I'll be buying a campervan in Sydney and spending 8-9 months driving clockwise to Darwin, then through the centre (stopping off for Uluru) to Adelaide, and then clockwise up to at least Brisbane, possibly Cairns. I'm finding it relatively easy budgetting for living costs, accommodation etc, but don't know what I should expect to pay for petrol. has anyone done a similar trip, or know what I could spend a week/month on petrol?
,,,given the vastness of this great continent, my advice to you would be to give serious consideration to a diesel version, there is less to go wrong with this type of engine than with a petrol one. Petrol engines very much rely on a good electrical system, whereas the diesel version is all about compression. As to cost…well you have to work out your total miles covered x average cost of a litre…….loook at an RAC or AA type site for that country, and go to their Route Planner section…this will give you a good idea about the type of mileage you can expect to cover.
Ive just driven from Brisbane Queensland to Adelaide, through the outback (the quickest way) in a small car, sitting on 120 kilometers an hour the whole way… it cost me $320 Aussie dollars…. thats about 2000 kilometres….
So in a campervan say $200 per 1000 kilometers approx….
Its expensive and a bloody long trip… but definately worth it if u want to see another side of Australia!
But u plan to drive from Sydney to Darwin?? then u probably should go through Brisbane and Cairns on the way up, the roads are really bad if u go through the middle and its seriously just desert for the most of the way! Youd enjoy it more if u went SYDNEY-BRISBANE-HERVEY BAY-ROCKHAMPTON-MACKAY-TOWNSVILLE-CAIRNS… through the outback to DARWIN- then down to ALICE SPRINGS and Ayers Rock, then to ADELAIDE; then do the great ocean road to Melbourne, then back to sydney… youd save on petrol to do it as one big loop….
Youre gonna have a great time!
To help in your planning, petrol is averaging $1.40 a litre at the moment – in the cities. It will be more in the outback. the price of petrol is trending UPwards.
Calculate the number of Klms you plan on travelling then check out the figures for the van you intend to buy. Do the math (as you'd say).
Also – see if you can get a campervan on Gas or Diesel (as the previous poster said). well worth it.
Personally, I would allocate roughly $50 per day. This is an average and of course you will get more out of your petrol due to highway miles.
Petrol is quite dear now, so try not to boot your van too hard. Gentle acceleration is the go!
Have great fun
Love and joy
Beth
How much should I budget to spend on petrol to drive around Australia?