Diesel Prices Northern QLD

[Lushy]

Could the locals of northern Queensland give me the prices of Diesel at the moment, as we doing the Melbourne - to the Tip in early August?
At the moment Diesel here in Melbourne is around $1.70 a litre.
Thanking all for their time.
Lushy and Lindsay

[highlift80]

Was talking to a mate up Tully was last week I think he said he had just filled his tank for a $1.65 a litre, he nearly fell over when I told him I had filled my tank up for $2.10 a litre in Tilpa NSW these fuel price's are getting crazy.

[campdog]

Could the locals of northern Queensland give me the prices of Diesel at the moment, as we doing the Melbourne - to the Tip in early August?
At the moment Diesel here in Melbourne is around $1.70 a litre.
Thanking all for their time.
Lushy and Lindsay
I think it works out about 10c a litre cheaper than us in qld. I notices that Weipa is normally about what we pay on the coast here in NSW. and more as you head into the Cape like Coen and Archer River, Last year Bamaga was the same as home. I thinking of flying to Cairns and walking the rest.

[Scorcher]

Hey Lushy,

Other than Weipa, Cooktown & (possibly) Bamaga, I'm expecting to pay about $1.90 - $2 (+) per litre for Diesel for any of the servo's from Laura to the Jardine this year.

I'm heading off in 4 weeks (countdown has well and truely begun) and will be up there for 3 weeks.

Unless somebody has posted the info before I come back, I'll give a blow-by-blow fuel cost at each of the spots when I return.

I must add though, that this wouldn't be done to deny anybody their livelihood, just to help travellers out to plan their trip.

When I went up there first in 1987, fuel costs were approximately 50% of the total cost of the trip (fuel vs Food/Grog/Trinkets etc). In our last trip in 2006, fuel represented approximately 70% of the total cost of the trip.

Certainly worth thinking about :confused:

When are you heading up???

Scorcher

[ant]

Guys,
I have been trying to call the roadhouses through the day today to get the prices but have not been able to talk to anyone yet. As soon as I have an answer, I will post the prices up for you all.

It will be interesting to track numbers into the cape over the next few seasons with aspects such as interest rates and fuel costs placing a larger strain on things.

[campdog]

I found that Bramwell Junction was the most costly for fuel, and so it should be with the isolation. Although I could go past, I like to call in and have a yarn and buy at least top up of fuel as thats all I need as I fuel up at Weipa or Archer river.They provide a great service and if we didnt buy fuel there they would close.
I normally use about 1600 litres for a trip the increase from last years fuel certainly will hurt next time.

[Lushy]

Thanks for the input so far fellows I will standby for the updates as they come.
I am off on the 3 Aug 08. Crikies knows what fuel will be then.

[Scorcher]

Thanks for the input so far fellows I will standby for the updates as they come.
I am off on the 3 Aug 08. Crikies knows what fuel will be then.

Hey Lushy,

You might have to take out a bank loan by then I reckon'.

I agree with Campdogs comments about Bramwell Junction.

The one downside with Bramwell, due to it's "remote" location compared to the other areas, is that a late wet season greatly impacts on their ability to have fuel delivered.

We were there in June 06, after the 2 big cyclones had hit. They had not received a fuel drop that season.They were only in a position (at the time) to give a maximum of 20 litres to people who were in dire straights.

As a spot to pop in, have a drink or feed, and maybe a relatively civilised overnight camp, I would recommend it.

Scorcher

[Lushy]

Sounds good for a feed.

[Nedly]

We stopped at Bramwell junction last year, as Campdog said, it was the most expensive for fuel.
We stopped for fuel top up and lunch, the burgers were good and, of course, like everywhere on the Cape, the people were friendly.

[ant]

Current price (30.04.08) at
Musgrave is:$1.87 Diesel and $1.69 Unleaded.
Archer is: $1.99 Diesel and $1.91 Unleaded.

Those are the only places I have called. Don't have time to call any more as I have a magazine to get out........

[highlift80]

That's alright Ant it should give bit of an indication of what people should expect to pay $1.80 to $2.00 a litre, looks like I'll have to add an extra $1000 or so to to my expected fuel expense for next years trip.

[campdog]

We stopped at Bramwell junction last year, as Campdog said, it was the most expensive for fuel.
We stopped for fuel top up and lunch, the burgers were good and, of course, like everywhere on the Cape, the people were friendly.
Pulled into Bramwell April 27th Last year and no one around,the bloke looking after the place was up checking out the water crossings on the tele track.He didnt have much fuel and bugger all to eat,he wasnt expecting anyone through just yet.Still good to talk and fing out how these people end up caretaker for a season.This guy was a rock doctor (geologist) and decided to stay.

[ant]

Still good to talk and fing out how these people end up caretaker for a season.This guy was a rock doctor (geologist) and decided to stay.[/QUOTE]

Campdog,
One of my dreams is to be caretaker for a season up in the cape. It is the best time of year, cut off from everyone, nice and quiet, good fishing (depending on where you are) and all the time in the world. One day I will do it. Musgrave would be nice!

Fuel in Smithfield today is $1.59 for Diesel.

[campdog]

Still good to talk and fing out how these people end up caretaker for a season.This guy was a rock doctor (geologist) and decided to stay.

Campdog,
One of my dreams is to be caretaker for a season up in the cape. It is the best time of year, cut off from everyone, nice and quiet, good fishing (depending on where you are) and all the time in the world. One day I will do it. Musgrave would be nice!

