Ultimate Deluxe Reef to Rainforest Culture, Food & Wildlife 8D/7N

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$AUD 837 per day

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This small group tour is a rich smorgasbord of art, heritage, fine food, iconic wildlife and the best of the region's reef to rainforest experiences, led by expert guides and narrators all the way. With a maximum of eight couples or 14 guests, this intimate fully-guided adventure will take you to places the ordinary tourist never sees to spend quality time in nature, with people passionate about the region, its conservation and culture.

Your journey starts ascending into the cool climate Atherton Tablelands on one of the world's longest cable-car journeys over majestic mountains and breathtaking scenery. Your guides will take you on a journey to swim in waterfalls, look for elusive Tree Kangaroos, Platypus and maybe even a wild Cassowary. You will dine on local produce and journey to the Port Douglas coastline in the company of internationally-acclaimed conservation-photographers, who will be there to guide and entertain you with stories. Here, your luxurious accommodation (one of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World) is nestled among its own nature reserve. Local Aboriginal guides will take you on a journey through their culture, art and music, exploring secret waterholes and learning their unique connection to country. Only you will have exclusive use of the fastest and most environmentally-conscious vessel operations on the whole Great Barrier Reef. Here you'll meet the team who have developed coral growing technology with local Universities, and join marine biologists to participate in the program and see how it's effecting change. You'll learn from experts about how the reef works and explore their favourite spots in outer and inner-reefs with the chance to swim with turtles, see clownfish and maybe even whales and dolphins.

Highlights

Skyrail onto the Atherton Tablelands over breath-taking rainforest scenery and waterfalls.
Exclusive use of an outer-reef charter vessel.
Stay in a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World on a private nature reserve.
Travel with internationally-acclaimed conservation photographers.
Eat local rainforest meals created by world-renowned ethnographers plus a private tour of their lifetime work.
Dine al fresco and watch glow-worms after swimming in a privately-owned waterfall.
Search for Tree Kangaroos, Platypus and Cassowaries.
Travel with and learn from custodians of the country.
Snorkel on some of the reef’s best locations in the company of local qualified marine biologist guides.
Chance to swim with turtles and see whales and dolphins.
Plant your own coral reef and contribute to research.
Participate in an Aboriginal art workshop and take home your own hand-painted souvenir.
Contribute to habitat rehabilitation and offset your tour’s carbon and biodiversity impact.

Our Environmental Impact

In keeping with the core philosophies of Diverse Travel Australia & Wildiaries, this tour is run as environmentally- and culturally-sustainable as possible. There will always be an impact from any trip but we aim to minimise this as much as possible and contribute back to biodiversity.

Our trip is locally-run.
Most meals use locally-sourced produce.
Our accommodation at Thala Beach is based in private nature reserves.
Several of our partners are actively restoring native rainforest vegetation.
All Aboriginal cultural elements are led by members of the Kuku Yalanji.
Our reef vessels are among the most fuel efficient on the reef.
Our suppliers operate ethical wildlife viewing policies.
A portion of the fee goes directly into reef research with UQ, as well as planting temperature-resistant corals to regrow areas of reef.
This tour is expected to create about 54 tonnes of Carbon. We are contributing $20 per tonne to Greenfleet. Our first preference is that this will be invested in the Gurrbum Reserve, or equivalent project. Gurrbum is connecting Cassowary habitat in Mission Beach. This has both carbon and biodiversity benefits and is also contributing to a greater impact project, with investment from numerous partners.

