{"id":359842,"date":"2026-04-02T06:14:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T06:14:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/359842\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T06:14:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T06:14:23","slug":"thousands-lost-to-cancellations-expenses-surge-as-fuel-crisis-bites-southern-queensland-tourism-sector","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/359842\/","title":{"rendered":"Thousands lost to cancellations, expenses surge as fuel crisis bites southern Queensland tourism sector"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tourism businesses across southern Queensland say they are bearing the brunt of surging fuel prices, with some losing thousands to booking cancellations and extra operational costs, while others field back-to-back calls from anxious tourists about fuel availability.<\/p>\n

A stone’s throw from the Gold Coast’s usually bustling Cavill Avenue, Easter bookings are around 10 per cent lower than average at the family-marketed Paradise Resort.<\/p>\n

General manager David Brook said the cumulative effect of rising interest rates, high cost of living, and skyrocketing fuel costs meant fewer families could afford an Easter weekend away.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Normally we would be a lot busier now, and even pre-Easter we’d see a lot more people walking around the property,” he said.<\/p>\n

“It’s been one thing after another obviously with the cost of living, but this [fuel price increase] has really put a dampener on it.”\"A<\/p>\n

David Brook says the fuel crisis has caused a drop in bookings. (ABC News: Mark Rigby)<\/p>\n

On the Sunshine Coast, Charles Marais, owner of Noosa Quad Bike Tours, said bookings had dropped by 60 per cent, while day-to-day expenses had gone up.<\/p>\n

“It’s difficult \u2026 just no fresh enquiries \u2026 we’re taking a lot less profit as well because of fuel costs,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Anything that has to be trucked anywhere suddenly starts going up as well.<\/p>\n

“The other problem that we’ve got is we employ a few staff \u2026 it spreads through everybody.”<\/p>\n

Fuel shortage fears<\/p>\n

On K’gari (Fraser Island), Hana Robinson from Drop Bear Adventures said her four-wheel drive tour and hire company had lost $10,000 to cancellations in recent weeks.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Hana Robinson says the business has lost thousands in recent weeks. (Supplied: Drop Bear Adventures)<\/p>\n

While it had largely been caused by flight disruptions, she said fears over potential fuel shortages were also causing chaos.<\/p>\n

“We have had some issues with Rainbow Beach running out of fuel. I think a lot of people are panic buying,” she said.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A sign at the last petrol station before the K’gari barge, aiming to curb panic buying. (ABC News: James C Taylor)<\/p>\n

According to Russell Postle, Fraser Island Retreat owner and Happy Valley Community Association president, businesses are being flooded with questions from anxious tourists.<\/p>\n

“When you’re travelling to regional or remote areas such as K’gari, [you worry that you] could get there and find that you don’t have fuel to be able to get home,” Mr Postle said.<\/p>\n

He said for island destinations like K’gari, many locals and visitors were also reliant on fuel for power.<\/p>\n

“We’re all [using] generators \u2026 the Telstra tower, that’s being powered by a generator,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Many of the houses will draw upon the retreat for their top-up fuel to maintain their power systems for their own use.”<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Fuel prices on K’gari have reached $4.25 a litre. (ABC News: James C Taylor)<\/p>\n

For some tourists, though, the increased fuel prices have not been enough to curb holiday plans but have forced them to bolster preparations.<\/p>\n

Fulvio Ruckli wasn’t going to miss his “bucket list” 30th birthday trip to Orchid Beach.<\/p>\n

Instead, he and his friends bought 400 litres of fuel in Brisbane for their multiple vehicles to avoid K’gari’s hefty fuel prices \u2014 the most expensive in Queensland, according to RACQ, and among the priciest in the country.<\/p>\n

“We were keeping an eye on it leading up to the trip \u2026 up here [K’gari] it’s $1.25 to $1.50 more expensive,” he said.<\/p>\n

“We were like, ‘We’re not paying that; we’ll bring fuel with us.'”<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Orchid Beach tourist Fulvio Ruckli fuelled up in Brisbane to avoid hefty prices on K’gari. (ABC News: James C Taylor)<\/p>\n

Fuel excise cut welcome<\/p>\n

For the director of Coastal Cruises Mooloolaba, Darren Smith, the fuel crisis is impacting the operational side of business, with local boat operators relying on one waterfront fuel stop, which only holds about 5,000 litres at a time.<\/p>\n

“That’s not much for the boats that we run on the water,” he said.<\/p>\n

“I have to head down tomorrow morning early, before the long weekend, to make sure we have enough fuel to get us through the weekend.”<\/p>\n

\"People<\/p>\n

Darren Smith says he welcomed the federal government’s fuel excise cut. (ABC News: Tara Cassidy)<\/p>\n

Mr Smith welcomed the government’s fuel excise cut, announced on Monday and coming into effect on Wednesday, saying it would make a significant difference, a sentiment echoed by other operators.<\/p>\n

“I think they’ve recognised the financial hurt,” Fraser Island Retreat’s Russell Postle said.<\/p>\n

“And I think they’re also putting a lot of effort and understanding into trying to manage the supply chain side of things to reduce that anxiety.<\/p>\n

“It’s certainly going to help.”<\/p>\n

Drive market to aid Easter<\/p>\n

Despite widespread impacts across the tourism sector, it’s not all bad news, with figures remaining strong across the Easter weekend for many.<\/p>\n

Ferry bookings to North Stradbroke Island have stayed high, while the Gold Coast Airport is expecting record-breaking visitor numbers over the next four days.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Tourists are preparing to flock to North Stradbroke Island for Easter. (ABC News: Tara Cassidy)<\/p>\n

For businesses like Aussie World on the Sunshine Coast, it’s hoped the rising fuel prices might also offer a silver lining.<\/p>\n

“We expect that many families are travelling smarter and opting for destinations closer to home, which suits the drive market here in south-east Queensland,” a spokesperson said.<\/p>\n

“While fuel prices are certainly on people’s minds, the current trend suggests guests are adjusting their travel habits rather than staying home altogether.”<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, according to RACQ principal economic and affordability expert Dr Ian Jeffreys, while fuel prices aren’t likely to decrease in the near future, fuel availability is not an issue.<\/p>\n

“I think it’s highly, highly unlikely that we will see [fuel] stock out,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Those contracts to bring fuel into the country are being honoured.<\/p>\n

“There is no shortage of supply.”<\/p>\n

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