“If we see a permanent ceasefire but also a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, then we will see these prices fall again,” he said. “But, if we continue on the path we’re currently on, then unfortunately that is likely to mean higher prices for Australians in the weeks ahead.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says supplies are firm right through May and into June, and he says he will meet state and territory leaders before the federal budget is handed down later this month.

Australia is currently sitting at level two of a four-level plan, where precautionary measures to conserve fuel are encouraged. The PM says any move to increase to level three, which would mean further measures to save petrol and diesel, would be signalled well in advance.

Many grey nomads have, of course, decided to ‘bite the bullet’ and take their trips despite an element of uncertainty and higher-than-expected fuel costs. However, many are travelling more slowly and perhaps looking for more free camping opportunities.

And that is having an effect in many rural communities.

Caravan parks in the Victorian city of Wangaratta, for example, have reportedly seen cancellations and a downturn in revenue, particularly from interstate travellers.

Painter’s Island Holiday Park managers, Kirk Edgar and Deb Daniel, told the Wangaratta Chronicle that business was down 10% on last year.

“That might not sound huge, but for a regional business it’s a decent hit,” Mr Edgar told the paper. “Easter was fully booked, we had over 450 people each night in the park, but that was largely because people had already booked and paid before petrol prices really started to rise.”

And it is largely travellers towing caravans who are staying away, rather than those staying in cabins.

“It’s the people travelling with vans, especially diesel users, who have pulled back,” said Ms Daniel. “A lot of our guests usually stop here on their way north for winter and then again on the way back south, and many have told us they’re not making that trip this year.”

The owner of the Wangaratta Caravan Park, Sandy Slattery, told the Chronicle that they are yet to see a really big impact with only a few cancellations so far … but they are braced for that to change.

“Coming off the busy period we haven’t seen it drop off much yet, but we are expected to see a change in the coming months,” she said. “Mainly it will be if we see the grey-nomad types who usually travel north up to Queensland for the winter still doing their big trips.”

She said one noticeable trend was people were tending to stay put for a few days instead of just the one, and then ‘doing a big drive rather than visiting a lot of places’.

• Have you decided that you might as well travel as planned, despite initial concerns over the cost and potential shortage of fuel? Comment below.

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