Northern Territory fuel prices, September 2026
Prices from 1 September to 30 September 2026Updated
Northern Territory U91 average
254.4c/L+13.7 c/L on August 2026
- Darwin U91
- 229.7c/L
- Rest of Northern Territory U91
- 266.6c/L
- Diesel average
- 297.6c/L
Darwin month by month, what makes up a litre, margins, the price cycle, excise, the other capitals, and every regional town we could rank.
Report highlights
Quote these with the credit: Source: FuelRadar Australia, Northern Territory fuel prices, September 2026, fuelradar.com.au/fuel-price-reports/nt/2026-09
Darwin reported prices averaged 229.7 c/L for U91 in September 2026, up 19.4 c/L on August 2026.
Since our records began on 13 April 2026, the day of the week made little difference to U91 prices in Darwin: the cheapest and dearest days were 0.7 c/L apart on average.
Filling a 60-litre tank with U91 in Cossack (rural) rather than in Ghan (rural) saved $49.14 on average in September 2026.
Independent service stations in Northern Territory averaged 41.7 c/L more than the major brands for U91 in September 2026, and 3.4 c/L less in Darwin.
Diesel cost 46.6 c/L more than U91 in Darwin in September 2026, up from 41.5 c/L in August 2026.
Cossack (rural) was Northern Territory’s cheapest town for U91 in September 2026 at 224.3 c/L, 5.4 c/L below Darwin.
Darwin was the second dearest of the 8 capital cities for U91 in September 2026 at 229.7 c/L.
Since our records began on 13 April 2026, Alice Springs has been Northern Territory’s cheapest regional centre for U91, averaging 220.2 c/L.
Key points
Written from FuelRadar’s figures for this period and checked against them.
Wholesale unleaded at the Darwin terminal averaged 224 c/L in September 2026, which was the highest on record since AIP's series began in January 2004 (nominal prices).
On 25 September 2026, Darwin U91 reached 245.8 c/L, setting a record high since our records began on 13 April 2026.
Darwin averaged 229.7 c/L for U91 in September 2026, making it seventh cheapest of the 8 capital cities.
Cossack (rural) was Northern Territory's cheapest town for U91 in September 2026 at 224.3 c/L, which was 5.4 c/L below Darwin.
Buying a 60-litre tank of U91 in Cossack (rural) instead of Ghan (rural) saved you $49.14 on average in September 2026.
Prices in Darwin followed wholesale costs and excise rather than a regular price cycle in September 2026.
For diesel, Darwin averaged 276.3 c/L in September 2026 and was seventh cheapest of the 8 capital cities.
Since the 2026–27 financial year began on 1 July 2026, U91 in Darwin rose 84 c/L from 161.2 c/L to reach 245.2 c/L on 30 September 2026.
In Darwin, diesel averaged 46.6 c/L more than U91 in September 2026, expanding from 41.5 c/L in August 2026.
Across Northern Territory, P95 averaged 254 c/L in September 2026, costing 16.2 c/L more than U91.
Wholesale diesel at the Darwin terminal averaged 266 c/L in September 2026, up 16.5 c/L from August 2026.
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Every fuel in Northern Territory
In September 2026, U91 averaged 229.7 c/L in Darwin, up 19.4 c/L on August 2026. Across Northern Territory, U91 averaged 254.4 c/L, up 13.7 c/L on August 2026. Darwin reported prices averaged 276.3 c/L for diesel in September 2026, up 24.5 c/L on August 2026. Across Northern Territory, diesel averaged 297.6 c/L, up 21.0 c/L on August 2026. The other fuels averaged P95 254.0 c/L and P98 269.0 c/L.
Source: FuelRadar (fuelradar.com.au)
Cents a litre. Change is on August 2026. Difference is the rest of the state against Darwin.
Table viewwith the state average, change and stations
| Fuel | Northern Territory | Darwin | Rest of state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unleaded 91 | 254.4 | 229.7 | 266.6 |
| Diesel | 297.6 | 276.3 | 306.6 |
| Premium 95 | 254.0 | 245.9 | 260.7 |
| Premium 98 | 269.0 | 263.9 | 277.1 |
What makes up a litre in Darwin
Of the 229.7 c/L U91 average in Darwin, crude oil was 101.4 c/L, wholesale 48.5 c/L, excise 53.7 c/L, GST 20.9 c/L and the retail difference 5.2 c/L. Of the 276.3 c/L diesel average in Darwin, crude oil was 101.4 c/L, wholesale 86.7 c/L, excise 53.7 c/L, GST 25.1 c/L and the retail difference 9.4 c/L. Premium 95 has no terminal gate price of its own, so its breakdown uses the unleaded price and its premium sits in the retail difference. Our retail records begin on 13 April 2026, so earlier periods show the wholesale side only.
What makes up a litre of Unleaded 91
Source: FuelRadar (fuelradar.com.au)
How we worked this out
A benchmark illustration using differently weighted period averages, not a matched purchase basket or measured retailer costs. See the same-date retail/TGP comparison separately.
Wholesale is the terminal gate price without GST and excise, less crude oil. GST is one eleventh of the retail price. The retail difference is what is left: the retailer’s costs and margin, without its GST. Bands are rounded so they add up to the retail price.
Retail: FuelRadar station-day averages for Darwin. Our retail records begin on 13 April 2026, so a period before then has the wholesale side only, and “dearest” and “cheapest” compare the periods since our records began.
Terminal gate price: AIP, Darwin terminal, carried over weekends. Crude oil: Brent spot (US EIA, via FRED) in Australian dollars, at 158.987 litres a barrel. Excise: ATO, averaged over the period’s days.
