Grey nomads clocking up big kilometres as they head south again after a dry season in the tropics are enduring significant pain at the bowser … and they’re not the only ones.
In recent weeks, petrol prices have surged and even metropolitan motorists are getting used to shelling out $2-plus for a litre of unleaded.
And, of course, it can be significantly worse in the more remote areas. This week, for example, motorists could pay as much as $2.92 for a litre of Unleaded 91 at Curtin Springs in the NT, and $2.88 for a litre of Unleaded 91 in the Border Village, SA.
And the experts are warning that these high prices could be around for several more weeks. While petrol price cycles in Australia are notoriously volatile, things have been going into overdrive recently.
Ouch! Petrol prices in Coffs Harbour last week ... and it was a lot worse elsewhere! PIC: CIZZA
The sharp hikes are being blamed on a tightening of oil markets driven by resilient demand and supply cuts, as well as a fall in the Australian dollar which has made it more expensive to buy petrol.
While grey nomads travelling in Outback areas are not exactly blessed with a lot of options when it comes to buying fuel, motoring organisations are urging all motorists to shop around as much as possible to find savings.
And it can make a huge difference. As an example, a grey nomad towing a caravan which uses approximately 16 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres will put a whopping 480 litres into the tank on a 3,000-kilometre trip from Darwin to Adelaide.
So, every extra 10 cents per litre that petrol costs translates to nearly $50 extra to take the trip!
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One of the reasons why I recently bought a small cc motorbike, to cut costs at the bowser. It has cut fuel costs by over half, as we live out of our doctors/shopping town in a very small village. I am getting 95 miles to the gallon on the bike, and 40 miles in the car. Using the motorbike more now then the car, 2up and single rider. Should have come back to it earlier years ago..