Morwell Unleaded Drops Nearly 90 Cents While Broadmeadows Jumps 25 Cents in Opposite Direction
Looking at the latest data from across Victoria, a fascinating and frankly remarkable pattern has emerged in unleaded petrol prices. Two suburbs, separated by about 150 kilometres, are moving in completely opposite directions and the numbers involved are substantial.
Gippsland Leads the Way Down
Morwell in the Latrobe Valley has recorded one of the most notable unleaded price movements we have seen in months. The average unleaded petrol price across seven stations has fallen by 89.4 cents, dropping from 257.9 cents to 168.5 cents per litre. That is not a typo. Motorists filling a 50 litre tank in Morwell today are paying roughly $44.70 less than they were just days ago.
Neighbouring Moe, about 15 minutes down the Princes Freeway, tells a similar story. Unleaded prices across six stations have decreased by 11.4 cents to an average of 158.5 cents per litre. Worth noting is that Moe's premium unleaded 95 recorded an even more dramatic drop of 104.8 cents, falling from 300.0 cents to 195.2 cents.
The Gippsland region has clearly entered a competitive pricing phase. The data indicates that several servos in the area are undercutting each other aggressively, bringing significant relief to local motorists who have been paying well above the state average for months.
Northern Melbourne Heads the Other Way
While Gippsland celebrates, Melbourne northern suburbs are experiencing the opposite trend. Broadmeadows has seen unleaded petrol climb by 25.6 cents across eight stations, jumping from 153.7 cents to 179.3 cents per litre. E10 prices in the same suburb have also increased by 18.6 cents to 169.3 cents.
This is a textbook example of Victoria's price cycle in action. While one part of the state resets to competitive lows, another pushes through the upswing.
Interestingly, St Albans in Melbourne's western suburbs is bucking the northern suburbs trend. Seven stations there have dropped unleaded by 17.8 cents to an average of 154.1 cents per litre. That makes St Albans one of the cheapest options for Melbourne motorists right now.
The Wider Victorian Picture
A closer analysis reveals that Victoria as a whole is sitting at a diesel average of 180.7 cents across 1,209 stations, but the unleaded story is where the real variation lies. The spread between suburbs tells motorists everything they need to know about the importance of shopping around.
Craigieburn has seen unleaded increase by 11.0 cents to 165.7 cents across ten stations, while further north in regional Victoria, Wangaratta diesel prices have fallen 13.7 cents to 178.2 cents per litre. Campbellfield is reporting premium 95 prices up 14.2 cents to 190.7 cents, and Tarneit in Melbourne's west has seen premium diesel climb 20.3 cents to 183.2 cents.
Regional towns like Moe and Morwell are currently offering better value than many Melbourne metro suburbs, which is an interesting reversal of the usual pattern where city prices tend to be lower.
Where to Fill Up This Week
The numbers are clear for Victorian motorists looking to save:
- Best value unleaded: St Albans at 154.1 cents and Moe at 158.5 cents
- Avoid for now: Broadmeadows at 179.3 cents (up 25.6 cents) and Craigieburn at 165.7 cents (up 11.0 cents)
- Cheapest diesel: Deer Park averaging 166.1 cents and Epsom near Bendigo at 159.9 cents cheapest
What This Means for Motorists
Statistically speaking, motorists in Victoria's northern suburbs are paying up to 25 cents more per litre than those willing to drive 15 to 20 minutes in either direction. On a 50 litre fill, that represents a saving of $12.50 simply by choosing the right servo at the right time.
The Gippsland correction is particularly significant. Prices that were sitting well above 250 cents just days ago have normalised back to levels competitive with metropolitan stations. This represents a notable shift from the regional premium that Latrobe Valley motorists typically face.
For those in the northern corridor between Broadmeadows and Craigieburn, the analysis suggests holding off on filling up if possible. These suburbs are in the upswing phase and prices are likely to moderate in the coming days as the cycle works through.
The numbers tell an interesting story this week: location and timing remain the two biggest factors in what Victorians pay at the pump. A closer look at our interactive fuel map can help you find the best price near you right now.