Every period (4 rows)
| Period | Crude oil (Brent, A$) | Wholesale: refining, shipping, terminal | Excise | GST | Retail difference | Retail price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026Dearest since our records began | 101.4 | 48.5 | 53.7 | 20.9 | 5.2 | 229.7 |
| August 2026 | 80.7 | 51.4 | 52.6 | 19.1 | 6.5 | 210.3 |
| 2025 averageWholesale side only | 67.5 | 33.7 | 51.1 | — | — | — |
| Cheapest: June 2026 | 76.6 | 53.3 | 20.6 | 15.6 | 5.0 | 171.1 |
Month by month, U91
Darwin's daily U91 average went from 212.0 c/L on 1 September to 245.2 c/L on 30 September, and diesel from 256.7 c/L to 292.8 c/L. The highest daily average in Darwin was 245.8 c/L for U91 on 25 September and 295.0 c/L for diesel on 23 September.
| Area | Month |
|---|---|
| Northern Territory | 254.4 |
| Darwin | 229.7 |
| Rest of Northern Territory | 266.6 |
| DarwinArea | 229.7 |
Cents a litre. Each month is the station-day average of the days it has in the period. An area’s months count the same stations as its month.
Month by month, diesel
Show diesel month by month
| Area | Month |
|---|---|
| Northern Territory | 297.6 |
| Darwin | 276.3 |
| Rest of Northern Territory | 306.6 |
| DarwinArea | 276.3 |
Cents a litre. Each month is the station-day average of the days it has in the period. An area’s months count the same stations as its month.
Retail and wholesale on the same days, U91
Darwin retail prices compared with the Darwin terminal. This is not the delivered wholesale cost at individual stations.
| Period | Days used / window | Retail daily mean | TGP, same days | Gross spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 20261 to 30 Sept 2026; 8 carried TGP days. Gaps may occur within this range. | 30 / 30 | 229.6 | 224.0 | 5.6 |
| August 20261 to 31 Aug 2026; 10 carried TGP days. Gaps may occur within this range. | 31 / 31 | 210.3 | 203.2 | 7.2 |
Each common date counts once. Retail is the mean of the saved daily capital averages, not the station-day-weighted headline mean. TGP uses the same dates and carries the last published value for at most six subsequent calendar days. Retail prices can already include carried station prices. Means and spreads are rounded separately. The gross spread is not profit or a causal explanation. Retail carry limit: 30 days. Unmatched dates are excluded; common days are not a station or sales coverage percentage.
Retail and wholesale on the same days, Diesel
Darwin retail prices compared with the Darwin terminal. This is not the delivered wholesale cost at individual stations.
Show Diesel comparison
| Period | Days used / window | Retail daily mean | TGP, same days | Gross spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 20261 to 30 Sept 2026; 8 carried TGP days. Gaps may occur within this range. | 30 / 30 | 276.3 | 266.0 | 10.3 |
| August 20261 to 31 Aug 2026; 10 carried TGP days. Gaps may occur within this range. | 31 / 31 | 251.8 | 249.5 | 2.3 |
Worked out the same way as the table above.
Market trends this year
The Darwin terminal gate price averaged 224.0 c/L for unleaded and 266.0 c/L for diesel, up 20.8 c/L and up 16.5 c/L on August 2026. Brent crude averaged US$114.2 a barrel, or 101.4 c/L in Australian dollars, with the Australian dollar at an average of 71.15 US cents.
Retail, terminal gate and crude oil prices this year
Source: FuelRadar (fuelradar.com.au)
How we worked this out
Retail: FuelRadar daily averages for Darwin, from 13 April 2026 when our records begin.
Terminal gate prices (dashed): AIP, Darwin terminal, weekdays. Brent crude: US EIA spot price via FRED, converted at each day’s exchange rate and 158.987 litres a barrel.
Daily figures (243 rows)
| Date | U91, Darwin | Diesel, Darwin | Unleaded terminal gate price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Sept | 245.2 | 292.8 | 238.0 |
| 29 Sept | 245.2 | 293.0 | 237.5 |
| 28 Sept | 245.2 | 293.1 | 237.4 |
| 27 Sept | 245.2 | 293.1 | — |
| 26 Sept | 245.4 | 293.3 | — |
