That’s how John and Karen Dunne described their journey from Brisbane by means of New South Wales and Victoria to the wine nation of South Australia. 5 and a half thousand kilometres in all with no actual points — extremely clean. “Driving the Tesla Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary on Autopilot meant that I may benefit from the surroundings greater than I may in my Lexus. The Tesla stored me protected and knowledgeable. It was much less demanding, a fraction of the stress. I actually loved the highway journey.” Not one of the lodging venues anticipated fee for in a single day charging.

That stated, there are nonetheless some gaps (getting smaller) in Australia’s charging networks, and so any journey of this size needs to be effectively deliberate.

The primary charging cease, on the Maclean Superchargers, was very satisfying. 4 superchargers sit within the yard of an outdated nation pub – the Harwood Resort. This city has additionally been by handed by the freeway and solely has a few dozen homes, but it surely has not misplaced its allure and is just a brief distance out of the best way. The pub offered nice hospitality and environment. It was clear and updated. John and his spouse had time for a drink and a stroll to the river, used the consolation amenities, and by then the automotive was charged. Right here’s a photograph of the view:

View from the chargers at Harwood Resort in New South Wales. Photograph courtesy of John Dunne.

The primary in a single day cease was Taree, a picturesque city which was on the freeway. It has now been by handed by. The non-Tesla chargers nonetheless work, but it surely has change into a city with nothing in it. No cafés even — John needed to go the grocery store to purchase an ice cream.

Two days into the journey, John and Karen stopped at Damaged Bay, north of Sydney, the place they stayed with John’s brother. “Good to get some worth out of the household,” he jokes. John ran an extension lead from the entrance veranda to the automotive. Nevertheless it wouldn’t work! Seems, the extension wire was too skinny and wouldn’t carry the present. The brother saved the day through the use of a thicker wire with higher high quality and decrease resistance. Right here is lesson one: If you’re planning to cost like this, take a look at your lead earlier than you permit residence. “I ought to have purchased a greater high quality one reasonably than the 20-year-old one I already had,” John displays.

Travelling down the Hume, they charged on the Goulburn Superchargers after which continued on and arrived at Wangaratta (625 km/388 miles from Sydney), the place they stayed the evening at a motel. The motel was placing in two vacation spot chargers. There they have been, all wrapped in plastic and able to be commissioned the next day — however not fairly prepared for charging.

Wangaratta is within the northern a part of Victorian wine nation and is serviced by Superchargers. There have been numerous cafés. “It was vibrant, full of individuals — the overall reverse to Taree.”

On the best way south, Goulbourn Superchargers have been almost empty. Photograph courtesy of John Dunne.

Arriving in Jap Melbourne, they visited their daughter and stayed with their grandson, charging the automotive from an influence level within the grandson’s storage. Going buying at Ringwood’s Eastlands Procuring Centre, they discovered it was outfitted with 8 vacation spot chargers. In an indication of how common Teslas have change into, all 8 have been occupied. They discovered an area later within the buying journey and have been in a position to rating half-hour of free charging, simply sufficient to cowl the journey to the outlets and again.

Then it was off to experience the ferry from Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula to Queenscliff close to Geelong. Despite the fact that the Tesla Mannequin 3 is a bit low, there have been no points boarding and disembarking. The journey was not nice, although. It was windy and the rain meant low visibility. “We knew we have been on a ship however we may see nearly nothing.”

Charging at Geelong had its challenges. Wangaratta to Geelong is 310 km (193 miles). PlugShare indicated that the chargers at Torquay have been out of motion, so that they travelled three suburbs north and charged at Corio. Right here, they discovered that the areas marked for charging weren’t lengthy sufficient to suit a automotive in. The chargers have been located at a Homebase with no amenities, no cafés, and nowhere to even sit down (besides the automotive after all). “A cellular espresso van would generate profits.” As they wanted to stretch their legs, they wandered across the furnishings outlets.

Once they bought to Torquay (a vibrant beachside city), they discovered the chargers on the RACV resort have been working, topped up the automotive (it solely wanted 20 minutes), and had lunch at a welcoming native café.

