Petrol prices: Cheap fuel in regional Victoria a draw for tourists

Petrol prices in Melbourne are creeping towards $2 a litre, but regional tourism providers aren’t concerned it will stop people coming to visit this weekend.

Regional Victorian tourism providers are hoping the lower petrol prices outside Melbourne will be a drawcard for travel to and around country regions when the state opens up on Friday.

Last week petrol prices hit a peak of 183.9 cents per litre, with experts warning it could hit $2/litre in the city.

In comparison, average prices for fuel in the bush are sitting below 160c/litre, including 154.1c/litre in Kyabram and 156.5c/litre in Traralgon.

Regional Victorian fuel prices could be a drawcard for city tourists this weekend.

Destination Gippsland chief executive Terry Robinson said he was not concerned about the record cost deterring travellers this weekend.

“With petrol prices forecast to be up to 20c per litre cheaper in regional areas compared to Melbourne we hope this will encourage visitors to stay longer, and travel more widely in regional areas,” he said.

Both Daylesford-Macedon and Grampians tourism boards also said there was “no concern” for petrol being a roadblock, with accommodation filling up fast in their regions.

“People are now celebrating the three-hour drive from Melbourne and looking for a place to escape and space to breathe and I don’t think a high fuel price will affect visitation levels,” Grampians Tourism chief executive Marc Sleeman said.

Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce chief executive Geoff Gwilym said petrol prices were not expected to fall soon in Melbourne.

“What’s happening is the world is surging out of Covid lockdown, there’s much higher demand for oil globally,” he said. “(Waiting) a couple of days won’t make a difference.”

He said travellers should take advantage of the cheaper fuel while in country areas.

“There’s nothing wrong with having a look around on the websites and use that to inform your pitstops,” he said

Originally published as Petrol prices: Cheap fuel in regional Victoria a draw for tourists