| 25 Sept | 245.8 | 293.8 | 237.6 |
| 24 Sept | 245.7 | 294.8 | 238.3 |
| 23 Sept | 245.5 | 295.0 | 238.4 |
| 22 Sept | 244.4 | 294.0 | 237.3 |
| 21 Sept | 241.9 | 291.0 | 236.2 |
| 20 Sept | 241.5 | 290.7 | — |
| 19 Sept | 240.9 | 290.1 | — |
| 18 Sept | 237.2 | 285.0 | 233.2 |
| 17 Sept | 234.2 | 280.3 | 230.0 |
| 16 Sept | 230.8 | 276.4 | 227.1 |
| 15 Sept | 226.1 | 271.8 | 222.5 |
| 14 Sept | 223.4 | 269.4 | 220.3 |
| 13 Sept | 222.8 | 268.2 | — |
| 12 Sept | 221.5 | 267.2 | — |
| 11 Sept | 218.9 | 264.6 | 218.6 |
| 10 Sept | 217.5 | 262.8 | 216.5 |
| 9 Sept | 215.3 | 260.8 | 214.0 |
| 8 Sept | 215.5 | 260.3 | 211.5 |
| 7 Sept | 215.1 | 260.1 | 209.9 |
| 6 Sept | 214.5 | 260.0 | — |
| 5 Sept | 214.5 | 260.1 | — |
| 4 Sept | 212.9 | 257.5 | 207.5 |
| 3 Sept | 212.1 | 256.7 | 205.4 |
| 2 Sept | 212.0 | 256.7 | 204.3 |
| 1 Sept | 212.0 | 256.7 | 203.7 |
| 31 Aug | 212.1 | 256.7 | 204.2 |
| 30 Aug | 212.1 | 256.9 | — |
| 29 Aug | 212.0 | 257.0 | — |
| 28 Aug | 211.9 | 257.0 | 204.4 |
| 27 Aug | 211.7 | 257.1 | 205.5 |
| 26 Aug | 211.3 | 256.4 | 205.8 |
| 25 Aug | 210.2 | 255.1 | 205.6 |
| 24 Aug | 210.1 | 254.5 | 205.3 |
| 23 Aug | 210.2 | 254.5 | — |
| 22 Aug | 209.6 | 253.7 | — |
| 21 Aug | 209.2 | 253.0 | 204.6 |
| 20 Aug | 209.0 | 251.8 | 203.9 |
| 19 Aug | 208.9 | 251.4 | 203.1 |
| 18 Aug | 206.2 | 249.6 | 202.3 |
| 17 Aug | 204.1 | 245.7 | 201.7 |
| 16 Aug | 208.1 | 248.7 | — |
| 15 Aug | 208.0 | 248.7 | — |
| 14 Aug | 208.2 | 247.4 | 200.0 |
| 13 Aug | 208.5 | 247.5 | 198.7 |
| 12 Aug | 209.6 | 248.5 | 198.7 |
| 11 Aug | 210.8 | 249.5 | 199.9 |
| 10 Aug | 212.2 | 250.8 | 201.7 |
| 9 Aug | 214.3 | 252.9 | — |
| 8 Aug | 215.2 | 253.7 | — |
| 7 Aug | 215.3 | 253.9 | 205.4 |
| 6 Aug | 216.9 | 255.5 | 207.3 |
| 5 Aug | 215.2 | 253.9 | 207.6 |
| 4 Aug | 211.9 | 250.8 | 207.1 |
| 3 Aug | 208.4 | 247.3 | 212.4 |
| 2 Aug | 204.5 | 243.7 | — |
| 1 Aug | 204.1 | 243.2 | — |
| 31 July | 203.0 | 242.3 | 192.0 |
| 30 July | 203.3 | 241.8 | 192.5 |
| 29 July | 201.2 | 239.7 | 192.1 |
| 28 July | 199.4 | 238.0 | 191.2 |
| 27 July | 195.7 | 234.0 | 189.1 |
| 26 July | 195.2 | 233.3 | — |
| 25 July | 193.2 | 231.3 | — |
| 24 July | 190.0 | 227.4 | 185.8 |
| 23 July | 186.4 | 223.7 | 182.8 |
| 22 July | 182.5 | 219.6 | 181.4 |
| 21 July | 180.6 | 216.4 | 178.4 |
| 20 July | 178.9 | 212.8 | 176.8 |
| 19 July | 179.1 | 212.8 | — |
| 18 July | 179.1 | 212.3 | — |
| 17 July | 176.6 | 205.7 | 174.7 |
| 16 July | 173.9 | 200.6 | 172.4 |
| 15 July | 172.7 | 195.5 | 169.9 |
| 14 July | 172.5 | 194.3 | 169.0 |
| 13 July | 172.7 | 192.1 | 169.0 |
| 12 July | 172.7 | 191.6 | — |
| 11 July | 171.8 | 188.1 | — |
| 10 July | 171.1 | 187.9 | 169.3 |
| 9 July | 171.0 | 187.8 | 170.6 |
| 8 July | 171.2 | 188.0 | 171.5 |
| 7 July | 171.1 | 187.7 | 172.6 |
| 6 July | 171.0 | 187.1 | 172.9 |
| 5 July | 170.2 | 184.0 | — |
| 4 July | 169.3 | 183.5 | — |
| 3 July | 168.0 | 180.8 | 172.5 |
| 2 July | 162.7 | 178.7 | 171.9 |
| 1 July | 161.2 | 178.7 | 171.1 |
| 30 June | 161.8 | 180.9 | 155.6 |
| 29 June | 161.9 | 181.1 | 155.9 |
| 28 June | 162.5 | 181.8 | — |
| 27 June | 163.0 | 182.9 | — |
| 26 June | 163.1 | 183.6 | 157.2 |
| 25 June | 164.3 | 185.4 | 157.7 |
| 24 June | 164.8 | 186.1 | 157.9 |
| 23 June | 166.8 | 187.6 | 160.0 |
| 22 June | 168.7 | 190.0 | 160.6 |
| 21 June | 168.9 | 191.5 | — |
| 20 June | 169.0 | 191.6 | — |
| 19 June | 169.0 | 191.6 | 163.4 |
| 18 June | 169.8 | 193.1 | 166.0 |
| 17 June | 169.9 | 193.6 | 168.4 |
| 16 June | 171.5 | 196.1 | 170.8 |
| 15 June | 171.8 | 196.5 | 170.6 |
| 14 June | 173.4 | 199.6 | — |
| 13 June | 173.4 | 199.6 | — |
| 12 June | 173.4 | 199.6 | 169.9 |
| 11 June | 173.5 | 199.9 | 169.2 |
| 10 June | 173.5 | 200.2 | 168.2 |
| 9 June | 173.7 | 200.5 | 167.9 |
| 8 June | 173.9 | 200.7 | 167.9 |
| 7 June | 174.5 | 201.8 | — |
| 6 June | 174.6 | 202.2 | — |
| 5 June | 175.2 | 203.1 | 168.8 |
| 4 June | 177.5 | 207.9 | 169.0 |
| 3 June | 181.1 | 212.5 | 171.1 |