About

What's included

Airport pick up.
Skyrail experience from Cairns to Kuranda.
Visit to Emerald Creek Ice Creamery.
Seven breakfasts, eight lunches and five dinners, including an evening meal at Rainforest Bounty, lunch at Botanical Ark.
Four nights at Thala Beach Nature Reserve, a National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World.
Two nights at either Malanda Lodge / Tinaroo Lake Resort.
One night at the Pacific Hotel Cairns.
Vehicle, fuel, guide and driver for all excursions. Excursions include fresh water and one soft drink pp for lunches, plus morning / afternoon tea.
Visit to Rainforest Heart, Mungalli Creek Biodynamic Dairy and Nerada Tea.
Dinner and swim at privately-owned Mungalli Falls.
Experienced wildlife guide and chance to see Tree Kangaroo, Platypus etc.
Lunch and tour at Botanical Ark.
Cultural tour with Walkabout Adventures Aboriginal guides.
Paint your own canvas or boomerang workshop.
Two days private reef charter.
Sunset cruise and snorkel at the Low Isles.
Tuition and use of high quality snorkelling gear
Guided snorkel tour Reef ecology presentation with qualified Marine Biologist
Wetsuits or lycra suits (depending on the season).
Environmental Management Charge (reef tax) and national park entry fees.
Entry to Granite Gorge.
Lake Barrine boat tour.
Contribution to carbon-biodiversity projects.
Contribution to reef research and restoration.

What's not included

Getting There

Food and Accommodation

GUIDES & LEADERS

Tim Harvey

Tim Harvey, co-founder of the Sea Turtle Foundation, was recently named one of Traveller Magazines "Heroes of Nature". For several years, Tim was the manager of the research station on Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef and got to work with the likes of David Attenborough. Tim has an infectious knowledge and enthusiasm for wildlife and a unique perspective on the way we interact with the world around us. When Tim is not leading for us, either is on luxury small ship cruises, or at home in Australia. For Tim, protecting sea turtles is his passion, which is why he established the Sea Turtle Foundation. Tim takes his long-time experience with wildlife and reef-creatures, helping inspire a generation of conservationists. Tim will be our guest to look after you for the duration of this tour. Read more ...

STELLA AND JUERGEN FREUND

NINE-times among the winners of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition, “Yogi”, as he’s known, started as an industrial photographer in Munich, purchasing his first underwater camera, even before learning to dive in Germany’s cold lakes. By the mid-1990s he found his sea-change and on assignment in the Philippines, met future wife Stella and won the prestigious 1999 World Press Photo Award for Photojournalism for his image of a whale shark hunt in Bohol. In 2009 they joined WWF for 18 months to live among the people and nature of the Coral Triangle so the world could start to see their stories and appreciate the urgent need for its protection - these are the very places they are now taking you back to so they can share the experience once more. With a heart for nature and a love of narrative Juergen continues to devote himself to conservation and is today honoured as one of very few Senior Fellows of the International League of Conservation Photographers. Stella and Juergen will join us for three days to tell their stories and help connect you with their home in far north Queensland. Read more ...

TOURING

Sicklebill Safaris

Our hosts for four days of memorable wildlife encounters are long-term members of Birdlife, Birds Queensland and the Worldwide Fund for Nature. Sue, Phil and Rowan belong to the locally based Tree Kangaroo and Mammal group which is active in forest regeneration, creation of corridors for wildlife and educating people about the need for forests as a home and food source for the local fauna. They have planted rainforest corridors and food trees for Cassowaries and replaced fallen trees after cyclones. They bought a current property and set aside a large area of our land as a nature refuge and are looking into rainforest regeneration with rainforest fruit trees which will help feed local rainforest inhabitants, starting this coming wet season. They also work with local communities in places like the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, training bird guides and helping set up locally-owned nature lodges so local, island communities can get long-term sustainable income from the forests that surround them.

Wavelength Cruises

Jenny and John Edmondson own and operate Wavelength Cruises on the Great Barrier Reef. After the bleaching events in 2016, they set up the Coral Nurture program and are now coordinating reef restoration for a number of companies. Sustainability is at the heart of the business. They have one of the most fuel-efficient vessels on the reef. The vessel was furbished using mostly recycled materials. They invest in coral research and restoration while being accredited as a Climate Action business and Advanced Ecotourism Accredited, meaning a continual investment in minimising their impact and improving their strategy. Wavelength supports scientific researchers and qualified marine biologists form their staff who take people to the reef.

Walkabout Cultural Adventures

Walkabout Cultural Adventures owner, Juan Walker has been guiding in the Port Douglas Daintree region for 19 years. He prides himself on providing top quality service, information and guiding. Tours allow guests to participate in a truly unique cultural and interpretive soft adventure tour, which is a small and personalised experience. His business provides unique cultural tours within Kuku Yalanji country, focusing on Aboriginal culture, significant sites, environmental information and local tourist attractions, whilst being an educational and interpersonal Aboriginal cultural experience. Juan's ambition is to further develop the business and create employment opportunities for local Aboriginals who are proud to share their land and culture. This ambition has already proved viable with his latest investments in a second and larger tour vehicle and employing a third Aboriginal guide.