Fuel in Smithfield today is $1.59 for Diesel.[/quote]
Got 20 cents a litre on us.
I spoke to a couple working at Bramwell a couple of yearsago and they ended up with a job running the place because their 4b blew a diff and were waiting for parts.
I was told its possible to pick up work at the roadhouses.I was speaking to Brads wife at Archer River last year and she said their goal was ten years and retire at 50 years of age. I said give me a call in ten years and Ill be waiting for a job .

[angejas]

Cough, cough cough..... Wow. the price won't sto us going, but it is still frightening to see it hit the $2- mark.

Thanks very much for this info. will help heaps for planning our stops.

We leave Sydney in 5 weeks, so figners crossed it goes down a touch before then!!

[Scorcher]

Cough, cough cough..... Wow. the price won't sto us going, but it is still frightening to see it hit the $2- mark.

Thanks very much for this info. will help heaps for planning our stops.

We leave Sydney in 5 weeks, so figners crossed it goes down a touch before then!!

Better cross more than your fingers Angejas.

From what I've seen previously, apart from (possibly) Weipa, the likelihood of fuel price variation on the Cape is not very likely (other than going up !).

Unless you are planning to do lots of driving within the Cape, you will most likely only have to fill up twice at the higher prices (depending on your fuel tank size, obviously). Sydney to Cairns & back to Sydney prices prices look like being around the $1.65 to $1.75 per litre(Deisel) on average.

It's worth noting that there are many other areas throughout remote Australia, where fuel prices passed the $2 / litre mark many years ago. The prices on the Canning Stock Route, Tanami track and others would make you choke :!:

Scorcher

[Scorcher]

One of my dreams is to be caretaker for a season up in the cape. It is the best time of year, cut off from everyone, nice and quiet, good fishing (depending on where you are) and all the time in the world. One day I will do it. Musgrave would be nice!

Hey Ant,

What about Moreton Station ?? ;)

Scorcher

[campdog]

Morton doesnt appeal to me as a caretaker place,too much like hard work. I like Morton but not to live there. I like Bramwell because mot people are just coming off the Tele Track or about to attack it.

[Scorcher]

Morton doesnt appeal to me as a caretaker place, I like Morton but not to live there. I like Bramwell because mot people are just coming off the Tele Track or about to attack it.

From a place to sit & chat to the travellers I agree.

A bit far to throw a lure into the river from Bramwell though :eek:

[campdog]

From a place to sit & chat to the travellers I agree.

A bit far to throw a lure into the river from Bramwell though :eek:
Yep, didnt think about that one.Probably best of both at Morton.

[Stacky]

I have just noted in the general discussion section that Lockhart River is
$2.10 p/l for unleaded as of today
$2.15 p/l for Deisel as of this Monday

I think Archer roadhouse will be roughly the same and Weipa slightly cheaper.

[Lushy]

Ok it is July so what is the price of diesel up north now? Around $1.80 in Melbourne at the moment :(

[Scorcher]

Ok it is July so what is the price of diesel up north now? Around $1.80 in Melbourne at the moment :(

Hey Lushy,

Still June in NSW !! I didn't think that Vic was that far behind us :D

Have a squiz at my recent thread in "General Discussion" for current prices up in The Cape.

Prices in NSW & Qld (before reaching the Cape) varied from $1.71 to $1.85. We did save quite a few dollars by using a number of Coles & Woolies "Shopper Dockets". When you are putting in 100 + litres at each fill up, it can add up.

The cheapest price we paid was at a Caltex servo just north of Townsville, at a shopping centre on the LHS (can't recall the suburbs name - about 10km North from memory). $1.71 per litre, less 8 cpl using a docket, and buying some milk ! Paying $1.63 /litre brought back fond memories :rolleyes:

Scorcher

[Lushy]

Jee did get ahead of myself - thanks for the heads up.
Anyone from the west of Qld say Longreach or Winton have any prices??

[Dickynee]

Bramwell Raodhouse $2.25 10/6/08 Diesel. Jardine River $1.92 same day. Weipa not much better yet I heard they get their Fuel off the Chinese Tankers at very low prices. We budgeted for $1.60 per litre but that was before we left on Anzac Day, it blew out after that and our budget was blown out by $600. On the way home (VIC) $1.75 was the average. Seen A Cassawary at Cape Tribulation.

[PajPete]

Hi Folks

We have just returned from quick trip to Weipa and then the Top - came back via Laura-Maytown. Some prices we paid or saw are as follows (diesel)
13/06 Lakeland 183.0
18/06 Weipa 198.9
19/06 Seisa 230.0
21/06 Bramwell 238.6
22/06 Weipa 201.9
23/06 Laura 189.0
24/06 Mt Carbine 189.9

Economy from the Paj was 11 lt/100 from Cairns-Weipa-Tip-Weipa which included Tele track from Bramwell to Sam Creek both ways, as well as out to Somerset and Fly Point. Havn't fuelled up back in Cns yet but expect a bit more after the Maytown bit. Took us about 7 or 8 hours for the 43 k's.

Cheers,

PajPete

[Nedly]

Bramwell Raodhouse $2.25 10/6/08 Diesel. Jardine River $1.92 same day. Weipa not much better yet I heard they get their Fuel off the Chinese Tankers at very low prices. We budgeted for $1.60 per litre but that was before we left on Anzac Day, it blew out after that and our budget was blown out by $600. On the way home (VIC) $1.75 was the average. Seen A Cassawary at Cape Tribulation.

I like the little paragraph closer, just slipped it in to show off I suppose.
Awesome looking creatures though, did you have the Kodak handy?