| 2 June | 183.6 | 214.9 | 173.5 |
| 1 June | 186.5 | 218.3 | 175.7 |
| 31 May | 188.7 | 222.0 | — |
| 30 May | 188.8 | 222.6 | — |
| 29 May | 188.8 | 225.6 | 178.7 |
| 28 May | 190.9 | 229.1 | 180.7 |
| 27 May | 191.6 | 232.1 | 183.7 |
| 26 May | 192.4 | 232.2 | 187.2 |
| 25 May | 192.5 | 233.5 | 188.4 |
| 24 May | 192.8 | 234.2 | — |
| 23 May | 192.8 | 234.2 | — |
| 22 May | 192.8 | 234.4 | 189.1 |
| 21 May | 192.2 | 236.1 | 188.5 |
| 20 May | 191.9 | 236.2 | 186.7 |
| 19 May | 191.9 | 236.4 | 183.3 |
| 18 May | 192.2 | 236.5 | 181.4 |
| 17 May | 192.6 | 236.6 | — |
| 16 May | 192.7 | 236.6 | — |
| 15 May | 192.7 | 236.8 | 180.2 |
| 14 May | 192.7 | 241.2 | 180.4 |
| 13 May | 192.9 | 242.0 | 181.2 |
| 12 May | 193.6 | 244.8 | 182.7 |
| 11 May | 194.5 | 246.0 | 185.5 |
| 10 May | 194.2 | 246.0 | — |
| 9 May | 193.7 | 246.0 | — |
| 8 May | 193.9 | 246.0 | 188.5 |
| 7 May | 193.9 | 246.6 | 188.8 |
| 6 May | 194.4 | 251.1 | 188.3 |
| 5 May | 195.3 | 250.5 | 188.5 |
| 4 May | 195.4 | 252.6 | 188.6 |
| 3 May | 195.6 | 254.3 | — |
| 2 May | 195.6 | 255.8 | — |
| 1 May | 195.6 | 261.4 | 188.0 |
| 30 Apr | 196.6 | 263.5 | 187.0 |
| 29 Apr | 201.1 | 265.3 | 185.5 |
| 28 Apr | 201.7 | 266.0 | 184.5 |
| 27 Apr | 203.7 | 271.2 | 184.4 |
| 26 Apr | 204.1 | 292.4 | — |
| 25 Apr | 204.6 | 294.6 | — |
| 24 Apr | 204.6 | 294.6 | 183.3 |
| 23 Apr | 204.6 | 294.6 | 184.8 |
| 22 Apr | 204.6 | 294.6 | 186.7 |
| 21 Apr | 204.6 | 294.6 | 189.5 |
| 20 Apr | 204.6 | 294.6 | 190.9 |
| 19 Apr | 204.6 | 294.6 | — |
| 18 Apr | 211.6 | 298.4 | — |
| 17 Apr | 212.5 | 298.6 | 194.3 |
| 16 Apr | 216.2 | 304.1 | 195.7 |
| 15 Apr | 218.8 | 311.8 | 199.7 |
| 14 Apr | 223.4 | 317.5 | 202.8 |
| 13 Apr | — | 318.3 | 205.4 |
| 10 Apr | — | — | 209.5 |
| 9 Apr | — | — | 212.7 |
| 8 Apr | — | — | 211.9 |
| 7 Apr | — | — | 207.9 |
| 6 Apr | — | — | 208.0 |
| 3 Apr | — | — | 208.8 |
| 2 Apr | — | — | 209.5 |
| 1 Apr | — | — | 210.0 |
| 31 Mar | — | — | 234.8 |
| 30 Mar | — | — | 246.7 |
| 27 Mar | — | — | 251.4 |
| 26 Mar | — | — | 254.0 |
| 25 Mar | — | — | 252.8 |
| 24 Mar | — | — | 249.0 |
| 23 Mar | — | — | 247.0 |
| 20 Mar | — | — | 241.9 |
| 19 Mar | — | — | 239.3 |
| 18 Mar | — | — | 234.7 |
| 17 Mar | — | — | 227.5 |
| 16 Mar | — | — | 221.9 |
| 13 Mar | — | — | 214.3 |
| 12 Mar | — | — | 208.8 |
| 11 Mar | — | — | 197.7 |
| 10 Mar | — | — | 192.2 |
| 9 Mar | — | — | 179.6 |
| 6 Mar | — | — | 173.0 |
| 5 Mar | — | — | 166.4 |
| 4 Mar | — | — | 164.0 |
| 3 Mar | — | — | 161.7 |
| 2 Mar | — | — | 161.4 |
| 27 Feb | — | — | 160.5 |
| 26 Feb | — | — | 160.0 |
| 25 Feb | — | — | 159.2 |
| 24 Feb | — | — | 157.5 |
| 23 Feb | — | — | 156.4 |
| 20 Feb | — | — | 156.3 |
| 19 Feb | — | — | 156.8 |
| 18 Feb | — | — | 157.3 |
| 17 Feb | — | — | 158.0 |
| 16 Feb | — | — | 158.3 |
| 13 Feb | — | — | 158.2 |
| 12 Feb | — | — | 157.5 |
| 11 Feb | — | — | 157.0 |
| 10 Feb | — | — | 156.6 |
| 9 Feb | — | — | 156.5 |
| 6 Feb | — | — | 156.4 |
| 5 Feb | — | — | 156.5 |
| 4 Feb | — | — | 156.8 |
| 3 Feb | — | — | 157.5 |
| 2 Feb | — | — | 157.5 |
| 30 Jan | — | — | 156.8 |
| 29 Jan | — | — | 157.2 |
| 28 Jan | — | — | 157.6 |
| 27 Jan | — | — | 157.7 |
| 26 Jan | — | — | 157.7 |
| 23 Jan | — | — | 157.7 |
| 22 Jan | — | — | 157.9 |
| 21 Jan | — | — | 158.0 |
| 20 Jan | — | — | 157.9 |
| 19 Jan | — | — | 158.0 |
| 16 Jan | — | — | 157.5 |
| 15 Jan | — | — | 157.0 |
| 14 Jan | — | — | 156.8 |
| 13 Jan | — | — | 156.7 |
| 12 Jan | — | — | 156.8 |
| 9 Jan | — | — | 157.1 |
| 8 Jan | — | — | 157.7 |
| 7 Jan | — | — | 158.2 |
| 6 Jan | — | — | 158.7 |
| 5 Jan | — | — | 159.0 |
| 2 Jan | — | — | 159.1 |
| 1 Jan | — | — | 159.2 |
Darwin against the rest of Northern Territory
Outside Darwin, U91 averaged 266.6 c/L against 229.7 c/L in the capital, so reported prices in regional areas averaged 36.9 c/L more than Darwin. Outside Darwin, diesel averaged 306.6 c/L against 276.3 c/L in the capital, so reported prices in regional areas averaged 30.3 c/L more than Darwin.
