Behind the wheel: Amelia and friend Holly  

Back on the road and tackling a smaller trip this time around, I was fortunate enough to take the all-new Audi Q4 Sportback 45 e-tron for a spin down the coast, through the Gippsland region and to Inverloch.

This was my second all-EV adventure and I thought it more sensible to tackle a smaller journey this time. Jumping into the vehicle for the first time, I couldn't help but look around in awe of the luxurious fittings and spacious interior. A luxury EV that is below the LCT, meaning you can novate using all pre-tax dollars, saving thousands more and making the weekly price much more appealing to those like me who wouldn’t necessarily think to set my sights on an Audi. Both internally and externally, the Audi Q4 Sportback is a great-looking car. Sleek in appearance and with great tech and functional features inside, it makes for a very smooth drive. 

My journey took me from North Melbourne, via Heathmont to pick up my friend Holly, and then on the freeway through the Gippsland hills all the way to the small beachside town of Inverloch (165km one way). The Q4 Sportback 45 e-tron has an indicative range of up to 540km, which was plenty for me to make the full journey there and back without needing to charge. However, I am still fostering some range anxiety that I am slowly working on overcoming the more I tackle these journeys. With the car a little under ¾ full of charge before I took off, I did take a couple of cheeky charge opportunities along the way. They proved unnecessary, but it meant I returned home with plenty of charge to spare.

There’s no doubt about the smoothness of this vehicle and how it handles the road. Both my friend and I, after taking turns driving, instantly realised how nice of a drive this was compared to our (less luxurious) personal cars. As I zipped through the suburbs, the regenerative braking kept the charge levels under control and topped back up as I stop-started. Tackling the open road and freeway at 100km/h, however, does begin chewing through the charge at a faster rate given fewer regenerative braking opportunities. Foot down to the accelerator and the instant take-off was quite the wake-up for Holly as she was pushed back into her seat, shocked at how powerful the car was, taking us from 0-100kms in just under 7 seconds.

We made our way to Inverloch via the lovely rolling hills of Gippsland, impressing those who watched us drive by (or so we liked to think).

Interior design: The innovative interior design is impressive at first glance, with extra features like the virtual cockpit, 3-zone climate control and spacious cabin instantly making us feel comfortable. Plus of course, the nice to haves which come standard in the range, like the handy wireless phone charging, leather appointed upholstery, 4-way lumbar support and heated front seats.

Boot space: As a compact SUV, the boot space was still impressive and big enough to fit all our unnecessarily big bags for a weekend escape, plus extra room to spare. With the rear seats up, it provides 535 litres of boot space, which expands to 1,460 litres when you fold the seats down. Practical for all things and, as my partner identified, plenty of space for his golf clubs.

Exit Warning System: A really great feature that detects vehicles and cyclists when opening doors, it provides a warning light and initiates a slight delay in door opening. This was handy and a feature I wasn’t aware of until put into practice. Navigating the busy streets of Inverloch, this helped prevent one near miss, when I went to open my door onto some cyclists zooming by the beach path next to the car.

Inverloch: A must-visit, though I’m reluctant to share as part of Inverloch’s beauty over the years (despite getting more popular and busier) is its small-town and laidback beachside appeal. With a surf beach and bay beach, Inverloch has stunning swimming options for all. A cute town vibe with restaurant and pub options, bakeries, and an ice-cream store.

Coastal route:

• Venus Bay: Further around the bay and quieter than Inverloch, Venus Bay is a lovely spot for a swim, picnic or walk.
• Kilcunda: A chilled seaside town on the way to Inverloch via the South Gippsland Highway, it’s a lovely spot to stop and visit local artists’ and produce stores and admire the beauty of the iconic Kilcunda Trestle Bridge.
• Cape Paterson: Another great seaside town to stop by or stay, featuring great swimming, surfing and rock pools, as well as some great café and coffee stops.

Gippsland hills:

• Korumburra: A lively small town making for a great pit stop for a coffee, lunch or snack, plus EV charging available if needed.
• Meeniyan: A foodie haven with new restaurants and cafés make it a popular pit stop. My all-time favourite to visit is Trulli Pantry, an outdoor (with undercover options) Italian gem, with woodfired pizzas, pastas, a pantry of delicatessen goods and an ice-cream store.
• Kongwak: If you’re driving on through on a Sunday, this town comes to life with its famous Kongwak market with a diverse range of stalls.

A little bit further:

• Wilsons Promontory: Keep driving and extend your trip to the famous Wilsons Prom. Take a hike and soak up the breathtaking views.