Disclaimer
The operator Charter North Pty Ltd and its employees and agents accept no responsibilities, nor is the operator liable for any act of omission whatsoever (whether inside or outside their control or by neglect or otherwise) for any booking, contract, travel, accommodation or tours which may result in any loss, damage, accident, detention, diversion or theft in regard to luggage or personal belongings, and will be exempt from liability in respect of direct or indirect or consequential loss or damage, death, injury, sickness, irregularity, delay liability and additional expenses, or inconvenience or any other event beyond its control including but not limited to accident or failure to machinery or equipment, accommodation, transportation or other services, or any acts of God, natural disasters, dangers incident to the outback, fire, acts of government, acts of war or other authorities, delays, strikes or cancellation of itinerary or schedule changes whatsoever, howsoever by whosoever caused.
Booking Conditions
Upon the booking of a tour and payment of the deposit, the client agrees to these terms and conditions: A minimum deposit of 30% of the tour cost must be paid upon booking to secure any tour dates. Until a deposit is received, tour dates remain open for other bookings. Deposit payments should be made within 48 hours of booking unless otherwise agreed upon. The balance of the tour cost must be paid no later than 90 days prior to departure of the tour. If the above payment terms are not met, the client risks forfeiting their tour booking. Charter North Pty Ltd reserves the right to cancel the client’s booking in accordance with the following cancellation procedure if the above terms and conditions are not met. All tour bookings will be confirmed once full payment is received. A tax statement will be raised and forwarded as confirmation of such booking.
COVID 19 exemption & risk management
Should any COVID 19 related travel restrictions imposed by any Australian Government be in place within 72 hours prior to a tour departure, clients can choose to reschedule their tour at no added cost, or accept a travel credit to the value of their tour for future use (no expiry). Travel restrictions include border closures, hotspot declarations and lengthy quarantine or home isolation requirements at either end of the journey. This exemption only applies if the state or Territory a client is travelling from and to are affected, meaning the client has to be directly affected.
The above COVID 19 related terms and conditions have been developed with assistance from, and in accordance with current ACCC guidelines.
As a COVID safe accredited business, we require our tour guests and guides to wear masks while travelling in our tour vehicles. We also recommend wearing a mask in indoor settings or busy and/ or confined outdoor areas, such as visitor centres, cultural centres, shops, boat cruises etc.
Please be advised that, should a passenger test positive for COVID 19 immediately prior to a tour departure or while on tour, we are unable to proceed with the tour. This is in line with official current health advice and is necessary to ensure the safety of all passengers, guides and local communities. At Charter North, we are committed to reducing the risk of COVID 19 spreading, particularly among vulnerable groups. Please ensure that your travel insurance covers you for illness.
Cancelations
The destinations visited on all Charter North Tours require advanced planning and the majority of tour bookings occur twelve to six months in advance of the tour departure date. Therefore, if a tour is cancelled by a traveller within six months or less of the tour departure date, Charter North is unlikely to resell those tour dates, resulting in a loss of income. Accordingly, upon tour cancellation, the following fees apply: A cancellation/ admin fee of 50% of your tour deposit will apply to any tour cancellation unless otherwise agreed upon. For cancellations within 150-120 days prior to tour departure, your deposit will be forfeited. A cancellation fee equivalent to 50% of the total tour cost applies to cancellations within 120 – 91 days prior to the tour departure date. For cancellations within 90 days or less of the tour departure date, 100% of the tour cost will be forfeited. Any monies retained by Charter North are to cover admin fees, loss of income and resources already committed to a tour. Exceptions might be made if tour dates are resold or under certain circumstances at Charter North’s discretion. Add on tour components such as accommodation, scenic flights etc. may be refundable depending on the provider’s cancellation terms. An invoice will be issued accordingly. No refund will be issued upon failure to join the tour (no show) or if a choice is made to depart the tour before the scheduled completion of the tour.
Travel insurance
We strongly advise purchasing comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking your tour. Travel insurance should cover against illness, accidents, injury, loss or damage to personal belongings or baggage, inability to travel on the confirmed departure date, medical expenses and tour cancellation. Insurance should also cover unforeseen circumstances such as natural events, disasters, terrorism etc.
