Swapping the car for a bike and seeing loved ones less: how the fuel crisis is affecting Australians

Glenn Watson in his restored 1950s caravan. As the fuel crisis forces Australians to change some plans, Watson has had to delay the Vintage Caravan Nationals event that he co-organises. Photograph: Blake Sharp-Wiggins/The Guardian

Some are cancelling travel plans, some are gritting their teeth and cutting their food budget. Some worry about losing touch with loved ones, and others fear for their health, or their livelihood.

Many are angry.

The US-Israel war on Iran has disrupted key shipping routes, causing global oil market prices to surge. In Australia, petrol prices have soared and hundreds of service stations have run out of fuel.

We asked Guardian Australia readers to tell us how they are affected by ballooning petrol prices. With close to 100 responses at the time of publication, key themes have emerged.

Whether it is overseas travel plans, business challenges, problems accessing healthcare or regional travel, it appears the widespread fuel crisis is hurting many Australians in more ways than one.

On the flipside, electric vehicle owners have been quick to celebrate how little effect rising fuel costs are having on them. One reader even says his only concern is “that I may run out of smugness”.

Here are some of the responses to our callout, in their own words.

Business challenges

Graham*, rural New South Wales

I work at a petrol station in a rural town. Locals and tourists think our fuel restrictions are for profiteering. We’re worn out.

People get upset daily. We had a $50 limit, enough to easily make the round trip to the nearest hospital. Now it’s $30, no jerry cans. There are restrictions because we don’t want to run out … We’re also leaving a limit here for emergencies … our SES and everyone else.

In a small country town ‘mates’ expect favours. When I say no, people get quite angry. When it’s your business going under because I can’t give you fuel, I can understand the frustration.

It’s real kick in the teeth for rural communities. We have no idea when our next delivery will be or when they may return to regular. We’ve already run out of 95 octane. It’s getting quite scary.

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Jim*, Bondi, NSW

I’m a tour operator, now paying $200 extra a week in fuel to run my business. I can’t cut back because the business only functions by using diesel. My concern is that our weak government consistently fails to call out the USA and Israel for their warmongering, it’s not right.

Driving less

Joyce*, Darwin, Northern Territory

I’m 60, married, no children. I’ve cut back on fuel use by working from home, riding bikes instead of using the car, walking the dog round the neighbourhood instead of going to the dog park, bikes to the closest weekend market for fruit and veggies instead of driving to Woolies.

I’m concerned about the Australian government supporting Trump and dragging us into world war three.

Darren*, Sydney, NSW

I’m a semi-retired taxi driver. I commute 37km for work on Wednesday and 75km to my partner on Thursday.

I’ve been reducing discretionary driving as much as possible and am considering reducing travel to [my] partner. I might possibly be forced to not drive [my] taxi due to fuel cost and availability.

Grace*, Sydney, NSW

I’m a 26-year-old in a long-distance relationship with someone who lives in regional NSW. For the most part of a year we have been travelling back and forth to see each other.

I’m now worried we will have to cut back on the weekends we can travel due to fuel prices, or that either one of us will run out of petrol in regional NSW. I am concerned about the length of the conflict … the oil refineries that are blowing up, and the fact that petrol prices may not come down even if the conflict de-escalates.

Regional Australians can’t stop driving

Peter, Herberton, Queensland

I’m retired, living in a rural area. I’m heavily engaged with the community and have reason to drive 40 or 50 kilometres each day. Anything beyond basic medical services requires a trip to Cairns, two hours’ drive in each direction. Living on an age pension means the price increase in diesel has a dramatic effect on my living expenses.

Not just on fuel for my own travel, but everything I purchase here increases with the cost of transportation. I try to arrange all my commitments to fit as many on one day as possible to reduce the number of trips I have to make to other locations. I would happily use my bicycle for transport, but the roads here are narrow and poorly maintained, making it dangerous and difficult to do the 40km round-trip to a supermarket without burning fuel.

