Northern Territory fuel prices, December quarter 2026 so far
Prices from 1 October to 29 October 2026Updated
Northern Territory U91 average
274.5c/L+35.2 c/L on the September quarter 2026
- Darwin U91
- 246.2c/L
- Rest of Northern Territory U91
- 287.7c/L
- Diesel average
- 311.1c/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.
This period: 1 October 2026 to 29 October 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, December quarter 2026 so far, fuelradar.com.au/fuel-price-reports/nt/2026-q4
Darwin reported prices averaged 246.2 c/L for U91 in the December quarter 2026, up 39.8 c/L on the September quarter 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 0.6 c/L apart on average.
Filling a 60-litre tank with U91 in Cossack (rural) rather than in Yuendumu saved $74.88 on average in the December quarter 2026.
Independent service stations in Northern Territory averaged 45.3 c/L more than the major brands for U91 in the December quarter 2026, and 4.2 c/L less in Darwin.
Diesel cost 42.8 c/L more than U91 in Darwin in the December quarter 2026, up from 38.3 c/L in the September quarter 2026.
Cossack (rural) was Northern Territory’s cheapest town for U91 in the December quarter 2026 at 241.2 c/L, 5.0 c/L below Darwin.
Darwin was the second dearest of the 8 capital cities for U91 in the December quarter 2026 at 246.2 c/L.
Since our records began on 13 April 2026, Alice Springs has been Northern Territory’s cheapest regional centre for U91, averaging 226.8 c/L.
Key points
Written from FuelRadar’s station-day averages for the period.
U91 reported prices in Darwin averaged 246.2 c/L in the December quarter 2026, up 39.8 c/L on the September quarter 2026.
Diesel reported prices in Darwin averaged 289.0 c/L in the December quarter 2026, up 44.3 c/L on the September quarter 2026.
Since our records began on 13 April 2026, Darwin's highest daily U91 average was 248.8 c/L on 13 October 2026 and its lowest 161.2 c/L on 1 July 2026. The high was set in the December quarter 2026.
Darwin's daily U91 average went from 244.6 c/L on 1 October to 245.1 c/L on 29 October, and diesel from 291.8 c/L to 288.2 c/L.
The highest daily average in Darwin was 248.8 c/L for U91 on 13 October and 291.8 c/L for diesel on 1 October.
Since 1 July 2026 in Darwin: U91 up 83.9 c/L, diesel up 109.5 c/L, P95 up 84.8 c/L and P98 up 84.2 c/L.
Darwin ranked seventh cheapest of the 8 capital cities for U91; Adelaide was the cheapest at 233.5 c/L and Hobart the dearest at 247.4 c/L.
On 29 common dates in the December quarter 2026, Darwin's U91 daily averages had a mean of 246.2 c/L, against 238.9 c/L at the Darwin terminal: a gross spread of 7.4 c/L. Each date counts equally; this is not the station-day-weighted headline mean or a profit estimate.
The Darwin terminal gate price averaged 238.9 c/L for unleaded and 271.3 c/L for diesel, up 37.7 c/L and up 30.3 c/L on the September quarter 2026.
Wholesale unleaded averaged 238.9 c/L at the Darwin terminal, a record: the dearest wholesale quarter since AIP's series began in March quarter 2004 (the previous high was September quarter 2026 at 201.2 c/L); the cheapest of the last ten years was June quarter 2020 at 96.6 c/L.
Our margin-based rule detected no U91 price-cycle hike in Darwin in the December quarter 2026. This does not establish why retail prices changed.
Cossack (rural) was the cheapest town we ranked for U91 at 241.2 c/L, 5.0 c/L below Darwin.
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Every fuel in Northern Territory
| Fuel | Northern Territory | Darwin | Rest of state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unleaded 91 | 274.5 | 246.2 | 287.7 |
| Diesel | 311.1 | 289.0 | 320.2 |
| Premium 95 | 272.1 | 262.4 | 279.8 |
| Premium 98 | 285.3 | 279.8 | 294.4 |
Cents a litre. Change is on the September quarter 2026. Difference is the rest of the state against Darwin.
