Australian Firewood Prices: Complete 2024-2025 Market Guide

Australian firewood prices for your fire pit typically run from $300-600 per tonne with some pretty wild seasonal price swings of up to 50% and big regional differences depending on what wood species are available locally and how far it needs to travel.

Victorian suppliers are telling us they’ve got 8x more demand than wood available, which shows how much Aussies have embraced outdoor living – transforming what used to be just about heating your home into a booming recreational industry worth an estimated $350-550 million annually.

COVID really shook things up by getting everyone into backyard entertaining while messing with the usual supply chains, leading to higher prices and quality issues that we’re still dealing with in 2024-2025.

If you’re running a fire pit regularly, you’ll probably need 1 to 2 tonnes per season, and here’s the good news – buying in summer or early autumn can save you 40-50% compared to those crazy winter prices. Understanding Australian firewood prices helps you time your purchases right and avoid getting burned (pun intended) by seasonal price spikes.

By the way, for an easy way to find trusted local suppliers in your area, check out our Australian firewood vendor directory.

Let’s jump in!

Where you live makes a huge difference to what you’ll pay

Regional pricing shows just how much Australian firewood prices can vary

Your location seriously affects what you’ll pay for firewood across Australia. Western Australia has its own thing going at $300-450 per tonne for their local Jarrah and Wandoo, while premium hardwood areas can hit $450-600+ per tonne. If you’re in Melbourne or Sydney, expect to pay $470-535 per tonne because of transport costs and everyone wanting the same wood.

Victoria’s got the best variety and most stable pricing, with mixed hardwood running $400-470 delivered, while smaller bag quantities go for $20-25 each. Melbourne area gets hit with premium pricing at $470-535 per tonne because there’s just so much demand and delivery’s a pain. NSW offers pretty good value with Red Gum at $420 per tonne and mixed hardwood between $400-450.

Queensland pricing reflects how far everything has to travel, with premium Ironbark available if you buy in bulk and get volume discounts. South Australia keeps it reasonable at $350-420 per tonne, but if you’re somewhere remote in WA or Tasmania, you might pay $450-550 because there’s not much local supply and shipping costs add up. These differences make Australian firewood prices really depend on where you are.

Delivery costs really add up, running $30-60 if you’re within 25km, but stretching to $50-120 for longer regional deliveries up to 80km. City folks typically pay 20-35% more than rural areas because delivery’s trickier and there’s more competition for the same wood. This explains why firewood prices in Australia can be so different even between neighboring areas.

Most Aussie suppliers focus on the middle-ground seasoned wood

Quality levels drive what you’ll pay for Australian firewood prices

Australian firewood follows Firewood Association of Australia standards with how dry the wood is being the main thing that determines quality. Kiln-dried wood costs 20-30% more than regular seasoned stuff, while green (wet) wood offers 15-25% discounts if you’re happy to wait for it to dry yourself. These quality differences are a big part of what drives Australian firewood prices across different options.

What’s the Firewood Association of Australia all about?

The Firewood Association of Australia is a not-for-profit group started in 2005 that represents commercial firewood suppliers across all states. They’ve set up standards covering firewood from whole trees, stems, logging leftovers, and clean wood processing scraps from sustainably managed forests.

Their quality standards focus mainly on moisture content (under 20% for properly seasoned wood), plus size consistency and making sure it comes from sustainable sources. This helps make trading easier and ensures you get firewood that meets proper standards for safe, effective burning while protecting Australia’s forests.

Kiln-dried premium tier ($500-600+ per tonne) guarantees moisture under 20% through controlled heating. This stuff’s ready to burn immediately and gives you clean burning perfect for fire pits. Australian Firewood and other premium suppliers document their drying processes so you know you’re getting quality.

Seasoned standard tier ($350-470 per tonne) is what most people buy, featuring air-dried wood at 18-25% moisture after 6 months to 2+ years of drying. Most Australian suppliers work in this range, offering reliable burning with reasonable prep time. Moisture meters help you check if the wood’s properly seasoned before you buy.

