u/Kangastan

Day 27 of the Zeekr Big Lap saw us venture into central Perth, reliving teenage memories.

Left Point Denison early and cruised down the stunning Indian Ocean Drive, stopping for a charge and breakfast at Jurien Bay.

It then seemed to take forever to enter the city outskirts, but eventually we were on the freeway.

Once in the city, the car got a well deserved hand wash before we arrived at our dog-friendly serviced apartments in the heart of the city. 

Made a few phone calls, organising a meet up tomorrow 4pm at the Lucky Shag at Elizabeth Quay on the Swan River, as well as our service at Zeekr Perth on Wednesday morning.

Spent the evening walking up and down the Hay and Murray street malls, trying to remember hang out spots from the late 80s, but everything has changed.

Dinner was sushi with gelato for dessert. 

Now enjoying have a bed on which to do the vlog. Tomorrow more city wandering, laundry etc

Day 26 of the Zeekr Big Lap and sudden contrast of  arriving in green fields of pasture and golden canola around Geraldton after the previous days in the harsh Pilbara and Gascoyne is what makes the EV lap so special.

Left Carnarvon after the late sunrise and a servo tea heading down across stark desert plains to the busy Overland Roadhouse, where there were lines for fuel but not for the 25kW charger.

During the slow charge, lots of pats for Twig, conversations about EVs and the last remote homemade sausage roll.

The constant stream of caravans and boats heading in the opposite direction north was incredible. 

Journeyed on through the ever changing landscape from harsh scrub into the agricultural fields of Northampton, into the town where we charged and called ahead to book an unpowered site at the beautiful seaside town of Port Denison, a short, hour-long drive through the busy town of Geraldton. 

Walked to the foreshore to catch another stunning sunset, getting snapper and chips for dinner.

Also booked two nights at a serviced apartment in central Perth, arriving tomorrow afternoon, another bit of city luxury and a bed after our outback odyssey.

Trip stats for the day were 536 km, efficiency of 21.2kWh/100km, and the car just clocked over 18,000 km, 11,700 for this trip.

Day 25 of the Zeekr Big Lap and we crossed the Tropic of Capricorn out of the tropics, back into more civilised parts, cooler climes and easier charging, well at least until the Nullarbor.

Woke up at the Karratha truck stop after a semi restful night thanks to the coming and goings of trucks and trains. 

Grabbed a truck stop tea and headed 96 km to the Fortescue River charger at an abandoned roadhouse where we charged back up to 90% at 50kW.

Then it was 160 km to the Nunaterra roadhouse, a hive of activity in the midst of renovations. 

Charged to 100% at 50kW for an hour so at the ever reliable charger, snacking on a couple of legendary homemade sausage rolls and a chocolate milk.

Then we were ready to go the 368 km distance direct to Carnarvon, crossing the line of Capricorn but not before sustaining a second rock chip in the windscreen!! 

We zipped past the the unreliable solar charger at Minilya at the Exmouth turn off, arriving at our destination with 28%. 

Walked around the foreshore while we charged to 80%, the rest we will get from our powered site at the lovely Carnarvon caravan park we booked earlier in the day.

Picked up a local tiger prawn Thai green curry for dinner and some local, sweet baby bananas for dessert.

First shower in three nights never felt so good, topped off by sunset with the NASA satellite dish in the background.

Sleeping in Hotel Zeekr again as too lazy to set up the tent and the car is actually very comfy.

Tomorrow we head 476km to Geraldton, on the way to Perth the following day.

Day 24 of the Zeekr Big Lap saw us continue south, with good news that I've booked the car in for a new windscreen and wheel rotation at Zeekr Perth next week!

Left Sandfire Roadhouse after making the necessary calls and loading up the daily vlog, fortified with a cup of tea and homemade sausage roll.

Made the 290km to Port Hedland easily, going straight to the windscreen place where I was given a sticker patch to cover the cracks, probably just psychological but made me feel better.

Checked out the massive port, watching two bulk iron ore carriers being escorted out by the tugs.

Back to my mining roots as I was born and spent my teen years in the Pilbara.

Grabbed a sushi lunch and Japanese marble lemonade, which I consumed as I charged back to 90%.

Then just another short 240 km hop to Karratha, equally as busy with both van parks full as grey nomads and holidaymakers streamed north.

So I charged back to 90% for a night stealth camping with a bunch of other cars and vans at the highway service station, me utilising camping mode.

Tomorrow we head 600 km south to Carnarvon, crossing the line of Capricorn out of the tropics!

Day 23 of the Zeekr Big Lap, a day not without some drama including a bit of a blemish on the windshield.

Started off in the Fitzoy River Lodge van park, packing up and loading up yesterday's daily vlog.

Decided to skip Derby, which I had checked out on previous lap, and just drive the 400km direct to Broome.