What makes up a litre in Darwin
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 (3 rows)
| Period | Crude oil (Brent, A$) | Wholesale: refining, shipping, terminal | Excise | GST | Retail difference | Retail price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December quarter 2026 | 112.2 | 51.3 | 53.7 | 22.4 | 6.6 | 246.2 |
| September quarter 2026 | 86.0 | 49.3 | 47.6 | 18.8 | 4.7 | 206.4 |
| 2025 averageWholesale side only | 67.5 | 33.7 | 51.1 | — | — | — |
Month by month, U91
| Area | Quarter |
|---|---|
| Northern Territory | 274.5 |
| Darwin | 246.2 |
| Rest of Northern Territory | 287.7 |
| DarwinArea | 246.2 |
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
| Area | Quarter |
|---|---|
| Northern Territory | 311.1 |
| Darwin | 289.0 |
| Rest of Northern Territory | 320.2 |
| DarwinArea | 289.0 |
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.
| Period | Days used / window | Retail daily mean | TGP, same days | Gross spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December quarter 20261 to 29 Oct 2026; 12 carried TGP days. Gaps may occur within this range. | 29 / 29 | 246.2 | 238.9 | 7.4 |
| September quarter 20261 Jul to 30 Sept 2026; 26 carried TGP days. Gaps may occur within this range. | 92 / 92 | 206.3 | 201.2 | 5.0 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December quarter 20261 to 29 Oct 2026; 12 carried TGP days. Gaps may occur within this range. | 29 / 29 | 289.0 | 271.3 | 17.7 |
| September quarter 20261 Jul to 30 Sept 2026; 26 carried TGP days. Gaps may occur within this range. | 92 / 92 | 244.5 | 241.0 | 3.5 |
Worked out the same way as the table above.
Market trends this year
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 (272 rows)
| Date | U91, Darwin | Diesel, Darwin | Unleaded terminal gate price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Oct | 245.1 | 288.2 | — |
| 28 Oct | 244.7 | 287.5 | — |
| 27 Oct | 244.7 | 287.4 | — |
| 26 Oct | 244.6 | 287.0 | — |
| 25 Oct | 244.8 | 286.8 | — |
| 24 Oct | 245.0 | 286.0 | — |
| 23 Oct | 245.0 | 285.9 | 228.5 |
| 22 Oct | 245.4 | 286.2 | 230.3 |
| 21 Oct | 246.4 | 286.7 | 231.8 |
| 20 Oct | 246.5 | 287.5 | 235.2 |
| 19 Oct | 247.1 | 287.7 | 238.0 |
| 18 Oct | 248.0 | 288.6 | — |
| 17 Oct | 248.0 | 288.6 | — |
| 16 Oct | 248.1 | 288.7 | 241.5 |
| 15 Oct | 248.0 | 289.1 | 244.0 |
| 14 Oct | 248.8 | 289.8 | 246.1 |
| 13 Oct | 248.8 | 289.9 | 247.9 |
| 12 Oct | 248.7 | 290.2 | 249.0 |
| 11 Oct | 248.3 | 290.3 | — |
| 10 Oct | 247.6 | 290.3 | — |
| 9 Oct | 246.6 | 290.4 | 248.5 |
| 8 Oct | 246.6 | 290.7 | 246.8 |
| 7 Oct | 246.0 | 290.5 | 246.0 |
| 6 Oct | 245.2 | 290.6 | 243.1 |
| 5 Oct | 244.2 | 290.6 | 242.0 |
| 4 Oct | 245.0 | 291.4 | — |
| 3 Oct | 245.0 | 291.4 | — |
| 2 Oct | 244.4 | 291.5 | 239.8 |
| 1 Oct | 244.6 | 291.8 | 238.8 |
| 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
Source: FuelRadar (fuelradar.com.au)
Daily averages (29 rows)
| Date | Darwin (c/L) | Rest of Northern Territory (c/L) |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Oct | 245.1 | 292.4 |
| 28 Oct | 244.7 | 292.7 |
