The conflict in the Middle East has seen fuel prices surge and forced many grey nomads to re-assess how they approach the next leg of their Big Lap adventure.
With prices per litre soaring way above $2 and, in some cases, above $3, plenty of travellers are choosing to pause their trips and wait out the uncertainty.
And, besides the sheer cost of filling the tank, there are also growing fears over availability. Many service stations are seeing huge queues as people seek to ‘get in while they can’ … and some fuel outlets – like the only one in the NSW town of Batlow – have temporarily shut due to supply issues.
Meanwhile, jerry cans have been flying off the shelves as grey nomads and others try to stock up.
Ouch! Grey nomads in big rigs are really feeling the pain at the bowser
However, the RACQ’s Principal Economic and Affordability Specialist, Dr Ian Jeffreys, urged people not to panic buy.
“Panic buying only creates short-term disruptions that don’t reflect the current fuel levels in Australia,” he said. “For those travelling or planning to travel long distances, our advice remains the same, plan ahead, take extra fuel in case of emergencies and stay informed.”
Energy Minister Chris Bowen insists that Australia’s fuel supply is secure. And experts say most of our fuel comes from Singapore and their crude oil is sourced from places like Indonesia and Malaysia, a long way from the Middle East.
Nonetheless, about seven days’ worth of petrol and five days of diesel has just been made available from Australia’s emergency stockpile, the first use of its fuel reserves since the invasion of Ukraine four years ago.
In areas like most of the NT, where distances are huge, the advice is very much to take sensible precautions. A spokesperson for the AANT said grey nomads should make sure they ‘have enough fuel to get to the next major town or centre and not rely totally on smaller roadhouses between towns … just in case things change’.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that many travellers are just staying longer in places and reducing distances travelled.
“Staying put for a while will certainly help to save fuel,” said the AANT spokesperson. “As well, travellers can leave their van at the caravan park and do short day trips … there is no need, for example, Times to take your van out to Ormiston Gorge from Alice Springs … you can easily do that as a day trip without the van.”
Some grey nomads though are making even bolder decisions while the Iran conflict continues.
“It’s a tough decision, do you go or do you stay put,” said one correspondent on the Grey Nomads forum. “We were caught up in the border shutdowns with Covid so we aren’t keen to go through that again … we’re staying home for now!”
WIN A COBB GRILL GAS+
Grey Nomad members are being given the chance to win a Cobb Grill Gas+, the ultimate portable barbecue option for those who live life on the road.
The just-released grill connects directly to LPG, adding extra versatility to the existing Cobb range which already includes charcoal and Butane gas options.
The Cobb Grill Gas+ also has built-in Flame Failure Device (FFD), a wind-resistant burner design, a cool-to-touch outer base, and is easy to clean.
Retailing for $479, the Cobb Grill Gas+ comes with a cooking plate, 1.5-metre hose & regulator, lifting fork, and a carry bag.