On the way out of the park, I caught up with Jeff who found me on Facebook and who is towing a teardrop camper with his plug-in hybrid.

Then, perhaps foolishly, I decided to check out the vandalised Fitzoy Crossing charger from the safety of my car, to which the locals took exception, one chasing me out of the car park. That got the adrenaline going.

Back out on the open road things settled down for some 90kph hypermiling most of the way to Broome.

The last 50km I sped things up once the range estimate rose from 16% to 22%.

Entering Broome, there was huge line up of caravans at the town van park and then a literal traffic jam into town, so the vibe was not for me.

I spent two nights here in my last lap, so I felt like I'd seen it all already.

While charging to 93%, I walked to the end of town beach jetty to take in the Indian Ocean, I decided to get the heck out of there.

I headed 325 km down the road to one of my favourite roadhouses in all of Australia, Sandfire Roadhouse, where there is a 50kW solar charger, great food, friendly peacocks and a not so friendly camel.

This place is steeped in history and character.

But just of Broome, karma struck in the form of a rock thrown up by truck into my windscreen.

A beautiful sunset upon arrival into Sandfire cheered me up a bit, as did a lamb chop and salad dinner.

Arriving with 28%, I charged up to 50% on the solar charger, and got a powered site to do the rest.

Spending the night in the aircon of Hotel Zeekr.

Tomorrow I'll see if I can get the windscreen repaired in the next stop of Port Hedland, another 290 km down the Great Northern Highway.

It sure does feel great finally heading due south.

Trip stats for the day were 708 km with an efficiency of 19.8kWh/100km, trip grand total being exactly 10,000km!!

Day 22 of the Zeekr Big Lap and we made it across possibly the most challenging section, the Kimberley.

Set off from Kununurra at 6.30am, celebrating the 7X reaching 15,000 km not far out of town.

Relatively short first leg of 200 km to the WA EV Network fast charger at Warmun, where I grabbed a breakfast roll and tea while the car charged to 100% at 147kW.

The RFID card reader was faulty so called Chargefox to activate the session.

Then it was a long 355 km stretch at 90kph to the remote Ngumban Cliffs solar charger.

We passed through Halls Creek and checked out the broken vandalised charger.

At Ngumban the 50kW charge from 33% to 90% took about an hour, so I flew the drone for some scenic shots.

While this is one of my favourite chargers on the lap, it did crash at 85%, but that was enough for me to get the 100 km to my overnight stop in Fitzroy Crossing with 70%.

Arrived at 3.30pm, early enough to secure a powered site inside the safety of the Fitzroy River Lodge van park.

I'm finding the heat oppressive, so set up the tent, heated up a soup on the induction stove and retreated into the tent with the fan.

Tomorrow we aim for Broome and the Indian Ocean.

Trip stats for the day were 626 km with an efficiency of 20.2 kWh/100km. We've now done 9300 km on the lap.

Day 21 of the Zeekr Big Lap and we've crossed into WA! 

Started the day off in Katherine with 93% leaving relatively late after packing up and getting some grocery supplies for our crossing of the top end.

Did the 290km leg to our first charging stop at Timber Creek arriving at 12noon with 43 per cent, where we arranged with Ron from Wirib Tourist Park to have the 22kW AC charger turned on for our arrival. 

Payment was $25 and a couple of beers.

Grabbed a few pieces of fried chicken and an energy drink while we waited 1.5 hours for the car to charge to 67%, enough to get to Kununurra across the WA border.

I decided to push on as the temperature was a rather unpleasant mid 30s, 38 in the sun, and we were gaining a couple of hours with the time charge.

Foolishly I bought a bunch of fruit this morning, all which I had to consume while waiting in the quarantine check point line.

Held up my road works on the NT side, we arrived at the 150kW charger at Horizon Power headquarters in Kununurra at about 3pm, WA time. 

Worker Shane came out to check out the Zeekr and gave us the good news that has ordered parts for the broken vandalised AC and DC chargers at Halls Creek, but is still waiting after eight weeks.

The broken, vandalised chargers at Fitzroy Crossing are apparently the responsibility of the Broome office, and he had no update on them. 

Rather than push on the two hours to Warmun further into the Kimberley tonight, we are spending the night at a caravan park in Kununurra and plan on an early start. 

Topping the car up from 70 to 100% on the park 15amp.

Trip stats for the day were 513 km for the day with an efficiency of 21.7kWh/100km, and so far we have done 8600km, the car tomorrow will reach 15,000km.

Day 20 of the Zeekr Big Lap and we're back on the road, and while it was just a short 300 km hop from Darwin backtracking to Katherine, there was plenty of socialising at the charging stops.

Checked out as late as possible from the Rydges, after another complimentary breakfast of champions.

Stopped at Bunnings to pick up my "bush supercharging" kit of a tow rope and shackles, then did a quick top up charge at the airport Evie.

