Tasmania Offers Australia's Tightest Fuel Price Spread on Boxing Day With Just 28 Cents Between Cheapest and Dearest

Latest data from across Australia reveals a fascinating pattern in fuel pricing this Boxing Day: Tasmania has emerged as the state with the most consistent fuel prices in the country, with diesel showing just a 28.2 cent spread between the cheapest and most expensive servos.

For motorists planning a Boxing Day road trip down south, this represents notable value. While Victoria shows a staggering 135.7 cent difference between its cheapest and dearest diesel, and NSW posts an even more extreme 850 cent variation (largely due to some outlier pricing), Tasmania's tight band means drivers can fill up almost anywhere without the usual anxiety of wondering whether they are paying too much.

The Numbers Tell an Interesting Story

Analysing the data from 26th December 2025, here is how each state stacks up for diesel price spreads:

Worth noting is that Tasmania's average diesel price of 189.4 cents per litre sits comfortably in the middle of the national range, making it neither the cheapest nor the most expensive state overall. The value proposition lies in consistency rather than rock bottom pricing.

Victoria's Western Corridor Sees Substantial Increases

Meanwhile, motorists in Melbourne's western suburbs have returned from Christmas to find petrol prices notably higher. The data indicates that Altona North has seen unleaded petrol jump 26.7 cents to 187.8 cents per litre, while Melton recorded a 23.9 cent increase to 184.5 cents.

Hoppers Crossing E10 prices have climbed 24.3 cents to 182.2 cents, and Tarneit unleaded is up 17.6 cents to 181.0 cents. This represents a significant shift from the competitive pre Christmas pricing many enjoyed just days ago.

The numbers are clear: motorists in Melbourne's west who filled up before Christmas would have saved substantially compared to those doing so today.

Regional Victoria Bucks the Trend

A closer analysis reveals that not all of Victoria is experiencing the same upward pressure. Thomastown in Melbourne's north actually recorded a 15.2 cent decrease in unleaded prices, now averaging 161.7 cents per litre. This represents notable value for drivers willing to travel slightly further north.

Similarly, regional centres like Bright in Victoria's alpine region show diesel at just 164.9 cents at the cheapest servo, and Moe in Gippsland offers diesel from 169.5 cents.

NSW Southern Coast Offers Competitive Diesel

For diesel drivers in NSW, the data shows Port Kembla near Wollongong offering the cheapest diesel at 159.9 cents per litre. This is substantially below the state average of 189.8 cents.

Western Sydney continues to perform well with Granville showing remarkable consistency at 170.5 cents across all three surveyed stations, and Fairfield averaging 172.4 cents with a tight 9.2 cent spread.

Auburn and Smithfield also offer competitive diesel pricing for motorists in Sydney's west.

What This Means for Boxing Day Travellers

Statistically speaking, motorists planning journeys today should consider a few key insights from the data:

  1. If travelling to or within Tasmania, fuel price anxiety is largely unnecessary. The tight spread means most servos offer fair value.
    1. Melbourne's western corridor is currently at a cycle peak. If possible, delaying a fill up or travelling to Thomastown could save substantial amounts.
      1. Regional Victorian towns like Epsom near Bendigo and Moe offer diesel below the state average.
        1. NSW diesel buyers should check Port Kembla and Sydney's western suburbs before heading to inner city servos.

          2. Interestingly, while South Australia saw a notable 20 cent diesel increase yesterday to average 200.9 cents, the state still maintains a relatively tight 51 cent spread, making it predictable if not cheap.

          The numbers are clear: motorists who time their fill ups strategically could save substantially this holiday period. Tasmania's consistency makes it a standout for stress free refuelling, while mainland drivers benefit from checking suburb level pricing before committing to a pump.