Children
Children under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult; Charter North Tours are suitable for all age groups. However, suitability for children under six years of age should be discussed with the company upon booking.
General Exclusion of Liability
Whilst Charter North will take all reasonable steps to provide a safe and enjoyable experience, the company accepts no liability for any loss or personal injury. All Charter North tour guests accept that tours include activities such as hiking and swimming and that all guests participate at their own risk. The company’s insurance provider does not cover liability in respect of personal injury to any person where such personal injury occurs directly or indirectly out of, or caused by, or in connection with any adventure activity.
Some tours will include optional tour activities, e.g. helicopter flights and boat cruises which are not under the management or control of Charter North. Whilst all reasonable care is taken in selecting the respective operators, Charter North cannot accept responsibility for outside operators’ conduct, or the conduct of or any resulting consequences of their respective employees.
Charter North will provide appropriate care of, but takes no responsibility for the loss or damage to personal belongings or baggage.
Itinerary Conditions
Charter North reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule a tour if group numbers are insufficient. A minimum of four passengers is necessary to confirm mixed group departures. Any financial reimbursement entitlements under these circumstances will be administered accordingly. As unexpected mechanical breakdowns or the uncertainties of weather and road conditions or other factors out of Charter North’s control, the company reserves the right to alter the route or itinerary of any of its tours. If program delays are experienced through difficult road conditions, mechanical failures or other unforeseen circumstances, consultation may occur with participants to determine if the tour should continue as planned or alternatively be altered or shortened to suit the group under such circumstances. No refunds will be given in these circumstances. In the case of a serious breakdown which prevents the tour from continuing, Charter North will make every attempt to make arrangements with another reputable tour operator to complete the tour on its behalf. Should such arrangements not be possible Charter North will arrange for transport to the nearest major town and after deducting the cost of such transport, refund the tour cost on a pro-rata basis. Any costs incurred by a client as a result of a delay on any tour, including failure to make connections with any other service, are the responsibility of the client and should be covered through appropriate travel insurance. If in the event of extreme conditions such as flooding, acts of nature etc being encountered, and in the interests of client safety the tour is abandoned, an alternative date and/or destination may be offered. A refund under these circumstances and the amount will be at the discretion of Charter North.
Charter North requires all clients to follow tour guidelines and protocols while reserving the right to discuss with, and if needed, disembark at the nearest available and safe opportunity, any client who acts in a manner that is either disrespectful to or endangers others or themselves through disruptive or abusive behaviour. There will be no refund entitlements under these circumstances.
Health & Fitness
All travellers booking with Charter North Pty Ltd are required to complete a tour booking form before joining any tour. It is the tour guests’ responsibility to complete this form honestly and comprehensively and to disclose any health issues, recent injuries and medication etc. to the company. Charter North understand privacy concerns and this information will not be used for any purpose other than ensuring the traveller’s suitability for a given tour. Unless otherwise disclosed or if a booking form is not returned, the company will assume that all passengers are in good health. Charter North Pty Ltd is not liable for any injury, illness, or loss of enjoyment which could have been reasonably prevented had the company been made aware of an existing condition or questionable fitness for a given tour and been provided an opportunity to review the case. Should the circumstances change for any passenger at any stage prior to departure, it is the tour guest’s responsibility to advise Charter North accordingly. Charter North will not be responsible for any costs associated with cancellation penalties or the return of passengers from a tour due to a pre-existing condition/ unfitness for a tour, and a refund for lost touring cannot be claimed. Again, comprehensive Travel Insurance is strongly recommended to cover loss of deposits, medical emergencies and all cancellation costs in case your health and mobility status should change.
Digital Media
Charter North tour participants agree that any digital media taken on tour, including photography & video, might be used in Charter North’s advertising material such as website, social media, online agent tour listings or print media. Media will be used for this purpose only, not for any other commercial use. Please inform your guide if you have any concerns.