Source: FuelRadar (fuelradar.com.au)
Daily averages (30 rows)
| Date | Darwin (c/L) | Rest of Northern Territory (c/L) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Sept | 245.2 | 281.7 |
| 29 Sept | 245.2 | 281.3 |
| 28 Sept | 245.2 | 279.1 |
| 27 Sept | 245.2 | 279.3 |
| 26 Sept | 245.4 | 278.3 |
| 25 Sept | 245.8 | 280.5 |
| 24 Sept | 245.7 | 278.0 |
| 23 Sept | 245.5 | 277.0 |
| 22 Sept | 244.4 | 276.2 |
| 21 Sept | 241.9 | 271.0 |
| 20 Sept | 241.5 | 272.0 |
| 19 Sept | 240.9 | 272.0 |
| 18 Sept | 237.2 | 270.1 |
| 17 Sept | 234.2 | 266.4 |
| 16 Sept | 230.8 | 263.5 |
| 15 Sept | 226.1 | 261.5 |
| 14 Sept | 223.4 | 259.7 |
| 13 Sept | 222.8 | 260.8 |
| 12 Sept | 221.5 | 260.2 |
| 11 Sept | 218.9 | 260.5 |
| 10 Sept | 217.5 | 256.7 |
| 9 Sept | 215.3 | 257.0 |
| 8 Sept | 215.5 | 255.7 |
| 7 Sept | 215.1 | 256.0 |
| 6 Sept | 214.5 | 256.1 |
| 5 Sept | 214.5 | 257.1 |
| 4 Sept | 212.9 | 257.1 |
| 3 Sept | 212.1 | 257.0 |
| 2 Sept | 212.0 | 256.7 |
| 1 Sept | 212.0 | 256.7 |
The price cycle in Darwin
- No price-cycle hike in Darwin was detected under the margin-based rule in this period. This does not establish why retail prices changed.
- Darwin’s daily U91 average less the Darwin terminal gate price is the indicative margin, not profit. A hike requires this margin and the retail average each to rise by at least 8.0 c/L within 5 days. Where station-rise counts are available, daily rises of at least 5.0 c/L, summed over the rise, must reach 25% of the station count at the peak; a station can count on more than one day. Rises within 3 days of an excise change are excluded. The margin must then ease by at least half within 21 days; if follow-up is too short, a counted hike can have unconfirmed easing. A regular cycle requires at least two detected hikes. No detected hike does not establish why retail prices changed.
Fuel excise
Fuel excise stayed at 53.7 c/L for petrol and diesel through September 2026.
| Petrol and diesel excise | Rate (c/L, before GST) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| In force on 1 September 2026 | 53.7 | — |
| Average over the days of 1 September to 30 September 2026 | 53.70 | — |
Excise is charged on fuel as it leaves the terminal, so it is already in the terminal gate price; GST is then charged on top.
Source: ATO: Excise duty rates for fuel and petroleum products
The capital cities, U91
Darwin ranked seventh cheapest of the 8 capital cities for U91; Adelaide was the cheapest at 218.8 c/L and Canberra the dearest at 230.4 c/L. Darwin ranked seventh cheapest of the 8 capital cities for diesel; Perth was the cheapest at 262.9 c/L and Canberra the dearest at 282.6 c/L.
Cents a litre, cheapest first. Each capital is its ABS urban area, worked out exactly as in its own state’s report. The margin is against its own terminal’s gate price (Canberra uses Sydney’s). Period-average margins are omitted here: comparable daily inputs and weights are not retained for these rows.
The capital cities, diesel
Show the capital cities, diesel
Cents a litre, cheapest first. Each capital is its ABS urban area, worked out exactly as in its own state’s report. The margin is against its own terminal’s gate price (Canberra uses Sydney’s). Period-average margins are omitted here: comparable daily inputs and weights are not retained for these rows.
Regional towns cheaper than Darwin, U91
| Town | Month | Against Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| Cossack (rural) | 224.3 | −5.4 |
| Katherine | 227.2 | −2.5 |
Cents a litre, cheapest first. Darwin’s U91 average was 229.7 c/L. A town’s margin is against Darwin’s terminal gate price. Period-average margins are omitted here: comparable daily inputs and weights are not retained for these rows.
Regional towns ranked, U91
Of the towns we ranked, Cossack (rural) had the cheapest U91 at 224.3 c/L, 5.4 c/L below Darwin. Ghan (rural) was the dearest at 306.2 c/L, 76.5 c/L above Darwin. 2 of the 11 towns we ranked averaged less than Darwin for U91. Emungalan (rural) was the cheapest regional town for diesel at 266.9 c/L and Maningrida the dearest at 393.7 c/L, a spread of 126.8 c/L.
