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A test drive of the MG4 with Ben
I test drove the new MG4 with one of our kids, Ben. The MG4 was announced in Australia back in March at the Fully Charged Show in Sydney, but only became available in the past couple of weeks, widely applauded by reviewers. Review from our 19 year old: Yeah, it’s good, but not as good as the Tesla [Model 3]. The front looks good, but the back could be sportier. One pedal driving is easy. Lots of interesting options to try in the screen display. It has more impressive acceleration after about 30km/h than from a standing start. It’s currently the cheapest EV sold in Australia, starting at $38k plus on road costs. Plus you get whatever incentives are available in your state, such as free stamp duty and $3k cash-back in NSW. If your employer or business buys it, then they get the $3.8k GST refunded (as tax input credits) and you save about $5-10k on income tax (by paying no fringe benefits tax). At the end of the day, it could effectively cost you more like $25-29k. Note: Talk to a real…
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Erina days, and a Snap Car Wash
Staying for a few days in Erina, on the NSW Central Coast. Finally gave the car another thorough clean, thanks again to Snap Car Wash. We did a double take on the sign on the back of a Red Bus Services bus, which seems to be asking the public whether goats should be driving buses.
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An electric-scooter gift for Mum's 80th
The real reason we headed back to NSW was for Mum’s 80th birthday, in the Hunter Valley, but we had to keep it quiet. We all pitched in for an EV for Mum – well, an electric motor scooter. We couldn’t get the box to the Model 3, so I pulled the contents out, which all fit in the boot. Tom drove the scooter up the driveway, with Fran following in the Tesla, much to the amusement of all, and the surprise of Mum. It is amazing how simple the motor scooter is. Basically an electric motor on the back wheels and a battery in the middle. We wouldn’t dream of having a petrol burning version of this. As we were departing, we ran the Tesla light show, where it blares out music from the boom box, while dancing windows, mirrors and the hatch in sync. And of course the youngest got to try the fart seats, summon and go cart video game. And lastly, a sneaky stop to go “awww” at some alpacas.
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A 'big lap' meet-up at Campbelltown chargers
We met up with Keith, David and Lindsay at the Campbelltown Tesla superchargers. Lindsay and David are just past midway through their “big lap” of Australia clockwise from Perth in their Model S. They showed us their epic collection of charging adapters and cables that fill their trunk. We grabbed a drink and late lunch in the adjacent Catholic Club and warned each other about the too high speed humps when exiting the car park. Next stop: NSW Central Coast
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A budget cabin south of Ulladulla
We stayed last night in a cabin/caravan park, along the Princes Highway, just south of Ulladulla. We had a budget $104 cabin, but later discovered the small town shop themed cabins nearer the beach. Very cute. Just a short walk to the beach, “at your own risk” (not really that bad). Spagbol, veg pizza, salad and tiramisu for dinner from Tony’s Italian Restaurant in Ulladulla. The local cockatoos seemed to be all "on line" having a big meeting. We stopped for a coffee at Gerringong Cafe And Deli, on our way to meet up with some other Tesla trippers at the Tesla supercharger in Campbelltown.
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Lookouts around Batemans Bay
Driving around the south and north of Batemans Bay, checking out the views, towns and a few houses for sale. Stopping at Melville Point Lookout in Tomakin, Observation Head Lookout.
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Calf-feeding in Bodalla
After staying off grid at Potato Point, we drove to the nearest civilisation (ie coffee outlet) in Bodalla. We were lucky to catch the (slightly late) 10am feeding of the calves and the strutting rooster.
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Kangaroos and warm sunsets at Potato Point
August 21-23: We stayed in Potato Point, north of Narooma, just across the channel from Tuross Head which we had visited a couple of weeks earlier. There’s something about kangaroos: so uniquely Australian, gentle but strong. Literally warm and fuzzy, but don’t underestimate them. They are everywhere, here. The grass is full of land mines for bare feet 😉. The holiday park is off grid. Run on solar, but I don’t think any batteries, so I think they have to run diesel at night. The powered sites are limited to 6A. The cabins have no microwave or electric kettle. Such a beautiful, peaceful spot. We could almost move in. We drove around the area for a couple of days, looking at a couple of potential houses (and grabbing coffee) in Tuross Head, and getting dinner in Narooma. I caught up on some work, and we just chilled.
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Driving the south coast: Tathra and Wallaga Lake
Driving through more of the NSW south coast, through Tathra, and Wallaga Lake.
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Lunch at Squire's Cafe in Cann River
Stopped for lunch at Squire’s Cafe - Cann River, heading east. We were here, in Cann River, just a couple of weeks ago, heading west. Stopped in at the service station to remove a fresh layer of bugs.
