Papatowai is getting a new 24-hour fuel pump installed for those caught out in the area.
The Papatowai Motels and Store service centre has always had fuel on site, but this will be the first time it has a pump with 24-hour card access.
Installation of the pump began last week and it is expected to be ready next week.
Owner Bryan Bevin said a few tourists had already called in yesterday with only a quarter of a tank of fuel.
However, he had to turn them away as the pump was not ready.
The nearest alternative sources of fuel in the area are Owaka, 30km away, and Tokanui, 50km away.
"There's more tourists coming through, so it's got to be good for them,'' Mr Bevin said.
A few of the residents in the area were glad it was being installed, he said.
He decided to install a 24-hour pump as the previous pumps were getting old, Mr Bevin said.
Monitored by McKeown Petroleum, the 20,000-litre tank on site was usually refilled once a week.
McKeown Petroleum Otago-Southland business manager Ross Cleland said the new tank would be filled when needed rather than on a routine basis.
Fuel prices would be based on those set for Christchurch, so it would not be any different from anywhere else in the South Island, he said.
The pump will provide 91 octane petrol and diesel.
Customers could still pay in cash during normal shop hours but would only be able to pay using a card once the store closed about 6pm.