Here I met a local IM6 owner and we compared notes on the 7X.

Next it was on 100 km to the Adelaide River NRMA where I met travelling couple Kate and Mark who recognised me from Facebook, and are interested in getting a Zeekr.

Then Kimi pulled up in her MG4, on her own solo epic EV mission from her home on the Sunshine Coast to the Bungle Bungles in the Kimberley.

We had a long chat about each other's road trips.

Caught up with her again at the Katherine NRMA where we both charged, before she headed south on her way home, while I retreated to the same riverside caravan park I stayed at two nights ago.

This time I decided to get an unpowered site away from the crowds, as the car was charged to 90%.

Local Australian Electric Vehicle Association member Jasper stopped by the van park to watch me set up Hotel Zeekr ABC and my V2L kitchen.

He last met me in Katherine when I arrived at the then brand new NRMA charger in my Polestar 2 on my first lap two years ago, and it was great to catch up again.

Another park resident from Darwin, whose wife drives an Ora, also recognised me from my social media and said hello.

Currently reclined in 22 degrees inside the car, escaping the heat outside. 

Tomorrow it's another short 300 km hop to Timber Creek, where Ron who operates the local 22kW AC charger knows I'm coming and will have it turned on.

The day after, we will cross into WA and the Kimberley as we continue our journey west across the top end.

It was fantastic to meet everyone on the road today and making new friends is definately a highlight of each lap.

As always you can check out my travels and interactions in my daily vlog on my YouTube channel.

Twig and I are enjoying Darwin...

Day 17 of the Zeekr Big Lap was another epic day covering possibly our longest distance of the trip so far, 825 km from Barkly Homestead to Katherine.

Started in the dark at 6am and headed west the 190 km to Three Ways Roadhouse NRMA charger, where I arrived within minutes of Hunter Murray, NT EV legend, who was heading home to Alice Springs from Darwin in his F150 Lightning truck.

Coincidentally a three-trailer road train packed with BYD EVs bound for Darwin arrived at the same time.

We had breakfast together chatting about his work installing and maintaining remote chargers and NT life, including something called "bush supercharging".

After charging to 100% I headed north at 120kph arriving at Elliot van park 230 km up the highway to use the 30kW charger installed by Hunter.

Here I ran into a couple from the Vietnamese tour group I met in Cloncurry and Barkly and shockingly their lead truck rolled coming into Elliot the day before after suffering a blow out.

Luckily the six people inside suffered only minor injuries, but their expedition from Sydney to Broome was over. The sweet couple offered me tea and noodles while they went through their salvaged belongings.

I charged from 57 to 90% in about an hour and headed the 314 km to Mataranka, sticking to 120kph the whole way stopping only at the Larrimah pub to see the pink panther.

Arrived at the Mataranka NRMA charger at about 3.30pm with the car temp showing 33 degrees as I charged to 80%.

Then only a short 109 km hop to K Town, or Katherine, arriving just after 5pm and giving the Zeekr a well deserved car wash.

The Zeekr averaged 22.3 kWh/100km doing mostly 120kph all day with a bit of 130kph. Such a good car to drive at these speeds, overtaking vans and trucks effortlessly. Big Lap trip total now 7500 km.

Then got my my powered site on the banks of the Katherine River, where dinner was frozen and dried mango from the mango man.

Booked two nights of luxury accommodation for the weekend in a King Premier room at the Darwin CBD Rydges Hotel, so looking forward to some R&R as well as catching up with the NT Australian Electric Vehicle Association crew.

It's only 300 km tomorrow to our most northern point.

Check out our adventures in my daily vlog on my YouTube channel Kangaroo Island TV.

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Day 16 of the Zeekr Big Lap was a rest day at Barkly Homestead, the only stop on the 460 km stretch between Camooweal (QLD) and Tennant Creek (NT).

Plugged the car into one of the first 15 amp plugs that became available in the morning.

Did laundry, relaxed, caught up on emails, flew the drone in the afternoon. 

Tomorrow we head west then north with multiple fast and medium chargers available on the two-day, 1200 km drive between here and Darwin.

Day 15 of the Zeekr Big Lap and we crossed into the NT!

Started the day with a charge on the Queensland Electric Super Highway station at Cloncurry, as well as a curry pie and chocolate milk.

It's a small world as former KI residents Sheree and David, now living on a nearby cattle station, found me at the charger and we had a quick chat.

It was then quick 160 km hop to Mt Isa for a grocery shop and charge at the brand new NRMA charger to 90% before setting off to Camooweel on the Queensland border, a distance of 190 km.

Here we had high hopes the new eLumina NRMA charger was working, but alas, it has yet to be connected as was evidenced by dangling wires.

So Plan B was to 3 phase charge at the RACQ mechanic workshop, but unfortunately a broken truck was blocking access to the 5 pin plug.

