{"id":517261,"date":"2026-04-07T08:11:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T08:11:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/517261\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T08:11:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T08:11:16","slug":"tourism-sector-experiences-mixed-results-over-easter-period-amid-fuel-price-surge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/517261\/","title":{"rendered":"Tourism sector experiences mixed results over Easter period, amid fuel price surge"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the lead up to Easter, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese used a rare national address to urge Australians to continue their Easter long weekend plans as normal.<\/p>\n

“Enjoy your Easter,” he said<\/a>, “and if you’re hitting the road, don’t take more fuel than you need.”<\/p>\n

There were concerns from tourism operators about booking cancellations, particularly in regional areas, amid high fuel prices.<\/p>\n

So, were their fears well-founded?<\/p>\n

Australia’s fuel shipments secured ‘well into’ May<\/a><\/p>\n

Fuel shipments to Australia have been secured “well into” May, the energy minister says, as the number of service stations with diesel and petrol shortages fell over the Easter weekend.<\/p>\n

The ABC spoke to businesses around the country, and while some did suffer dips, others ended up seeing record visitation over the Easter long weekend.<\/p>\n

Plenty of people did enjoy their Easter break, including at Tom Ward’s vineyard at Orange in New South Wales.<\/p>\n

Mr Ward said his business, Swinging Bridge, had its busiest-ever Easter period with a 19 per cent increase in sales, while visitation was up 10 per cent.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Tom Ward says his winery had its busiest Easter period. (ABC News: Lani Oataway)<\/p>\n

“We saw as many people over the Easter weekend as we saw over the whole of February,” Mr Ward said.<\/p>\n

“The vibrancy in the region over that four days was unbelievable, town was humming, cellar doors were humming.”<\/p>\n

Mr Ward said there were bookings that had been made in the lead up to Easter cancelled due to concerns over fuel and a Great Western Highway closure.<\/p>\n

However, those were quickly replaced by others from Sydney and Canberra keen to make the trip and spend money.<\/p>\n

“They were more concerned about us, we actually saw people were more empathetic and looking to spend potentially more,” Mr Ward said.<\/p>\n

“We are just hoping that, looking forward, that doesn’t change as these cost-of-living pressures start to hurt.”<\/p>\n

Loading…<\/p>\n

In northern NSW, travellers flocked to Byron Bay<\/a>, despite the cancellation of Bluesfest<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Brendon Keys travelled from New Zealand to attend the event and said the fuel crisis “hasn’t made too much difference” as he had been planning the trip for months.<\/p>\n

“It’s pumping, there are people everywhere,” he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Coffs Harbour restaurateur Marcus Blackwell reported typical Easter trading figures.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Marcus Blackwell says business was constant. (ABC News: Claire Simmonds)<\/p>\n

But Mr Blackwell said he was more concerned about the rest of the school holidays.<\/p>\n

“What’s going to be interesting is whether the people stay around for two weeks, or whether the numbers slowly dwindle away,” he said.<\/p>\n

Decline in the capital\"A<\/p>\n

The National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra experienced a decrease in visitor numbers over Easter. (ABC News: Adam Kennedy)<\/p>\n

In Canberra, the National Zoo and Aquarium experienced a 10 per cent dip in their typical Easter visitation.<\/p>\n

“We believe it has aligned to the increase in fuel prices, hikes in interest rates, and just that uncertainty of the economy,” director Renee Nasserpour said.<\/p>\n

“Cost of living does impact people spending money on things like leisure, coming to the zoo as a family day out \u2014 they’re more likely to look at their essential needs and essential items.”<\/p>\n

Ms Nasserpour said the downward trend started when petrol prices reached their peak.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Renee Nasserpour attributes a drop in visitor numbers to the fuel crisis. (ABC News: Adam Kennedy)<\/p>\n

“We’ve definitely seen in the last two weeks a decrease in our visitor numbers, a decrease in visitor spend, and also a decrease in the number of bookings people are making at Jamala [Wildlife Lodge],” she said.<\/p>\n

“It’s a huge impact on an organisation like ours.”<\/p>\n

She said increasing freight costs, especially for transporting animal food, were also taking a toll.<\/p>\n

A ‘typical holiday weekend’ for some<\/p>\n

Despite its relative isolation, Tasmania was largely unaffected by a dip in tourism numbers, according to the state’s peak tourism body.<\/p>\n

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Amy Hills said, anecdotally, most businesses reported a typical holiday weekend.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Amy Hills says looming fuel shortages make the next few months uncertain. (ABC News: Jessica Moran)<\/p>\n

But Ms Hills said it was the fuel uncertainty in the coming months that had the sector most worried.<\/p>\n

“Operators cannot plan or invest when they don’t know what their costs will look like, whether their guests can afford to travel, or whether supply chains will hold up,” Ms Hills said.<\/p>\n

