Terms and Conditions

1. Operator

The operator is Nature-Bound Australia ("Operator").

2. Other Providers

Nature-Bound Australia may engage other providers from time to time to fulfil tour requirements ('other providers').

Whilst Nature-Bound Australia will not accept responsibility for any loss as a result of any act or omission of other providers, it will give you reasonable assistance in helping to resolve any reasonable dispute that may arise with other providers.

3. Liability

Except as provided in the provisions of the Australian Trade Practices Act 1974, you will release Nature-Bound Australia, its servants, agents or representatives as a result of participating in any tour of any liability for injury, death, damage, monetary loss or loss of property.

4. Prices



General

• Prices are in Australian Dollars.
• Prices are per person prices based on a minimum of two persons sharing a room, cabin or tent, unless otherwise stated. Occasionally, on some tours in remote areas, three or four persons may be required to share facilities.
• If single occupancy is required and provided on a tour, single travellers may have to pay a single supplement. The amount will be advised to you at the time of booking, unless outlined on the website.
• All tours and pricing are subject to a minimum number of participants - usually 8 people. If the minimum number is not achieved then the tour may still proceed with an agreed surcharge.
• Prices may be subject to change. Nature-Bound Australia will give you reasonable notice of any price change.

Included:

• accommodation and meals
• all National Park fees
• pre-departure information
• ground transportation during tours and transfers to and from group connecting flights
• additional tours by other providers as indicated in the itinerary
• services of guide and driver; and
• Australian Goods and Services Tax

Excluded:

• air transportation and related fees, taxes and transfers to and from the tour
• passport and visa expenses
• travel accident/baggage/cancellation insurance
• food and beverage not included in the itinerary
• single room surcharges
• optional tours and activities
• personal medical or accident evacuation costs
• your personal expenses

Special tour packages

Nature-Bound Australia may from time to time offer set packages for participation in a specific tour which may involve a variation to the standard tour inclusions and exclusions as listed above and / or feature special pre and / or post tour flight and ground arrangements.  Special conditions may apply to these packages and the persons purchasing the package will be bound by these conditions.

5. Age of Participants

• If a child under the legal age (18 years) attends the tour, the parent/guardian takes full responsibility for the child.
• The parent/guardian agrees to these conditions on the child's behalf.
• For safety reasons Nature-Bound Australia may not consent to a child under 14 years attending a tour.
• Nature-Bound Australia may in its absolute discretion deem a particular tour not suitable for children.

6. Sharing



If you are travelling alone, it may be necessary for you to share accommodation with another participant in the event of single rooms/tents not being available. Best possible private and share facilities will be provided throughout the tour.

7. Booking Procedure/Checklist

 Steps

• Email or call Nature-Bound Australia to check availability of positions on the tour
• Follow the Enquiry and Reservation procedures contained in the website
• Nature-Bound Australia will send you a confirmation letter together with tour pre-departure information on receipt of the reservation advice and when the deposit has been paid
• The deposit for each participant in each tour will be 10% of the tour price in Australian Dollars per person or as otherwise advertised
• A reservation will lapse after 14 days if a deposit has not been received
• Nature-Bound Australia may at its discretion request a progress payment on a specific tour.
• Final payment is due no later than ninety (90) days prior to departure to enable firm bookings with suppliers to be completed
• Final documents will be sent to you approximately thirty (30) days prior to the commencement of the tour.

General

• Deposit payments can be made by credit card via the website or telegraphic bank transfer and will be payable to the full Australian dollar value.
• Full and final payments will be by telegraphic bank transfer. Commencement of tour participation is subject to cleared funds being in Nature-Bound Australia's bank account.
• Your payments will be held in a tour trust account until required for payment of tour costs.
• Nature-Bound Australia can cancel a booking if final payment has not been made by the time specified. The cancellation fees in Clause 8 apply to such a cancellation.