Some quick rearranging inside the workshop had the Zeekr manoeuvred into position for a 1 hour 30 minute charge on 22kW to 76 per cent before I made the call to leave in order to make Barkley Homestead by sunset.

The good news is that with the help of some advice of an Australian Electric Vehicle Association member I figured out the Wattpilot cable situation. Apparently it locks on to the cable once you disconnect it from power, so I simply needed to reconnect it to dislodge it!

A quick photo opp at the NT border sign preceded the 260 km long drive hypermiling at 95 kph to get to my overnight stop.

While I arrived with 27% at 5.30pm, I was also half an hour too late to secure the last powered camp site, as this remote outpost was packed out.

So I will snag the first available plug in the morning to start charging, and will probably just spend the whole day here as it's lovely spot and I need some R&R to do laundry and take a breath.

Managed to do a quick live cross to Rosco from Amazing EVs for his Wednesday night show.

I arrived with about 138 km range and the next NRMA charger at 3 Ways Roadhouse on the Stuart Highway is only 190 km away, so only really needed about six hours on the 15 amp powered site to make it.

From 3 Ways it is 963 km of two days drive to Darwin!

Trip stats for the day were 566 km driven with an efficiency of 19.6kWh/100km.

Total distance covered is 6700 km.

Day 14 of the Zeekr Big Lap and all fairly straight forward  for a 454km day from Karumba down to Cloncurry.

Slept in while the car charged to 92% and I uploaded my daily vlog video. Got a sticker for the charging board back home and a cup of tea, but unfortunately the apple turn overs had sold out by the time I packed up at 10am.

A Better Route Planner estimated I would arrive with minus 4%, so I stopped in at the Carpentaria Shire and paid another $25 to top up from 80% to 100% at the rodeo grounds, which took about an hour.

Checked out the sculpture of Krys the Savannah King, who at 8.63 metres is the biggest recorded crocodile, before being shot at Normanton in 1957.

It was then time to continue south with ABRP estimating I'd arrive with 19%.  

One hiccup in that my 22kW cable for some reason became stuck in my Wattpilot Go, so will have to sort that out if I'm going to 3 phase charge again.

On the way was lots of one lane road and a tonne of road work, with one highlight being the spotting of a Google Earth car recording street view. Excited to possibly see the Zeekr when it's eventually published!

Passed by Four Ways road house, which was going to be Plan B, as well as overtaking a couple of four-trailer road trains heading south from the copper mines.

Nothing compares to having 650 horsepowers in my own beast from the east for passing these behemoths. 

Arrived Cloncurry van park with 20% with 20 minutes before the office closed at 5.30pm. 

Put the car on charge, pitched that tent and heated up some soup on the induction cook top.

Tomorrow we pass through Mt Isa, probably stopping and overnighting at Camooweel on the NT border.

See you in the NT!

Day 13 of the Zeekr Big Lap and we accomplished our epic side quest making it across Cape York in two days from Cairns to the shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria at Karumba.

Fantastically efficient day today making it the 390km from Mount Surprise to Normanton, arriving with 37 per cent left thanks to more hypermiling at 80 to 90kph achieving an average efficiency of 16.8kWh/100km.

The sometimes single lane road required some careful driving, pulling aside for trucks and approaching vehicles.

Lots of live cows, dead pigs and amazing bird life.

At Normanton I went into the Carpentaria Shire offices and enquired about 3 phase charging at the rodeo grounds. For $25, caretaker Phil hooked me up and at 22kW I got back up to 60% for the the short 70km drive to Karumba Point Sunset van park.

As is becoming common, arriving 10 minutes before the 5pm office closing, having done 462km for the day.

Arriving with 48%, the car went straight on 15amp charge while we set up the tent, before going down to watch the sun set over the gulf.

Dinner was barramundi and chips.

Car temp peaked at 36 degrees while we charged in the afternoon sun, but has now settled down to 25 degrees.

Tomorrow we head south toward Mt Isa, taking it a bit easier as we head into the Northern Territory.

Total trip distance so far is 5600km.

You can watch my daily vlogs on my YouTube channel Kangaroo Island TV.

After six months, still loving washing the Zeekr and making her all shiny. In one week we set off on our second lap of Australia!
Turning right once I leave Kangaroo Island to do the Great Ocean Road, then north to Cairns and beyond…

Went to Middle River on Kangaroo Island today to document the 25th annual tree planting weekend at the Strepera conservation property, celebrating 20,000 native trees planted in a quarter century on this former sheep farm.

The 7X handles very nicely across muddy corrugations, tracks and paddocks in Very High mode.

Fantastic community spirit shown and connections made at the first Zeekr drive day for South Australia.

There were 14 7X Performances in all the colours and 40 people for the drive from Adelaide to McLaren Vale.

#DriveWithZeekr