Source: FuelRadar (fuelradar.com.au)
Cents a litre, cheapest first. A town is ranked with at least two stations reporting through the period and a price on most days; 68 smaller places were left out. The cheapest station’s figure is its own average over the period.
Table viewwith the stations and the cheapest station
| Town | Average | Against Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| Cossack (rural) | 224.3 | −5.4 |
| Katherine | 227.2 | −2.5 |
| Adelaide River | 230.1 | +0.4 |
| Batchelor | 235.1 | +5.4 |
| Borroloola | 235.8 | +6.1 |
| Timber Creek | 241.7 | +12.0 |
| Alice Springs | 246.1 | +16.4 |
| Tennant Creek | 247.4 | +17.7 |
| Mcarthur (rural) | 251.8 | +22.1 |
| Sandover (rural) | 279.8 | +50.1 |
| Ghan (rural) | 306.2 | +76.5 |
Regional towns ranked, diesel
Source: FuelRadar (fuelradar.com.au)
Cents a litre, cheapest first. A town is ranked with at least two stations reporting through the period and a price on most days; 68 smaller places were left out. The cheapest station’s figure is its own average over the period.
Table viewwith the stations and the cheapest station
| Town | Average | Against Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| Emungalan (rural) | 266.9 | −9.4 |
| Cossack (rural) | 268.3 | −8.0 |
| Batchelor | 268.4 | −7.9 |
| Katherine | 271.0 | −5.3 |
| Pine Creek | 271.5 | −4.8 |
| Adelaide River | 275.6 | −0.7 |
| Borroloola | 279.2 | +2.9 |
| Mataranka | 279.3 | +3.0 |
| Alice Springs | 280.3 | +4.0 |
| Timber Creek | 285.0 | +8.7 |
| Tennant Creek | 288.5 | +12.2 |
| Sandover (rural) | 289.3 | +13.0 |
| Ti Tree (rural) | 294.8 | +18.5 |
| Elliott | 301.0 | +24.7 |
| Anatye (rural) | 336.1 | +59.8 |
| Petermann (rural) | 343.0 | +66.7 |
| Ghan (rural) | 343.4 | +67.1 |
| Maningrida | 393.7 | +117.4 |
Other fuels: cheapest and dearest towns
| Fuel | Cheapest town (c/L) | Dearest town (c/L) |
|---|---|---|
| Premium 95 | Cossack (rural) 236.8 | Petermann (rural) 329.7 |
| Premium 98 | Cossack (rural) 255.3 | Alice Springs 266.8 |
Fewer stations sell these fuels, so fewer towns are ranked.
Against Darwin, month by month, U91
Darwin averaged 229.7 c/L for U91, the same as Darwin, and was cheaper than Darwin in 0 of 6 months since our records began on 13 April 2026.
| Area | Month | Against Darwin | Year so far | Months cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darwin | 229.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 of 6 |
Cents a litre; negative is cheaper than Darwin. The areas are Darwin’s ABS SA4 areas and the regional centres of 50,000 people or more.
Cheapest and dearest in each area, U91
Of the suburbs and towns we ranked, the widest spread was in Outback Northern Territory: Cossack at 224.3 c/L to Ghan at 306.2 c/L, a gap of 81.9 c/L.
A suburb or town is the ABS locality a station sits in, ranked within its SA4 by the same rule as the towns.
The year so far: since our records began on 13 April 2026
Since our records began on 13 April 2026, U91 has averaged 233.9 c/L across Northern Territory and 197.8 c/L in Darwin; Cossack (rural) has been the cheapest town at 195.9 c/L, and 1 of the 17 towns we ranked have averaged less than Darwin.
| Fuel | Northern Territory | Darwin | Rest of Northern Territory |
|---|---|---|---|
| U91 | 233.9 | 197.8 | 251.1 |
| Diesel | 273.3 | 238.1 | 287.2 |
1 of the 17 towns we ranked averaged less than Darwin for U91.
Cheapest towns since our records began on 13 April 2026, U91
| Town | Average | Against Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| Cossack (rural) | 195.9 | −1.9 |
| Katherine | 200.2 | +2.4 |
| Adelaide River | 208.3 | +10.5 |
| Pine Creek | 216.8 | +19.0 |
| Timber Creek | 219.7 | +21.9 |
| Alice Springs | 220.2 | +22.4 |
| Tennant Creek | 222.8 | +25.0 |
| Borroloola | 226.0 | +28.2 |
| Batchelor | 236.0 | +38.2 |
| Mcarthur (rural) | 240.7 | +42.9 |
Dearest towns since our records began on 13 April 2026, U91
| Town | Average | Against Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| Maningrida | 365.1 | +167.3 |
| Anatye (rural) | 329.4 | +131.6 |
| Petermann (rural) | 305.7 | +107.9 |
| Anmatjere (rural) | 291.2 | +93.4 |
| Davenport (rural) | 285.8 | +88.0 |
| Ghan (rural) | 285.7 | +87.9 |
| Elliott | 272.2 | +74.4 |
| Mcarthur (rural) | 240.7 | +42.9 |
| Batchelor | 236.0 | +38.2 |
| Borroloola | 226.0 | +28.2 |
The day of the week to buy U91
Since our records began on 13 April 2026, Monday has been the cheapest day to buy U91 in Darwin and Saturday the dearest, 0.7 c/L apart on average.
| Place | Cheapest / dearest, month |
|---|---|
| Darwin | — |
| Alice SpringsRegional centre | — |
Each day’s average against the seven days centred on it, averaged by weekday, so a steady rise or fall does not favour one end of the week. A place needs four of each weekday with prices from five stations or more; a month usually shows the year so far only.