Laura*, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria

I’m not cutting back on petrol as I need a car to get around, due to transport being so limited where I live. Not everyone has the luxury of access to efficient and cost-effective public transport.

I’m concerned that the government has been a bit embarrassing … Telling us to ‘take it easy’ while the majority of us are under significant financial pressure already.

Do something for us … Australians should be your priority and we have not felt like that since 2023.

T Jones, north coast, NSW

I live an hour from my workplace … I work three days a week in the office, two from home. It now costs me $200 to fill up my vehicle, up from $120 before this war started … $50 per day to get to work. How is that sustainable? I pay less in food than I do in fuel for a week.

Aside from the humanitarian concerns, our reliance on fossil fuels is outrageous. If we transition to net zero, our lives would be much more sustainable.

Healthcare and support concerns

Kate Mitchell, Lismore, NSW

I’m a 64-year-old independent support worker, working about 40 hours a week. Living in a regional area, I can’t cut back on fuel.

One of my clients lives 32km away, another 50km away. I often travel 200km in a day. Fuel here (98) is $2.55 per litre. My clients don’t pay for my travel, I just have to suck it up. Providers charging clients extra because of fuel prices are rip-offs, in my opinion.

On the weekend I can’t really travel 200km to visit a friend in a nursing home, or 300km to visit my son. It all feels a bit Covid-y.

Fiona Moore, Dora Creek, NSW

I’m a DSP [disability support pension] recipient, 43 years old and a carer. I have to keep buying fuel, about a tank a week … I need to go into the hospital to visit mum who had a stroke and is in rehab, which is about 45 minutes away.

So we cut back on other expenses. The food budget was the first to go, even though it was already limited. I’m concerned that fuel supply will be limited in my area … I’m also concerned that I won’t be able to support my family in person as much, as I won’t be able to afford to drive to visit as often.

Change of plans

Charlie*, Tasmania

We booked travel to the mainland in July 2025, for April 2026, intending to travel for 11 weeks. Total kilometres travelled would be in excess of 7,500km, with a vehicle and caravan. Not sure if we will be able to get fuel.

Glenn Watson, Summer Hill, NSW

I’m the co-organiser of Vintage Caravan Nationals 2026, a biennial gathering of vans. It’s at Lightning Ridge, originally scheduled for 24 April to 1 May.

We have delayed it until 18-24 September, due to fuel runouts in regional petrol stations stranding our van owners, many from Victoria and South Australia. We were expecting around 150 vehicles, it’s quite a big gathering.

This is the first time a non-Covid issue has affected us since we started in 2012.

Electric vehicles rise up

Tom, Perth, Western Australia

The crisis hasn’t impacted our household. My husband bought an electric car last year, and I’ve been commuting by ebike for several years. I sold my car after the Covid crisis to promote my health, budget and resilience against increasing chaos.

I hope this crisis leads to permanent positive changes with increased public transport, improved cycle infrastructure, and flow-on benefits.

Dave, Mount Gambier, South Australia

I’m a reluctantly retired 68-year-old. I still occasionally pick up the odd day, and am a musician. My partner is a full-time artist. We have owned EVs since early 2021. We also ride motorcycles, which run on petrol … Our EVs and bicycles are our day-to-day transport. We charge our EVs at home except when travelling. We have solar and a home battery.

We continue to fuel up and ride our motorcycles, but are conscious of both the increased cost and the possibility of fuel shortages … As far as fuel supply goes, we feel our EVs and bicycles are pretty good insurance against medium-term supply issues.

David, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Currently feeling smug. We live in a location where there is no electricity supply. We’ve lived on solar power and batteries for the past decade. Didn’t receive a single benefit from the government over the Covid and cost-of-living crisis. But we charge our EV from our solar power and rather smugly drive past people queueing for fuel.

Asked whether he has any concerns, he says: “That I may run out of smugness.”

* Names changed for privacy