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Bairnsdale via NRMA park, plus chocolate mousse
Arrived in Bairnsdale at the NRMA cabin/caravan park. Dessert was chocolate mousse from OzMex Restaurant 😋.
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Daylesford to Bairnsdale, 400 km in a day
Breakfast in Daylesford, dinner in Bairnsdale, Victoria, over 400km apart. We’re off to look at some houses on the far south coast of NSW, starting in Tuross Head. It was a last minute decision, when we stopped for lunch in Knoxfield, to just keep going. Autopilot took care of most of the highway driving. A quick charge and loo stop in Moe, and a drive past the carbon spewing coal fire power plants, which will hopefully be phased out soon.
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Borealis AU light show by Lake Daylesford
We drove down to Lake Daylesford with a cheese hamper from Winespeake for dinner, followed by the Borealis AU #borealisau light show. Lasers onto mists of rain fog and dry ice, with a mystical sound track background. Erie and beautiful.
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A house-inspection lunch at The Convent, Daylesford
In between house inspections, we grabbed lunch at The Convent Daylesford. They were booked out, but Stephen was kind enough to call us a few minutes later when a table freed up. After a walk along Lake Daylesford, I searched through the main street of town for a cafe that served scones. You would think that they would be everywhere in this place, but no! In the end, it turns out that the only person serving scones here, is me! With help from Bakers delight Daylesford and Coles Daylesford for the ingredients.
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House-hunting in Daylesford
Off to Daylesford for the weekend. You guessed it – looking at potential homes. We drove by a few houses, through Spring Hill, Trentham, then back to Daylesford. Beautiful region. Probably a bit too consistently wet and overcast for us, however. We stayed at Hotel Frangos, for sleeping, a dinner, and brekky. Lovely country hotel, friendly staff and friendly dogs (not part of the hotel, I think). The car park has an iconic metal gate, but it’s quite narrow, and we just managed to escape bottoming out on the dip. Francis took precautions against the Italian meatballs.
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New tyres for our Tesla Model 3
Booking through the app was seamless, as always. I asked previously, via the app, if I could have a loan car while they serviced ours, but they were all allocated. When I arrived, however, I asked again, and said I’d sit in the waiting room until they found one. A few minutes later, a Model Y became available. This was the first time I was able to pair my phone with the loan car, which makes using it much easier. The process created a new profile, linked to my Tesla account, which later also appeared in our Tesla Model 3, so I will use that profile from now on, to share my preferred settings between cars. The air con in the Model 3 has a “recycle air” button. But the the Model Y also has the “biohazard defence” button. I think it helps when sitting behind diesel spewing utes taking off at the lights 😉. While waiting, I set up office in the Model Y in nearby Jells Park. The tyres cost $427 each (Michelin Pilot Sport 4). The car has driven nearly 39,000km. At my request, they fitted the…
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Brunch in FTG, plus a 1 TB Tesla USB upgrade
Visiting Ferntree Gully: Brunch at lorna cafe. Hair courtesy of Ruby Red Salon. Walk around the Tim Neville Arboretum, including public herbs, it seems. Replacing the Tesla’s supplied 128GB USB drive with a 1TB drive. Eight times the capacity for Sentry Mode recordings and dash cam recordings from the eight built in cameras.
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Tyre rotation — and a recommended replacement
Slightly overdue for another tyre rotation (16,700km since previous check, but due at 10,000km intervals). So, I booked one in via the Tesla app, which quoted $71.28. Mobile service came to me. Amar, the Tesla technician, was very friendly, efficient and helpful. All his tools were in the trunk and frunk of his Tesla Model S service vehicle. He showed me that the tyres had unevenly worn, so the inside tread (on the right in the photo) was below spec on all tyres, requiring the replacement. He said he could cancel today’s call-out (so, no cost to me) and book in a tyre replacement at the Tesla service centre (big cost). I asked him to make it so. Follow up: See the post about the subsequent actual tyre replacement at the service center, here:
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A baked-potato day in Lillydale
A short trip out to Lillydale (Victoria) to look at some houses and to grab a baked potato for lunch by Lillydale Lake. We didn’t find a house, but Francis nearly adopted a couple of the house cats.
