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Fuel prices have surged significantly, with petrol now costing over $2.20 per litre for E10 and diesel exceeding $2.60. This marks a noticeable increase from just last year when the average cost of petrol was slightly below $1.85 per litre in April.
The impact of rising fuel costs extends beyond just road travel; it is also pushing up domestic airfares across Australia. Jet fuel prices are a significant factor contributing to higher ticket prices on various routes.
For those planning to fly between Sydney and Melbourne, Australia’s busiest air travel route, the most economical return tickets during the peak Easter period are priced between $400 and $500. This applies to major airlines like Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin.
Ben Whitmore, Chief Marketing Officer at East Coast Car Rentals, suggests that these elevated airfare prices might encourage many Australians to opt for road trips during their Easter holiday travels. The increased cost of flying could make driving a more appealing option for domestic travelers.
East Coast Car Rentals chief marketing officer Ben Whitmore said these prices may push many Aussie travellers to stick to the roads for the Easter break.
“A lot of people have pre-booked their Easter travel and flights. If they have, they’re lucky,” he said.
“If they’re not, they probably will be paying a premium.
“The demand [for cars] is still coming in pretty fast. It may come in even faster if people are opting for that self-drive holiday rather than flying,”
But if you’re taking to the roads, Whitmore said a tank of fuel is still likely to be around $25 more expensive than it was before the war began.
If you fill up twice, that’s an extra $50 tacked onto the price of your holiday.
“Diesel seems to be affected the most, which for our industry and rental cars, we don’t have a great deal of diesels on fleet,” he added.
“Where it will probably count the most is in some of the regional areas.
“If people are having Easter road trips out to more regional areas, I think the prices will be higher.”
Some regional tourism operators fear the shortage crisis will result in lost revenue over the busy Easter period.
Business NSW chief executive Daniel Hunter said bowsers running dry in rural areas has spooked travellers into cancelling.
“A regional tourist park operator told us they are starting to see cancellations and hesitation from visitors worried they will not be able to refuel,” Hunter said.
“That is lost revenue for regional communities that depend on tourism. It’s important that our holiday plans continue to sustain our visitor economies, particularly in the lead up to the Easter long weekend.”
Hybrid cars could be the key to avoiding the sting at the bowser.
Sales of hybrid vehicles jumped to nearly 200,000 cars in 2025.
Whitmore predicts some savvy travellers will book rental cars which are either EV or hybrid models as Easter approaches.
“If it were me, where possible, I’d probably be looking for a hybrid at the moment,” Whitmore added.
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