Been lucky enough to have just been on a trip from Melbourne to Katherine, across the Savannah Way to Normanton, up the Cape, Cairns, Atherton Tablelands, Hughenden, Winton, Longreach and then down the Kidman Way back to Melbourne, about 12,000 kms. Great trip but I was intrigued by the changing price of diesel. Just to give you some idea, here are some of the towns and prices where we topped up.
Melbourne $1.26
Coober Pedy $1.46
Alice Springs $1.30 (3 years ago it was $1.79)
Katherine $1.20
Borroloola $1.53
Coen $1.60 (dearest of the trip)
Weipa $1.42
Cooktown $1.33
Blackall $1.24
Darlington Point (near Griffith $1.19 and cheapest on trip)
I would always use BP garages to fill if they were available, even if some of the other brands were cheaper. I know that the fuel companies have always given us the story that fuel is more expensive the further from major cities you get, but this certainly didn't prove correct. I also suppose that state taxes play a part in the cost. I was blown away by the price in Alice being 49c/l cheaper than the last trip, but cheesed off at the same time to think Melbournians were paying about the same price. Made me wonder who is sucking up the profits.
Just thought you might be interested.