8. Cancellation by You (Fees)

Period of Cancellation and Fee:

• 90 days or more prior to departure: 50% of the deposit
• 60 to 89 days prior to departure: 100% of the deposit
• 59 to 31 days prior to departure: 50% of tour price
• 30 to 0 days prior to departure: 100% of tour price unless Nature-Bound Australia can resell your place in the tour in which case 50% of the tour price.

General

• Cancellations must be in writing
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance is recommended
• Cancellation fees are to be paid within 14 days of cancellation.
• If you have paid a deposit, Nature-Bound Australia will deduct the cancellation fee from the deposit and refund you the remainder.
• No refund will be made if you leave a tour.
• If you transfer from one tour to another, normal cancellation and new reservation terms and conditions will apply.
• Any payments made via the internet are your responsibility. You will release and indemnify the operator against any losses you may suffer.

9. Cancellation by Operator

• Nature-Bound Australia reserves the right to cancel a tour without assigning any reason for that cancellation.
• Nature-Bound Australia will give you reasonable notice of cancellation and will give you a full refund of monies paid by you.
• You will not make a claim against Nature-Bound Australia for any other loss suffered by you due to a cancellation.

10. Insurance

Nature-Bound Australia requires that you take out comprehensive Travel Insurance. Personal accident insurance is recommended.

11. Variations to Tour

• Nature-Bound Australia reserves the right to modify and change a tour itinerary due but not limited to changes in accommodation or other supplier arrangements, weather or other operational conditions (road conditions, mechanical break downs, strikes, government regulations, illness or accidents of customers or tour guides, National Park management directives.)
• No refunds will be made in respect of these changes.
• While Nature-Bound Australia may accept late bookings, it cannot necessarily guarantee it is able to provide transport and accommodation to the standard normally expected of the tour.
• You will not make a claim against Nature-Bound Australia for any loss suffered by the modification and change.
• You may leave the tour at any time by giving notice to the tour leader. You will not be entitled to a refund and Nature-Bound Australia will not be liable for any loss or damage you incur as a consequence of you leaving the tour.

12. Health

• To participate in a tour you must be in good health. Persons over 70 years of age should seek medical consultation in this regard.
• At the time of making the booking you must inform Nature-Bound Australia of medical needs you may require for the Tour.
• Nature-Bound Australia may request medical evidence from you and in its absolute discretion may decline your participation in the tour due to poor health.
• Non-smoking disciplines will apply to all tours to enhance the health and comfort of all participants as well as an environmental safeguard.

13. Authority

• You agree to obey and comply with all rules and/or directions made or given by Nature-Bound Australia, its agents, representatives and other service providers, in connection with the tour.
• You will not act in a way that could endanger the welfare, enjoyment or safety of other participants in the tour or yourself.
• Your participation in the tour is conditional on your compliance with Nature-Bound Australia's Travel Ethic (a copy of which may be viewed on this web site) and you upholding the ideals, values and practices of responsible travel, in that you will endeavour to avoid or minimise any negative impact by you on the environments, the wildlife and communities we visit, while using the tour to be personally informed, to contribute to the well being of local people, businesses and communities.
• If you fail to comply with Nature-Bound Australia's rules and/or directions, you may not be permitted to continue in the tour, and no refund will be given.
• Nature-Bound Australia is not liable for any loss or damage you incur as a consequence of not being permitted to continue the tour.

14. Use of Photographic, Digital and Movie style Images and Testimonials for Promotion

You agree to allow the following to be used by Nature-Bound Australia for marketing and promotional purposes:

• Images of yourself taken during a tour, for print and electronic use; and
• Testimonial feedback written by you.

15. Acknowledgement

By participating in a tour you agree to be compliant with, bound by and supportive of the promoted travel ethic of Nature-Bound Australia, in the best interests of the environment and all who wish to share it.

16. Complaints 

Procedure

• If you have a complaint you must inform the tour leader first.

