Northern Territory fuel prices, September quarter 2026

Prices from 1 July to 30 September 2026Updated

Northern Territory U91 average

239.3c/L

+13.5 c/L on the partial June quarter 2026

Darwin U91
206.4c/L
Rest of Northern Territory U91
253.1c/L
Diesel average
273.7c/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.

Comparison period: 13 April 2026 to 30 June 2026. This covers part of the calendar period. The change compares the available days, not two full calendar periods. Station coverage can also change.

Report highlights

Quote these with the credit: Source: FuelRadar Australia, Northern Territory fuel prices, September quarter 2026, fuelradar.com.au/fuel-price-reports/nt/2026-q3

  1. Darwin reported prices averaged 206.4 c/L for U91 in the September quarter 2026, up 19.1 c/L on the partial June quarter 2026.

  2. In the September quarter 2026, Monday was the cheapest day to buy U91 in Darwin and Saturday the dearest, 1.4 c/L apart on average: $0.84 on a 60-litre tank.

  3. Filling a 60-litre tank with U91 in Cossack (rural) rather than in Maningrida saved $83.40 on average in the September quarter 2026.

  4. Independent service stations in Northern Territory averaged 49.9 c/L more than the major brands for U91 in the September quarter 2026, and 2.7 c/L less in Darwin.

  5. Diesel cost 38.3 c/L more than U91 in Darwin in the September quarter 2026, down from 41.9 c/L in the partial June quarter 2026.

  6. Cossack (rural) was Northern Territory’s cheapest town for U91 in the September quarter 2026 at 203.0 c/L, 3.4 c/L below Darwin.

  7. Darwin was the second dearest of the 8 capital cities for U91 in the September quarter 2026 at 206.4 c/L.

  8. 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.

  1. In Darwin, prices followed wholesale costs and excise rather than a regular price cycle during the September quarter 2026.

  2. Wholesale unleaded prices at the Darwin terminal averaged 201.2 c/L, the highest since AIP's series began in March quarter 2004 (nominal prices).

  3. Wholesale diesel also reached a record high of 241 c/L since AIP's series began in March quarter 2004 (nominal prices).

  4. Darwin set a new daily retail record for U91 at 245.8 c/L on 25 September 2026 since our records began on 13 April 2026.

  5. Darwin was the seventh cheapest of the 8 capital cities for U91 at an average of 206.4 c/L.

  6. For diesel, Darwin ranked as the sixth cheapest of the 8 capital cities with an average of 244.7 c/L.

  7. Cossack (rural) was the cheapest town in the Northern Territory for U91, averaging 203 c/L.

  8. Emungalan (rural) offered the state's cheapest diesel at an average of 235.7 c/L.

  9. Filling a 60-litre tank with U91 in Cossack (rural) rather than in Maningrida saved you $83.40 on average.

  10. Diesel cost 38.3 c/L more than U91 in Darwin, down from a premium of 41.9 c/L in the previous quarter.

  11. Monday was the cheapest day to buy U91 in Darwin and Saturday the dearest, sitting 1.4 c/L apart on average.

  12. Since the financial year began on 1 July 2026, Darwin U91 prices climbed 84 c/L to end the quarter at 245.2 c/L.

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Every fuel in Northern Territory

In the September quarter 2026, U91 averaged 206.4 c/L in Darwin, up 19.1 c/L on the partial June quarter 2026 (from 13 April, when this station-price series starts). Across Northern Territory, U91 averaged 239.3 c/L, up 13.5 c/L on the partial June quarter 2026. In the September quarter 2026, diesel averaged 244.7 c/L in Darwin, up 15.5 c/L on the partial June quarter 2026. Across Northern Territory, diesel averaged 273.7 c/L, up 1.1 c/L on the partial June quarter 2026. The other fuels averaged P95 235.9 c/L and P98 246.2 c/L.

Unleaded 91+46.7 restDiesel+39.7 restPremium 95+23.5 restPremium 98+15.2 rest

Source: FuelRadar (fuelradar.com.au)

Cents a litre. Change is on the partial June quarter 2026, which starts when our full price history does. Difference is the rest of the state against Darwin.

