Why petrol is so expensive on the Gold Coast and where to fill up unleaded for cheap

Fuel prices at servos across the Gold Coast have soared to record highs with unleaded almost two dollars a litre, amid dire warnings of further hikes to come. See where to fill up on the cheap >>

FUEL prices at servos across the Gold Coast have soared to record highs, with unleaded now almost two dollars a litre at dozens of petrol stations.

As of 10am on Thursday, more than thirty service stations had jacked prices of e10 unleaded up to over $1.90 a litre.

Most were charging 191.9 cents a litre. A handful, including BP Ashmore and a Caltex servo on the Gold Coast Highway in Labrador, were charging 193.9 – the highest price ever seen on the Gold Coast.

At the other end of the spectrum, a number of stations were still selling unleaded for less than $1.60 a litre. Among them was Puma Tugun (153.7), Coles Burleigh Heads (153.9) and Liberty Helensvale (155.9).

Prices displayed at the BP in Ashmore on Thursday morning. Picture: Keith Woods.

The prices are in line with what is being charged in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

RACQ spokesperson Renee Smith said motorists should shop around.

“There’s actually a 30 to 40 cents per litre difference between servos,” Ms Smith said.

“What we don’t want right now on the Gold Coast is motorists assuming all servos are charging the same and pulling in wherever, because that’s when you’re going to get stung.

“The reality today is there is such a big difference (between servos). That could all change tomorrow. They could all be up high.

“So the big message for motorists on the Gold Coast is get out there and fill up now at those remaining servos that haven’t hiked and make sure you are using the apps, like RACQ’s, to find out where that cheapest fuel is.”

Prices displayed at a Caltex servo on the Gold Coast Highway in Labrador on November 18, 2021. Picture: Keith Woods.

Ms Smith said global factors including oil prices, supply and demand issues, and terminal gate prices were to blame for the soaring prices.

She said the Gold Coast was at the high point in the price cycle, and the motoring body was hopeful costs would not tip over two dollars per litre.

“The positive thing with the price cycle in the southeast is what comes up must come down so it won’t stay up this high,” Ms Smith said.

“Over a period of about a month prices go up and down with the price cycle.

“We don’t expect those prices to go up above $2 a litre before Christmas. We hope it doesn’t happen in the New Year, but we’re going to have to keep monitoring it.”

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Originally published as Why petrol is so expensive on the Gold Coast and where to fill up unleaded for cheap