• If your complaint is not able to be resolved through the tour leader, your complaint must be in writing and forwarded to Nature-Bound Australia within 30 days of the end of the tour.

• Nature-Bound Australia will reply to you within 30 days of receiving your complaint.

17. Variation and Severability

Variation:

Nature-Bound Australia reserves the right to change these terms and conditions without prior written notice at any time, at its sole discretion.
Any attempt by you to modify, supplement or change these terms and conditions will be null and void unless agreed to in writing by Nature-Bound Australia.

Severability:

If a Court finds part(s) of this agreement invalid those parts shall be severed.

The remaining parts will remain binding between you and Nature-Bound Australia.

18. Acceptance of Risk

• You acknowledge that you have read and understand fully the nature of the tour, you understand and accept the inherent risks associated with adventure travel, physical exertion, sudden changes in weather extremes, exposure to varying types of hazards, remoteness from normal medical services and evacuation difficulties.

• You accept any responsibility for injury, loss, death or damage incurred or caused by you during the tour.

• You may be advised during the tour of dangerous activities not acceptable to Nature-Bound Australia. You will be solely responsible for injury, death or damage, suffered as a result of a dangerous activity.
• In the event of injury or illness, you agree Nature-Bound Australia can, at your cost, arrange medical treatment or emergency evacuation considered necessary and essential to your safety and well being.

19. Tour Guides and Drivers

• While Nature-Bound Australia seeks to engage experienced guides and drivers for the tour they may also be engaged as independent contractors.
• Nature-Bound Australia is not responsible for their actions, skills or capacity to deal with issues or events relating to safety or participants during the tour and they have no legal authority to incur liabilities on Nature-Bound Australia's behalf without its express permission.
• They will be mindful of each tour participant's welfare, but they cannot ensure your personal safety and you must therefore exercise due care for your own well being.

20. Application

• You acknowledge that you have read these Terms and Conditions, the Privacy Policy, Copyright and Disclaimer provisions of Nature-Bound Australia.
• By making a reservation or booking with Nature-Bound Australia you have agreed to be bound by these Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, Copyright and Disclaimer provisions, even if the pages outlining the Terms and Conditions are not signed by you.
• Where additional conditions apply to the purchase of a special tour package, including advised variations to the tour inclusions and exclusions, additional pre or post tour ground and air services, including special conditions applying to the purchase and issue of airline ticketing, then you acknowledge and agree to be bound by these special conditions as if they form part of the general Terms and Conditions applying to all Nature-Bound Australia's tours.
• You may be required to sign a copy of these Terms and Conditions before participating in the tour, acknowledging your acceptance of the terms and conditions.

For convenience you can download these Terms and Conditions from this website, complete and return to Nature Bound Australia, PO Box 1209, New Farm Qld 4005 Australia or Fax +61 7 3254 1977.

Privacy Policy

• Nature-Bound Australia respects personal information provided by you.
• Nature-Bound Australia will let you know if personal information is collected from you.
• Nature-Bound Australia will not share information collected from you without your consent.

Information may be collected from you

When you

• deal with Nature-Bound Australia over the telephone
• 
send Nature-Bound Australia correspondence (eg letter, fax or email)
• 
visit Nature-Bound Australia's website
• 
deal directly with Nature-Bound Australia in person

• Indirectly from a third party (eg travel agent, market research agency employed by us)

Nature-Bound Australia may use personal information

To:

• Process your information request,
• Process your travel arrangements,
• Update you of upcoming special offers to destinations of interest to you,
• Conduct marketing and market research related activities
• Disclosure to Third Parties
• Nature-Bound Australia can,
• Disclose your personal information to a third party if a particular function of the tour is not performed by Nature-Bound Australia; or
• If it is required to do so by law

Accessing, Updating, Deleting your personal details

You can:

Access, update and delete your personal details via an email, facsimile or letter to Nature-Bound Australia

Security steps taken by Nature-Bound Australia to protect your personal information

The steps taken to protect personal information are:

• Firewalls, pass worded access and encryption software; and
• Any upgraded or improvements in software or technology available from time to time

Changes to Nature-Bound Australia's privacy statement:

• The privacy statement is available on Nature-Bound Australia's website.
• Nature-Bound Australia can amend/modify the privacy statement at its sole discretion.