Table view
Average price by fuel, September quarter 2026
FuelNorthern TerritoryDarwinRest of state
Unleaded 91239.3206.4253.1
Diesel273.7244.7284.4
Premium 95235.9222.4245.9
Premium 98246.2240.3255.5

What makes up a litre in Darwin

Of the 206.4 c/L U91 average in Darwin, crude oil was 86.0 c/L, wholesale 49.3 c/L, excise 47.6 c/L, GST 18.8 c/L and the retail difference 4.7 c/L. Of the 244.7 c/L diesel average in Darwin, crude oil was 86.0 c/L, wholesale 85.5 c/L, excise 47.6 c/L, GST 22.2 c/L and the retail difference 3.4 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

Fuel
Loading chart…

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 (3 rows)
What makes up a litre of Unleaded 91, c/L
PeriodCrude oil (Brent, A$)Wholesale: refining, shipping, terminalExciseGSTRetail differenceRetail price
September quarter 202686.049.347.618.84.7206.4
June quarter 2026 (part)88.853.220.617.07.7187.3
2025 averageWholesale side only67.533.751.1———
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Month by month, U91

Darwin's daily U91 average went from 161.2 c/L on 1 July to 245.2 c/L on 30 September, and diesel from 178.7 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. Darwin's U91 average was 179.7 c/L in July, 210.3 c/L in August and 229.7 c/L in September. Darwin's diesel average was 206.6 c/L in July, 251.8 c/L in August and 276.3 c/L in September.

U91 average by month, September quarter 2026
AreaQuarter
Northern Territory239.3
Darwin206.4
Rest of Northern Territory253.1
DarwinArea206.4

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 quarter.

Month by month, diesel

Show diesel month by month
Diesel average by month, September quarter 2026
AreaQuarter
Northern Territory273.7
Darwin244.7
Rest of Northern Territory284.4
DarwinArea244.7

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 quarter.

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.

Darwin retail prices compared with the Darwin terminal. This is not the delivered wholesale cost at individual stations.
PeriodDays used / windowRetail daily meanTGP, same daysGross spread
September quarter 20261 Jul to 30 Sept 2026; 26 carried TGP days. Gaps may occur within this range.92 / 92206.3201.25.0
June quarter 202614 Apr to 30 Jun 2026; 22 carried TGP days. Gaps may occur within this range.78 / 79187.6178.59.1

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
Darwin retail prices compared with the Darwin terminal. This is not the delivered wholesale cost at individual stations.
PeriodDays used / windowRetail daily meanTGP, same daysGross spread
September quarter 20261 Jul to 30 Sept 2026; 26 carried TGP days. Gaps may occur within this range.92 / 92244.5241.03.5
June quarter 202613 Apr to 30 Jun 2026; 22 carried TGP days. Gaps may occur within this range.79 / 79235.2216.818.4

Worked out the same way as the table above.

Market trends this year

The Darwin terminal gate price averaged 201.2 c/L for unleaded and 241.0 c/L for diesel, up 22.3 c/L and up 24.2 c/L on the partial June quarter 2026. Brent crude averaged US$96.3 a barrel, or 86.0 c/L in Australian dollars, with the Australian dollar at an average of 70.62 US cents.