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Through Gembrook, back to Scoresby
We drove from Lakes Entrance, back to Scoresby, in eastern Melbourne. We popped in through Gembrook to look at a house. The air hand dryer in the park in Gembrook had a familiar brand name. It bucketed rain at one point along the Princes Highway, which seemed to wash off all of the bugs. It pushed the AutoPilot to the limit, but it managed to keep on steering us through the lane. I suspect the rain impacted our range a bit. Because of the rain, we looked for somewhere sheltered for lunch, and headed into Traralgon shopping centre. We tried, but failed, to find the chargers there, until we were leaving, so didn’t bother. Shopping centers should have better signs and arrows for visiting EVs to find them. As we were leaving, David and Sam flagged us down in the car park, showing a picture of us from our posts. Sam commented to Dave “He’s got bare feet!”. I’m not sure if that’s how they identified us 🤔. We chatted a bit about our travels, their off grid setup in Rawson, and small town…
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Big Bear Donuts, finally
Arrived in Lakes Entrance, Victoria. We had been thinking about the Big Bear Donuts from a week ago at the donut van in Sale. So, in transit today, Fran preordered donuts from their shop in Lakes Entrance, for pickup at the Tesla navigation’s predicted arrival time. High pressure driving! We may have a problem 🍩. We stayed in a great cabin at the Eastern Beach Holiday Park. I caught up on a little bit of work (and wine). We chatted to the couple in the cabin next door, who also had an EV. They were on their way from Tasmania to family on the NSW Central Coast, in Empire Bay, just across the water from where we used to live.
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Free Bega coffee on the way to Victoria
Starting our trip back from Tuross Head in NSW to Victoria. First stop at a service station to clean the windscreen, and _not_ buy petrol. A quick stop in Bega for a coffee and free top up electric charge. A rest stop in Timbillica to expel the digested coffee. Our first time stopping at Cann River, to use the new Tesla superchargers and try out the pies (recommended by Daniel Rond). Beautiful and convenient place to stop. The charging was finished before we were.
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Thai by the water in Narooma
Day trip from Tuross Head to Narooma, on the NSW south coast. Beautiful clear water under Narooma Bridge. Thai lunch special by the water’s edge. Watching the sea lion and stingray near the boat ramp.
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Stalking kangaroos at dusk in Tuross Head
More cruising around Tuross Head. Made our gourmet peanut butter and banana on toast for brekky. Bought coffee from the local Lure Cafe Tuross. Found different office views from which to work. Stalked the local kangaroos at dusk.
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800 followers — thank you!
Thank you all for continuing interest and support. 🎉 ❤️ If you haven’t already, please tap `Follow` and `Like` 👍.
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600 km of bugs to Tuross Head
After driving over 600km in seven hours today (and hitting a few hundred bugs) from Yarragon in Victoria, we arrived in Tuross Head in NSW. We visited some friends for dinner and marvelled at the moon reflecting over the ocean in the distance.
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A quick stop in Bega
Quick stop for a wee in Bega. Last stop before our destination in Tuross Head.
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Salad sandwiches and a metal bird in Orbost
Our stomachs demanded something more healthy than the donuts we had devoured in Sale. We grabbed a couple of salad sandwiches in Orbost, and wandered past the giant metal bird sculpture.
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A loo stop, and the Big Bear Donuts van
Time for a loo stop. Found a nice rest area next to the channel, and the Big Bear Donuts van!
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Eggs and a hilltop view at Rosewood Park, Yarragon
We stayed last night at a Rosewood Park Guest Suite, on a hill overlooking Yarragon Victoria. We cooked up some (supplied) eggs and muffins for breakfast, grabbed a coffee (down the road in Yarragon), and hit the road. This morning we’re heading towards Tuross Head in NSW – 600km, 7 hours of driving, along the south east coast of Victoria.
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Wednesday parma at Turfside Bistro, Moe
We stopped briefly at Coles in Moe to get some milk. Followed by Wednesday parma dinner special at the local Turfside Bistro Moe.
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A picnic-area meeting near Blue Rock Lake
Beautiful drive from Healesville, south past Blue Rock Lake. Due to have a meeting with a client and Apple at 4pm. At 3:50 we spotted a picnic area turn off. Quickly set up a picturesque “office”, ready to get my head into work mode. Unfortunately, the cell reception dropped from three bars down to one by the lake. It was just enough to maintain the video call. Love the office decor.
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House-driving, then lunch at Watts River Cafe
We set off from our one night stay in Knoxfield Victoria, towards Tuross Head, back in NSW. First we stopped in Mount Evelyn and Healesville to drive by a couple of houses for sale. Lunch was beautifully presented at Watts River Cafe and Store. Tom was thrilled with his favourite combination of chocolate cake, berry coulis and fresh fruit, on his birthday.
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Off to see Barbie at Westfield Knox
Off to see Barbie the Movie in Westfield Knox.
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House-checking in Yarra Junction
Final leg of our trip to see a house in Yarra Junction. Nice house and view of the mountain, but a bit close to the neighbours. We stayed last night at Castle Creek Motel, in Euroa. Dinner at the Euroa Pub. Lunch in Yarra Junction at Red Relish cafe with, as you might guess, a delicious red relish.
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Diverting to Yackandandah for lunch
We diverted off the Hume Highway to grab lunch in one of our favourite towns, Yackandandah.