SPECIAL DINING

Rainforest Bounty

Dr Geraldine McGuire (PhD) has been collecting and tasting rainforest fruits since she was a child growing up in tropical North Queensland. Witnessing first-hand the destruction of Borneo’s tropical rainforests for logging and oil palm plantations inspired her and her husband Athy to replant their 80-acre former dairy farm on the Atherton Tablelands and create an entirely new category of food products inspired by native foods and an ongoing mission to change the way we eat to restore people and the planet. 20 Years later and Geraldine is still doing what she loves and believes in and Rainforest Bounty has become a leader in regenerative agricultural systems sharing the bounty of the rainforest with Australia and the world. Our first evening meal will be spent at Rainforest Bounty.

Botanical Ark

Alan and Susan Carle commenced their project more than 35 years ago, first a subsistence farm, and more recently (1990) as a private ethno-botanical gardens. They travel the tropical regions of the world and specialise in plants that indigenous rainforest cultures have and still use for their foods, spices, shelter, medicine, cosmetics, fibres, oils, dyes - in fact for all their everyday needs. Emphasising the link between plants and peoples, Botanical Ark demonstrates this with some of the most unusual and interesting tastes and sights imaginable. On day 3, we will visit Botanical Ark for lunch and a tour, to discover some of the real values of tropical forests and how we can help save some of those forests for the Indigenous peoples.

ACCOMMODATION

Thala Beach Nature Reserve - National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World.

Thala Beach Nature Reserve will be our accommodation for four nights. This privately-owned headland located between Cairns and Port Douglas in close proximity to The Great Barrier Reef. A selection of unique accommodation options are located throughout the property. Thala is a Port Douglas resort that has achieved the highest level of Advanced Eco Certification and is a member of National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World.

What to bring

Here is a list of some of the items we recommend you bring.

It's worth having a full change of clothes in a day pack, in case you want to swim.
Sunglasses
Cash or credit card for optional on board purchases such as soft drinks and souvenirs
Personal water bottle (we operate a no single-use policy and with COVID restrictions our preference is to ask you to bring a bottle, though we will supply you one if needed. If we supply metal bottles, these are even worse for the environment).
Lightweight long-sleeved shirt and long trousers (only because, when we do rainforest walks, some of the plants can be a bit scratchy).
Lightweight rain-gear.
Jumper or sweatshirt for higher altitudes and at night.
Sun hat
Sunblock
Insect repellent.
Camera.
Binoculars are recommended if you have them.
A torch is useful to light pathways at night particularly on the glow-worm day.

Best Time to Visit

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Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1

On arrival in Cairns we will collect baggage and pick you up from the airport. We will transfer you to the Skyrail terminal where you will ride in a gondola over breathtaking waterfalls and rainforest on one of the world’s longest cable car experiences. While you are enjoying this we will drive the bus up the winding Kuranda Range Road with your luggage and we will meet you at the cable car station in Kuranda. From here we will set off towards Mareeba. Within 10 kilometres we have left the rainforest and come to an area of dry eucalypt forest which persists until we start climbing up towards Atherton. We can stop at Emerald Creek Ice Creamery near Mareeba for some home-made ice-cream (own expense) and will then drive south up to the cooler, higher areas of the southern Tablelands and your accommodation for the next 2 nights. After you have checked in and had time to refresh yourself we will head out for your evening meal. This will consist primarily of locally sourced produce served in a beautiful riverside setting at Rainforest Bounty.

Day 2

After a leisurely breakfast we will make our way to a local tea plantation where as well as sampling their locally grown tea we have a good chance of seeing the ungainly Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo. From here we will head to our favourite Platypus place where we have never missed them even in broad daylight, before heading to Mungalli Creek Biodynamic Dairy where cheese platters showcasing locally made cheeses or a ploughman’s lunch will be waiting for your lunch. After lunch we will head to the nearby property of Rainforest Heart where we will visit a rainforest tree fruit farm and taste some of the fruits. We will also taste some of the products that are made from these fruits. Davidson Plum iced tea and Davidson Plum wine are usually firm favourites and can be purchased if desired.

