Most travellers ask, “Are petrol stations open on Christmas Day in Melbourne?” right when the fuel gauge hits the wrong side of polite. I’ve found myself in that situation – praying that the servo isn’t shut for the day due to those pesky trading restrictions that catch so many shops out on public holidays. So, let’s cut to the chase: yes, lots of petrol stations are open on Christmas Day – but not all, and definitely not all with full trading hours.
This guide should help clarify the question: Which shops open on Christmas Day? How do trading hours on Christmas Day compare to Christmas Eve, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day? And how to avoid ending up stuck on Punt Road with a tank that’s as dry as a hollow billy can on Christmas Day.
What Actually Stays Open
Christmas in Melbourne still manages to keep humming along thanks to all the service providers that don’t get caught up in the same rules as your average non-essential shop. Unlike bottle shops, takeaway joints, IGAs, and other non-exempt shops that must follow the rulebook on public & bank holidays, petrol stations are exempt, meaning most can stay open on any day.
Still though, each petrol station sets its own hours of operation, & some of the smaller independent ones – especially those in the country – might just decide to knock off for the day.
Major Fuel Brands & Their Typical Christmas Day Operations (Melbourne Metro)
| Brand | Christmas Day Status (Typical) | Notes |
| 7-Eleven | Mostly open | Reliable 24/7 model; not impacted by most restricted trading rules |
| BP | Selected stores open | Metro and major-road sites prioritised |
| Shell/Coles Express | Most metro sites are open | Staffed with minimal persons employed |
| Ampol | Varied | Regional sites operate shorter Christmas Day trading hours |
| United | Mixed | Independent operators may close |
| EG/Woolworths | Many open | Follows standard holiday retail trading hours model |
Based on consumer movement data from Data. Vic (2024): around 38-42% of petrol stations across Victoria remain open on major public holidays such as Christmas Day.
Easy Ways To Find An Open Petrol Station
Hunting for fuel on Christmas Day when the shops are closed can be a real game – except the prize isn’t cashback and the ‘treasure’ isn’t a fancy new gadget. It’s just unleaded.
Use Maps With Live “Open Now” Filters
Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze all have live opening hours built in. But – even though they’re generally pretty accurate – you should always double-check when it comes to public holidays.
Stick To Major Arterial Roads
Petrol stations that remain open on days like Christmas are often located on major roads with high year-round traffic. Think places like:
- Punt Road / Hoddle Street
- Nepean Highway
- Eastern Freeway & CityLink
- Tullamarine corridor
These spots remain open due to the steady foot traffic from shoppers heading to Melbourne Central or Southbank.
Aim For 24-Hour Suburbs
Areas that are always bustling, like St Kilda, Carlton, Richmond, and Footscray, almost always have at least one open fuel stop nearby.
How To Plan So You’re Not Caught Short
Even on regular public and bank holidays, Melbourne can be like a box of chocolates when it comes to finding open petrol stations. Christmas Day is no different.
Build These Into Your Holiday Routine
- Fill up on Christmas Eve – it’s a pretty safe bet always to have a backup plan.
- Screenshot a few options – sometimes reception can drop in the outer suburbs.
- Expect queues, especially around lunchtime when everyone heads out to family or makes the mad dash for last-minute grocery shopping.
- Give your car a quick check – driving on hot bitumen can be a real drain on your fuel.
- Pack some snacks & water – you never know when you might be stuck in a long queue.
My Fuel Story
Years ago, I had a scare. After finishing a paddle, I jumped in my ute, thinking I had plenty of fuel. My gauge told a different story. Went to the servo in South St Kilda – it was shut. Carlton was chock-a-block. Finally found an open 7-Eleven in Collingwood – it was a madhouse.
Never again. Now I treat Christmas Eve as unofficial Top-Up Day – right up there with Boxing Day in my book of Melbourne holiday rituals.
Suburbs Where You’ll Almost Always Find Fuel
Knowing where those hard-to-find fuel stations tend to cluster is a lifesaver – especially if you’re trying to get to Christmas lunch at some relative’s place on the other side of town without leaving your tank almost empty. If you’re heading down to the beach for a festive feast at The Brighton Savoy and you know the roads will be clogged with holiday traffic, getting some petrol before you hit Beach Road is a pretty sensible move.
Melbourne Metro Hotspots
- Richmond – there are heaps of places to fill up at like 7-Eleven and BP
- Southbank / The CBD Fringe – with all the tourists around, it’s a wonder they ever close
- St Kilda – it’s a real hive of activity on even Christmas day
- Footscray – a lot of the stations open up bright and early
- Dandenong – it’s on all the main transport routes, so you can bet it’s always busy
- Airport West / Tullamarine – we all know the airport traffic is like a never-ending stream of cars
- Ringwood – another one of those places where all the holidaymakers are heading to
If you’re planning to head out of Melbourne into the countryside, always fill up first, because when those regional independents start closing up shop, it can get really tricky.
Holiday Pricing: What To Expect
Fuel prices in Melbourne don’t take a break on public holidays. ACCC stats show:
- December price spikes of 15–25 cents per litre
- Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day are always the worst days for prices and traffic
- The major routes are always going to be crazy busy
Even when the bottle shops and liquor stores are closed on restricted trading days because of the public holidays, the petrol stations stay open, and that just makes the prices go up even more.
Seasonal Conditions To Keep In Mind
Melbourne’s weather on Christmas Day is like a roll of the dice – one minute it’s a scorcher, and the next minute there’s a storm rolling in when it heats up like that, fuel tanks get a bit desperate, and your engine runs like it’s stuck in the mud. Not to mention all the detours through the outer suburbs because of all the sudden storms – that can really eat into your petrol levels.
Keep all this in mind, especially if you’re driving through outer suburbs, such as shopping districts or areas closer to bushland.
Five Handy Hacks For Christmas Drivers
- Carry a small jerry can – it’s the law, and who knows when you might need it?
- Keep a portable charger handy – map apps just seem to suck the power right out of your phone.
- Switch the AC off when you’re driving up a steep hill – you’ll be glad you did when you save on petrol.
- Bring a torch – just in case the servo you pull up to is a bit dimly lit on Christmas day.
- Try to get out of the city before the mid-morning traffic gets all crazy – it’s just as bad as the shopping season chaos.
FAQ
Do all petrol stations open on Christmas Day in Melbourne?
No, while most are exempt shops, some smaller ones close or operate on reduced hours.
Why do some shops close on Christmas Day?
Because of the restricted trading days that affect retailers like that, especially in non-exempt areas, this includes bottle shops, retail shops, and other areas that aren’t petrol stations.
Do fuel prices go up on restricted trading days?
Yep, because even though you’re off work, the people who need to drive to get anywhere for work or other things are still using up all the petrol, and that means prices go up.
How can I check whether a petrol station is open before I go?
Google Maps is your friend – just check their holiday trading hours, and cross-reference it with the station’s own website.
Are regional petrol stations likely to close on Christmas Day?
Yes, especially if you’re heading out into the countryside where the trading hours are generally shorter.