Online Terms and Conditions

CONNECTIONS

Online Fares, Booking Confirmations & Conditions

A deposit of 25% is required at the time of booking, or full payment if booking is inside 42 days of departure, to secure your reservation.

Where connecting air, rail or boat travel is included, confirm correct fare at time of paying balance. All fares published supersede all prices previously advertised. Stated duration counts day of departure and day of return. CONNECTIONS reserves the right to cancel any ticket or booking or to refuse to carry any passenger where payment has not been received by CONNECTIONS within the specified time. Prices include Australian Government Goods and Services Tax (where applicable).

As per brochure, Connections reserves the right to make changes to itineraries or cancel any trip, including a guaranteed trip, at any time prior to departure, if something beyond the control of Connections deems it necessary including natural disasters, political instability, terrorism, weather, cultural conditions or other external events. It is imperative that pax download the most up to date information from our website just prior to their trip departing.

If Connections cancels a a trip on which you are holding a fully paid booking you may choose between an alternative trip or a full refund. The company is not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking such as visas, vaccinations, or non-refundable flights. If the alternative trip chosen is of a lower value than that originally booked then you are entitled to a refund of the price difference. If the alternative tour chosen is of a higher value then you will pay the difference in price.

Depending on where you're travelling to, the Cancellation Policy differs. Our tours throughout Australia and New Zealand involve the following Policy:

Alternatively if you're taking an Amazing Journey throughout Asia, Africa, Latin Ameria or Fiji, the following Cancellation Policy is applicable:

Please be aware that if you have booked through a third party like a travel agent, their cancellation policy and terms and conditions may differ to our own. Be sure to check their particular terms and conditions, including cancellation policy, as they will apply. Also note that these policies are subject to Connections land content only. Different fees may apply to airline tickets. No refund will be made if you voluntarily leave a trip for any reason, this includes refund of accommodation, transport, sightseeing, meals or services not utilised.

Age/Child Policy

Connections Adventures experiences offer adventure holidays across Australia and New Zealand. Our core tours which operate in Queensland, the Northern Territory and New Zealand are designed for travellers aged between 18 to 39. In practice, this means that travellers under the age if 18 or over the age of 39 cannot travel without prior agreement by our operational staff.

On Connections Safaris and Discovery trips, we have different policies for children depending on where they're travelling. In the Northern Territory, on Kangaroo Island and in New Zealand all children on tour must be accompanied by an adult. Child rates apply for 6-14 years and are 20% off the Adult fare. Those 15-18 years attract full Adult fare, however must still travel with an Adult.
Children under the age of 6 years are not permitted to travel on Safari tours.
In Western Australia and Tasmania tours are open to children aged 12 and above, travelling with an adult.

If travelling to Asia, Africa or Latin America on an Amazing Journey with Connections please be aware that your children will be treated similar to an adult by the group leader. They are full paying clients just like every other traveller in the group. They have the same rights and the same obligations. The itinerary will not be modified because they are children. If you feel that something is too hard, or not desirable, then it is your responsibility to make alternative arrangements. This responsibility should not fall on your group leaders or your fellow travellers. Furthermore, a maximum of 1 child per adult traveller is allowed when travelling to these destinations. If there is a group of 3 consisting of 2 adults with 1 child, it may not be possible to obtain triple rooms. In such cases, one of the adults will share with the child and the other adult will share with another adult passenger in the group. In the case of 2 adults travelling with 2 children, for safety reasons 1 adult must share with 1 child at all times. In Africa there are a few trips that are not suitable for passengers under 18 years of age. More information regarding Travelling with Children is available and we recommend you read this prior to choosing to travel.

Furthermore for our some of our Safaris and Discovery open age touring options travellers over the age of 55 must provide a medical certificate from their physician. This is to ensure that older travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete and enjoy their tour. While our crew work hard to ensure that all of our travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to physically assist individuals who cannot complete the day's activities unaided.

Accommodation Transfers

This varies from tour to tour. Please advise at time of booking where you will be staying and pick-up and drop-off points and times will be advised.

