Petrol prices peak ahead of King’s Birthday long weekend

Motorists are being urged to shop around before they fill up as fuel prices skyrocket ahead of the King’s Birthday long weekend.

Motorists have been urged to shop around before filling up ahead of the long weekend. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Josie Hayden

Experts warn petrol stations are able to charge “whatever they want” as fuel prices soar ahead of the King’s Birthday long weekend.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury told Sunrise’s David Koch on Thursday prices in Australia’s big cities were “as bad as it’s going to get”.

The average price for unleaded fuel in Sydney is forecast to fall slightly from 196.1c per litre ahead of the long weekend.

Motorists in Melbourne meanwhile will contend with prices of 200.8c per litre on average for unleaded fuel at the pump.

Motorists have been urged to shop around before filling up ahead of the long weekend. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Mr Khoury said the cities’ motorists were in for a shock with prices soaring over 200c per litre for the first time in a while.

“Just as families are going away, the bigger cities are going to have the biggest prices,” Mr Khoury said.

“If you leave Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, you’re more likely a chance to find a bargain.”

Worst of the major cities is Brisbane with an average of 202.6c per litre, with Adelaide recording 190.0c and 194.5 in Perth.

Fuel pumps in the nation’s capital will see an average price of 188.2c per litre, while down south Hobart prices are steady at 183.3c per litre.

The average price for unleaded fuel across the country's major cities. Picture: Sunrise

The lowest prices in the country were forecast for Darwin where drivers can find a fill-up for 181.5c ahead of the long weekend.

Despite the price shock, Mr Khoury said motorists were more able than ever to do their research and find the right price.

“Before you get in the car and fill up, do your research - especially if you are leaving town,” Mr Khoury said.

Over the past two weeks petrol prices in Sydney have risen more than 30c per litre, peaking at 197.6c for unleaded.

Prices in Brisbane and Melbourne are sitting at 203.6c and 202.2c respectively.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury told Sunrise’s David Koch on Thursday prices in Australia’s big cities were “as bad as it’s going to get”.

The King’s Birthday, having been known as the Queen’s Birthday for the past 70 years, falls on the second Monday of June for every state and territory except for Queensland and Western Australia.

Ahead of the long weekend, motorists are being urged to shop around before filling up.

In Sydney alone, a 44c per litre (unleaded) gap has been recorded between the city’s cheapest and most expensive petrol stations, with diesel at 34c.

Prices are set to drop slowly at less than 1c per week. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Below are the national average prices for regular unleaded petrol:

• Brisbane: 202.6, falling

• Melbourne: 200.8, falling

• Sydney: 196.1, falling

• Canberra: 188.2, stable

• Hobart: 183.3, stable

• Darwin: 181.5, stable

• Adelaide: 190.0, rising

• Perth: 194.5, falling.

Prices are expected to drop slowly, albeit at only about 1c or less per week.