Luke Ollington, from the Farm Shed East Coast Wine Centre in Bicheno, said he was surprised after bracing for a decline in visitation.<\/p>\n

“We hoped we would do the same as usual, but in terms of yesterday’s trade and Saturday’s, we ended up doing better figures overall,” Mr Ollington said.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Hamish Thompson says he was surprised by how many people stopped for coffee. (ABC News: Sarah Abbott)<\/p>\n

It was a similar story further inland for the Flying Saucer Cafe in Fingal, which experienced a “personal best”, according to owner Hamish Thompson.<\/p>\n

“Yesterday, compared to last year, it was double \u2014 I really, really did not expect that,” Mr Thompson said.<\/p>\n

“A lot of people passing through, a lot of people from the mainland, a lot of people from overseas.”<\/p>\n

In the north-west, the Table Cape Tulip Farm offered events aimed at families and children, including Easter egg hunts and live music.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Tulip farmer Dave Roberts-Thomson in north-west Tasmania. (ABC News: Mackenzie Heard)<\/p>\n

“I think pitching at that affordable end worked out well for us over the Easter break,” owner David Roberts-Thomson said.<\/p>\n

“We’ve sort of pitched this offering at both locals and tourists, and it’s really softened the blow for us \u2014 we’ve been pretty fortunate, actually.”<\/p>\n

\"Four<\/p>\n

Table Cape Tulip Farm offered family activities. (ABC News: Mackenzie Heard)<\/p>\n

Future outlook leaves sector concerned<\/p>\n

Tourism operators on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, about an hour’s drive south-east of Melbourne, said they had experienced “pretty solid” visitor numbers to the popular holiday spot over the Easter long weekend.<\/p>\n

But the region’s tourism body said it remained unsure if the numbers would translate into healthy sales and profits.<\/p>\n

Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism chief executive, Angela Cleland, said it was difficult to compare numbers with last year, when many visitors had capitalised on an extra-long break due to consecutive Easter and Anzac Day long weekends.<\/p>\n

Track the latest petrol and diesel prices around Australia<\/a><\/p>\n

See what’s happening with petrol and diesel prices near you, updated constantly.<\/p>\n

“Anecdotally, last weekend we saw pretty solid numbers of visitation, the roads were busy and our events had exceptional visitation to them,” Ms Cleland said.<\/p>\n

“What we don’t know is whether that translated into spend, and into an economic benefit for the region.”<\/p>\n

She said operators were concerned about the impact that dampened consumer confidence could have on forward bookings if the war dragged on.<\/p>\n

“Our outlook for the next three months is lighter than it was last year,” Ms Cleland said.<\/p>\n

“We have no public transport links down here, so we are reliant on people driving,” Ms Cleland said.<\/p>\n

But in more remote locations, like Dargo in Victoria’s east, it was a different story.<\/p>\n

\"Dargo<\/p>\n

The Dargo General Store in Gippsland, Victoria, recorded fewer visitors than usual this Easter. (Supplied)<\/p>\n

Dargo General Store owner Grant Shields said this Easter there were fewer holiday-makers in the tourist town, a popular entry point to the Alpine National Park.<\/p>\n

“I think in total we’re probably down 20 per cent or so from previous years, and I’m taking that it’s because of the fuel prices,” he said.<\/p>\n

“It’s probably one of the cheapest holidays that people can have because there’s a lot of free camping up here,” Mr Grant said.<\/p>\n

“It’s just the fuel cost to get here.”<\/p>\n

Motorists hit the road despite costs<\/p>\n

Jade Hewitson, who visited Port Moorowie, on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula, said her petrol cost has almost doubled.<\/p>\n

“Because [my car has] such a small engine, it doesn’t affect me, but it is still quite expensive,” Ms Hewitson said.<\/p>\n

Outback tourist pub had two visitors this Easter amid fuel price pinch<\/a><\/p>\n

Just two tourists have stopped at the iconic Pink Roadhouse during the Easter weekend, as travellers reconsidered their Easter weekend plans due to rising fuel costs.<\/p>\n

“In Yorketown, which is our closest, fuel is $2.80 for unleaded.<\/p>\n

“I used to pay $50 for a whole tank, and now I’m paying $90.”<\/p>\n

Adelaide resident Dustin Willis said his family’s trip to Port Vincent, about a 200-kilometre drive, cost an extra $70 in fuel, but he was undeterred.<\/p>\n

“We’d already committed to it, and it’s something that as a family we didn’t want to miss out on, so we did it regardless,” Mr Willis said.<\/p>\n

Steve Potts, who stopped at a Port Wakefield petrol station in his caravan on his way to Marion Bay, said he hoped fuel prices would drop, but he was “not optimistic” about it.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Steve Potts travelled to Marion Bay and stopped to fill up at a Port Wakefield service station. (ABC News)<\/p>\n

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