Victoria Regional Petrol Prices Jump Up to 29 Cents in One Week and Nobody is Explaining Why

This week's fuel price data reveals a troubling pattern that Victorian motorists need to know about. While much of the focus tends to be on capital city prices, regional and outer suburban Victoria is experiencing some of the sharpest price increases we have seen in months. And the question remains: why?

The Numbers Paint a Concerning Picture

A closer look at the data uncovers some striking movements across Victoria. In St Albans, premium 98 unleaded has jumped a remarkable 29.2 cents per litre in just one week, climbing from 189.9 to 219.1 cents. Neighbouring Tarneit shows premium 95 up by 28.7 cents, now sitting at 200.6 cents per litre.

But this is not just about premium fuels. Standard unleaded in Sunshine has increased by 20.8 cents to 193.5 cents, while premium 98 in the same suburb rose 21.9 cents. For a family filling a 60 litre tank, that translates to roughly $12 more at the bowser compared to last week.

Regional Victoria Feels the Pinch

Digging deeper into the regional areas, Bendigo motorists face increases across the board. Diesel has climbed 17.9 cents to 181.8 cents per litre, while standard unleaded rose 10.4 cents to 170.8 cents. Premium 98 in Bendigo increased 10 cents to 193.9 cents.

Traralgon in Gippsland is also affected, with premium 95 up 14.8 cents to 190.7 cents per litre. Mornington on the peninsula shows standard unleaded up 10.3 cents to 198.2 cents, with premium 98 now at 222.5 cents after a 9.6 cent increase.

The Price Variation Demands Scrutiny

What makes this particularly worth investigating is the contrast with other states. Western Australia actually saw diesel prices drop 18.4 cents this week to an average of 180.8 cents per litre. Meanwhile, Victoria diesel sits at 183.2 cents on average, but the real story is in the spread.

Victoria shows an extraordinary 188 cent gap between the cheapest and most expensive diesel, with prices ranging from 157.9 to 345.9 cents per litre. Compare this to South Australia where the diesel spread is just 42 cents. This raises serious questions about pricing consistency across the state.

Where to Find Better Value

For Victorian motorists seeking relief, the data reveals some bright spots. Deer Park in western Melbourne maintains diesel at 166.5 to 171.9 cents, representing solid value against the statewide average. Reservoir in the north shows diesel from 163.9 cents, though the spread there reaches 200.9 cents at some stations, so shopping around is essential.

Regional Victoria offers some competitive options as well. Bright in the Alpine region shows diesel averaging 167.2 cents, while Wonthaggi on the Bass Coast maintains prices around 167.7 to 174.9 cents. Moe in Gippsland offers diesel from 168.5 cents.

Cranbourne West in Melbourne's southeast shows diesel from 159.9 cents, though motorists should be aware the spread stretches to 191.9 cents at some stations. Epsom near Bendigo displays a similar pattern with prices ranging from 163.1 to 189.9 cents.

The Broader Context

Looking at the national picture, NSW diesel has risen 5.9 cents to 183.4 cents on average, while Queensland jumped 6.7 cents to 203.5 cents. Victoria's average increase of just 0.6 cents masks the reality that many suburban and regional areas are being hit much harder.

The Northern Territory continues to show the most extreme variation in the country, with diesel prices ranging from 152.7 to 389.0 cents per litre, a spread of 236.3 cents. Tasmania sits at 187.5 cents average with an 84.5 cent spread.

What Motorists Can Do

Armed with this information, Victorian drivers can make informed decisions. The key insights from today's data:

First, price variations within suburbs can exceed 30 cents, so checking real time prices before filling up is essential. The servo around the corner may be significantly more expensive than one a few streets away.

Second, western Melbourne suburbs like Deer Park, Yarraville, and Altona North generally offer better value than peninsula locations.

Third, regional towns are not immune to price spikes. Bendigo and Traralgon are experiencing notable increases that deserve attention from consumer watchdogs.

The variation between what motorists pay in one suburb versus another, for the same fuel at the same time, continues to highlight the need for greater price transparency in the Australian fuel market. Until that changes, the best defence is staying informed.

*Check real time fuel prices across Victoria and all Australian states on our interactive fuel map.*