Busselton Petrol Jumps 10 Cents While Geraldton Diesel Hits 225 in a Tough Week for WA Motorists

Busselton Petrol Jumps 10 Cents While Geraldton Diesel Hits 225 in a Tough Week for WA Motorists

This week's fuel price data across Western Australia uncovers a pattern that deserves closer scrutiny. Petrol and diesel prices are climbing across multiple regional centres simultaneously, and the size of some of these increases raises questions about what is driving them.

A closer look at the numbers reveals that Busselton unleaded has jumped 10.6 cents per litre, pushing the average to 198.1 cents. That is a notable increase for a regional town where many residents rely on their vehicles for daily commutes. premium 98 in Busselton has also climbed 10.6 cents to 225.7 cents per litre, which means drivers of performance vehicles are copping it even harder.

But the story does not end there. Forrestfield, in Perth's eastern suburbs, has seen unleaded climb 12 cents to 194.7 cents per litre. For a suburb that sits on the doorstep of the metro area, that is a significant jump that motorists should be aware of.

Diesel tells an even bigger story

Digging deeper into the diesel numbers paints a concerning picture for commercial operators and SUV owners across the state. Geraldton diesel has climbed 11.6 cents to an average of 225 cents per litre across seven stations. Busselton diesel is up a striking 17.9 cents to 220.5 cents. And Kwinana Beach, one of Perth's key southern corridor suburbs, has seen diesel increase 15.4 cents to 219.1 cents per litre.

The statewide picture shows WA diesel averaging 223.6 cents per litre, up 10 cents from yesterday. The spread across 444 stations ranges from 184 cents to 266.9 cents, a gap of nearly 83 cents. That variation alone is worth investigating. Why are some stations charging 184 cents while others push past 260?

How WA compares to the rest of the country

The regional comparison highlights where WA sits in the national picture. Victoria is currently the cheapest state for diesel at 217.8 cents average, while NSW sits at 226.5 cents and Tasmania at 223.9 cents.

The real outlier, however, is the Northern Territory, where diesel has surged to an average of 251.4 cents per litre. The NT spread is extraordinary at 251.7 cents, with prices ranging from 147.3 cents in some locations to a staggering 399 cents at remote stations. That kind of variation raises serious questions about pricing transparency in remote communities.

Back in WA, there are pockets of value if you know where to look. Kununurra in the state's far north has diesel as low as 186.9 cents at some stations, though the average across five stations sits at 209.3 cents. The 43 cent spread in a town with just five servos suggests that shopping around is essential. Karratha tells a similar story, with diesel ranging from 196.5 cents to 231.9 cents across five stations.

Where to find better value

For Perth metro motorists, Forrestfield unleaded at 194.7 cents is still below the $2 mark, but the 12 cent increase suggests that window may be closing. Wanneroo in Perth's northern suburbs has diesel from 205.5 cents, while Pinjarra to the south offers diesel from 203.5 cents.

Forrestdale stands out for diesel price consistency, with all three stations sitting between 216.9 and 217.9 cents. A spread of just one cent suggests competitive pricing in that pocket, which is worth noting for motorists in the area.

For those heading south, Waroona has diesel from 209.9 cents, though the average sits at 218.2 cents. And further south in Williams, diesel ranges from 212.9 to 223.9 cents.

The bigger picture

What concerns me about this week's data is the breadth of the increases. This is not one suburb or one fuel type moving. Unleaded, premium, and diesel are all climbing across multiple WA towns simultaneously. Busselton is seeing increases across every fuel type. Geraldton and Kwinana Beach are being hit on diesel. Forrestfield is seeing unleaded push higher.

When prices move in unison like this across a state, it usually points to wholesale cost increases flowing through to the bowser. But the wide spreads within individual towns suggest that not every station is passing on the same margin, and that is where informed motorists can save real money.

Armed with this information, WA drivers should be checking prices before filling up. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive diesel in Kununurra alone is 43 cents per litre. On a 60 litre tank, that is over $25 in savings just by choosing the right servo. Use our interactive fuel map to find the best prices near you before heading out.