When in Mareeba, we heard some good reports about the Mareeba Wetlands. Heading there we drove the 7km unsealed gravel road from the Biboohra turnoff, 4km to the Reserve entry gate, and a further 3km to the Jabiru safari Lodge and Visitor Centre reception carpark. In contrast with the very green tropical scenic views that we had seen around Kuranda, this area is clearly a lot drier and has some characteristics of savannah land as it catches less rainfall. We stayed overnight in one of the well-equipped Safari tents and went for a Safari tour the next morning.
Further we also went to the Emerald Creek Falls and the Mareeba Military Museum.
After a couple more days relaxing in the Palm Cove home exchange place we travelled via Cairns and Gordonvale to Yungaburra, stopping briefly in the Goldsborough valley. Later, we set up base in “The Blue House” for further adventure in the Atherton Tablelands.
Leaving the Goldsborough valley and heading West to Yungaburra the Gillies Highway climbs steeply and there is a 19 km section with 263 bends leading to the Atherton Tablelands nearly 1000m higher.
It was fun driving the Tesla as it sticks very well to the road, handling the bends in style and you have all the torque and acceleration to overtake cars when needed.
Naturally, passengers were getting a little into trouble here and were happy to see the end of this road section and to enjoy the great Tablelands’ scenery before arriving in Yungaburra.
The power consumption over the last 25.3 km was 50% higher than my Tesla’s life time average!
Our charging sites when staying in Yungaburra:
Ever learned about a Platypus, the egg laying mammal? If you like to spot one, the Paterson Creek in Yungaburra is the perfect place! One should do the 3 km beautiful walk along the Peterson Creek, and check the grassy creek edges preferably around sunset time when the Platypus starts its feeding activity.
Yungaburra has so much to offer for tourism; In the immediate neighbourhood we visited Lake Tinaroo, the Barrine- and Eacham Crater Lakes, Curtain- and Cathedral Fig Trees, Malanda & Falls, Bromfield swamp, and Wongabel State Forest. And of course Atherton is nearby and offers more attractions.
There is also a rich choice of places to stay in and around Yungaburra, as well as a variety of restaurants, coffee shops and eateries. Yungaburra also has a perfect location for targeting installation of Tesla Destination Chargers. In case of the Tesla MS 85 with a “typical” range of 400km it is easy to do some day trips to even the more distant places on the Tablelands.
From Lake Barrine to the Cathedral Fig and continuing around the lake leading to Tinaroo Falls Village there is a well maintained unsealed road that partly goes through dense forest before reaching several camping spots next to the lake.
Another place that is a must to visit is the Historic Village Herberton. Set on 16 acres, this Historic Village is a tin mining town with shops, pub, bank, chemist, grocer, printer and garage. There are more than 50 restored period buildings making this outdoor museum the most significant in Queensland.
You can easily spend the day taking your time to view thousands of genuine antiques, Australian collectibles, vintage machinery and vehicles and more.
After a contact with the owners I have received confirmation that they would welcome EVs to top-up batteries at their place using either 3-phase charging by EVSE or by Tesla Destination Chargers. Further details are to be worked out.
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Marc, I've read with interest your 4 part blog. Thank you for sharing your experience. I currently coordinate the Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE) Newcastle chapter and we are assisting the Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment in organising Australia's biggest EV Festival 13-14 August 2016 here in Newcastle, NSW. http://www.hunterevfestival.net/ Our role is to organise the conference component of the event. We would love to invite you to be a presenter at our conference. Please contact me on bates.jen.c@gmail.com and I can send you some further details. Cheers, Jen.