What a 60-litre tank of U91 saved
Filling a 60-litre tank with U91 in Cossack (rural) rather than Ghan (rural) saved $49.14 on average in September 2026. In Cossack (rural) the same tank cost $3.24 less than in Darwin. At Independent Alyangula Township Service Station in Alyangula, the cheapest station we ranked, it cost $36.18 less than at the state average.
| Comparison | Cheaper | Dearer | A tank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest and dearest town | Cossack (rural)224.3 c/L | Ghan (rural)306.2 c/L | $49.14 |
| Cheapest town and Darwin | Cossack (rural)224.3 c/L | Darwin229.7 c/L | $3.24 |
| Cheapest station and the state average | Independent Alyangula Township Service Station194.1 c/L | Northern Territory254.4 c/L | $36.18 |
Towns that moved most on August 2026, U91
Tennant Creek rose most on August 2026, up 21.7 c/L to 247.4 c/L, and no town we ranked fell.
| Town | Month | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Tennant CreekRose | 247.4 | +21.7 |
| BorroloolaRose | 235.8 | +19.8 |
| KatherineRose | 227.2 | +18.6 |
| Cossack (rural)Rose | 224.3 | +17.9 |
| Alice SpringsRose | 246.1 | +17.3 |
Independents and the major brands, U91
Independent service stations averaged 279.6 c/L for U91 and the major brands 237.9 c/L, 41.7 c/L more at the independents; in Darwin the gap was 3.4 c/L. Of the brands with five stations or more, United averaged least at 229.8 c/L and Puma most at 295.6 c/L.
| Where | Major brands | Independents | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Territory | 237.9 | 279.6 | +41.7 |
| Darwin | 230.0 | 226.6 | −3.4 |
| UnitedMajor brand | 229.8 | — | — |
| On The Run (OTR)Major brand | 233.3 | — | — |
| Reddy ExpressMajor brand | 235.9 | — | — |
| AmpolMajor brand | 240.5 | — | — |
| BPMajor brand | 243.2 | — | — |
| AusfuelIndependent | — | 248.1 | — |
| IndependentIndependent | — | 289.7 | — |
| PumaIndependent | — | 295.6 | — |
The major brands are 7-Eleven, Ampol, BP, Caltex, EG, Mobil, On The Run (OTR), Reddy Express, Shell and United; every other brand, and a station without one, is independent. Stations with a price on a quarter of the days; a brand is listed with five or more.
Cheapest service stations, U91
Independent Alyangula Township Service Station in Alyangula was the cheapest service station we ranked for U91 at 194.1 c/L, and Ramingining Xpress in Ramingining the dearest at 402.5 c/L.
| Station | Place | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Alyangula Township Service StationIndependent | Alyangula | 194.1 |
| Belyuen StorePuma | Belyuen | 210.7 |
| Independent Mataranka CentralIndependent | Mataranka | 219.9 |
| Liberty KatherineLiberty | Cossack | 223.0 |
| United Katherine DepotUnited | Emungalan | 223.0 |
| Independent Army & Airforce Canteen Service TindalIndependent | Tindal | 224.1 |
| United Katherine PiefaceUnited | Katherine | 224.6 |
| United Katherine SouthUnited | Katherine South | 224.6 |
| Fuelxpress WinnellieFuelXpress | Winnellie | 224.9 |
| Solo CasuarinaSolo | Casuarina | 224.9 |
Dearest service stations, U91
| Station | Place | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Ramingining XpressPuma | Ramingining | 402.5 |
| Independent Elcho FuelIndependent | Galiwinku | 380.0 |
| Independent Warc Minjilang FuelIndependent | Minjilang | 370.0 |
| Independent Nyirripi StoreIndependent | Nyirripi | 367.5 |
| Milingimbi StorePuma | Milingimbi | 359.0 |
| Pirlangimpi Community StorePuma | Pirlangimpi | 349.4 |
| Nguru Walalja StorePuma | Yuendumu | 347.4 |
| Ajurumu Self Service StorePuma | Warruwi | 341.9 |
| Independent Mpa Fuel StationIndependent | Maningrida | 338.6 |
| Independent Aputula StoreIndependent | Finke | 338.0 |
Diesel against U91
Diesel cost 46.6 c/L more than U91 in Darwin, against 41.5 c/L on August 2026. Among the towns, the gap was narrowest in Sandover (rural) at 9.5 c/L and widest in Adelaide River at 45.5 c/L.
| Where | Diesel less U91 |
|---|---|
| Darwin | 46.6 |
| Northern Territory | 43.2 |
| Rest of Northern Territory | 40.0 |
| Sandover (rural)Narrowest gap | 9.5 |
| BatchelorNarrowest gap | 33.3 |
| Alice SpringsNarrowest gap | 34.2 |
| Ghan (rural)Narrowest gap | 37.2 |
| Tennant CreekNarrowest gap | 41.1 |
| Adelaide RiverWidest gap | 45.5 |
| Cossack (rural)Widest gap | 44.0 |
| KatherineWidest gap | 43.8 |
| BorroloolaWidest gap | 43.4 |
| Timber CreekWidest gap | 43.3 |
Crude oil and the dollar
Brent crude averaged US$114.2 a barrel in September 2026, against US$85.4 in June 2026.
| Period | Brent, US$ a barrel | US$ per A$ | Brent, A$ c/L |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | 114.2 | 0.7115 | 101.4 |
| August 2026 | 91.1 | 0.7103 | 80.7 |
| July 2026 | 83.8 | 0.6971 | 76.2 |
| June 2026 | 85.4 | 0.7025 | 76.6 |
Brent: Europe Brent spot price FOB (US Energy Information Administration). Exchange rate: the Federal Reserve’s noon buying rate in New York. Both via FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, averaged over the days each is published; the Australian-dollar figures use each day’s rate. A litre is a barrel divided by 158.987. We use these free benchmarks because the refined-petrol and diesel benchmarks Australian wholesale prices follow (Singapore) are sold by subscription.