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Dog on the Tuckerbox, then The Coffee Pedaler
We stopped briefly next to The Dog on the Tuckerbox, at Oliver's Real Food Gundagai. We had just eaten Oliver’s for dinner last night, in Goulburn. Then on to The The Coffee Pedaler - Gundagai for coffee and cake.
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A Goulburn night at Bakehouse Motel
Sunday evening: First overnight stop, on this trip, at the Bakehouse Motel Goulburn. Breakfast the next morning at the adjoining Trappers Bakery Goulburn, and continued the drive past the Cullerin Range Wind Farm.
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Setting off, again, for Yarra Junction
Sunday afternoon: Started driving from the NSW Central Coast towards Yarra Junction in Victoria, to look at a another house, on Tuesday. As you do 😉. Tonight we will stay somewhere around Goulburn.
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House-hunting at Murray's Beach and Caves Beach
We continued our search for a new home, this time looking again in Murray’s Beach. Then we popped down for a walk beside the Swansea Bridge, and then as cuppa and cake on Caves Beach. 24°C – much warmer than -2°C in Cooma a couple of weeks ago and 15°C near Melbourne a week before that.
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Family time on the Central Coast
While on the NSW Central Coast, we managed to catch up with our kids, and grandchild. One is living and working in Hamilton Island, so Fran flew up there for a few days. Love you all 🥰
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A charging spot near Sydney Airport
I drove to Sydney Airport to pick up Francis, coming back from Hamilton Island. Found a convenient charging spot in a nearby suburb, to park while waiting for her plane to land.
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Killcare Beach Kiosk, and the Bouddi Coastal Walk
Lunch at Killcare Beach Kiosk followed by a walk along the Bouddi Coastal Walk.
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Margaret's villa, and an EV-community legend
We arrived on the NSW Central Coast on Tuesday night, July 18. A very generous friend, Margaret, offered us her villa while we’re staying here for a couple of weeks ☺️. Margaret is a bit of a legend in the EV community. She bought a Kona EV several years back and made the occasional road trip when there was less infrastructure than is now available for us. Other residents in Tarragal Glen Retirement Village started to take notice. One day they told her "did you see that Hugh Sykes up the road has bought a Tesla?" She thought she'd best go and meet the new EV owner on the block. They soon fell in love and got married! They now do a few speaking circuits to tell others the benefits of driving an EV. You can see their story here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-20/electric-vehicle-romance-leads-to-myth-busting-talks-to-seniors/101233122
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Toes in the water at Terrigal Beach
Finally got to dip my toes in the ocean again, at Terrigal Beach. Then a walk along the boardwalk to Terrigal Haven for brunch at The Cove Cafe.
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Pie in the Sky, by Tesla this time
Last stop before reaching the Central Coast, at Pie in the Sky. This used to be a favourite stop of ours when out for a ride on the motorbike. Great to take a spin in the Tesla along the familiar curves of the old Pacific Highway.
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Doughnuts at the Berry Showgrounds
On the final leg of our trip, from Milton to the Central Coast today. We stopped at the Berry Doughnut Van, then took the doughnuts to the Berry Showgrounds, to have a stretch and find a loo. I did spot in the Tesla’s sentry camera that Francis had already started on the doughnuts before I got back to the car! 😉. Doughnut cam!
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Italian dinner in Ulladulla, overnight in Milton
We're staying overnight in a unit in Milton. Dinner in Ulladulla at Tony’s Italian Restaurant https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090048066600&mibextid=LQQJ4d
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Pooh Bear Corner, in Monga National Park
We headed east from Braidwood towards the coast, when Pooh Bear Corner. Monga National Park caught our eye. Someone has set up a bunch of Winnie The Pooh characters in a cave by the road. Cute. A bit further down the road, we spotted a couple of fallen logs (one pictured) with more toys on them. Weird but cute.
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Out of Cooma's fog, east to Milton
We left the freezing foggy morning in Cooma, climbing above the clouds (well, the fog) into the sunshine. We decided to head for Milton, on the east coast, near Ulladulla. We entered it into the Tesla navigation and proceeded along the “fastest route”. But the maps don’t seem to tell you what kind of road to expect along a particular route. Initially, I laughed at the sign we passed that read something like “No petrol for 160km”. Then we passed by some grading work on a dirt road stretch, where I thought the driver waved, but later thought maybe he was pointing to say “go back”. The navigation showed 97km along this road before the next required turn off. The dirt roads probably went for 60km of the trip. We only passed a handful of vehicles. As it turned out, the road was pretty good, dirt and all. We’ve been on much worse. The issue is just not knowing, along the way, if the road will deteriorate, so you should turn around. We arrived in Braidwood at the end of it. Time for lunch.…
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.