Cooma, while we looked on line for a place to stay the night. Then the final leg through alpine country towards our accommodation in Jindabyne.
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An overnight at Durham Farm, Bundanoon
We stayed last night in Bundanoon at Durham Farm. Beautiful place, along another unsealed road, in an Airbnb in a converted half of a barn. Beautiful dressage horses in the other half of the barn. We didn’t hear our equestrian neighbours during the night. We asked our host, Virginia, about charging our EV overnight. She said they hadn’t had that request before, but she was very helpful in locating a power point for us. She asked “how much do you usually get charged for this?” I said “We don’t normally get charged, but I’m happy to pay you. I think it will cost you a about $4 (off the top of my head)”. I later calculated it at 15 hours (7pm to 10am), 10 amp outlet, 240 volts = 15 x 10 x 240 = 36kWh. At 14c per kWh (estimate based on our previous rate at home), that’s $5.04. We left $20 cash on the kitchen bench to cover it.
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Indian lunch at the Broadway Superchargers
Indian for lunch. Boring charging details: We navigated through the carpark at Broadway Shopping Centre to the Tesla superchargers (and other chargers) near the exit. The first Tesla supercharger was empty, with the cable on the ground. We tried it, but realised that the cable in the ground was a signal from the previous person that it wasn’t working. All the other superchargers were full, so we tried the available Tesla destination charger, but we missed the red light indicating that it too wasn’t working. Then we tried the third party chargers which required our own type 2 cable, but I couldn’t get an Internet connection for the Chargefox app to unlock it. One of the other cars vacated a supercharger, so we pulled in. Fortunately we had discussed with another one that pulled in afterwards that we were “next”, since there’s no queuing mechanism. It worked, but was slow and the power jumped between 12kW and 60kW. Then a Tesla technician arrived. Very nice guy. We moved to a fully…
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Mantra on Pitt Street, for Fully Charged
We stayed the weekend at The Mantra on Pitt Street in Sydney, about a 15 minute walk each day to #fullychargedlive at the International Convention Centre Sydney - ICC Sydney, at Darling Harbour. We booked ahead online for parking next door with Wilsons Parking. But when it came time to leave, the gate wouldn’t open from the tap of my phone (like it normally does), so I had to backup and get another car to reverse, so I could call their support line and try again. That was the beginning of a long day, trying to find parking in the city to then queue for ages at Officeworks, then a short queue at Broadway Shopping Centre for charging, then queue on the long detour to bypass a fatal crash on the Hume Highway.
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Test driving a Model X and an MG ZS
Francis trying out a Tesla Model X and an MG ZS EV at #FullyChargedLiveAustralia Fully Charged Show.
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Panel discussions at Fully Charged Live
There were many interesting, informative and thought provoking panel discussions at #FullyChargedLiveAustralia Fully Charged Show. We couldn’t attend them all.
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EV vans at Fully Charged Live
Several EV vans on site at #FullyChargedLiveAustralia Fully Charged Show.
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Electric motorcycles at Fully Charged Live
Australian Electric Motor Co, Fonz Moto, Savic Motorcycles, Energica, Zero Motorcycles
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Interviewed by Jack Scarlett
We were just interviewed by Jack Scarlett about our experience at Fully Charged Show #FullyChargedLiveAustralia. Lovely guy, and so tall! Francis is totally fan girling right now.
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Solar-powered prototype cars at Fully Charged
These solar powered prototype cars have paved out a lot of tech that we’ll see in the future (and we see already). #fullychargedliveaustralia Fully Charged Show
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Pro and DIY EV conversions, at Fully Charged
Electric vehicle conversions, professional and DIY, at #fullychargedliveaustralia Fully Charged Show.
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Come say hi at Fully Charged Sydney
Come say hi, if you see us. Be prepared to be photographed!
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Arrived at Fully Charged Live Sydney
We have arrived at #FullyChargedLiveSydney!
