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A rainy electric-buggy island tour
Rainy day – Great time to tour the island in an electric buggy.
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Electric buggies everywhere on Hamilton Island
We left our Tesla Model 3 at Airlie Beach, to spend a few days on Hamilton Island. I was pleasantly surprised to see that most vehicles on the island are electric (golf buggies), with charging points at most parking spots and home garages. And no fumes as you walk along next to those vehicles ☺️. It seems so simple and logical when you see a place that has done it right.
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Merry Christmas from half our family
Love and miss the rest of you ♥️.
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Christmas Eve fireworks
Christmas Eve fireworks
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Christmas Eve picnic on Hamilton Island
Christmas Eve: Evening picnic at the beach, with half of Hamilton Island.
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Dinner and night lights with Erin
Erin took us out for dinner and to see the night lights.
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Animals around Hamilton Island
Spotted some animals at the wildlife park and just roaming around the island.
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Finally, a Whitsundays swim that won't kill you
Finally found a place to swim in the ocean in the Whitsundays where the jelly fish are not likely to kill you. Well, there are still warning signs.
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Cockatoos eye my breakfast at Bobs Bakery
Found coffee at Bobs Bakery - Hamilton Island. Cockatoos found my breakfast cereal and got very close, but I don't share.
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Buggy groceries on Hamilton Island
Driving the electric buggy, with groceries.
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Reunited on Hamilton Island
Finally on Hamilton Island, reunited with Erin and Ben.
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Ferry to Hamilton Island, for Christmas
We left our car near Airlie Beach and caught a ferry to Hamilton Island for a few days over Christmas. Two of our kids met us on the island. Erin works there and Ben flew in from the NSW Central Coast. We squeezed our bags onto the electric golf buggy and navigated the local traffic.
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Past Daydream Island, on the ferry
Passing by Daydream Island and other countless islands.
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Boarding the Whitsundays ferry
We boarded the ferry from Airlie Beach through the Whitsundays to Hamilton Island, to see our two youngest kids.
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The last mainland coffee, before the islands
I think Fran just had coffee from the last remaining place on the mainland. (She reviewed it as the “best in the area”.) So, now we’ll have to move to an island to find more.
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A very pumpkin-y lunch
Quick lunch between errands. The pumpkin came with pumpkin/hummus sauce. It was a lot of (too much) pumpkin!
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A washing-it-all-away swim in Yeppoon
Swimming in Yeppoon, on an isolated stretch of beach, washing away any responsibilities.
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A Mount Larcom charge, and a chat with Ben
A quick top up charge at the RACQ Chargefox charger in Mount Larcom, and a chat with Ben Chisholm. Ben recommended the Mount Larcom Cafe opposite, and I was tempted, but we had just eaten. We’re on our way north today to Rockhampton. Ben is on his way south, eventually to Brisbane. We chatted about living out of your car/van, solar panels and electric cars.
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Following EV-charger signs into Miriam Vale
We spotted a series of small blue EV charger signs along the road, and followed them into Miriam Vale. What a lovely spot. The EV parking is a little further down the road from town, but there’s a cafe, toilet, nice park. Oh, and bats. Fran is not a fan of bats 🦇
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Two tropical rainstorms, to Mount Larcom
Hit by two tropical rain storms between Bundaberg and Mount Larcom.
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A Hervey Bay swim, just before the storm
We went for a swim in Hervey Bay, shortly after arriving. We walked far from the car to find a good place to swim. We saw the giant black clouds rolling in. Then the heavens opened.
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Breakfast at The Edge Restaurant, Montville
Breakfast at The Edge Restaurant, Montvile QLD. Thank you, Helen ☺️
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An overnight charge at Maleny Tropical Retreat
Staying at Maleny Tropical Retreat. Host Ken and his sister Daphne were kind enough to allow us to plug in the Tesla overnight to charge. Great to chat and hear their stories. Beautiful location. Balinese style.
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Obi Obi Boardwalk, while the laundry runs
Walking along the Obi Obi Boardwalk, in Maleny. Great to have shade on a fairly hot day, and pass the time while waiting for the wash cycles at Maleny Laundrette.
