With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East driving volatile fuel prices and supply concerns, motorists aren’t the only ones feeling the pinch at the bowser. Australia’s marine tourism sector is appealing to both the federal and Queensland government for financial support amid the fuel crisis. Gareth Phillips, chief executive of the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO) said in a recent interview with ABC News, that tourism operators in the Great Barrier Reef regions such as Cairns, Port Douglas and the Whitsundays are scaling back their services by 20 to 30 percent, and cutting staff hours because they can’t afford to run their boats.

“During COVID there was certainty and there was support,” he said. “Right now, it’s the uncertainty around fuel pricing and availability that’s alarming.”

While commercial operators may have felt the initial impact, the same pressures are filtering down to everyday boat owners, with rising fuel costs beginning to impact how often they head out, and how much it costs every time they do. Fuel considerations are also becoming more complex for boat owners, with ethanol-blended fuel such as E10 generally not recommended for many marine engines, adding further pressures around the availability and suitability of fuel types at marinas.

Purchasing preferences shifting

Exhibitors at the recent Sanctuary Cove Boat Show on the Gold Coast noted that there has been a distinct shift in attendees’ priorities when it comes to purchasing a luxury vessel. Whereas fuel efficiency was rarely top of mind previously, this year, buyers are now weighing ongoing running costs alongside purchase price, particularly for larger boats powered by marine diesel engines.

As purchasing preferences continue to shift, there is a growing interest in more versatile and practical styles of boating. Buyers are increasingly turning to vessels that offer a balance of comfort, ease of use and suitability for relaxed recreational trips on local waterways, rather than long-distance or high-performance use. Smaller and mid-size cruisers, catamarans, pontoon and tritoon pontoon boats are among those attracting attention as boaters reassess how they spend their time on the water. 

People in the boating industry say this is all part of a wider change in how people are approaching boating. While interest in boating is still strong, many are being more mindful of how often they go out and how much it costs them overall. For now, the Gold Coast and surrounding waterways remain busy, but cost of living pressures and the ongoing fuel uncertainty are influencing how people are using their boats.