It’s not every day that you see a vehicle from the future parked at your local hardware store, but that’s exactly what happened at a Bunnings on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Shoppers were left stunned and reaching for their cameras when they spotted a Tesla Cybertruck, Elon Musk’s futuristic electric ute, taking up two parking spots outside the store.
The Cybertruck, which has been making appearances around Australia, was last seen in the Brisbane CBD and at the Gold Coast 500. Its visit to the Caloundra Bunnings was shared on Reddit, where it quickly became a hot topic. The vehicle’s striking design and sheer size, measuring 5.6 metres in length and 2.4 metres in width, meant it couldn’t fit into a standard parking space without encroaching on another. To avoid any potential damage, a temporary orange bollard was placed protectively in front of the truck.
The sighting sparked a flurry of comments and questions from the online community. Some joked about the vehicle’s size and appearance, while others questioned its road legality in Australia. A vehicle registration check revealed that the Cybertruck is registered in Queensland as a ‘dealer’ vehicle, suggesting it’s here for promotional purposes rather than general sale.
Indeed, a Bunnings spokesperson confirmed that the Cybertruck’s presence was part of an activation to celebrate the launch of electric vehicle chargers and accessories at the store. This range is being introduced to 40 pilot stores across Australia and includes wall-mounted EV chargers for home installation.
The event drew a crowd, with one member of the Tesla Owners Australia Facebook Group noting that the Cybertruck was a significant drawcard, even overshadowing the classic Bunnings sausage sizzle. However, the vehicle’s windows and doors remained closed to protect its sensitive electronics from the rain, adding to its mystique.
Reactions to the Cybertruck were mixed, with some calling it ‘fantastic’ and ‘cool,’ while others were less impressed, labeling it ‘ugly’ and ‘a joke.’ Despite the divided opinions, the Cybertruck has certainly made an impact and sparked conversations about the future of automotive design and technology.
Tesla has expressed a desire to launch the Cybertruck in Australia, but it currently faces regulatory hurdles due to non-compliance with Australian design rules. The vehicle, which is priced between $US81,895 ($125,500 AUD) and $101,985 ($156,000 AUD), is listed on the Australian Tesla website, but is not yet available for order. Prospective buyers can only sign up for updates at this stage.
The Cybertruck is marketed as ‘built for any planet,’ with Tesla claiming it’s ‘durable and rugged enough to go anywhere’ and ‘able to tackle anything.’ It boasts features like armour glass that can resist the impact of a baseball at 112 km/h and acoustic glass for a cabin as quiet as outer space. Musk has touted the Cybertruck as ‘a better truck than a truck and a better sports car than a sports car,’ a testament to Tesla’s ambition to redefine the automotive landscape.
As we await the Cybertruck’s potential arrival on Australian roads, this rare sighting at Bunnings serves as a tantalising preview of what the future of transport might hold. It’s a reminder that innovation is always around the corner—or in this case, parked just outside your local hardware store.
Have you seen any unusual or futuristic vehicles in unexpected places? Would you ever consider purchasing a Cybertruck? Share your experiences and thoughts with us in the comments below, and let’s discuss the exciting developments in the world of electric vehicles and their place in Australian society.