Retail, terminal gate and crude oil prices this year

Chart
Loading chart…

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)
Retail, terminal gate and crude oil prices this year (c/L), 1 Jan to 30 Sept
DateU91, DarwinDiesel, DarwinUnleaded terminal gate price
30 Sept245.2292.8238.0
29 Sept245.2293.0237.5
28 Sept245.2293.1237.4
27 Sept245.2293.1—
26 Sept245.4293.3—
25 Sept245.8293.8237.6
24 Sept245.7294.8238.3
23 Sept245.5295.0238.4
22 Sept244.4294.0237.3
21 Sept241.9291.0236.2
20 Sept241.5290.7—
19 Sept240.9290.1—
18 Sept237.2285.0233.2
17 Sept234.2280.3230.0
16 Sept230.8276.4227.1
15 Sept226.1271.8222.5
14 Sept223.4269.4220.3
13 Sept222.8268.2—
12 Sept221.5267.2—
11 Sept218.9264.6218.6
10 Sept217.5262.8216.5
9 Sept215.3260.8214.0
8 Sept215.5260.3211.5
7 Sept215.1260.1209.9
6 Sept214.5260.0—
5 Sept214.5260.1—
4 Sept212.9257.5207.5
3 Sept212.1256.7205.4
2 Sept212.0256.7204.3
1 Sept212.0256.7203.7
31 Aug212.1256.7204.2
30 Aug212.1256.9—
29 Aug212.0257.0—
28 Aug211.9257.0204.4
27 Aug211.7257.1205.5
26 Aug211.3256.4205.8
25 Aug210.2255.1205.6
24 Aug210.1254.5205.3
23 Aug210.2254.5—
22 Aug209.6253.7—
21 Aug209.2253.0204.6
20 Aug209.0251.8203.9
19 Aug208.9251.4203.1
18 Aug206.2249.6202.3
17 Aug204.1245.7201.7
16 Aug208.1248.7—
15 Aug208.0248.7—
14 Aug208.2247.4200.0
13 Aug208.5247.5198.7
12 Aug209.6248.5198.7
11 Aug210.8249.5199.9
10 Aug212.2250.8201.7
9 Aug214.3252.9—
8 Aug215.2253.7—
7 Aug215.3253.9205.4
6 Aug216.9255.5207.3
5 Aug215.2253.9207.6
4 Aug211.9250.8207.1
3 Aug208.4247.3212.4
2 Aug204.5243.7—
1 Aug204.1243.2—
31 July203.0242.3192.0
30 July203.3241.8192.5
29 July201.2239.7192.1
28 July199.4238.0191.2
27 July195.7234.0189.1
26 July195.2233.3—
25 July193.2231.3—
24 July190.0227.4185.8
23 July186.4223.7182.8
22 July182.5219.6181.4
21 July180.6216.4178.4
20 July178.9212.8176.8
19 July179.1212.8—
18 July179.1212.3—
17 July176.6205.7174.7
16 July173.9200.6172.4
15 July172.7195.5169.9
14 July172.5194.3169.0
13 July172.7192.1169.0
12 July172.7191.6—
11 July171.8188.1—
10 July171.1187.9169.3
9 July171.0187.8170.6
8 July171.2188.0171.5
7 July171.1187.7172.6
6 July171.0187.1172.9
5 July170.2184.0—
4 July169.3183.5—
3 July168.0180.8172.5
2 July162.7178.7171.9
1 July161.2178.7171.1
30 June161.8180.9155.6
29 June161.9181.1155.9
28 June162.5181.8—
27 June163.0182.9—
26 June163.1183.6157.2
25 June164.3185.4157.7
24 June164.8186.1157.9
23 June166.8187.6160.0
22 June168.7190.0160.6
21 June168.9191.5—
20 June169.0191.6—
19 June169.0191.6163.4
18 June169.8193.1166.0
17 June169.9193.6168.4
16 June171.5196.1170.8
15 June171.8196.5170.6
14 June173.4199.6—
13 June173.4199.6—
12 June173.4199.6169.9
11 June173.5199.9169.2
10 June173.5200.2168.2
9 June173.7200.5167.9
8 June173.9200.7167.9
7 June174.5201.8—
6 June174.6202.2—
5 June175.2203.1168.8
4 June177.5207.9169.0
3 June181.1212.5171.1
2 June183.6214.9173.5
1 June186.5218.3175.7
31 May188.7222.0—
30 May188.8222.6—
29 May188.8225.6178.7
28 May190.9229.1180.7
27 May191.6232.1183.7
26 May192.4232.2187.2
25 May192.5233.5188.4
24 May192.8234.2—
23 May192.8234.2—
22 May192.8234.4189.1
21 May192.2236.1188.5
20 May191.9236.2186.7
19 May191.9236.4183.3
18 May192.2236.5181.4
17 May192.6236.6—
16 May192.7236.6—
15 May192.7236.8180.2
14 May192.7241.2180.4
13 May192.9242.0181.2
12 May193.6244.8182.7
11 May194.5246.0185.5
10 May194.2246.0—
9 May193.7246.0—
8 May193.9246.0188.5
7 May193.9246.6188.8
6 May194.4251.1188.3
5 May195.3250.5188.5
4 May195.4252.6188.6
3 May195.6254.3—
2 May195.6255.8—
1 May195.6261.4188.0
30 Apr196.6263.5187.0
29 Apr201.1265.3185.5
28 Apr201.7266.0184.5
27 Apr203.7271.2184.4
26 Apr204.1292.4—
25 Apr204.6294.6—
24 Apr204.6294.6183.3
23 Apr204.6294.6184.8
22 Apr204.6294.6186.7
21 Apr204.6294.6189.5
20 Apr204.6294.6190.9
19 Apr204.6294.6—
18 Apr211.6298.4—
17 Apr212.5298.6194.3
16 Apr216.2304.1195.7
15 Apr218.8311.8199.7
14 Apr223.4317.5202.8
13 Apr—318.3205.4
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
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Darwin against the rest of Northern Territory

