Booking terms and conditions
Agreement overview:
This document delineates the terms and conditions forming an agreement between Reading Nature ("we," "us," or the "Company") and the individual(s) indicated in the booking form ("you," "your," or the "guest").
Booking Process
Reservations are to be made through our website.
Upon booking, a confirmation email will be sent to you. By making a booking, you consent to these terms and conditions. When booking on behalf of others, you affirm that you possess the authority to bind them to these terms.
Should you wish to hold spaces without immediately finalizing your booking, please contact us.
Pricing Information
Prices are specified per person in Australian dollars (AUD), inclusive of GST, and fluctuate based on seasonal demand. These fees solely cover the course tuition.
Costs not included:
Travel insurance.
Pre- and post-course travel arrangements, including accommodation and transportation.
Personal expenses such as tips, clothing, medical costs, and emergency evacuations.
Payment Terms
Payments are required in AUD via our website using credit cards or Australian debit cards. Cheques and foreign debit cards are not accepted. Card surcharges are:
1% for Australian Visa and MasterCard.
2% for foreign Visa and MasterCard.
3% for American Express.
Please note that payment fees are subject to change; the most current fees are listed on our website.
Guest Cancellation Policy
The cancellation fees are as follows:
Full refund for cancellations made more than 90 days before the course.
10% fee for cancellations made 30-90 days before the course.
No refund for cancellations made within 30 days of the course, although postponement may be an option.
No refund if you fail to arrive at the meeting time.
No refund if you voluntarily leave the program or due to bereavement, injury, or illness.
We strongly advise securing travel insurance.
Booking Amendments
Change fees are applied as follows:
No fee for postponements made more than 90 days before departure.
No fee for postponements made 30-90 days before departure.
A 25% fee for postponements made within 30 days of the course start.
Travel insurance is recommended to cover any potential additional costs.
Children Policy
Our courses are designed with adults in mind. Children under 10 are not permitted. Children aged 10 and older are welcome only if accompanied by a parent. No child discounts apply.
Company Cancellation Policy
Courses may be cancelled due to Force Majeure event (see: “definitions”) or insufficient participants. In such cases, options include a future course credit, a replacement course, or a refund (excluding Force Majeure). Travel to and from the course departure point is your responsibility, when a course is cancelled by the company we will not be liable for any costs brought about by travel to and form the course, accommodation costs, or loss of income that occurred due to cancelling work in order to partake in the course. Travel insurance is highly recommended for this exact reason.
Emergency Evacuations
In emergencies such as injury or illness, evacuation costs are borne by the guest. Australian residents should ensure they have ambulance cover through health insurance and travel insurance for evacuation costs.
Footwear Requirements
Proper lace-up walking boots with ankle support and firm treads are recommended. Guests with inappropriate footwear may forfeit their course without a refund. Contact us for advice on suitable footwear specific to the course you are enrolled in.
Medical Forms and Certificates
Any pre-existing conditions must be disclosed. Guests aged 75 or older must provide a doctor’s certificate of good health at least 90 days before departure.
Indemnity Clause
In the complex landscape of human interactions, it is imperative to establish clear boundaries and responsibilities. Here, you are called upon to undertake an indemnity, a contractual agreement that safeguards against potential risks and liabilities.
By entering into this indemnity, you agree to hold harmless the Company, its related entities, and their officers, employees, guides, servants, and agents—hereafter referred to as the Indemnified Persons— into perpetuity from any and all costs, claims, actions, demands, statutory duties and liabilities arising from your participation in the course, (This includes any transportation involved in reaching the designated course area) including such costs, claims, actions, demands or statutory duty or otherwise on the part of the Indemnified Persons, and including any liability in respect of or related to my/our death, personal injury, or loss of or damage to any property owned or possessed by me/us, acknowledging the inherent risks associated with such activities. However, it is crucial to note that this indemnity does not absolve any party from liabilities that cannot be excluded under applicable laws.
In these indemnity terms and conditions, it's made crystal clear that the Company is the custodian of the rights bestowed upon the Indemnified Persons. You, the participant, explicitly recognise and consent to the Company's authority to exercise these rights, whether in its own capacity or on behalf of the Indemnified Persons as their trustee.
In embracing this indemnity, we embark on a journey of shared responsibility and accountability, fostering an environment of mutual respect and cooperation. Let us navigate the complexities of our shared experiences with clarity and integrity, ensuring that each step forward is taken with careful consideration and conscientiousness.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance should encompass personal accidents, medical expenses, Force Majeure, emergency repatriation, liability, cancellations, delays, lost luggage, and personal effects. We strongly recommend securing appropriate travel insurance at the time of purchasing the course.
Health and Fitness Requirements
Ensure you are in adequate physical and mental condition for the course. Reading Nature reserves the right to refuse participation based on medical or fitness grounds.
Instructor and Participant Responsibilities
Respectful behavior is a requisite. Instructors have the authority to exclude any participant for safety or behavioral reasons, without a refund.
When behavioral issues arise and/or challenges present themselves, we resolve them on an individual basis.
As part of our booking terms and terms and conditions which are signed prior to payment, participants are asked to review this agreement so they are aware of our participant code of conduct and the sequencing of potential consequences of their actions. Participants are also made aware of the course expectations and rules during our community meeting on the first day and they are expected to adhere to them throughout the course.
The instructor reserves the right to withdraw any participant without warning who, in their opinion, compromises the physical or emotional safety of any person on the course, who requires consistent 1:1 care to manage behaviour, or who is an immediate hazard to the safety of themselves or others. Reading Nature will also remove any participant who is negatively affecting the experience of other participants within the group.
Liability Exclusion
Participants acknowledge the inherent risks of wilderness walks, outdoor activities and courses and engage in these courses, walks and activities at their own risk. Reading Nature waives liability for death or personal injury to the extent permitted by law.
Environmental Responsibilities
All participants must adhere to environmental guidelines, particularly within Wilderness World Heritage Areas and National Parks, including L.N.T principles.
Liability Limitation
The Company’s liability is limited to the extent permitted by law. Guests agree to indemnify the Company against any losses arising from breaches of these terms.
Jurisdiction
These terms are governed by the laws of the state of Tasmania.
Acknowledgment
By booking, guests confirm the accuracy and completeness of all representations regarding circumstances, insurance, age, and medical condition.
Definitions
* Force Majeure Event: Includes acts of God, natural threats, civil unrest, breakdowns, union disputes, epidemics, and other events beyond reasonable control.
* Recreational Services: Services involving significant physical exertion or risk, undertaken for recreation or leisure.
In reflecting on these terms, it's crucial to consider the broader context of our moral obligations to ourselves and others. This agreement is not just a legal contract but a framework for mutual understanding and respect, acknowledging the inherent risks and responsibilities involved in wilderness exploration. By agreeing to these terms, we embrace a shared commitment to safety, preparedness, and environmental stewardship.