| 27 Oct | 244.7 | 292.7 |
| 26 Oct | 244.6 | 290.0 |
| 25 Oct | 244.8 | 289.6 |
| 24 Oct | 245.0 | 289.5 |
| 23 Oct | 245.0 | 289.2 |
| 22 Oct | 245.4 | 289.4 |
| 21 Oct | 246.4 | 290.0 |
| 20 Oct | 246.5 | 290.2 |
| 19 Oct | 247.1 | 289.9 |
| 18 Oct | 248.0 | 290.1 |
| 17 Oct | 248.0 | 290.3 |
| 16 Oct | 248.1 | 290.6 |
| 15 Oct | 248.0 | 290.0 |
| 14 Oct | 248.8 | 289.2 |
| 13 Oct | 248.8 | 289.4 |
| 12 Oct | 248.7 | 288.0 |
| 11 Oct | 248.3 | 287.3 |
| 10 Oct | 247.6 | 288.3 |
| 9 Oct | 246.6 | 286.7 |
| 8 Oct | 246.6 | 283.9 |
| 7 Oct | 246.0 | 282.6 |
| 6 Oct | 245.2 | 282.3 |
| 5 Oct | 244.2 | 282.1 |
| 4 Oct | 245.0 | 282.1 |
| 3 Oct | 245.0 | 282.4 |
| 2 Oct | 244.4 | 282.9 |
| 1 Oct | 244.6 | 280.8 |
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
| Petrol and diesel excise | Rate (c/L, before GST) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| In force on 1 October 2026 | 53.7 | — |
| Average over the days of 1 October to 29 October 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
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 | Quarter | Against Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| Cossack (rural) | 241.2 | −5.0 |
| Katherine | 243.1 | −3.1 |
Cents a litre, cheapest first. Darwin’s U91 average was 246.2 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
| Town | Average | Against Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| Cossack (rural) | 241.2 | −5.0 |
| Katherine | 243.1 | −3.1 |
| Adelaide River | 248.4 | +2.2 |
| Pine Creek | 254.4 | +8.2 |
| Batchelor | 258.2 | +12.0 |
| Timber Creek | 259.4 | +13.2 |
| Mataranka | 263.0 | +16.8 |
| Alice Springs | 264.6 | +18.4 |
| Borroloola | 265.2 | +19.0 |
| Tennant Creek | 266.6 | +20.4 |
| Mcarthur (rural) | 273.9 | +27.7 |
| Petermann (rural) | 327.5 | +81.3 |
| Yuendumu | 366.0 | +119.8 |
Cents a litre, cheapest first. A town is ranked with at least two stations reporting through the period and a price on most days; 66 smaller places were left out. The cheapest station’s figure is its own average over the period.
Regional towns ranked, diesel
| Town | Average | Against Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| Emungalan (rural) | 284.3 | −4.7 |
| Cossack (rural) | 285.4 | −3.6 |
| Katherine | 287.0 | −2.0 |
| Pine Creek | 288.0 | −1.0 |
| Alice Springs | 289.3 | +0.3 |
| Batchelor | 289.3 | +0.3 |
| Adelaide River | 291.1 | +2.1 |
| Birdum (rural) | 294.4 | +5.4 |
| Timber Creek | 297.5 | +8.5 |
| Mataranka | 297.6 | +8.6 |
| Borroloola | 300.4 | +11.4 |
| Tennant Creek | 304.5 | +15.5 |
| Mcarthur (rural) | 309.2 | +20.2 |
| Elliott | 315.8 | +26.8 |
| Ti Tree (rural) | 319.6 | +30.6 |
| Ghan (rural) | 363.1 | +74.1 |
| Petermann (rural) | 364.1 | +75.1 |
| Yuendumu | 377.1 | +88.1 |
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.
Other fuels: cheapest and dearest towns
| Fuel | Cheapest town (c/L) | Dearest town (c/L) |
|---|---|---|
| Premium 95 | Cossack (rural) 253.7 | Petermann (rural) 342.2 |
| Premium 98 | Cossack (rural) 272.2 | Alice Springs 285.6 |
Fewer stations sell these fuels, so fewer towns are ranked.