Darwin averaged 206.4 c/L for U91 and the rest of Northern Territory 253.1 c/L, so reported prices in the rest of Northern Territory averaged 46.7 c/L more than Darwin. Darwin averaged 244.7 c/L for diesel and the rest of Northern Territory 284.4 c/L, so reported prices in the rest of Northern Territory averaged 39.7 c/L more than Darwin.

Source: FuelRadar (fuelradar.com.au)

Each day's average over every station with a price that day. Darwin is its urban area.
Daily averages (92 rows)
U91 daily averages, Darwin and Rest of Northern Territory, 1 July to 30 Sept
DateDarwin (c/L)Rest of Northern Territory (c/L)
30 Sept245.2281.7
29 Sept245.2281.3
28 Sept245.2279.1
27 Sept245.2279.3
26 Sept245.4278.3
25 Sept245.8280.5
24 Sept245.7278.0
23 Sept245.5277.0
22 Sept244.4276.2
21 Sept241.9271.0
20 Sept241.5272.0
19 Sept240.9272.0
18 Sept237.2270.1
17 Sept234.2266.4
16 Sept230.8263.5
15 Sept226.1261.5
14 Sept223.4259.7
13 Sept222.8260.8
12 Sept221.5260.2
11 Sept218.9260.5
10 Sept217.5256.7
9 Sept215.3257.0
8 Sept215.5255.7
7 Sept215.1256.0
6 Sept214.5256.1
5 Sept214.5257.1
4 Sept212.9257.1
3 Sept212.1257.0
2 Sept212.0256.7
1 Sept212.0256.7
31 Aug212.1257.3
30 Aug212.1257.1
29 Aug212.0256.5
28 Aug211.9256.5
27 Aug211.7256.5
26 Aug211.3253.4
25 Aug210.2253.1
24 Aug210.1251.7
23 Aug210.2251.7
22 Aug209.6251.4
21 Aug209.2249.9
20 Aug209.0249.8
19 Aug208.9248.7
18 Aug206.2248.1
17 Aug204.1247.9
16 Aug208.1248.2
15 Aug208.0248.2
14 Aug208.2247.2
13 Aug208.5247.2
12 Aug209.6245.5
11 Aug210.8244.6
10 Aug212.2257.9
9 Aug214.3258.4
8 Aug215.2258.5
7 Aug215.3258.2
6 Aug216.9257.8
5 Aug215.2256.7
4 Aug211.9255.0
3 Aug208.4253.7
2 Aug204.5252.8
1 Aug204.1252.7
31 July203.0251.8
30 July203.3251.1
29 July201.2250.0
28 July199.4249.3
27 July195.7249.0
26 July195.2248.8
25 July193.2248.2
24 July190.0247.3
23 July186.4246.6
22 July182.5245.5
21 July180.6245.1
20 July178.9245.4
19 July179.1245.4
18 July179.1245.3
17 July176.6245.1
16 July173.9244.7
15 July172.7244.4
14 July172.5245.0
13 July172.7245.0
12 July172.7245.0
11 July171.8233.6
10 July171.1233.4
9 July171.0233.4
8 July171.2232.4
7 July171.1231.7
6 July171.0230.1
5 July170.2230.1
4 July169.3231.6
3 July168.0232.5
2 July162.7231.5
1 July161.2231.4
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The price cycle in Darwin

Darwin had one price-cycle hike in the September quarter 2026, but no regular cycle. It took the U91 average from 182.5 c/L on 22 July to 195.2 c/L on 26 July, while the terminal gate price rose 4.4 c/L. Three other sharp rises came with the excise changes and a rise in the terminal gate price, so we do not count them.