Data quality, method and sources
We counted 186 distinct stations with eligible input prices, including carried prices, over 13,154 station–fuel–days across published fuels. Our price records begin on 13 April 2026.
| Coverage | Figure |
|---|---|
| Service stations listed | 215 |
| Stations with an eligible input price | 186 |
| Station–fuel–days counted (published fuels) | 13,154 |
| Days covered | 1 September 2026 to 30 September 2026 |
| Station-price records used here begin | 13 April 2026 |
| Towns ranked for U9168 left out: too few steady stations | 11 |
Coverage by fuel and period
| Fuel and period | Distinct stations | Station–fuel–days | Calendar days |
|---|---|---|---|
| U91, September 20261 to 30 Sept 2026 | 160 | 4,158 | 30 |
| U91, August 20261 to 31 Aug 2026 | 190 | 4,913 | 31 |
| DSL, September 20261 to 30 Sept 2026 | 182 | 4,843 | 30 |
| DSL, August 20261 to 31 Aug 2026 | 212 | 5,560 | 31 |
| P95, September 20261 to 30 Sept 2026 | 108 | 2,950 | 30 |
| P95, August 20261 to 31 Aug 2026 | 116 | 3,388 | 31 |
| P98, September 20261 to 30 Sept 2026 | 41 | 1,203 | 30 |
| P98, August 20261 to 31 Aug 2026 | 41 | 1,251 | 31 |
The listed count is the inventory used at build time, not a historical census of every operating station. One station selling two fuels on one day contributes two station–fuel–days. Fuel-specific counts must not be added to obtain a distinct station total. Distinct stations contributing eligible prices for this fuel and period. Calendar days describe the window, not new observations.
About this edition
How we worked out these figures, and our sources · What this edition can establish
How we worked out these figures, and our sources
What the average measures
Reported station-day prices, not purchases. Each station counts once per day with an eligible price; stations with more covered days contribute more. The mean is not weighted by litres sold and does not measure what the average driver paid.
Which history this uses
This report's station-price records begin on 13 April 2026. The separately published daily city-average series can begin earlier and use different boundaries and carry rules. Compare figures within the same series.
Coverage and carry
Darwin uses its ABS urban area. An eligible price can be carried forward for up to 30 days. A covered day can therefore contain an earlier reported price. Station-days are observations, not distinct stations. The report does not quantify the share of carried prices or all excluded reports.
Wholesale spreads
Retail less terminal gate price is a gross indicative spread, not profit. It also covers transport, site and operating costs. Brent is a crude-oil benchmark, not a refined petrol or diesel price.
How we average
Each day, every service station counts once at its latest price as of the end of that day. A price is carried forward for at most 30 days, and the average is taken over every station-day in the period, so a station that reported all period counts more than one that reported for a week.
Towns and areas
Darwin is its ABS urban area, split into ABS SA4 areas. Outside it, a town is the locality a station sits in; a station in another large city counts in that city as one place.
Which prices count
Prices held for checking, prices a station reported as unavailable and implausible prices are left out. A station’s next report ends its previous price.
Coverage
186 stations had an eligible input price in the period, including carried prices.
Wholesale, margins and the cost of a litre
The terminal gate price is AIP’s weekday price at the Darwin terminal; AIP publishes the capital-city terminals only. Weekday prices are carried over weekends, and a period’s price is the mean of its calendar days. The margin is the retail average less the terminal gate price. In the cost of a litre, crude oil is Brent in Australian dollars, wholesale is the terminal gate price without GST and excise less crude oil, excise is the ATO rate averaged over the days, GST is one eleventh of the retail price, and the retail difference is the rest.
Sources
FuelRadar: station-day averages, areas and the price cycle, from the prices service stations report to their state’s price service. Australian Institute of Petroleum: terminal gate prices. US Energy Information Administration, via FRED: Brent crude. Federal Reserve, via FRED: the exchange rate. Australian Taxation Office: excise rates. Australian Bureau of Statistics: the urban area, SA4 and locality boundaries.
About these prices
These are averages over the whole period, not today’s prices. Check the station price and its update time before you fill.
What this edition can establish
Not recorded
Carried retail price counts and excluded raw report counts were not retained; their shares are unavailable. The number of stations selling each fuel and litres sold are not recorded, so fuel-market and sales coverage percentages are unavailable.
Saved edition
Saved 15 October 2026 at 9:36 pm, method version 2, PDF publication 7. The fingerprint identifies the saved data, not editorial changes. The PDF publication number does not supply a retained revision history.
Data fingerprint
870532108a3ec84c4d985cf38491af36f846ddc5aa8f1e252ce0c34e4be3ad96
For media
In short
Darwin reported prices averaged 229.7 c/L for U91 in September 2026, up 19.4 c/L on August 2026. Since our records began on 13 April 2026, the day of the week made little difference to U91 prices in Darwin: the cheapest and dearest days were 0.7 c/L apart on average.
Credit line
Source: FuelRadar Australia, Northern Territory fuel prices, September 2026, fuelradar.com.au/fuel-price-reports/nt/2026-09
Media enquiries
Email [email protected]. Figures, graphics and the PDF are free to use in news coverage with the credit line.
