Prices for fuel in the southeast have increased and are at their highest

Unleaded petrol prices have hit their highest ever price average in the southeast, with potential for prices to rise further in some areas.

Fuel prices in southeast Queensland have hit an all-time high, and they could still creep even higher in some areas.

Unleaded petrol in Brisbane has risen above the last record set in September and now costs 178.8 cent per litre (cpl) on average.

And over 80 per cent of service stations in the region are charging over 180cpl

Unleaded petrol prices are at their highest ever across Brisbane and southeast Queensland. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

RACQ spokeswoman Renee Smith said there are a number of factors leading to the price hike.

“International supply and demand issues have driven up oil prices, this has led to high terminal gate prices and we are also in the expensive phase of the price cycle,” Ms Smith said.

“Now is the worst possible time to be filling up the tank. If you must buy fuel, only get the bare minimum until prices begin to fall in coming weeks.”

Brisbane’s average fuel price is 178.8cpl, breaking the previous record set last month at 173.4cpl.

A service station in Stones Corner, Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“Prices are on the rise in most regional parts of the State, however some areas are being hit harder than others. Averages for unleaded in Cairns and Townsville have reached 163.2cpl and 161.6cpl – the highest in three years,” she said.

Ipswich’s previous record, also set last month at 170.6cpl has been broken at 174.8cpl, while the Gold and Sunshine Coasts December 2019 records have both been broken.

Prices on the Gold Coast are at 178cpl and could still rise, while the Sunshine Coast is at 176.8cpl.