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The frunk: smelly-laundry storage
Since there’s no engine in the Tesla, it has a “frunk“ (front trunk). We’re using it to store the smelly laundry and shoes. We were starting to run out of clothes, so it’s time to do the laundry.
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A Balinese-style B&B in Maleny
Staying at a Balinese villa style B&B in Maleny.
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A drop-toilet stop at Heifer Creek
We stopped at Heifer Creek for the drop toilet and a sit in the nature with the magpies.
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Drive-through coffee at The Dairy Lounge, Warwick
Drive through coffee from The Dairy Lounge in Warwick, QLD. Then following the winding road to Gatton Qld.
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Why EVs make better motel neighbours
Something I hadn’t considered: EVs are friendlier to other guests at a motel. No noise or fumes ☺️. Thank you Buckeroo Motel 🤠.
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Our longest charger wait, in Tenterfield
Our longest wait at a charger so far. When we arrived at Tenterfield Visitor Information Centre, The NRMA charger, a grey Model 3 was already there charging (at the only charger). It was at 79%, so I figured they'll be back soon. They hadn't checked in using PlugShare, so I had no idea. We went for a walk through Tenterfield while I checked my Tesla Sentry Cam to see if they had moved. 30 minutes later, we came back to see they were at 99%. We waited in the car for another 20 minutes, while a red Tesla Model Y joined the queue behind us (we both check in as "waiting" in PlugShare). The grey model 3 owner returned saying that their app has just told them it had finished charging. I suggested/requested that they use PlugShare. Lessons learned: 1. The NRMA: We need more than one charger in these locations, please. The Model Y owner said they thought Tesla are adding some nearby, but not yet operational. 2. We need the chargers to request/facilitate checking in, so we can see whether it's…
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The truly important issue: jam or cream first
We discuss the truly important marriage issues, such as the order of topping of a scone with jam and cream.
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A U-turn for Stonehenge in NSW
On the way to Glenn Innes, we noticed some peculiar boulders off the side of the road. A quick U-turn and then we drove through Stonehenge Recreation Reserve.
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Breakfast in Armidale's Central Park
Breakfast in Central Park Armidale, supplied by Seesaw Coffee Co. A walk around St Peters Anglican cathedral, armidale and through St Mary's & St Joseph's Catholic Cathedral.
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Locking myself out for a software update
I outsmarted myself. I locked myself out of the car. The Tesla notified me that there was a software update available. Normally this is done via a wifi connection at home at midnight when you’re not using the car. But I thought I knew better and tethered the car through my iPhone, told the car to update, accepted the warning that I won’t be able to use the car for 25 minutes. But, 10 minutes later, I wanted to open the door. Yeah, I’m not so smart. Edit: Updated with getting back into the car.
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Our first other-EV chat: Ian and Heidi
This was the first other EV we had seen since leaving the coast. Ian and Heidi have had their Tesla Model 3 since 2019. They have a tow bar fitted to carry their bikes (one is a e-bike), but they also tow trailers. For their current road trip, they have temporarily removed their back seats, so the backs fold down flat, giving them a flat extended boot and more space. They also raved about their portable induction hotplate. Great to have a chat about Tesla Road Tripping.
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Adding 4 % charge, just from going downhill
Nerd alert: We managed to add 4% charge to the car, just from going downhill.
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A first night on the Tessories mattress
Fran's bed design parody followed by a fairly boring video of how the Tessories Australia mattress packs away. We had a terrible night's sleep, mainly due to needing better padding for our hips. But the air con worked a treat and we had ample head room.
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First night car-camping, at Discovery Parks
Michelle at reception was very friendly and helpful, though a little puzzled when I mentioned that I wanted to plug in an electric car. We opted for a powered site with an ensuite (private toilet, shower and sink). We set up the MOGICS Carsule tent, moved the 50L Kings fridge and all our gear from the car into the tent and setup the Tessories bed in the Tesla. We had a swim in the pool, showered in the ensuite and walked up the road to dinner at Club Dubbo. We turned on “camp mode” in the Tesla which kept us in air conditioned comfort all night, using power from the battery, with no engine running. The bottom of the bed was slightly angled, putting too much weight in our hips, and kept us awake half the night.