Price-cycle hikes under the margin-based rule, September quarter 2026
Fromc/LToc/LRise
22 July182.526 July195.2+12.7

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 on petrol and diesel changed from 20.6 c/L to 36.6 c/L on 1 July 2026 and from 36.6 c/L to 53.7 c/L on 3 August 2026. Over the period it averaged 47.6 c/L a litre, before GST.

Fuel excise, September quarter 2026
Petrol and diesel exciseRate (c/L, before GST)Change
In force on 1 July 202636.6—
From 1 July 2026Partial restoration; still a temporarily reduced rate, 1 July to 2 August 202636.6+16.0
From 3 August 2026Full rate restored, indexed by the CPI factor of 1.02053.7+17.1
Average over the days of 1 July to 30 September 202647.57—

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 197.5 c/L and Canberra the dearest at 206.5 c/L. Darwin ranked sixth cheapest of the 8 capital cities for diesel; Adelaide was the cheapest at 233.9 c/L and Canberra the dearest at 248.2 c/L.

Every capital city by average U91 price, September quarter 2026
CapitalQuarter
AdelaideCheapest capital197.5
Perth198.1
Sydney198.2
Melbourne198.6
Brisbane200.0
Hobart204.1
DarwinThis report206.4
CanberraDearest capital206.5

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
Every capital city by average diesel price, September quarter 2026
CapitalQuarter
AdelaideCheapest capital233.9
Perth234.1
Sydney237.0
Melbourne240.5
Brisbane241.2
DarwinThis report244.7
Hobart244.9
CanberraDearest capital248.2

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 ranked, U91

The cheapest U91 outside Darwin was in Cossack (rural), at 203.0 c/L, 3.4 c/L below Darwin. Maningrida was the dearest at 342.0 c/L, 135.6 c/L above Darwin. 1 of the 22 towns we ranked averaged less than Darwin for U91. Emungalan (rural) was the cheapest regional town for diesel at 235.7 c/L and Maningrida the dearest at 377.6 c/L, a spread of 141.9 c/L.

Cossack (rural)203.0▼ −3.4 v DarwinKatherine206.7▲ +0.3 v DarwinAdelaide River211.3▲ +4.9 v DarwinPine Creek215.5▲ +9.1 v DarwinBatchelor220.7▲ +14.3 v DarwinBorroloola221.7▲ +15.3 v DarwinTimber Creek222.6▲ +16.2 v DarwinMataranka223.7▲ +17.3 v DarwinTennant Creek224.6▲ +18.2 v DarwinAlice Springs225.2▲ +18.8 v DarwinBirdum (rural)238.8▲ +32.4 v DarwinMcarthur (rural)241.8▲ +35.4 v DarwinDavenport (rural)253.3▲ +46.9 v DarwinElliott263.1▲ +56.7 v DarwinSandover (rural)272.7▲ +66.3 v DarwinHugh (rural)273.6▲ +67.2 v DarwinAnmatjere (rural)280.4▲ +74.0 v DarwinGhan (rural)287.6▲ +81.2 v DarwinPetermann (rural)302.2▲ +95.8 v DarwinAnatye (rural)304.3▲ +97.9 v DarwinYuendumu337.7▲ +131.3 v DarwinManingrida342.0▲ +135.6 v Darwin

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; 77 smaller places were left out. The cheapest station’s figure is its own average over the period.