Green economy tier ($280-380 per tonne) works for budget-conscious buyers willing to season wood themselves. With 40-60% moisture, this needs 6-18 months more drying but can save you serious money if you plan ahead. You’ll need proper storage to get green wood ready for burning.

Winter’s when everyone wants firewood and prices go crazy

Seasonal timing can save you heaps of money

Summer and early autumn are your money-saving seasons, with discounts of 40-50% compared to winter madness. A tonne costing $470 during peak winter might sell for $300 during summer clearance, which is serious money in your pocket if you plan ahead. These seasonal patterns really drive firewood prices in Australia throughout the year.

Winter peak season (May through August) is when prices double because fire pit users and home heaters are all competing for the same wood. Victorian suppliers tell us they just can’t keep up during these months, with many completely sold out by July. Premium hardwoods become super scarce, forcing you to pay more for alternatives or settle for lower quality.

Your best buying window runs September through March, when suppliers get fresh stock from summer logging and are competing for storage space. December through February offers the sweet spot of availability, quality, and pricing if you’re planning ahead for next winter. Early summer buyers of green wood get maximum savings while ensuring proper drying time. Understanding these cycles is key to managing Australian firewood prices effectively.

Different states see different seasonal swings – northern states get hit harder with price jumps due to wet season transport challenges. Southern states with better supply chains show smaller fluctuations but still reward early planning with solid savings.

Tasmania’s Brown Peppermint takes forever to grow but burns amazingly

Wood species make all the difference to heat and price

Hardwood species cost more because they burn hotter and longer – perfect for fire pits. Ironbark and Red Gum are the kings at 2.2-2.8kW per kilogram, which justifies paying $470-535+ per tonne in eastern states where they grow naturally.

What’s available locally drives pricing. Victoria’s diverse hardwood forests keep premium Red Gum, Yellow Box, and Ironbark competitive. NSW’s massive forests create competition, keeping prices reasonable despite plenty of wood available.

Western Australia does its own thing with Jarrah and Wandoo, commanding premium pricing at $400-450 per tonne because they burn so well. What species you choose remains a major factor in firewood prices in Australia across different states.

Ironbark is the premium choice across most states, delivering exceptional fire performance at $500-535 per tonne in Victoria. Its dense structure burns for ages while pumping out serious heat. Brown Peppermint in Tasmania grows super slowly, creating incredibly dense, high-quality firewood.

Mixed hardwood does the job at reasonable pricing of $300-420 per tonne. Blue Gum, Sugar Gum, and Box varieties work well for most burning needs, while Western Australia’s Jarrah offers better heat than typical mixed woods. Mixed hardwood is your best value for regular fire pit use.

Drought and bushfires are making wood harder to get

What’s happening to the outdoor fire pit market

Australia’s fire pit market hit $285 million in 2022 and should reach $475 million by 2030, growing about 6.8% per year because Aussies have permanently embraced outdoor entertaining. This recreational demand now competes directly with traditional home heating, creating supply shortages and price increases that keep pushing up Australian firewood prices.

Several things are affecting wood availability and pricing. Extended drought across eastern Australia, more frequent bushfires, and climate change are reducing available timber while transport disruptions from flooding and weather events complicate getting wood where it needs to go. Sawmills running at only 68% capacity create bottlenecks, especially for premium products like kiln-dried firewood.

Government rules are changing the game through emission standards that favor cleaner-burning, properly seasoned wood. Cities increasingly restrict traditional wood burning, creating premium markets for kiln-dried options. Local sourcing requirements to prevent pest spread support regional suppliers while promoting sustainable forestry.

People want better quality wood now because when you’re hosting mates around the fire pit, you want wood that lights easily, burns clean, and doesn’t smoke everyone out. Fire pit entertainment needs wood that actually works, which is why premium stuff is selling so well.

Firewood prices in Australia reflect this shift toward quality as people invest in better outdoor experiences. Online ordering and delivery tracking are making this traditionally local business much more modern and convenient.