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How EVs charge: at home, and at a camp ground
Most of the time with an EV, we just plug it in overnight at home to get a full "tank" of battery charge ready to go in the morning. Any household powerpoint can charge the car at 10A (10 amps) (about 2.4kW). At a camp ground, you can usually get a 15A supply (about 3.6kW), which should have you charged and ready to go the next morning. This is a slightly technical video, of our first time trying to figure this out, for those interested.
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Setting up our MOGICS Carsule tent
For those who asked for it, here is our amateur fumbling setup of our MOGICS Carsule Tent. The Mogics printed and video instructions suggest a different positioning for the tent when inserting the poles, but that didn't work for me when I tried. I definitely need to refine my technique. The Carsule tent is designed to be connected to a hatchback car, covering the hatch. But we set it up next to our Model 3 since the boot is too small to enter/exit (ie it's not a hatchback car) and we preferred it beside the car. We used a suction cup from Bunnings on the roof of the car, to which we tied one side of the tent, which worked well. We moved all of our gear from the Tesla into the tent, so we could set up the bed in the back of the car.
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A safari feel at Western Plains Zoo
You really do get to feel like you’re on safari with the animals. Less fences, more space.
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Swapping the Tesla for a zoo buggy
At Taronga Western Plains Zoo, swapping the Tesla for a somewhat slower electric vehicle, to drive around the zoo.
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A phantom passenger, leaving Mudgee
We left Mudgee with a mysterious extra passenger who wouldn’t fasten their seatbelt. The bags in the passenger seat seemed to trick the Tesla into thinking someone was sitting there. We tried tapping the alert in the Tesla screen to mute it, but that didn’t work. According to a Google search, that’s not supported in Australia 🤦. In the end, we just pulled over and plugged in that seatbelt. Problem solved.
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Gulgong's Holtermann Museum
Checking out the Gulgong Holtermann Museum, including huge detailed photos of Gulgong and Hillend from around 1870. The negatives were enormous glass sheets. Very thankful for my iPhone camera right now. Thanks to Phil for showing us around.
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Driving through historic Gulgong
Driving through Gulgong. It’s full of historic buildings, like stepping back 100 years. Or like a movie set. Fortunately, for Francis, it does have modern coffee.
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Last-minute Big W shopping, before the trip
We did some last minute shopping at Big W, just before our road trip. I was previously considering a water boiler (from Amazon) that would plug into the car's 12V supply, but would take 25 minutes to boil water for a cuppa or two. We ended up buying a couple of 470mL Thermoses. We can just fill them with ready made tea or coffee in the morning, and it stays hot into the night. Our Tesla car has a giant battery. It would be great to have V2L (vehicle to load) where we could plug in 240V appliances, such as a kettle or hot plate. In the mean time, a thermos at least gives me a hot cup of tea all day.
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A Mudgee park lunch, before Dubbo Zoo
Back in Mudgee for lunch in the park. Beautiful place. Ready for our trip to Dubbo and Dubbo Zoo tomorrow 🦁 🐘 🦒
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A simple Mudgee morning, before historic Gulgong
Toast and fruit. Simple breakfast and some washing before heading out to historic Gulgong today.
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Driving from Mudgee to Gulgong
Driving from Mudgee to Gulgong.
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We might be a little bit crazy
We moved out of our home, sold what we could, moved the rest into storage, and set off road tripping in our Tesla Model 3. It’s the cheapest, smallest Tesla, with RWD (rear wheel drive), LFP battery and about 430km range. It runs on electricity. No petrol, oil, smell, noise etc. We’ve only had it three months. We have a bed that fits the back of the Tesla from Tessories Australia, a Carsule tent from MOGICS, a huge 50L camp fridge, camp chairs and other gear from KILOS GEAR. When we can’t find accommodation, the Tesla will be our home for the night. We were living on the NSW Central Coast, in Saratoga. All of our kids have grown and moved out. We need to downsize and reset. But, for the moment, we are without a home, other than the Tesla. We had only booked accommodation for our first two nights, in Port Stephens. We’re just winging it from there. The rough plan is to then head west through Mudgee and Dubbo, then up through Tamworth and Armidale, then up through Queensland to Airlie…
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.