In a 24 hour society you can fill up your car with fuel anywhere, anytime with little forethought or planning. With a more relaxed rural culture and a reticence to change,  in the Dandenong Ranges some planning is essential.

People can generally be sorted into two types of personalities based on how they respond to the pesky little red-light on your petrol gauge that indicates your car needs to be fed. The first type will practically drop everything and rush straight to the nearest Petrol Station the moment that little warning light appears, while the second type (say me) like to fly by the seat of their pants and see how far they can push it before they run out of petrol. Fastidious versus lazy or pragmatic versus risk taker, either way you look at it, driving around the Dandenong’s, the later personality type is always going to have problems.

Nestled at the bottom of the hills in most surrounding suburbs you will find a 24 hour or late night Petrol Station, but any where higher than Upwey they are few and far between. Belgrave, Monbulk, Olinda, Menzies Creek, Sassafras and Cockatoo among other Hills suburbs are all devoid of this option. If you are like me and never learn, here are some options to help you be a better planner and save yourself one hell of a lot of anxiety.

Emerald

Located just out of Emerald central on Belgrave-Gembrook Rd is a Coles Express Petrol Station. They offer the usual fair available at such a globalised business, all the regular types of Petrol, plus Diesel and even LPG, as well as groceries and everything else you would expect from Coles. They do however close at 10pm. Planning people!

There is a second business in Emerald that offers your basic service station open till 7pm, but the beauty of this place is the availability of 24 hour pay at the pump fuel. Very handy in a jam. Auto Plus More are located a little further along Belgrave-Gembrook Road. No LPG though.

Belgrave South

Broad Fuel Convenience Store down Hallam-Belgrave Road are an excellent small business offering fuel of all types, groceries, some hot food and coffee and very friendly service. However, I could not clarify if they sell LPG or their opening hours. They may want to look at that. I do know from experience they are open until at least 7pm.

Tecoma

BP Tecoma/Fresh Bean Cafe are located on Burwood Hwy and are a last stop for petrol on the way up that side of the mountain. Open till only 9.30pm except Sunday’s when they close at 9pm, they offer groceries, cakes and hot food, coffee and other items. They have all the standard petrol types available including Diesel and LPG.

So if your driving in the Hills try not to be like me, and fill up when you get the chance. Don’t be idle, be pragmatic and make your trip to the Dandenong Ranges a planned and pleasant one.