I drove a Tesla down the NSW South Coast, it was great

My five-day EV road trip proved that leaving a lighter footprint was not only possible, but a lot of fun.

5 min read

November 20, 2024 - 10:49AM

Lifestyle

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The sign marking the entrance to the South Pacific Heathland Reserve in Ulladulla sums up our predicament. “In our hands, we hold the power of survival of many living species of plants and animals.”

As I step into its soundtrack, with the roar of Rennies Beach below, my sandy footfall and the twitter of some of the 89 bird species recorded here, the diversity of this parcel of heath and coastal woodland reveals itself. Golden morning light filters through the casuarinas, illuminating flannel flowers, banksias and cerise mountain devil flowers. At the highest point of the trail, Didthul (Pigeon House Mountain) seems to nod hello from a distance.

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Back in 1961, a local ornithologist had the foresight to rally for the protection of this rich biodiverse reserve on Yuin Country. Today, this 2km amble through the 14ha reserve serves as a poignant pre-breakfast meditation on what low-impact travel is and can be.

When I set out to do an EV road trip on the NSW South Coast, I didn’t really have a plan beyond wanting to leave a lighter footprint. I’d secured my wheels through car-sharing platform Evee and met my host at his home on the south side of Sydney to pick up my Tesla Model 3 for the week.

Within two hours I’m an EV convert. Cruising silently along the Princes Motorway, urban sprawl gives way to green dromedary hills and stolen glances of the shimmering Pacific. I’m as enamoured with the view as I am with the tech on the Tesla’s touchscreen.

I’d heard charging anxiety is a real thing for first-time EV drivers but by plugging my destination into the navigation system before I left I’m assured I’ll still have plenty of battery juice when I arrive in Mollymook, three hours south – even with a detour to Jervis Bay.

The sorbet tones of Motel Molly pop from Shepherd Street as I pull into the driveway.

The sorbet tones of Motel Molly pop from Shepherd Street as I pull into the driveway and happily find a Tesla charger. Not that there’s a need to fret just yet, I’m still on 78 per cent when I plug in.

With an hour on the clock to fully charge (the final 20 per cent is the slowest my Evee host had pre-warned me), I drop my bags and pad down the street – passing a handful of original beach shacks – to dive into the ocean. Small waves roll towards shore and watching kids on bodyboards, I think I should have grabbed one of the Mick Fanning softboards from the rack at the motel. There are complimentary bikes too, for a climate-friendly way to explore.

Working with the bones of what was the Surfbeach Motel, Motel Molly opened in December 2022, a 16-room sustainable addition to the Shoalhaven region, which attracts around three million visitors a year. There are four buildings – green by the pool with family-friendly apartments, blue opposite reception, yellow at the main entrance, and pink, which I am staying in – all redesigned by Cronulla-based Knox Developments and interior design firm Richards Stanisich. The overall environmental impact was minimised by reducing demolition and construction waste.

The Mediterranean-inspired makeover has seen handmade tiles from Byron Bay revive tired bathrooms, locally sourced treats fill the Smeg retro fridges, and biodegradable slippers. All of it adds up to a fun, nostalgia-tinged destination.

Working with the bones of what was the Surfbeach Motel, Motel Molly opened in December 2022, and is a 16-room sustainable addition to the Shoalhaven region.

Hunger hits after my heathland hike and I make tracks for Milton, five minutes’ drive inland, to eat at Pilgrims vegetarian cafe. A South Coast institution, having opened over 40 years ago, it has a sister NSW cafe in Cronulla. A generous helping of pesto, mushrooms and avocado is loaded onto sourdough baked in nearby Berry and I set off feeling recharged myself.

The beaches are a natural drawcard here and I’ve come to lay out a towel on as many as I can. With no spots available for a surf lesson with one of Australia’s first women of surfing, Pam Burridge – who can usually be found coaching at the northern end of Mollymook Beach – I settle into my back-up plan.

It came to me, scribbled on a map last night by a staffer, after I’d devoured a prawn linguine along with buzzy summer vibes at Rooftop Bar & Grill. The Rooftop crowns boutique hotel Bannisters Pavilion and, after a slick 2022 renovation, offers a complimentary shuttle service to Motel Molly guests who are keen to pair post-beach cocktails with casual fare. If they’re not already eating at hip Asian eatery Gwylo next door, that is.

I feel like I’ve arrived from the future as my Tesla rolls silently through the shack-lined streets of Bendalong, half an hour north of Mollymook. Low-impact travel has always just been travel in spots like this – barefoot days at the beach, living in harmony with nature, keeping things small and local. I spend the morning dipping in and out of the calm waters of Washerwomans Beach, and perching like a salty crab under trees that yawn over the sand.

The Isla is another example of working with good bones and creating something worth travelling for. Picture: Anson Smart.

Another day I head south and deviate from the 45-minute stretch of highway between Mollymook and Batemans Bay to follow gum-lined roads to beaches like Pretty, Pebbly and Depot where kangaroos sun themselves on the grassy dunes.

Batemans Bay marks the halfway point of my road trip and here, overlooking Corrigans Beach, The Isla is another example of working with good bones and creating something worth travelling for. The 18-room motel was transformed in 2021 by a bunch of friends from Canberra to appeal to a new generation of travellers – those who value style and substance.

Rooms hero Australian designers and artists, vending machines are filled with local products such as Dangerous Ales beer from Milton, and there’s a Chargefox charger conveniently on site. “Why knock down the whole building when it’s all double brick and really well constructed?” says co-owner Yanna Dascarolis. They have since worked their magic on another fading motel relic right next door, opening Casita in October this year.

In five days I cover close to 1000km, even though I stick within a two-hour stretch of coast, bookended by Bermagui. But making my way back towards Sydney I realise it’s been days since I last took notice of a petrol station, having managed to charge while having a massage in Narooma,while I slept, and while eating pizza on the waterfront in Batemans Bay. On my final stop I plug into one of the six Tesla Superchargers at Silos Estate outside Berry for a top-up and slip into the tasting room for a sample while I wait.

I head south to Pebbly Beach, where kangaroos sun themselves on the grassy dunes. Picture: Destination NSW.

Just as the tide washes the sand clean each day, the footprint of my electric road trip will all but disappear behind me. And it confirms for me that with small, considered choices, travelling more sustainably doesn’t mean you have to spend more or sacrifice any of the fun.

The writer was a guest of Motel Molly.

What is the best way to hire an EV for a trip to the NSW South Coast?

Mollymook is a three-hour drive south of Sydney. You can hire an EV through car-sharing platforms like Evee and Turo, or go the traditional hire car route with Sixt who include complimentary Chargefox charging.