Online privacy

• When visiting Nature-Bound Australia's website you do not have to reveal any personal information.
• When you register for tours, however, Nature-Bound Australia will acquire information from you, which will include but is not limited to your name,
 home or business address and e-mail address.
• Nature-Bound Australia will advise you before collecting information from you on the website.

How to unsubscribe from the Operator's newsletters

• You will not receive any further emails and Newsletters from Nature-Bound Australia once you unsubscribe.
• You can unsubscribe by activating the unsubscribe link embedded into the email; or
 sending an email to Nature-Bound Australia to this effect ( you should send your email from the email address to which your correspondence is sent).

Copyright

• You can electronically copy and print in hard copy parts of this site for navigation on the site, or
 using it as a personal source.
• You are prohibited in using the material on this site for any purpose other than those noted above, without the prior written consent of Nature-Bound Australia. If you do so you are in breach of copyright laws and Nature-Bound Australia reserves its rights in this regard.
• All images are subject to copyright and the ownership of John Thompson and may not be copied or duplicated and used for any means without prior written consent.

Disclaimer

Site Content

• You accept this Disclaimer by visiting this website.
• This site offers general content about Nature-Bound Australia's tours and operations.
• Nature-Bound Australia will at all times make reasonable efforts to place accurate, current content on this site.

• The content, however,
 is not meant to constitute provision of professional services or advice by Nature-Bound Australia
- is provided without any warranties by Nature-Bound Australia (expressed or implied).
• Further, Nature-Bound Australia does not warrant that the functions contained in this site or its content will be uninterrupted or error-free; or
 that defects will be corrected; or
 that the site or its server are free of viruses or other harmful components.
• Nature-Bound Australia will not be liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in the site content.

Links to other websites

• There may be links to other sites on this website
• There is no endorsement by Nature-Bound Australia of the contents of other websites
• You will be responsible for the use and activation of information, material, products and services contained on other websites.

Our Travel Ethic

Our journeys will take you into wonderful wild places which, although diverse in character and appeal, contain sensitive environments, pristine habitats and the preserve of wildlife, heritage and culture. They also provide the soul and inspiration for generations to follow.

In essence you will be visiting places universally acknowledged as jewels in the global and national assets, carefully managed by informed authorities, individual and collective, in the face of increasing pressure and impact from mankind itself.

Though we are all humble students in the natural world, we acknowledge the wonders and needs of all life forms which depend on our committed understanding and care. We support those individuals and organizations around the world (and locally) who are leading the way in sensitive and sustainable best environmental practices. We seek your co-operation in ensuring each of our journeys meet the requirements and conditions of permitted access and the ethical travel standards we uphold.