Participation

Tour participation is encouraged. There is no hard work, however the guide/crew may request assistance with tasks such as meal preparation along the way. Connections Safaris Touring in Western Australia is more 'hands on' and requires passenger involvement with regards to setting up camp and assistance with meal preparation.

Some Safaris trips may also be rated as Participatory or Non-Participation. Participatory camping means you'll be pitching in to help with daily activities such as setting up camp, shopping for food, cooking and even starting a campfire. Non-participation means most (not all) of these activities will generally be done for you. Be sure to refer to individual itinerary or brochure pages for specific information for each tour.

All Connections passengers travelling to Africa, Asia, Fiji or Latin America must sign a participation form on day one of the trip. This is a rerequisite of travelling with Connections and our local specialist operators. The form will have you acknowledge, understand and accept that you are travelling on an adventure trip whereby standards and inherent dangers will make this trip different from a conventional holiday. The form will also release Connections from any liability connected to these risks to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Local Payment

When travelling in Asia, Africa, Fiji and Latin America your trip leader will often purchase goods and services at "local rates" in many of the destinations we travel to. For this reason, most of these trips involve a local payment that is required from each passenger. Local payment, in the specified currency in cash, is to be made to the tour loeader upon arrival. The local payment is non-refundable and is considered part of your total tour payment. Please refer to individual tour pages to determine what local payment is applicable.

Local Partners

In many parts of the world Connections works with highly reputable local specialist operators. These local partners are all passionate about the countries they operate in and offer the same high standards as Connections.

On Tour Meals

Again this varies depending on the tour however MOST meals are provided with SAFARIS tours. For specific details refer to the relevant itinerary for details on meal inclusions. Vegetarian and some other special diets can be catered for, however must be advised at time of booking. Whilst we do travel to remote places, we aim to provide a variety of fresh, nutritious food whenever possible. Drinking water is always available on the vehicle, and regular stops are made for additional purchases along the way.

Indemnities
The involvement of airlines, rail, boat or any other relevant operator is as air, rail, sea and road carriers only. They shall not be responsible for statements on this website relating to the transport arrangements. Australian Pacific Touring (CONNECTIONS) shall indemnify these operators against any claim action, loss or damage arising therefrom.

Luggage Limits
Within Australia, each passenger is entitled to take one case, the sum of its length, width and depth not to exceed 160 cm (63 inches), weight limit 16 kilos along with a small day pack. Airlines permit only one cabin bag per person, in which personal items such as cameras, make-up etc. should be carried. Over-limit luggage cannot be carried. Baggage is at 'owners risk'. For our Safari tours, there is limited space so please keep luggage to a minimum (ie. small, soft bag). Most Hotels & Hostels offer storage services for additional luggage. Tours incorporating small aircraft travel need to observe the strict luggage restrictions (generally bags not exceeding 10kgs).

Airfares

Discounted airfares are subject to availability and conditions apply. Once tickets are issued, airfares are subject to cancellation and amendment fees. Surcharges may apply to variations of airline routings. Airport taxes vary for each departure point and routing of airlines.

Important Information Exclusion of Liability

1. Whilst CONNECTIONS will take all reasonable steps to provide an enjoyable tour, it accepts no liability for any loss of enjoyment experienced by passengers due to circumstances beyond its control. CONNECTIONS further accepts no liability for any loss beyond its reasonable control and provides no warranties in addition to those set out under the Trade Practices Act 1974, and nothing herein restricts any passenger from exercising their rights and remedies pursuant to law.
   
2. Your Travel Agent will forward booking confirmations and other payments to CONNECTIONS on your behalf, but your Travel Agent is not our agent for the purpose of receipt of monies. Receipt of booking confirmations and subsequent payments by the travel agent does not constitute receipt of those monies by CONNECTIONS and the Travel Agent has no authority expressed or implied to receive monies on our behalf. There is no liability on the part of CONNECTIONS in respect to any monies paid to the passenger's Travel Agent unless and until CONNECTIONS notifies the passenger (by way of a booking confirmation advice or payment receipt advice) that monies have been received by CONNECTIONS.
   
3. The optional tour excursions are not operated by, or at the direction of, or on behalf of CONNECTIONS, its employees or agents or any other persons or companies associated with CONNECTIONS. All Optional Activies are an additional cost to the tour price and by taking bookings for these tours, CONNECTIONS acts as each optional tour operator's agent.
   
