One way to the future: Australia's best EV routes

Want to spark joy? Try whizzing past petrol stations in an EV.

Clockwise from main: Hampden Bridge in NSW's Kangaroo Valley; winemaker Rajarshi Ray at his Silos Estate's electric vehicle charging station; Four Pillars Gin Distillery at Healesville; a Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre tour of Burleigh Head National Park. Pictures: Destination NSW; Tourism and Events Queensland; Robert Peet

As I nose a Tesla up and out of the Shoalhaven's Kangaroo Valley, range anxiety strikes. My battery charge is running low and, with nearby Berry's NRMA fast-charging station out of action (PlugShare app users helpfully warn about these hiccups), I point my wheels towards a sure thing.

Tom Davies at Mountain Ridge Wines, in Shoalhaven Heads, is such an electric-vehicle evangelist that he provides a "solar servo" that freely charges any kind of EV (it doesn't take a beginner EV driver long to learn about Tesla and non-Tesla plugs, adaptors and the like). I plug in, breathe a sigh of relief and ask Davies if he's up for a chat.

Of course, he loves nothing more than enthusing about EVs. Davies is so keen to spread the word that visitors can book a transfer (up to 30km) to and from his cellar door in an eye-catching lipstick-red Jaguar I-Pace. The drivers, he says, talk to passengers about the electric car they're riding in and its "ingenious" technology. "It launches you into conversation about the pros and cons of electric cars," Davies says.

Winery and hotel owners are among the savvy regional tourism operators offering EV drivers a plug-in point, knowing this attracts customers who then spend time and money at their business while charging up. Other charging options near Mountain Ridge, for example, include Bangalay Luxury Villas and Dining at Shoalhaven Heads and Silos Estate Berry.

You can also opt for a slow charge (known as "trickle charging") via a regular power outlet, which is what I do when I take a Hyundai Kona to Cupitt's Estate near Ulladulla. I'm overnighting in the winery's accommodation pods but, with no EV charger on-site, the long extension cord I've thrown into the boot is about to become handy. Winemaker Wally Cupitt points to a power cord dangling from a shed rafter and says I'm welcome to plug into that.

Road-tripping in an EV does involve planning and lots of kilometre-crunching via Google maps but some carmakers are proactively accelerating charging infrastructure. MG, for instance, recently installed three chargers in the garage of Katoomba's Carrington Hotel in the Blue Mountains as part of an initiative to install 3000 chargers across Australia over three years. Last month, the NSW Government announced plans to add about 250 fast and ultra-fast charging stations across NSW so that chargers are no more than 5km apart in metropolitan areas and no more than 100km apart on major roads and highways.

An ultra-fast charger can boost an EV battery from 20 percent to 80 percent in 15 minutes flat. The only downside of that? It'll abbreviate those wonderfully insightful and amusing conversations you have with other EV drivers while waiting your turn to top-up.

The Queensland Electric Super Highway (QESH) includes an epic coastal route from Coolangatta on the Gold Coast to Port Douglas near Cairns. The 1800-plus kilometres include these top recharge spots below (added bonus: the flattish route won't overly drain your charge, which is affected by factors including ascents, driving style and using the air-con).

After charging at Gold Coast airport, make a beeline for the coast's hotspots. Grab a bite from The Collective Palm Beach's five restaurants, relax at Miami Marketta (a night market with street food, drinks and live music) and nearby Lost Palms Brewing Co, or admire an exhibition at Surfers Paradise's Home of the Arts (HOTA). Turn back time by taking a Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre tour of Burleigh Head National Park.

Make the next stop the Sunshine Coast. With a fast charger at Cooroy, explore the hinterland's delights. Hit the famous Eumundi Markets, check into Hola Eumundi and explore Maleny, a former-dairy-town-turned-hippie-mecca. View the Glass House Mountains from Maleny Botanic Gardens.

Continue to Maryborough to visit The Story Bank - birthplace of Mary Poppins author PL Travers. After a Rockhampton recharge, detour to Yeppoon's blue lagoon or to Upper Stoney Creek - a stunning swimming spot - near Byfield National Park. Snap a selfie with Buffy, Sarina's Big Cane Toad, before overnighting in Mackay (Quest Mackay on Gordon is a few blocks from the QESH charger) or near Cape Hillsborough to catch the famous breakfasting beach kangaroos.

In Tropical North Queensland see Townsville from atop Castle Hill, the pink-granite monolith that's a landmark in the region's largest city. Detour to Mission Beach to search for the electric-blue Ulysses butterfly. In Cairns, plug in near the Esplanade and swim in the oceanfront infinity lagoon. queensland.com

Don't want to stress too much about counting kilometres? Plan a road-trip around compact Tasmania, which is peppered with charging stations and offers EV rental through Drive Car Hire.

From Hobart, nose alongside the Derwent to reach MONA. Delve into its avant-garde arty underworld before re-emerging for hot chips on the lawn or a posh lunch at The Source.

Head up the Midland Highway (also known as the Heritage Highway) to Ross, home to a bridge populated with 186 carvings said to be based on real people. The sculptures are so spectacular that their convict creator was granted a pardon for his work. Another drawcard bridge - Australia's oldest surviving brick arch bridge - is 12km further along at Campbell Town. Turn east and top up at Coles Bay before hiking to see the perfect scoop of sand known as Wineglass Bay. Amble around to Launceston via Bicheno (don't miss Blue Edge Bakery's famous scallop pies). Visit some of the Tamar Valley's 32 vineyards before hitting up Moores Hill Estate for a recharge.

How often you need to recharge between Melbourne and Canberra (about 650km trip if you don't meander) depends on your EV's range. Drive.com.au recently crunched claimed ranges for EVs available in Australia: results varied from 200 kilometres to 652 kilometres on a full charge.

But why hurry up the Hume when there's so much to see in rural Victoria and NSW? Start by tripping out to the Yarra Valley, where Healesville Sanctuary offers platypus encounters and TarraWarra Museum of Art showcases modern Australian art. Stop for a brunch burrito at The Laneway and pick up a bottle from Four Pillars Gin Distillery.

At Beechworth top up the EV at Bridge Road Brewers, set in a historic coach house and stables, or at Haldon Estate Wines as you get to know this boutique wine region. Round out your stop with a tour of the Old Beechworth Gaol where bushranger Ned Kelly did time.

North of the border, recharge near Gundagai's famous Dog on the Tuckerbox. Make the next stop tiny Jugiong, home to The Sir George where overnight guests choose between 19th-century stone stables or a modern barn. In Canberra, you'll find many hotels - including Hotel Realm, Hotel Kurrajong, A by Adina and QT - are already hip to the EV revolution. visitvictoria.com; visitnsw.com; visitcanberra.com.au