Fuel Crisis Halts Australian Easter Travel as Prices Soar and Supply Fears Mount
The energy shock stemming from the war in the Middle East, along with skyrocketing prices for petrol and diesel and fuel shortages in certain areas, has dramatically upended travel plans for Australians. This disruption is particularly acute during the Easter school holidays, traditionally one of the busiest periods for domestic travel in the country.
Retirees and Families Shelve Plans Amid Rising Costs
Jan and Earl Robinson, retirees from Charters Towers in rural Queensland, have been caravanning and camping for nearly two decades. However, they have indefinitely postponed their next adventure, originally scheduled for just six weeks away, after the cost of filling their Ford Everest 4WD surged by 65% in a few weeks. "In our opinion, caravanning is a real luxury. We just don't feel it's warranted at the moment," says Jan, 71. They expressed concerns about finding enough diesel on the road and not wanting to take fuel that could be used by farmers or other essential services.
Similarly, Belinda Morgan, a Sydney mother of two, has abandoned her family's Easter holiday plans, opting to stay home in Bondi. "It's not the cost so much. It feels quite wasteful to be making decisions about going on trips that kind of feel like you could avoid it," she explains. Morgan is worried about long-term fuel availability and aims to drive as little as possible, citing ongoing tensions with Iran.
Regional Tourism Braces for Impact
Regional tourism is expected to take a significant hit despite reassurances from industry bodies. The Australian Tourism Industry Council (Atic) anticipates 1.3 million additional visitors to regional Australia in April compared to March, with 86% driving themselves, equating to an extra 600,000 cars on the road. Atic has urged the federal government to prioritise fuel distribution to regional drive routes and tourism destinations over Easter.
Erin McLeod, chief executive of Atic, states, "We understand the sensitivities, but we believe strongly that the Easter period particularly will still have appropriate fuel levels for people to be able to continue with their plans." However, James Goodwin, CEO of Accommodation Australia, notes a softening of demand, calling the Easter holidays the "first real test" of how the tourism sector withstands the war's effects on aviation capacity and fuel confidence.
Price Surges and Supply Shortages Worsen
Petrol prices have surged to approximately 250 cents per litre, with diesel around 300 cents per litre, up from 180 cents at the start of March, following military actions involving the US and Israel in Iran. Independent fuel distributors, who supply much of regional Australia, are struggling to secure enough supply from major importers, leading to hundreds of service stations running out of at least one type of fuel.
Some travellers are adjusting rather than cancelling. Lloyd Tarrant, a young father from Melbourne, plans to proceed with a road trip to Bawley Point on the New South Wales south coast but has mapped out fuel stops in advance. "I think, realistically, we'll be fine," he says, detailing a strategy to refuel in Canberra. Tourism agencies are promoting fuel-saving options, such as public transport to high country towns.
Long-Term Concerns and Cancellations
Wayne and Martine Eames from Nagambie, Victoria, have cancelled a June holiday along the remote Canning stock route in Western Australia due to fears over fuel availability on the 1,800-kilometre track with only one fuel stop. Wayne laments, "It's a $170,000 outlay for the truck and the camper, and here it is sitting idle in my driveway." Goodwin adds that if the war continues, the winter holiday period could face even greater challenges.
Overall, the combination of geopolitical tensions, economic pressures, and logistical issues is reshaping travel behaviour across Australia, with many opting for caution over adventure this Easter season.