Local suppliers beat retail prices by 15-25% plus you can inspect before buying

Smart buying and storage saves you money

Proper storage protects your firewood investment while ensuring it burns well. Australian conditions need wood elevated 10+ inches off the ground to prevent moisture during wet seasons, with top-only covering using waterproof tarps while keeping sides open for airflow. Sun exposure helps natural drying while keeping 40+ feet from buildings prevents pest problems and meets fire safety rules.

Smart buying saves serious money through timing and volume. Green wood bought in early summer provides maximum savings if you’ve got proper storage and patience for 6-18 months of seasoning. Bulk orders of 2-3+ tonnes unlock volume discounts of $50-80+ per tonne while reducing delivery costs per tonne. These strategies help you manage Australian firewood prices over time.

Building a relationship with your local supplier pays off – you’ll often get 15-25% better pricing than retail, plus you can actually inspect the wood quality before buying, and they’ll prioritize you when everyone’s scrambling for wood in winter.

Compare Australian firewood prices from different local suppliers since service station bundles cost 70-80% more than bulk buying – only grab those if you need a few logs for one night. Check Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace for local suppliers who often have competitive pricing and flexible delivery.

Moisture meters ($25-250) help confirm proper seasoning and avoid wet wood that burns poorly. Traditional ring tests – knocking pieces together to hear dry wood’s sharp ping versus wet wood’s dull thud – work for field testing. Visual signs include loose bark, weathered look, and lighter weight compared to green wood.

Delivery services are getting better at reaching metro customers

Where the market’s heading with continued growth

Expect moderate price increases of 4-6% per year through 2025-2026 driven by supply-demand imbalances and higher transport costs. Recreational demand growing at 6.2% per year outpaces traditional supply growth, keeping upward pressure on pricing. Climate change impacts through increased bushfires, drought, and weather disruptions threaten long-term supply stability. These factors suggest firewood prices in Australia will keep trending upward.

Premium options are expanding with kiln-dried, pre-packaged products targeting urban consumers who want convenience. Delivery services are improving to handle metro last-mile challenges for customers willing to pay premiums for professional service. Sustainable sourcing certification appeals to environmentally conscious buyers while supporting premium pricing. Australian firewood prices outlook remains positive despite supply challenges.

Industry consolidation might speed up as successful suppliers invest in equipment, storage, and technology to serve growing recreational demand. Compliance costs favor larger operators who can meet emission standards and sustainable harvesting requirements. Competition from gas fire pits growing at 8.2% per year means firewood suppliers need to emphasize authentic outdoor experiences and environmental benefits.

Wrapping up: Australian Firewood Prices

Australia’s firewood market has shifted from traditional home heating to a recreational lifestyle product worth hundreds of millions annually. You can save 40-50% through summer buying and bulk orders while quality-conscious consumers find more premium kiln-dried options available.

Regional pricing from $300-535+ per tonne reflects transport costs, species availability, and local demand – rewarding smart buyers who source locally within sustainable harvesting areas.

If you’re running a fire pit regularly and need 1-2 tonnes annually, focus on seasoned hardwood from local suppliers, time purchases for summer delivery, and invest in proper storage. Understanding Australian firewood prices helps you make better buying decisions throughout the year.

Market growth looks set to continue despite supply challenges, supporting long-term industry viability while maintaining premiums for quality products.

The outdoor living trend isn’t going anywhere, creating sustained demand that transforms this seasonal commodity into a year-round lifestyle market with serious economic impact across Australian states and territories.

For anyone navigating firewood prices in Australia, success comes down to strategic timing, quality assessment, building relationships with reliable local suppliers, and supporting sustainable forestry practices that protect Australia’s unique eucalyptus forests for future generations.

Related Resources: Australia Firewood Prices

• Choosing Fire Pit Firewood: A Complete Buyers Guide

• Firewood Price Reports by Country

• Backyard Toasty’s Comprehensive Firewood BTU Chart

• Backyard Toasty’s Fire Pit Firewood Profile Collection

• Firewood Planning Calculator

• Firewood Seasoning Time Calculator

• Article: How to Stack Firewood the Right Way

• Arbor Day Foundation Tree Identification Guide