“Why did you prime up,” I requested. “As a result of we have been heading down the nice Ocean Street!” The subsequent charging spot was Warrnambool, a 4-hour drive and 280 km away.” They stayed in a single day at Apollo Bay and wanted loads of cost in case they wished to do some vacationer aspect tracks. The one motel at Apollo Bay with a vacation spot charger was absolutely booked.

Only for enjoyable, John dropped Karen off on one aspect of the border and she or he walked from Victoria to South Australia.

John remembers the primary time he stood in awe and admired the blue lake of Mt. Gambia. He wished to share this expertise along with his spouse. On the best way, they found the way forward for motoring service stations: OTR Motor Sports activities in Tailem Bend, South Australia. It’s a service station for vehicles, petrol, Tesla Superchargers, and a mini meals courtroom. “That is the longer term. All of the amenities you need while you need cost your automotive.” Unusually, I may discover no reference to EV charging on their web site.

Blue Lake at Mount Gambier, South Australia. Photograph courtesy of John Dunne.

“Lake Alexandrina, 40 km away, is now an inland sea as a result of flooding rains within the north of Australia. After sleeping and charging on the MacCracken Nation Membership in Victor Harbour, and availing ourselves of their vacation spot chargers, we headed for Murray Bridge. There we have been taught lesson quantity two: In chilly climate you might want to precondition your battery.” As he drove, John observed that the vary was dropping quicker than he anticipated. He and the automotive have been used to the hotter climate of Queensland, not the 9 levels (Celsius) of South Australia. The battery had not charged absolutely because of the colder climate.

John learnt his lesson and preconditioned for every cost after that.

That they had deliberate to journey by means of the Barossa Valley and go to a number of the many wineries. Nevertheless, PlugShare critiques put them off. The chargers managed by Barossa Valley Tourism have a horrible fame for being damaged, even after they’ve not too long ago been mounted. “Vandalism,” I mused.

The high-speed charger at Murray Bridge managed by Cost Fox is located near the river. They have been in a position to stroll beside the Murray River, go to the wharf precinct, and consider the historic reveals. Following the Murray River, they then charged at Renmark on the AAA 50 kW chargers. (The AAA is the South Australian equal of the RACV, the RACQ, and the NRMA — motorist organisations.)

After uneventful charging at Mildura in a single day on their manner residence and at Robinvale on the off-highway Evie charger, their subsequent journey was at Narrandera in New South Wales. The charger solely gave 5 km of vary after which minimize out. PlugShare had warned them in regards to the problem. Then a Kia EV6 arrived and charged and not using a downside, so that they hung round until he completed. They tried once more, however the charger nonetheless wouldn’t work for them. “It was a ache. We wasted an hour.” Lesson quantity three: All the time made certain you have got sufficient cost for 2 jumps in case charger’s malfunction. John had learnt this one effectively, and was in a position to journey to the following charging spot.

At Wagga, they charged on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River.

The subsequent day, they have been again to Hume Freeway. Charging at Goulbourn once more, they have been amazed on the distinction. On the best way down, that they had charged right here on a Friday morning and the 8 stalls have been empty. This time, on a Sunday afternoon, all stalls have been full.

Goulbourn full on the best way residence. Photograph courtesy of John Dunne.

Nambucca appeared “so beautiful we simply needed to cease.” That they had a late lunch on the RSL and booked a motel — The Seashore Rooms. They have been greeted by the manger with the phrases: “Would you wish to cost your automotive? You possibly can park within the disabled spot with the facility level.”

From there, they headed residence.

Despite the fact that John stated the journey was “extremely clean,” he nonetheless wanted to plan and be taught the teachings 1) use PlugShare and a pair of) be sure you have a contingency plan (together with the suitable leads) and a few spare time up your sleeve. A lot of the charging they did was free. The 5,500 km journey price lower than AU$400. However John is extra keen on comfort than price.

I might urge EV drivers to get out and revel in a highway journey, whereas it’s nonetheless an journey.