how to survive the fuel price spiral

Just cruise man!..... Seriously though, driving at just under 100kpm on the highway instead of 110 cuts fuel consumption drastically, and if the north coast (Pacific Hwy) is any guide, most punters are onto it. Even some of the trucks. Easy! Sticking to 80, 60, and 50 limits works too. Pretty boring but who cares, if you're saving moola. (If you are a freckle driver, well, you'll never get it.)
Rule of thumb - Drop off one K for every one cent increase until its so expensive you can't afford to go anywhere. Then walk to the pub.