Melbourne Northern Suburbs Show Petrol Down 8 Cents While Diesel Moves in Opposite Direction

Melbourne Northern Suburbs Show Petrol Down 8 Cents While Diesel Moves in Opposite Direction

*By Tom Walker | 1st February 2026 8:30am AEDT*

Digging into this week's fuel price data reveals a curious pattern emerging across Melbourne's northern suburbs. While motorists filling up with unleaded petrol are enjoying notable savings, diesel drivers are facing an entirely different story. The divergence raises questions about what's driving these opposing trends.

Thomastown Leads the Petrol Price Drop

Thomastown stands out as the standout performer for petrol buyers this week. Average unleaded prices across the suburb's nine stations have dropped 8.3 cents, bringing the current average to 159.6 cents per litre. That's a meaningful saving for the thousands of commuters who pass through this industrial and residential hub daily.

But here's where it gets interesting. While petrol prices in Thomastown are falling, diesel at those same stations has moved in the opposite direction, climbing 9.4 cents to an average of 172.3 cents per litre. The 27 cent spread between the cheapest diesel at 162.9 cents and the most expensive at 189.9 cents suggests significant competition exists if you know where to look.

Broadmeadows Bucks the Diesel Trend

Travel a few kilometres northwest to Broadmeadows and the diesel picture changes dramatically. Here, diesel prices have tumbled 14.7 cents to average 179.5 cents across seven stations. Premium diesel has followed suit, dropping 14.1 cents.

This raises an obvious question: why are diesel prices falling in Broadmeadows while rising in nearby Thomastown? Both suburbs serve similar demographics and sit along major transport corridors. Motorists paying attention to these variations could save substantially by adjusting their fill up location by just a few stops.

The [E10](/fuel/e10) Squeeze in the Eastern Suburbs

For drivers in Ferntree Gully who rely on E10 ethanol blend, the news is less encouraging. E10 prices have jumped 11.1 cents to an average of 168.7 cents per litre. Given that E10 should typically be priced below standard unleaded, this increase warrants scrutiny.

When E10 prices approach or exceed unleaded, the value proposition disappears entirely. Victoria doesn't have the same E10 mandates as NSW, but the fuel remains popular among budget conscious drivers. Those savings are being eroded this week in parts of the eastern suburbs.

Regional Victoria Offers Diesel Value

A closer look at the data reveals some competitive diesel pricing in regional Victoria. Moe in Gippsland is showing diesel as low as 159.5 cents, with an average of 165.3 cents across five stations. That's 14 cents cheaper than the state average of 181.6 cents.

Bright in the state's alpine region comes in at an average of 169.6 cents, while Epsom near Bendigo shows 170.4 cents. Reservoir closer to Melbourne averages 170.0 cents, with prices starting from 164.9 cents.

The pattern suggests that motorists willing to plan their fill ups strategically can find diesel 10 to 15 cents below state averages in several locations.

Melbourne's Western Suburbs Worth Watching

Deer Park in Melbourne's west is posting consistent diesel pricing, with all four stations sitting between 166.5 and 171.9 cents. The tight 5.4 cent spread indicates genuine competition in the area, unlike suburbs where pricing varies wildly between neighbouring servos.

Doveton in the southeast shows similar consistency, with diesel ranging from 169.9 to 173.9 cents across three stations.

What This Means for Victorian Motorists

The 49.1 cent spread between Victoria's cheapest diesel at 157.9 cents and the most expensive at 207.0 cents represents real money. Over a 60 litre tank, that's nearly $30 difference depending on where you fill up.

For unleaded buyers, the Thomastown drop is encouraging, but it pays to check neighbouring suburbs before assuming prices are uniform across the region. The data consistently shows that fuel prices can vary substantially over distances of just a few kilometres.

Armed with this information, motorists can make informed decisions rather than simply accepting whatever price their nearest servo happens to be charging. The variations across Melbourne's north and west particularly deserve attention this week, with clear opportunities for savings if you're prepared to look.

*Check real time prices on our interactive fuel map before your next fill up.*