For many travellers, driving around Australia is the ultimate road trip adventure.
But with fuel prices rising across the country, many people planning extended trips are asking an important question:
How much does it actually cost to travel around Australia by vehicle?
Fuel is often the single largest expense for travellers covering large distances.
Fuel Is Often the Biggest Travel Expense
Australia’s size means road trips often involve thousands of kilometres of driving.
For example:
| Trip Type | Estimated Distance |
| Perth to Broome | ~2,200 km |
| Perth to Ningaloo Station | ~1,200 km |
| Full lap of Australia | 14,000 – 18,000 km |
Even small increases in fuel prices can significantly affect the total cost of travel.
Typical Fuel Costs for Long Trips
Below are rough estimates based on average fuel consumption.
Example: 4WD using 12L per 100km
| Trip Distance | Fuel Used | Cost (at $2.20/L) |
| 3,000 km | 360L | $792 |
| 10,000 km | 1,200L | $2,640 |
| 15,000 km | 1,800L | $3,960 |
Travellers towing caravans may use considerably more.
Fuel Costs in Remote Areas
Fuel prices in regional Western Australia are often higher than in major cities.
This is due to several factors:
- long transport distances
- smaller fuel volumes sold
- logistics and storage costs
If you want a deeper explanation of how fuel pricing works across Western Australia, you can read: Fuel Costs When Travelling in Western Australia
Plan Fuel Stops Carefully
When travelling long distances, it is important to know where reliable fuel stops are located.
For travellers heading toward the Ningaloo Coast, you can review fuel availability here: Where to Fuel Up on the Way to Ningaloo Station
Knowing your refuelling options helps avoid unnecessary detours and unexpected delays.
Use a Travel Cost Calculator
Because fuel prices change regularly, estimating travel costs can be difficult.
To help travellers plan ahead, we built the Great Australian Travel Cost Calculator.
The calculator allows you to estimate:
- total fuel costs
- campsite costs
- trip length
- activity expenses
You can adjust the fuel price and vehicle consumption rate to see how changing fuel costs affect your travel budget.
Road Trips Are Still One of the Best Ways to Explore Australia
Even with rising fuel costs, travelling by road remains one of the most flexible and rewarding ways to experience Australia.
With careful planning, efficient driving and a clear understanding of fuel usage, travellers can manage their budgets and continue exploring some of the country’s most remarkable destinations, including the spectacular coastline surrounding Ningaloo Station.
Want to Stay at Ningaloo station?
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More Locations
Check out the rest of the Locations available
14 Mile Beach Camp
14 Mile Beach Camp is a remote, off-grid beachfront campground near Coral Bay with white sand, turquoise water, big skies and epic sunsets.
It’s dog-friendly (on lead) and well-priced, but you need to arrive prepared because there are no toilets, showers, or water on site.
Boat Harbour Campground
Secluded 4WD-access campground with basic amenities near Ningaloo Marine Park.
Bruboodjoo Campground
Bruboodjoo Campground is a large, off-grid coastal camping area north of Coral Bay suited to self-contained travellers, especially fishers and boat owners.
Expect big open sites, beach launching access, and a remote feel rather than structured campground facilities.
Bungarra Campground
Bungarra Campground is a small inland campground set slightly back from the shoreline, offering a quieter and more sheltered stay than the beachfront sites.
With only a handful of camps and a short walk to the water, it suits travellers who want proximity to the coast without being directly exposed to wind and salt.
Janes Bay Campground
Janes Bay Campground is a remote coastal campsite suited to travellers who want space, simplicity and a proper off-grid stay.
There are no built facilities, just open camps, ocean views and plenty of wind. The journey in can be rough, so it’s best suited to well-prepared campers with capable vehicles and everything they need on board.
Kurrajong Campground (Cape Range)
Kurrajong Campground is a quieter Cape Range campground with easy dune access to the water, clean facilities and a laid-back feel.
It’s a solid choice for travellers who want a more peaceful base, simple amenities, and quick access to swimming and reef time.
Mesa Camp
Mesa Campground is a popular coastal campground with spacious sites, beach access and easy launching for small boats.
Facilities are simple but well maintained, and some sites have shade. Generators are permitted during set hours.
Neds Campground
Neds Campground is a small, peaceful campground tucked behind the dunes with a short walk to a quiet swimming beach and excellent sunset views.
Sites are spacious, some with tree cover, and facilities are simple but well maintained.
North Kurrajong & T-Bone Campground (Cape Range)
North Kurrajong Campground is a spacious coastal campground set just behind the dunes with easy access to reef and swimming areas.
Facilities are basic but well maintained, and the location is known for wildlife sightings, snorkelling and peaceful surroundings.
Best suited to self-sufficient travellers wanting nature, quiet and proximity to the reef rather than a serviced camping area.
North Lefroy Campground
North Lefroy is a spacious beachfront campground with large private sites and excellent access to fishing and boating.
Facilities are basic and the access track can be rough and sandy, so a capable 4WD and lowered tyre pressures are essential.
North Mandu Campground
North Mandu is a small, secluded campground with only a handful of sites tucked behind the dunes.
Facilities are simple but generally well maintained, and the location offers peaceful camping close to some of the best beaches and snorkelling areas in Cape Range.
One K Campground
One K is a quiet and remote campground suited to self-sufficient travellers looking for space and solitude.
Facilities are basic and access requires some preparation, including lowering tyre pressures before arrival.
Osprey Bay Campsite
Osprey Bay Campsite is one of the standout campgrounds on the Ningaloo coast, with big, well-spaced sites right by the water, spotless long-drop toilets, and unreal snorkelling straight off the beach.
Point Billie Campground
Point Billie Campground is a big, off-grid Ningaloo Station campground best suited to boaters and fishos, with huge sites, cracking sunsets, and plenty of wildlife. Expect wind, exposure and a rough corrugated 4WD approach.
Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef
Sal Salis offers an exclusive, eco-luxury safari camp set within the dunes of Cape Range National Park, overlooking Ningaloo Reef.
With just 16 wilderness tents and one honeymoon tent, the experience blends barefoot comfort with guided nature-based activities and all-inclusive hospitality in a remote coastal setting.
South Lefroy Bay Campground
South Lefroy Bay Campground is a seriously special Ningaloo Station beach camp with clear, calm turquoise water and reef access straight off the sand.
Stans Camp (Overflow Camp)
A basic Ningaloo Station overflow campground sitting inland from the reef line. It’s open, exposed and self-contained only, often used when nearby beachfront camps are full.
The Ridge Campground
Remote bush campground south of Coral Bay with unpowered sites and basic facilities.
Tulki Beach Campground
Tulki Beach Campground is a small, well-kept Cape Range National Park campground known for its peaceful feel and proximity to some of Ningaloo’s best snorkelling areas.
Not directly on the reef edge, but close enough to paddle or walk to the water with ease.
Winderabandi Point Campground
Winderabandi Point Campground is a remote beachfront campground on Ningaloo Station offering one of the most immersive reef and wildlife experiences along the coast.
Expect true off-grid camping, soft sand access and wide-open ocean views. It rewards preparation – and punishes complacency.
Yardie Creek Campground
Yardie Creek Campground is a small, beachside Cape Range National Park campground near the Yardie Creek gorge walks. People rate it highly for the location, sunsets, stargazing and the camp host vibe, but it’s basic and books out fast.
Bring water, expect long-drop toilets, and plan around the creek crossing if travelling south.