Table view
Northern Territory regional towns by average U91 price, September quarter 2026
TownQuarterAgainst Darwin
Cossack (rural)203.0−3.4
Katherine206.7+0.3
Adelaide River211.3+4.9
Pine Creek215.5+9.1
Batchelor220.7+14.3
Borroloola221.7+15.3
Timber Creek222.6+16.2
Mataranka223.7+17.3
Tennant Creek224.6+18.2
Alice Springs225.2+18.8
Birdum (rural)238.8+32.4
Mcarthur (rural)241.8+35.4
Davenport (rural)253.3+46.9
Elliott263.1+56.7
Sandover (rural)272.7+66.3
Hugh (rural)273.6+67.2
Anmatjere (rural)280.4+74.0
Ghan (rural)287.6+81.2
Petermann (rural)302.2+95.8
Anatye (rural)304.3+97.9
Yuendumu337.7+131.3
Maningrida342.0+135.6

Regional towns ranked, diesel

Emungalan (rural)235.7▼ −9.0 v DarwinCossack (rural)236.2▼ −8.5 v DarwinKatherine242.7▼ −2.0 v DarwinBatchelor246.3▲ +1.6 v DarwinPine Creek248.5▲ +3.8 v DarwinAdelaide River250.4▲ +5.7 v DarwinTimber Creek253.1▲ +8.4 v DarwinAlice Springs253.9▲ +9.2 v DarwinBorroloola254.0▲ +9.3 v DarwinTennant Creek260.5▲ +15.8 v DarwinMataranka260.9▲ +16.2 v DarwinMcarthur (rural)271.0▲ +26.3 v DarwinBirdum (rural)272.6▲ +27.9 v DarwinSandover (rural)285.5▲ +40.8 v DarwinTi Tree (rural)286.8▲ +42.1 v DarwinHugh (rural)295.8▲ +51.1 v DarwinAnmatjere (rural)298.7▲ +54.0 v DarwinElliott298.8▲ +54.1 v DarwinDavenport (rural)305.1▲ +60.4 v DarwinGhan (rural)319.2▲ +74.5 v DarwinAnatye (rural)332.1▲ +87.4 v DarwinPetermann (rural)333.8▲ +89.1 v DarwinYuendumu343.6▲ +98.9 v DarwinManingrida377.6▲ +132.9 v Darwin

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; 81 smaller places were left out. The cheapest station’s figure is its own average over the period.

Table view
Northern Territory regional towns by average diesel price, September quarter 2026
TownQuarterAgainst Darwin
Emungalan (rural)235.7−9.0
Cossack (rural)236.2−8.5
Katherine242.7−2.0
Batchelor246.3+1.6
Pine Creek248.5+3.8
Adelaide River250.4+5.7
Timber Creek253.1+8.4
Alice Springs253.9+9.2
Borroloola254.0+9.3
Tennant Creek260.5+15.8
Mataranka260.9+16.2
Mcarthur (rural)271.0+26.3
Birdum (rural)272.6+27.9
Sandover (rural)285.5+40.8
Ti Tree (rural)286.8+42.1
Hugh (rural)295.8+51.1
Anmatjere (rural)298.7+54.0
Elliott298.8+54.1
Davenport (rural)305.1+60.4
Ghan (rural)319.2+74.5
Anatye (rural)332.1+87.4
Petermann (rural)333.8+89.1
Yuendumu343.6+98.9
Maningrida377.6+132.9

Other fuels: cheapest and dearest towns

Cheapest and dearest towns for the other fuels, September quarter 2026
FuelCheapest town (c/L)Dearest town (c/L)
Premium 95Cossack (rural) 215.4Petermann (rural) 310.1
Premium 98Cossack (rural) 234.0Alice Springs 246.3

Fewer stations sell these fuels, so fewer towns are ranked.

Against Darwin, month by month, U91

Darwin averaged 206.4 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.

Each area’s U91 average against Darwin’s: the September quarter 2026, since our records began on 13 April 2026, and each month
AreaQuarterAgainst DarwinYear so farMonths cheaper
Darwin206.40.00.00 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 203.0 c/L to Maningrida at 342.0 c/L, a gap of 139.0 c/L.

The cheapest and dearest suburb or town in each ABS SA4 area, September quarter 2026
AreaCheapest suburb or town
DarwinDarwin areaDarwin203.8 c/L
Outback Northern TerritoryCossack203.0 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.

Averages over every station-day since our records began on 13 April 2026
FuelNorthern TerritoryDarwinRest of Northern Territory
U91233.9197.8251.1
Diesel273.3238.1287.2

1 of the 17 towns we ranked averaged less than Darwin for U91.

