[ZenGum]

I'm currently paying $1.35 to $1.49 ... per litre!

Multiplying by 4.5 produces $6 to $6.70 per gallon.

I live about 8km (5 miles) from work, which takes about a litre of fuel, allowing for traffic and such. Hence my commute costs about 1.40 each way in fuel, plus about 50 cents per day for the annual parking permit. Allowing for general expenses, it is probably about $5 per day for commuting.

Doing the same trip by bus would cost between six and seven dollars (per day), and take longer and be less convenient.

However, I would eventually like to move to a place that (a) I own and (b) is a bit more in the hills/countryside. I am limited in my choices because I want to keep my commuting distance down.

Even at this $6/gallon, Australians still drive. We just complain more. We drive because we have to.