From here we will continue down the road to Mungalli Falls, the only privately owned World Heritage listed waterfall in Queensland. It is a 3 tier waterfall. We will explore the area and while your evening meal is being prepared you can relax in the pools at the base of the first waterfall. Platypus and turtles are often seen in this area. After dinner we will take the track down to the base of the third and final waterfall. Here there is a viewing platform and we will marvel at the glow-worm display which only becomes visible after dark. From here we will spend a little time spotlighting along the track through the forest looking for some of the local native wildlife including possums and bandicoots.

Day 3

After breakfast we will be ready to load luggage and pick up the group ready for departure about 1000. We will head out the way we came in through Mareeba where we will stop for morning tea or coffee. Instead of then turning down to Cairns we will keep going north through the dry cattle country past Lake Mitchell where Black Swans can often be seen and huge Osprey’s nest in trees by the road, towards Mt Molloy, Julatten and the Rex Highway, with the Mt Lewis massif looming above us, down to Mossman. We are aiming to get to the world famous Botanical Ark by 1330 in time for lunch. After lunch there will be a presentation on the work of the Botanical Ark. Owners Alan and Susan commenced the project over 35 years ago and travel to the tropical regions of the world specialising in plants that indigenous rainforest cultures have and still use for their foods, spice, shelter, medicine, cosmetics, fibres, oils and dyes. After this we take the group to the very comfortable Thala Beach Resort where they will check in for a four-night stay.

For those who want to, there is the chance of doing some snorkelling practice in the resort pool. There will be plenty of opportunity on the reef too (see our "other information" section for more on snorkelling).

Day 4

After an early breakfast, we will be picked up and transferred to Port Douglas where we will get on board Wavelength IV. Stella and Juergen Freund will come along for the day to help with photography skills and prepare images and a short story about the day out. Today we will visit three sites on the outer Great Barrier Reef, starting with a guide to learn snorkelling. Hopefully we will get the chance to swim with Green Turtles! On the way out, we’ll observe and learn about the bird life and maybe even get the chance to spot Dwarf Spinner Dolphins and (seasonally) there is the chance of several different species of whale. Our experts will talk about the reef conservation programs and what Wavelength are doing, in association with universities, to protect fragile areas of the GBR. You will get the chance to plant some coral yourself and see the impact this work has had.

After an early breakfast, we will board Wavelength 4 around 8am. It takes about 90 mins to get to the reef and that’s plenty of chance for everyone to get to know the crew and marine biologists. We have eighteen moorings across three different reefs and use the best ones depending on the wind direction and tide. At all times, you will be accompanied by a marine biologist to help you in the water if you need it, but most of all, to look for interesting marine life. The sites we access in good weather are among the best you will find. We actively remove coral pest predators and have been boosting the abundance of heat tolerant corals at our sites…we also have the largest coral nursery on the GBR (spread across 8 different locations). We’ll get you to participate in growing corals and replanting them back onto the reef, where they provide nurseries for a variety of fish. There is an hour of snorkelling at each site followed by refreshments and a break before we continue to the next location.

Day 5

The second day on the reef is weather dependent (so we may swap this around some days, so you get the best conditions). For the last five years, Wavelength has partnered with Tangaroa Blue for marine debris clean-ups from Snapper Island (just off Port Douglas) to Howick Island which is about 200 miles north. Cedar Bay is another possible location to participate in some beach cleaning and we combine this with some outer reef snorkelling on the way home. Alternatively, depending on wind direction, we might visit an isolated reef to the south east of Port Douglas that isn’t visited by tourism operators or open to the general public. Whatever happens, we will use this day to our best advantage, to show you different aspects of the Great Barrier Reef that tourists don’t normally get to see and to contribute back to its conservation.

Day 6

Today we are joined by a local Aboriginal representative and guide to journey through the Mossman area, learning about Aboriginal culture. After lunch we will take part in an Aboriginal art workshop, with the chance to paint and own a souvenir. Returning to our accommodation in the afternoon, we'll join Wavelength one last time, departing the marine at 5pm for drinks at sunset at the Low Isles (weather permitting). We’ll be back by 6:30pm for a final dinner together at Salas at 7pm, to share stories and images from what is sure to have been an amazing week.