Cheapest towns since our records began on 13 April 2026, U91

Cheapest towns since our records began on 13 April 2026, U91
TownAverageAgainst Darwin
Cossack (rural)195.9−1.9
Katherine200.2+2.4
Adelaide River208.3+10.5
Pine Creek216.8+19.0
Timber Creek219.7+21.9
Alice Springs220.2+22.4
Tennant Creek222.8+25.0
Borroloola226.0+28.2
Batchelor236.0+38.2
Mcarthur (rural)240.7+42.9

Dearest towns since our records began on 13 April 2026, U91

Dearest towns since our records began on 13 April 2026, U91
TownAverageAgainst Darwin
Maningrida365.1+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
Elliott272.2+74.4
Mcarthur (rural)240.7+42.9
Batchelor236.0+38.2
Borroloola226.0+28.2

The day of the week to buy U91

In the September quarter 2026, Monday was the cheapest day to buy U91 in Darwin and Saturday the dearest, 1.4 c/L apart on average; since our records began on 13 April 2026, Monday has been the cheapest.

The cheapest and dearest day of the week, and how far apart they were on average
PlaceCheapest / dearest, quarter
DarwinMonday / Saturday1.4 c/L apart
Alice SpringsRegional centreMonday / Thursday0.9 c/L apart

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 Maningrida saved $83.40 on average in the September quarter 2026. In Cossack (rural) the same tank cost $2.04 less than in Darwin. At Independent Alyangula Township Service Station in Alyangula, the cheapest station we ranked, it cost $30.12 less than at the state average.

Differences of the published averages, September quarter 2026
ComparisonCheaperDearerA tank
Cheapest and dearest townCossack (rural)203.0 c/LManingrida342.0 c/L$83.40
Cheapest town and DarwinCossack (rural)203.0 c/LDarwin206.4 c/L$2.04
Cheapest station and the state averageIndependent Alyangula Township Service Station189.1 c/LNorthern Territory239.3 c/L$30.12

Towns that moved most on the partial June quarter 2026, U91

Cossack (rural) rose most on the partial June quarter 2026, up 15.5 c/L to 203.0 c/L, while Davenport (rural) fell most, down 76.9 c/L to 253.3 c/L.

Towns that moved most on the partial June quarter 2026, U91
TownQuarterChange
Cossack (rural)Rose203.0+15.5
KatherineRose206.7+14.5
Alice SpringsRose225.2+11.3
Timber CreekRose222.6+7.1
Adelaide RiverRose211.3+6.9
Davenport (rural)Fell253.3−76.9
Anatye (rural)Fell304.3−63.1
BatchelorFell220.7−39.2
BorroloolaFell221.7−13.2
Pine CreekFell215.5−2.5

Independents and the major brands, U91

Independent service stations averaged 267.1 c/L for U91 and the major brands 217.2 c/L, 49.9 c/L more at the independents; in Darwin the gap was 2.7 c/L. Of the brands with five stations or more, United averaged least at 208.7 c/L and Puma most at 279.3 c/L.

Station-day averages, September quarter 2026
WhereMajor brandsIndependentsDifference
Northern Territory217.2267.1+49.9
Darwin206.7204.0−2.7
UnitedMajor brand208.7——
On The Run (OTR)Major brand209.7——
Reddy ExpressMajor brand213.4——
AmpolMajor brand218.8——
BPMajor brand225.7——
AusfuelIndependent—228.0—
IndependentIndependent—277.7—
PumaIndependent—279.3—

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 189.1 c/L, and Ramingining Xpress in Ramingining the dearest at 384.1 c/L.

155 stations with a price on half the days or more, September quarter 2026
StationPlaceAverage
Independent Alyangula Township Service StationIndependentAlyangula189.1
Liberty KatherineLibertyCossack201.5
Belyuen StorePumaBelyuen201.6
United Katherine DepotUnitedEmungalan201.7
Fuelxpress WinnellieFuelXpressWinnellie202.2
Solo Stuart ParkSoloStuart Park202.2
Solo CasuarinaSoloCasuarina202.3
United Darwin (smith Street) PiefaceUnitedDarwin202.5
United Parap PiefaceUnitedParap202.6
United Casuarina PiefaceUnitedWanguri202.7