4. These tours include the services of operators other than CONNECTIONS e.g. hoteliers, airlines and optional tour excursions, which are not under the direct control of CONNECTIONS, and whilst CONNECTIONS takes all reasonable care in selecting these operators, it cannot accept responsibility for those operators' conduct or the conduct of their representative employees or agents or for any ramifications of that conduct.
   
5. On tours including activities such as trekking, swimming and snorkelling, passengers accept that degrees of risk are involved.
   
6. No passenger will be permitted to embark or continue on tour while their mental or physical condition is, in the opinion of any representative of CONNECTIONS, such as to render them incapable of caring for themselves, or whereby they become objectionable to other passengers, or they become a hazard to themselves or other passengers. CONNECTIONS will not be responsible for expenses resulting in such persons being precluded from completing the tour.

Amendment Fees
A charge of A$25 will apply to any addition or modification requested after the original booking has been confirmed. Furthermore for Asia, Africa, Latin America and Fiji departures, amendments made less than 60 days prior to the tour departure date charges per the cancellation fees also apply and no changes for these trips are permitted within 10 days of departure.

If there is any change to the price of the tour you change your booking to, since the time of your original reservation, the new tour price will apply to the new reservation.

Itineraries
Itineraries are subject to alteration without notice and intended as a guide only. Alterations may come about due to road or weather conditions, strikes, public holidays, local festivals and cultural or other reasons. Due to the nature of the terrain and remote areas, weather fluctuations can adversely affect road conditions that may necessitate alterations to itinerary with little or no notice. Any additional expense incurred by the passenger is not CONNECTION's responsibility. CONNECTIONS can give no guarantee as to the exact arrival and departure times for carriers and operators used by CONNECTIONS in the tour and CONNECTIONS will not be liable for failure to make connections with any other services or attractions beyond its control.

As is normally the case with group tours, a minimum number of bookings are required in order for a tour to be financially viable and to have a pleasant group atmosphere. In the event that adequate numbers cannot be achieved, it may be necessary to cancel a scheduled departure and to offer the nearest possible alternative date (or, of course, a full refund of monies paid). The date on which the decision is made whether a tour will operate is usually four to eight weeks before the scheduled departure date.

In the event of a breakdown or other unforeseen circumstances, the operator reserves the right to substitute vehicles other than those specified to ensure the operation of a tour.

Smoking
Government regulations forbid smoking in tourist coaches, however frequent stops are made for those wishing to smoke. Requests for smoking/non smoking rooms will be passed on to hotels but cannot be guaranteed.

Customer Feedback
If a problem occurs during your tour, then in your own best interests, you should advise your Tour Director immediately so that steps can be taken to resolve the matter there and then. If you remain dissatisfied, any complaint must be made in writing to us within 30 days.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend passengers to take out travel insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances that may arise (including cancellation fees, medical and curtailment expenses, loss of luggage, early departure from tour due to death or illness etc.). For travel to Asia, Africa, Fiji and Latin America travel insurance is compulsory for all travellers. Your insurance must provide cover against personal accident, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability. We recommend it also covers any unforeseen circumstances which may arise (including cancellation fees, curtailment expenses, loss of luggage, early departure from tour due to death or illness etc). We strongly recommend that you take our travel insurance at the time of booking. Ask your Travel Agent or consultant for more information.

Fitness and Medicals
Some tours operate in remote areas and include some hiking through rugged terrain. Passengers should be of reasonable health and fitness and carry all required medication. CONNECTIONS must be advised of any prior medical conditions at time of booking. For some trips passengesr over the age of 55 years will need to complete a self-assessment form prior or provide a medical certificate from their Doctor authorising their fitness to travel.

Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Bags are not included in the CONNECTIONS SAFARIS Western Australia and Nullarbor camping programs. In WA sleeping bags can be hired for AUD$25.00 and paid to our Tour Crew on Day 1. For the Nullarbor trips sleeping bag hire is AUD$15 while swags are also available for hire for AUD$50, and payable direct to the Tour Crew on Day 1.