Fuel shortages in Bali have sparked kilometre-long queues at petrol stations, which has disrupted local businesses and threatened to derail the holiday plans of thousands of Australian tourists.
Motorists have reported waiting in lengthy queues on the Indonesian island, with petrol supplies running low at some service stations and roadside vendors also struggling to keep their bottles stocked.
While fuel costs as little as 90 Australian cents a litre in Bali – less than half the Australian average of $2.46 – supplies at some stations are under pressure.
Among those caught up are Australian expats Chad and Mia Dickson, who moved from Townsville to Bali with their four children in 2024.
A video shared online by the couple showed long queues of cars and motorbikes stretching into the distance.
‘We’ve already been waiting for about 40 minutes now and we are pretty empty,’ Ms Dickson said.
Another tourist told Seven News that his wife waited for several hours early in the morning to fill up at the bowser.
‘This morning, my wife lined up at 4.30am and waited for two-and-a-half hours before finally being able to refuel. It’s crazy,’ he said.
Australian expats Chad and Mia Dickson have documented the lengthy queues at petrol stations across Bali
The shortages have affected daily life across the island, according to Sydney-based travel and food content creator The Travelling Foodie.
‘Over the last few days, stations across Denpasar, Badung and other parts of the island have been running low or completely dry, with some queues stretching for ages,’ said.
He recalled travelling from Seminyak through to Berawa and Canggu without finding a single roadside petrol seller with fuel available.
While Mr Cua hoped that fresh shipments would reach petrol stations soon, he urged visitors to take precautions.
‘But right now it’s definitely affecting daily life here. If you’re in Bali at the moment, keep an eye on your tank and don’t leave it until empty,’ he said.
Community page The Bali Info also issued a warning about the disruptions.
‘Fuel shortages have reportedly hit parts of Bali over the past two days, with long lines of motorbikes seen at petrol stations in Abiansemal, Badung,’ the page said.
Other Australian tourists have taken to social media to share their experiences.
The Aussie expats offered a glimpse into the disruption facing Australian expats and tourists across Bali
The shortages have affected daily life across the island, according to Sydney-based travel and food content creator The Travelling Foodie.
A Bali community page was among those sharing footage of the lengthy queues and warning of the growing disruption
‘Literally leaving Bali right now, in the airport, the lines go for over a kilometre. At all servos,’ one tourist said.
Another added: ‘Just left this morning, this is real, lines of bikes and cars stretching 500m.’
Indonesia’s state-owned energy company has scheduled fuel tankers to arrive in Bali every other day this week to replenish petrol and diesel supplies.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster urged everyone not to panic-buy fuel, insisting supplies are sufficient despite the lengthy queues.
He blamed the disruption on traffic congestion delaying deliveries and a surge in motorists attempting to fill up at the same time.
Fuel deliveries are expected to arrive in Bali every other day this week in a bid to ease the shortages
Fuel shortages in Bali have sparked kilometre-long queues at petrol stations
‘For Bali, I can assure you this will not continue. Things should be back to normal within one or two days,’ he told Indonesian news agency ANTARA.
Bali experienced similar fuel supply problems in late August, when motorists were also left waiting in lengthy queues at petrol stations across the island.