Against Darwin, month by month, U91
| Area | Quarter | Against Darwin | Year so far | Months cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darwin | 246.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 of 7 |
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
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
| Fuel | Northern Territory | Darwin | Rest of Northern Territory |
|---|---|---|---|
| U91 | 240.0 | 205.0 | 256.6 |
| Diesel | 278.9 | 245.9 | 292.1 |
1 of the 18 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) | 202.5 | −2.5 |
| Katherine | 206.5 | +1.5 |
| Adelaide River | 214.4 | +9.4 |
| Pine Creek | 224.0 | +19.0 |
| Timber Creek | 225.3 | +20.3 |
| Alice Springs | 226.8 | +21.8 |
| Tennant Creek | 230.0 | +25.0 |
| Borroloola | 233.7 | +28.7 |
| Mataranka | 237.7 | +32.7 |
| Batchelor | 239.4 | +34.4 |
Dearest towns since our records began on 13 April 2026, U91
| Town | Average | Against Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| Maningrida | 359.5 | +154.5 |
| Anatye (rural) | 330.3 | +125.3 |
| Petermann (rural) | 309.8 | +104.8 |
| Anmatjere (rural) | 292.7 | +87.7 |
| Ghan (rural) | 287.5 | +82.5 |
| Davenport (rural) | 285.6 | +80.6 |
| Elliott | 272.6 | +67.6 |
| Mcarthur (rural) | 248.8 | +43.8 |
| Batchelor | 239.4 | +34.4 |
| Mataranka | 237.7 | +32.7 |
The day of the week to buy U91
| Place | Cheapest / dearest, quarter |
|---|---|
| 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
| Comparison | Cheaper | Dearer | A tank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest and dearest town | Cossack (rural)241.2 c/L | Yuendumu366.0 c/L | $74.88 |
| Cheapest town and Darwin | Cossack (rural)241.2 c/L | Darwin246.2 c/L | $3.00 |
| Cheapest station and the state average | Independent Alyangula Township Service Station201.3 c/L | Northern Territory274.5 c/L | $43.92 |
Towns that moved most on the September quarter 2026, U91
| Town | Quarter | Change |
|---|---|---|
| BorroloolaRose | 265.2 | +43.5 |
| Tennant CreekRose | 266.6 | +42.0 |
| Alice SpringsRose | 264.6 | +39.4 |
| MatarankaRose | 263.0 | +39.3 |
| Pine CreekRose | 254.4 | +38.9 |
Independents and the major brands, U91
| Where | Major brands | Independents | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Territory | 256.2 | 301.5 | +45.3 |
| Darwin | 246.7 | 242.5 | −4.2 |
| UnitedMajor brand | 247.8 | — | — |
| On The Run (OTR)Major brand | 249.6 | — | — |
| Reddy ExpressMajor brand | 252.8 | — | — |
| AmpolMajor brand | 258.9 | — | — |
| BPMajor brand | 264.2 | — | — |
| AusfuelIndependent | — | 268.9 | — |
| IndependentIndependent | — | 305.4 | — |
| PumaIndependent | — | 323.3 | — |
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
| Station | Place | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Alyangula Township Service StationIndependent | Alyangula | 201.3 |
| Fuelxpress WinnellieFuelXpress | Winnellie | 238.1 |
| Solo CasuarinaSolo | Casuarina | 238.1 |
| Solo Stuart ParkSolo | Stuart Park | 238.1 |
| United Casuarina PiefaceUnited | Wanguri | 238.1 |
| United Darwin (smith Street) PiefaceUnited | Darwin | 238.1 |
| United Parap PiefaceUnited | Parap | 238.1 |
| Liberty KatherineLiberty | Cossack | 240.2 |
| United Katherine DepotUnited | Emungalan | 240.2 |
| United Katherine PiefaceUnited | Katherine | 240.2 |
Dearest service stations, U91
| Station | Place | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Ramingining XpressPuma | Ramingining | 410.0 |
| Pirlangimpi Community StorePuma | Pirlangimpi | 404.4 |
| Mirnirri StorePuma | Ali Curung | 385.7 |
| Independent Laramba Community StoreIndependent | Laramba | 385.0 |
| Nguru Walalja StorePuma | Yuendumu | 377.9 |
| Independent Nyirripi StoreIndependent | Nyirripi | 371.6 |
| Nguiu Ullintjinni Association 24 Hrs FuelPuma | Wurrumiyanga | 369.0 |
| Independent Santa Teresa StoreIndependent | Santa Teresa | 367.1 |
| Wirliyajarrayi StorePuma | Willowra | 366.0 |
| Lagulalya StorePuma | Milyakburra | 365.0 |
Diesel against U91
| Where | Diesel less U91 |
|---|---|
| Darwin | 42.8 |
| Northern Territory | 36.6 |
| Rest of Northern Territory | 32.5 |
| YuendumuNarrowest gap | 11.1 |
| Alice SpringsNarrowest gap | 24.7 |
| BatchelorNarrowest gap | 31.1 |
| Pine CreekNarrowest gap | 33.6 |
| MatarankaNarrowest gap | 34.6 |
| Cossack (rural)Widest gap | 44.2 |
| KatherineWidest gap | 43.9 |
| Adelaide RiverWidest gap | 42.7 |
| Timber CreekWidest gap | 38.1 |
| Tennant CreekWidest gap | 37.9 |
Crude oil and the dollar
| Period | Brent, US$ a barrel | US$ per A$ | Brent, A$ c/L |
|---|---|---|---|
| December quarter 2026 | 124.8 | 0.6974 | 112.2 |
| September quarter 2026 | 96.3 | 0.7062 | 86.0 |
| June quarter 2026 | 102.6 | 0.7101 | 91.1 |
| March quarter 2026 | 80.7 | 0.6956 | 73.3 |
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.