• We will comply with the requirements of those entrusted with the management of the National Parks and World Heritage Listed Areas we visit.
• We will stay on and not stray from formed or designated walking trails. Where permits allow our passage across country not accessed by trails we will take the path of least impact on the environment visited.
• Our vehicles will travel only on designated roads and tracks.
• All species of fauna and flora will be left in place to exist and grow as nature intended.
• We will remain at a responsible distance (of at least 30 metres) from animals and bird life which have gathered for breeding, feeding or rest. We will retreat if necessary and in any case avoid placing them under any extraordinary stress by surrounding them, inhibiting their means of access or path to escape, feeding or relentlessly following them, causing separation between parents and young, disturbing nests, protective foliage or camouflage, causing undue noise or invasion.
• In the interests of sustainable environments and nature based tourism, we will encourage and support, where appropriate and feasible, local services having a compatible ethic to our own.
• We will not foul waters or leave rubbish or litter in the fragile areas we visit so ensuring all wastes are contained and carried clear of the area for thoughtful disposal in facilities provided and managed by neighbouring communities.
• We will utilise toilet facilities provided and if urgency prevails bury human waste to a safe depth and at least 100 metres from any water course, or if so decreed by National Parks Authorities we will carry human waste from the Park for thoughtful disposal, eg Kosciuszko National Park. Personal washing must be conducted at least 50 metres distant from lakes and streams. Only natural bio-degradable cleaning agents will be used.
• We will avoid lighting open fires or taking wood from the environment for fuel except where park management has elected to provide constructed facilities and resources.
• General no smoking provisions apply to our journeys but in all instances smoking within a National Park or World Heritage Listed Area is discouraged and all cigarette butts must be extinguished and taken out of the park for thoughtful disposal.
• All our journeys must enrich or enhance the environmental awareness of our participants either as a direct contribution from our responsible guides who become the environmental conscience of the group and/or through personal discovery stimulated by the immersion in nature itself. Group members will be encouraged to share their experiences and discoveries spontaneously with their fellow travellers.
• Our travel groups of 10 to 15 will be encouraged to walk the trails at an easy pace (for that is more enjoyable) in smaller random sub- groups providing minimal disturbance to the social envelope of the journey and to maximise the prospect of a close undisturbed and spontaneous relationship with the wildlife frequenting the area. At all times we will share and not impede the enjoyment and experience of other users of the park and trails.
• We will not support or condone the purchase of products or services which serve to diminish or threaten the habitats or species we set out to enjoy. In Australia this specifically relates to Koalas, furs and skins, coral and sea creatures, plants and birds.
• We seek to visit but not invade communities and cultures as we are guests wherever we travel. We visit to experience but not to criticise and we encourage and applaud those who are applying their investment and energy to a better world.
• We encourage all our guests to be well prepared for their journey so as to minimise any undue impact on fellow travellers and community emergency resources.
• Despite any accounts to the contrary, in Australia you will rarely encounter dangerous wildlife though mating seasons in particular are natural periods for alert. If you do not engage in interference and conflict and you stop and wait awhile, the creature is likely to move on.

There are commonsense aspects which will ensure you provide minimum concern to your tour leaders, park management and local communities:
-

• Take direction from your guide or park management at all times
• Be fit and prepare well for your holiday to maximise enjoyment
• With injury and sickness, prevention is better than cure
• Be aware of the causes and prevention of heat exhaustion and hypothermia if visiting extreme environments

• Begin each day by familiarising yourself with the walking activity, the trail, prevailing conditions and precautions

• Leave details of your intentions should you choose an independent activity and check back in on your return.

Wilderness is a scarce and diminishing resource world-wide. It protects a complex variety of life and allows the natural processes of evolution to continue with minimal interference. Wilderness is a storehouse for future genetic discovery and a comparative base for measuring the value of change and interference in other landscapes and land uses. It protects and reminds us of an Aboriginal landscape of immense cultural significance. It embraces the "outback" and "bush" image or identity of Australia.

Online Security

Nature-Bound Australia (www.natureboundaustralia.com) takes reasonable steps to preserve the security of any information you enter into this website.  If your browser is suitably configured, it will indicate whether or not the information you are sending to us is secure (or encrypted), using standard industry strength SSL (Secure Socket Layer) security.  Unfortunately, no data transmission over the internet can be guaranteed as totally secure, therefore Nature-Bound Australia cannot guarantee the security of any information or details that you transmit to us from this web site.

A secure site can be recognised by the padlock icon in your browser, and a web site address that begins with "https" - for example, https://www.natureboundaustralia.com.
Please note that the Nature-Bound Australia web site will only convert to a secured site whenever credit card details (such as card numbers, etc) are collected, as secured pages will normally slow data transmission (due to the number of checks made when a secure connection is established).

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