‘Smashed by suppliers’: Servo on pristine tourist destination explains ‘reality’ of fuel crisis after prices soar to $4.25-a-litre

The owner of a remote petrol station that charges more than $4 a litre for diesel has defended the steep pricing in an impassioned social media post, explaining they are getting “smashed by suppliers”. Orchid Beach Trading Post and Driftwood Bar, which is one of the only petrol stations on Queensland’s K’gari (formerly Fraser Island), was singled out on Instagram by 4WD influencer Matthew Baker for having “the worst fuel price in Australia”. “What's the worst fuel price in Australia? I am going to throw a bid in,” Mr Baker said. “$4.25 Orchid Beach … can you beat it? “That's pretty thick I’m not going to lie, its one of the best I have ever seen.” Mr Baker is the founder of The Explore Life, which has more than 313k followers on Instagram. The video triggered intense social media backlash, prompting the station’s co-owner Nicky to issue a statement on Facebook saying the pricing is the “reality” for independent traders. “I hear the comments about fuel, and I genuinely get it — no one likes high prices, including me,” she wrote on the social media platform. “A small, independent servo in a remote location, running completely off-grid on generator power …. who can’t even get confirmed delivery dates or pricing beforehand — that’s just the reality of getting fuel up here. “I’ve done everything I can to keep my margin at a fair level, but we’re getting absolutely smashed by suppliers. “Delivery for free that used to be included to my shed at Rainbow simply isn’t anymore — and those costs add up fast.” Nicky explained the servo does not have big storage tanks capable of holding large fuel reserves. “I am absolutely not here to take advantage of anyone — just focused doing my absolute best to keep a service running in a pretty tough environment.” She advised everyone travelling to the island to bring fuel before leaving the mainland. Mr Baker responded to the social media frenzy he triggered in a comment under the his original video, pointing the finger at the government for the soaring prices. “I blame the government for crazy fuel prices and in no way was this shaming or a dig at the pub. “Credit to them for getting all supplies up here (at the moment) with the current fuel situation. “I you are able to support remote small business (at the moment it) is an absolute must!”