Grey nomads who have budgeted carefully for their dream trips have had an unwelcome curve ball thrown at them in recent weeks … skyrocketing fuel prices.
While things appear to have stabilised in recent days, with crude oil prices falling a little, the full benefit of that has really yet to be seen at the bowser.
According to online aggregator FuelPrice Australia, the average price for diesel in the state capitals currently varies between $1.58 in Adelaide to $1.75 in Hobart.
For Unleaded 91, the average price is currently $1.76 per litre in Brisbane, $1.65 in Melbourne and $1.72 in Sydney.
The NRMA motoring organisation is calling for some early relief as the nation heads into Christmas.
“The impact these record high prices have had on families and the economy have been reported on extensively and are well known,” Peter Khoury, an NRMA spokesperson, said. “What is needed now is genuine relief at the bowser, particularly as Australians prepare to head away on their Christmas holidays.”
Meanwhile, travellers are feeling the pain. Janice and William Allen have been on the road full-time for a decade and have kept a track of the percentage of expenditure spent on basic categories. They typically send nearly 25% of their weekly budget when filling up at the bowser and, when that cost goes up, it typically means something else has to give.
After years of doing his sums and watching van park fees and fuel costs climb, solo traveller Tom Reynolds says he eventually realised he was ‘overthinking’ it.
“In the end, if you’re going to go, you’ve just got to go,” he said. “Now, I’m on the road if I start to feel the financial pinch I just park up in the bush for a week or two until things are back on an even keel.”
Of course, travelling more slowly is the biggest way to reduce weekly fuel costs but there are other things that can be done. Experts say that planning your trip carefully in advance reduces the risk of taking an inefficient route. It might also allow you to fill up in larger towns where fuel is generally cheaper.
Similarly, travelling at the optimum speed for your set-up’s fuel consumption is just common sense when prices are as high as they are.
Driving smoothly and avoiding surges of acceleration also have a big effect. Vehicles that are well maintained are also more efficient, and keeping tyre pressure at the correct levels makes a big difference.
Grey nomads should also pack as lightly as possible, and be aware that carrying items on roof racks has a big effect on wind resistance.
The price of fuel is a major factor in our travels and this high price spike will mean more low cost camping and no caravan parks. It will also affect our budget spent in small towns were we camp.