Dearest service stations, U91

155 stations with a price on half the days or more, September quarter 2026
StationPlaceAverage
Ramingining XpressPumaRamingining384.1
Independent Elcho FuelIndependentGaliwinku366.8
Independent Warc Minjilang FuelIndependentMinjilang358.0
Independent Nyirripi StoreIndependentNyirripi343.5
Milingimbi StorePumaMilingimbi342.0
Pirlangimpi Community StorePumaPirlangimpi337.5
Independent Alpirakina Store (yuelamu Store)IndependentYuelamu329.7
Independent Mpa Fuel StationIndependentManingrida327.9
Independent Aputula StoreIndependentFinke324.8
Independent Tobermorey RoadhouseIndependentAnatye324.2

Diesel against U91

Diesel cost 38.3 c/L more than U91 in Darwin, against 41.9 c/L on the partial June quarter 2026. Among the towns, the gap was narrowest in Yuendumu at 5.9 c/L and widest in Davenport (rural) at 51.8 c/L.

How much more diesel cost than U91, September quarter 2026
WhereDiesel less U91
Darwin38.3
Northern Territory34.4
Rest of Northern Territory31.3
YuendumuNarrowest gap5.9
Sandover (rural)Narrowest gap12.8
Anmatjere (rural)Narrowest gap18.3
Hugh (rural)Narrowest gap22.2
BatchelorNarrowest gap25.6
Davenport (rural)Widest gap51.8
Adelaide RiverWidest gap39.1
MatarankaWidest gap37.2
KatherineWidest gap36.0
Tennant CreekWidest gap35.9

Crude oil and the dollar

Brent crude averaged US$96.3 a barrel in the September quarter 2026, against US$63.7 in the December quarter 2025.

Brent crude oil and the Australian dollar, September quarter 2026 and the periods before
PeriodBrent, US$ a barrelUS$ per A$Brent, A$ c/L
September quarter 202696.30.706286.0
June quarter 2026102.60.710191.1
March quarter 202680.70.695673.3
December quarter 202563.70.656861.0

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 214 distinct stations with eligible input prices, including carried prices, over 43,890 station–fuel–days across published fuels. Our price records begin on 13 April 2026.

What the figures cover, September quarter 2026
CoverageFigure
Service stations listed215
Stations with an eligible input price214
Station–fuel–days counted (published fuels)43,890
Days covered1 July 2026 to 30 September 2026
Station-price records used here begin13 April 2026
Towns ranked for U9177 left out: too few steady stations22

Coverage by fuel and period

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.
Fuel and periodDistinct stationsStation–fuel–daysCalendar days
U91, September quarter 20261 Jul to 30 Sept 202619014,25492
U91, June quarter 202613 Apr to 30 Jun 20261629,47079
DSL, September quarter 20261 Jul to 30 Sept 202621216,29392
DSL, June quarter 202613 Apr to 30 Jun 202618410,83079
P95, September quarter 20261 Jul to 30 Sept 20261169,64492
P95, June quarter 202613 Apr to 30 Jun 20261056,94279
P98, September quarter 20261 Jul to 30 Sept 2026413,69992
P98, June quarter 202613 Apr to 30 Jun 2026402,91279

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. Coverage

    214 stations had an eligible input price in the period, including carried prices. LPG had too few stations to report.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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

  1. 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.

  2. Saved edition

    Saved 15 October 2026 at 9:39 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.

  3. Data fingerprint

    60f2d98ffa36b63c2ffd0468b56c1175a4ad49713f550b534ea28fef57de7845

For media

  1. In short

    Darwin reported prices averaged 206.4 c/L for U91 in the September quarter 2026, up 19.1 c/L on the partial June quarter 2026. In the September quarter 2026, Monday was the cheapest day to buy U91 in Darwin and Saturday the dearest, 1.4 c/L apart on average: $0.84 on a 60-litre tank.

  2. Credit line

    Source: FuelRadar Australia, Northern Territory fuel prices, September quarter 2026, fuelradar.com.au/fuel-price-reports/nt/2026-q3

  3. Media enquiries

    Email [email protected]. Figures, graphics and the PDF are free to use in news coverage with the credit line.