Fuel prices in the Northern Territory

The Northern Territory has published live fuel prices through MyFuel NT since 2017. It consistently records the highest average fuel prices of any Australian state or territory, which makes knowing where to fill more valuable here than anywhere else.

How fuel prices are reported in the NT

MyFuel NT launched in 2017 and requires Territory retailers to report their prices, letting drivers compare stations across Darwin, Alice Springs and the remote highway network.

Coverage of remote sites matters enormously in the NT. On routes where the next fuel is 200km away, knowing what a roadhouse charges before you commit is a planning tool, not just a saving.

The data feeds independent apps as well as the government's own service.

Why NT prices are the highest in Australia

Distance and volume. Fuel is trucked vast distances to reach most Territory communities, and the volumes sold at a remote roadhouse are tiny compared with a suburban servo.

There's also almost no competitive pressure outside Darwin and Alice Springs. A roadhouse that is the only option for 200km in either direction has little reason to discount.

The result is the widest price spread in the country — the gap between Darwin and a remote roadhouse can exceed a dollar a litre.

Planning fuel stops on NT highways

Darwin and Alice Springs are by a wide margin the cheapest places to buy fuel in the Territory. Fill up completely before leaving either.

Katherine and Tennant Creek are the main intermediate centres on the Stuart Highway, and are meaningfully cheaper than the roadhouses between them.

On the Stuart, Barkly, Victoria and Arnhem highways, treat fuel as a logistics problem rather than a shopping decision: know your range, know where the next fuel is, and don't run a tank low on the assumption something will turn up.

Frequently asked questions

What is MyFuel NT?

MyFuel NT is the Northern Territory Government's fuel price service, launched in 2017. It requires Territory fuel retailers to report their prices, and publishes them so drivers can compare stations.

Why is fuel so expensive in the Northern Territory?

Distance, low volumes and almost no competition outside the main centres. Fuel is trucked enormous distances to remote communities, and a roadhouse that's the only option for hundreds of kilometres has little reason to discount.

Where is the cheapest fuel in the NT?

Darwin and Alice Springs, by a wide margin. Both have enough stations to sustain competition. Katherine and Tennant Creek are the next best options on the Stuart Highway.

How should I plan fuel stops on NT highways?

Fill completely in Darwin or Alice Springs before setting out, know the distance to the next fuel on your route, and don't let a tank run low expecting to find something. On remote NT roads the next servo can be 200km away.