Petrol prices have fallen into a new cycle, changing the day that motorists should be fuelling up.
Like taxes and the weather, petrol prices have become a perennial grumbling point both in Australia and much of the rest of the world. Cheap petrol is hard to come by, but those in the know realise that there are certain days when fuel prices are bit lower. For the last five years in the city of Perth, that day has been Wednesday - but a shake up from Caltex has broken the pattern and established a new cheap day for Perth petrol prices.
FuelWatch, created by the Western Australian government to monitor daily fuel prices, recently revealed that a new pricing trend has emerged among major petrol retailers. Whereas fuel prices had previously risen sharply on a Thursday, the cycle now seems to have changed to establish Tuesday as the new price hike day - so canny motorists are being advised to fuel up on Mondays. Commerce Minister Michael Mischin said that the FuelWatch system was unique to Western Australia, commenting, “I encourage motorists to use the services of FuelWatch to locate the cheapest fuel outlet nearest to them and reward them with your business. After 2.30pm each day, motorists can also check the following day's prices and decide when the best time is to fill up.”
So how will you take advantage of your new access to cheap petrol? There are so many different places to see and things to do around the Perth area, but to really make use of Monday fuel prices we’d suggest a trip to one of the many beautiful national parks dotted around the region. A favourite for many seeking the serenity of nature is Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, a coastal sanctuary located just 3 hours drive southwest of Perth. With rugged limestone sea cliffs and granite headlands interspersed by sheltered bays and beautiful beaches, Leeuwin-Naturaliste offers both raw grandeur and softer landscapes ideal for holidaying. The easy option for vacationers is to pick up a campervan rental in Perth and take the coastal road down to the park. Three hours may sound like a while, but trust me - the views will have you wishing the trip continued for far longer.
Unless you have a 4WD campervan (in which case the gloriously secluded Point Road campground is an ideal pick) your best bet for a place to park up will be either Contos Field or Boranup campground. Keep in mind with Boranup that space is fairly limited and only small campervans are allowed. No bookings are taken for any of the park’s camping grounds, meaning it’s first come, first served. If you’re visiting during peak season (October - April) or on a public holiday, make sure you have backup locations to stay as Leeuwin-Naturaliste campgrounds will be in high demand.
Much of the coast is rough and wild, with highly changeable wind and waves, but there are a few sheltered areas ideal for swimming. Bunker Bay and Shelley Cove are perfect if you want to get your feet wet - the fishing’s not too bad either. For those looking something a little out of the ordinary, the limestone in the area is riddled with caves, offering a wide variety of guided caving experiences from gentle walks in Mammoth Cave, Lake Cave and Jewel Cave to caving of the more adventurous kind at Calgardup and Giants Cave. And in case you fancy a little history, the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, warning ships off the rocks since 1895, is also open for tours.
Leeuwin-Naturaliste is just one of the region’s spectacular national parks and if you’re happy to go further afield, your options expand dramatically. But this is a little gem hidden away less than half a day’s journey from Perth - why not discover what it has to offer? Just make sure to refuel your campervan rental on a Monday!
Why not make the most of low petrol prices and book a Motorhome Rental from Australia today. If Perth isn't your destination of choice, grab an RV rental from Broome, a campervan hire from Melbourne or from Tasmania. Or venture off the ditch and grab a Campervan Hire NZ.
Written By: Kristof Haines
It’s funny how motorhome memories stick with you. I can still recall a motorhome vacation my family took when I was five years old and how awesome I thought I was, tucked away in a loft bed above the cab. From revealing unique destinations to providing tips and tricks, it’s my mission to help others build great motorhome memories too.
It’s funny how motorhome memories stick with you. I can still recall a motorhome vacation my family took when I was five years old and how awesome I thought I was, tucked away in a loft bed above the cab. From revealing unique destinations to providing tips and tricks, it’s my mission to help others build great motorhome memories too.