Outlook
An estimate, not a guarantee
Our outlook describes the days after the period ended, as at 30 October 2026. Prices can move quickly; check the live price at the station before you fill.
Our forecast for Darwin
| Fuel | Average now | A week ahead |
|---|---|---|
| U91 | 244.2 | 241.8 |
| Diesel | 287.4 | 287.8 |
FuelRadar’s published forecast for Darwin, the same one the app shows. An estimate, not a guarantee.
Wholesale and crude oil now
| Measure | Latest |
|---|---|
| National terminal gate price, unleaded | 222.0 c/L |
| National terminal gate price, diesel | 263.1 c/L |
| Brent crude | US$110.90 a barrel |
| Brent crude forecast, October 2026 | US$111.00 a barrel |
| Brent crude forecast, November 2026 | US$104.00 a barrel |
| Brent crude forecast, December 2026 | US$99.00 a barrel |
Wholesale and crude prices as at 23 October 2026. Crude oil forecast: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook, October 2026.
Data quality, method and sources
| Coverage | Figure |
|---|---|
| Service stations listed | 215 |
| Stations with an eligible input price | 188 |
| Station–fuel–days counted (published fuels) | 13,098 |
| Days covered | 1 October 2026 to 29 October 2026 |
| Station-price records used here begin | 13 April 2026 |
| Towns ranked for U9166 left out: too few steady stations | 13 |
Coverage by fuel and period
| Fuel and period | Distinct stations | Station–fuel–days | Calendar days |
|---|---|---|---|
| U91, December quarter 20261 to 29 Oct 2026 | 163 | 4,182 | 29 |
| U91, September quarter 20261 Jul to 30 Sept 2026 | 190 | 14,254 | 92 |
| DSL, December quarter 20261 to 29 Oct 2026 | 187 | 4,788 | 29 |
| DSL, September quarter 20261 Jul to 30 Sept 2026 | 212 | 16,293 | 92 |
| P95, December quarter 20261 to 29 Oct 2026 | 108 | 2,960 | 29 |
| P95, September quarter 20261 Jul to 30 Sept 2026 | 116 | 9,644 | 92 |
| P98, December quarter 20261 to 29 Oct 2026 | 41 | 1,168 | 29 |
| P98, September quarter 20261 Jul to 30 Sept 2026 | 41 | 3,699 | 92 |
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
188 stations had an eligible input price in the period, including carried prices. The figures cover the days to 29 October 2026; the calendar period is incomplete.
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 30 October 2026 at 5:31 am, method version 2, PDF publication unavailable. The fingerprint identifies the saved data, not editorial changes. The PDF publication number does not supply a retained revision history.
Data fingerprint
ccbc511b016a8719f37414b03bd11de2792d7f186021a344b25adf11fe0882c8
For media
In short
Darwin reported prices averaged 246.2 c/L for U91 in the December quarter 2026, up 39.8 c/L on the September quarter 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 0.6 c/L apart on average.
Credit line
Source: FuelRadar Australia, Northern Territory fuel prices, December quarter 2026 so far, fuelradar.com.au/fuel-price-reports/nt/2026-q4
Media enquiries
Email [email protected]. Figures, graphics and the PDF are free to use in news coverage with the credit line.