Fuel prices: Where to find the cheapest fuel in regional Victoria

As petrol prices across the nation continue to rise, we take a look at where you can find Victoria’s cheapest fuel this week.

Petrol prices across regional Australia are soaring to dizzying highs, with one industry expert predicting difficulty in forecasting what direction prices would move in coming weeks.

Prices across Victoria this week have surged beyond 170c a litre, with fuel costing more the further away from the city you travel.

The trend is attributed to a combination of the rapid spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant, rebel raids against refineries in the Middle East and tensions between Russia and Ukraine, which have placed downward pressure on oil supply. Some experts expect the dear petrol prices to continue for some weeks.

Some of the state’s cheapest fuel can be found closer to Melbourne, at APCO Ballarat where fuel is selling for 151.9c a litre, according to Petrol Spy data.

Fuel this morning was retailing as high as 175.9c/litre at Ararat, Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance, Moe, Mooroopna, Traralgon and Wangaratta. On the flip side, the cheapest centres include Taradale (153.9c a litre) and Benalla, Mitchell Park and Wendouree (154.9c a litre).

Fuel prices across the country have soared in recent weeks. Picture: John Gass

RACV head of communications and engagement Andrew Scannell said it was hard to forecast how fuel prices could fare in the coming weeks.

“The trend for fuel prices across Victoria over the coming weeks will depend on a range of factors, such as levels of competition in different suburbs, wholesale prices and taxes, and other factors,” Mr Scannell said.

“At this stage it is difficult to predict.”

According to RACV data, prices for unleaded petrol in Ballarat, Sale and Hamilton have increased over the past two weeks, with Ballarat’s average cost starting at 156.8c/litre on January 13.

Prices in Ballarat now sit around 164.8c/litre. In the same period, Sale and Hamilton prices 161.9c/litre and 162.9c/litre, and now sit at 164.3c/litre and 175.9c/litre.

Meanwhile, the average price in Melbourne today is 161.6c/litre.

“Currently RACV’s fuel price map is showing the cheapest place to buy unleaded petrol in Ballarat is 7-Eleven Wendouree, offering unleaded fuel in the range of 151.6-156.5c/litre,” Mr Scannell said.

“The cheapest place to buy unleaded petrol in Hamilton is OTR Hamilton, offering 151.6-156.5c/litre. The cheapest place to buy unleaded petrol in Sale is Coles Express Sale, offering 161.6-166.6c/litre.