As war in the Middle East continues and the fuel crisis deepens, grey nomads are facing an awful conundrum as they ponder their next travel moves.
While concern about the situation is universal, thoughts about the best way to approach the uncertainty are very much individual.
Comments from correspondents to the Grey Nomads website and on its social media channels reflect the diversity of opinion.
“Just keep on your trip, top up fuel when you can whatever the cost, do your trip while you have your health,” said one. “Just remember, we can always get more money, but we can never get more time.”
Others were more cautious.
Many grey nomads are worried that fuel availability could be an issue in the Outback.
“Won’t be going anywhere until diesel availability firms up, and I don’t want to take diesel away from farmers,” said another. “No diesel equals no food.”
And while one correspondent said he was adjusting and doing smaller trips, closer to home, another said it was more vital than ever to get out and support country economies.
Underpinning everything, of course is a deep sense of uncertainty and a fear of what might be yet to come.
“Still planning on doing our half lap at the end of May, unless fuel gets any worse as far as availability,” said one social media commentator. “We’ve done Adelaide, Darwin, Broome, Perth and back to Adelaide a couple of years ago … now we are planning on doing the other side.”
Another writer was equally determined to stay on the road.
“Keeping the tank above three-quarters full in case it gets harder to get in small towns, but still moving on our first larger trip in Victoria,” he said.
Sharing the concerns of many, another correspondent expressed reservations that caravanners should be out on the road ‘sightseeing and wasting fuel, while farmers and transport companies can’t get it’.
But most contributors were trying to stay optimistic while largely adopting a wait-and-see approach.
“Keeping an eye on things and should be heading to Queensland in May for eight weeks,” said another writer. “Fingers crossed!”
* How has the fuel crisis affected your Big Lap plans? Comment below.
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We were planning on going to Western Australia about mid-May, but it is wait and see now. It is a long way from Victoria and aside from the cost, I don’t want to be using diesel that food producers and delivery trucks need if there is a shortage.
Hubby and I have had medical issues that have stopped us travelling so we were to leave on a 12 month lap 11th May 2026. Now with all the uncertainty we have shelved those plans. We did a lap in 2016 and were going to make our 2026 trip our last big trip. We will probably never do it now. We are intending to do shorter trips though before we run out of time. It’s a hard one for sure. Keep safe everyone, tomorrow is not promised.
Come on Guys,
We’ve been thought many more serious events and came out of them as ternaitious as we are now. Do your journey, travel to those long dreamed of destinations. Slow down, smell the flowers, as the saying goes.
It still takes the same amount of fuel to still travel between stops. Maybe stay a while in this or that place. We still spend on nessesities, food drink etc. so instead spend more in less places and most importantly,
Enjoy.
Thanks for this comment, you just got me over the line as to cancel or not. We have just returned from a friends funeral who had just retired and was planing travel plans so we are now going to continue with ours as you just don’t know what is around the corner..
We were on a short trip around NSW. First bom dropped and within days petrol was out in the two fuelstations in Blayney. That is simply panic buying and hoarding. No issues with diesel even further in. Still price gauging even after the excise was dropped. They are still hanging on to those price increases. Not neccessary it will not affect their profitability if the excise is dropped at the bowser. Should be monitored and fined when not complying. Just enyojing the trip. Note I carry 200lt of fuel gets me a fair distance and bypass the expensive ones.
Where I used to work a guy retired & the very next day came back on a one year contract.
When his contract finished a year later he REALLY retired & DIED the very next day.
Do it while you can.
Have just spent Easter crossing Nullarbor. Diesel readily available at all roadhouses. Price $3.60 to $3.70 per litre. Just follow the advice, take what you need, but no more, ie forget the Jerry cans. These communities also rely on the pass through trade to support them.
Our 10,000 klm return trip to Darwin has been revised to only 3000 klm, now it’s sticking to Victoria and a small part of SA. If things worsen in relation to supply then of course we head home.
It’s pretty annoying that the actions of so called world leaders are negatively impacting our lives and what’s left of our retirement years, ( even though we are still very grateful to be enjoying the life that we lead )
For perspective though I just topped up in regional Vic with a half tank at around $140, whilst the truckie at the same bowser had to fork out $990 for just over 300 litres. The fuel is available but we will all be paying the price for a long time to come, for anything which has to be transported.
Albanese just spent $80,000 on fuel to go to Singapore & back
two days later he is going to Malaysia and that is going to cost more so tell us how much we can spend on fuel
We all have both time and I’m sure Singapore & Malaysia & Burlie would understand FaceTime
So why couldn’t he have gone in a normal plane and save on fuel?
We all work hard all year? Why should we give up our one luxury holiday a year travelling around Australia our own country
Why come home when the countries are all closer than we are