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A wait at the Davistown waterfront
I stopped at the Davistown waterfront while waiting for a my appointment with Emma Gilbert Massage Therapy. Beautiful spot.
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Please like and follow our page
If you’re seeing this, then you’re probably one of the few thousand people who have viewed or liked one of the posts in our travel blog. Thank you for your interest. Could you please do us a favour by: 1. Visit our Tesla Tripping page. 2. Hit the `Follow` button. If it already says `Following`, then you’ve already done it – thank you 😊. Increased followers gives us a bit more credibility with some of the organisations that were trying to prompt to provide a better experience for EVs in Australia. Thank you for your help.
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A balcony Airbnb on the Central Coast
We’ve been staying the week at this beautiful Airbnb flat, tucked under the hosts' house. It includes a huge balcony that overlooks the trees and is visited each day by a wide variety of birds. We asked the hosts, when booking, about plugging in an EV. Although they have not had that request before, they were very happy to try to assist, offering for us to drive down their driveway to plug in. Unfortunately, the top of the driveway has a tall peak, which is apparently worse than it looks, because the Tesla made an awful scraping sound when we tried to cross it. We reversed, and of course it made the same sound. So, we aborted the attempt and instead just parked across the road. Under the car, I could see plenty of scrape marks (from this and other lesser scrapes) but I couldn’t spot anything loose. It’s sad and ironic that we managed to travel nearly top to bottom of Australia, along some really dodgy roads, but met our undoing in a semi suburban driveway. But, it seems no actual…
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A banana smoothie on Terrigal Beach
Banana smoothie on Terrigal Beach.
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Scones, lunch and an NRMA charger in the Hunter Valley
Lunch out with Mum and sister. Good times. More lessons on the right way to top scones (cream first). Good old reliable 50kW fast charger from The NRMA at Hunter Valley Gardens. Having two chargers makes it so much more practical. While we were charging, there was at least one other Tesla and a Polestar using the other charger.
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Two states' worth of dust, gone at Snap Car Wash
Before and after. The staff at Snap Car Wash in Erina Fair did another terrific job of removing two states worth of dust and bugs from the Tesla. Shiny!
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A weird charger find at Terrigal
This is another technical charging story, for those interested. Sometimes I go out of my way to find some weird charger to try it out. You wouldn’t normally bother with this. On PlugShare, I noticed a charger in the car park of Terrigal Hotel. I found it easily enough and parked. It requires you to bring your own type 2 cable (which I now happen to have). I plugged it in okay, but bringing, uncoiling and connecting your own cable is a pain, compared to other chargers with a cable provided, which you simply plug into your car. For this charger, I had to download a new app, "UpCharge", and set up an account. The app is pretty bad, not native iOS, not great UI. Nothing seemed to be happening. It took a few minutes to figure out that the hardware wasn’t providing any power. I managed to find the circuit breaker switches at the bottom of the unit, and turn them on. The the app eventually showed a `Start` button. It’s supposed to charge $0.30 per kWh. But the app seems to indicate a $2 flat…
Formerly: Tesla Tripping
Come along on our EV road trips around Australia and Europe, and follow as we progressively electrify our home in Emerald, Victoria.
Join us on the road. We set off in late 2022 and drove eastern Australia in our Tesla Model 3 — Sydney, Dubbo, Armidale, Brisbane, Cape Tribulation, then down through Queensland and back. We've since upgraded to a Model Y.
We've kept exploring — Uluru, the Snowy Mountains and Gippsland, and a longer run through Europe in 2024. There's plenty more on the map, so come along for the next leg.
At home in Emerald, in Victoria's Dandenong Ranges, we're progressively electrifying everything: rooftop solar, a home battery, a hot water heat pump, air conditioned heating and cooling, and EV charging straight from the sun. We're going fully electric, off the gas.
Got questions, or insights of your own? We'd love to hear them — please drop a comment on any post.