Day 7

You will be picked up from Thala Beach after breakfast at around 0900 before heading south along the coast road with its beautiful views out over the ocean and turning inland at Smithfield and heading back up onto the Tablelands. A quick stop will be made for coffee at a local coffee estate along the way. And we will arrive at Granite Gorge at around 1100. The water that flows through the rocks attracts lots of interesting dry country birds including the wonderful Red-tailed Black Cockatoos and the very smart looking Squatter Pigeon. The area is most famous for a group of very friendly Mareeba Rock Wallabies which have made their home there. They like nothing better than to be hand fed with the special marsupial pellets which can be bought at the park shop.

Leaving Granite Gorge we will head south to the magnificent Curtain Fig where easy access is guaranteed with a very convenient boardwalk constructed around this enormous strangler fig. Situated in a remnant of the old Mabi rainforest which once covered most of the Tablelands this is a great place to stop and listen to the sounds of the rainforest, watch birds flitting around, and sometimes glimpse a Tree Kangaroo up in the trees or the diminutive Musky Rat Kangaroo down on the floor of the forest.

From the Curtain Fig we make our way to Lake Barrine. The lake has formed in the crater of an extinct volcano and offers a lovely backdrop to the Lake Barrine Tea House where we will have our lunch. A 45 minute wildlife cruise around the lake often allows us to see enormous amethystine pythons as well as a variety of birds and the very photogenic forest around the lake. If there is time we can take a short walk through the forest to see two enormous kauri pine trees and have another chance to see the Gondwana relict and Australia’s smallest and most primitive kangaroo the Musky Rat Kangaroo.

We will then head for Cairns travelling down the Gillies Highway with its winding road offering spectacular views across the Goldsborough Valley to the surrounding mountains. We expect to have you at your Cairns accommodation for check in around 4pm.

Day 8

Final day at your leisure before your onward journey.

Location

Things to keep in mind

Other Information

Snorkelling

Wavelength 4 has always been about snorkelling only, which means there’s no noisy equipment or a compromise with locations. As everyone is at the surface, communication is possible and means that we can give guided tours in the water. Snorkelling is very easy and staff are at hand to help give tips and there is always a thorough briefing about equipment and tips once on board. We are very mindful that a day with inappropriate equipment is a recipe for a bad day, so we have 3 sizes of masks plus corrective masks for those that wear glasses. Full body lycra suits are necessary in warmer months and provide protection from the sun – in cooler months we have 5mm short wetsuits – both are available for those that feel the chill year round … We have Cressi fins which are soft and easy to swim with – noodles and lifejackets are available also, for those who are less comfortable in the water.

Fitness

This trip is suitable for any age but will require a moderate level of fitness, if you wish to participate in snorkelling.

Can you swim 50m without any floatation assistance?

We would like to know if you are a competent swimmer and have confidence moving about in the water. If you haven’t snorkelled before that’s fine, but bear in mind that snorkelling can be a strenuous activity, so we recommend that you should be reasonably fit. For complete beginners that can already swim snorkelling is easy, especially in calm conditions. We have floatation devices and experienced crew to help you. Being relaxed makes snorkelling a lot easier. Most people who can swim will get their confidence within a couple of minutes, even if they’re nervous to start with. We will also help you practice in the resort pool before your trip.

Wavelength 4

Wavelength 4 carries up to a maximum of 48 passengers but we're only taking a maximum of 16 guests, plus guides. There is a comfortable air-conditioned saloon with lounge seating and added passive ventilation when moored to allow a quiet boat with no generator noise. A large shaded top deck has comfortable upholstered seating and lounge style open helm area. There are sun areas on the aft top deck and bow. Large panoramic windows in the saloon for great views, including forwards to help avoid seasickness. The slim hull forms, stabiliser fins and length, mean a smoother and more comfortable ride at high speed. A wide back deck with a lowering transom and swim platform make water access easy.

Minimum carbon footprint of construction was achieved by local build, recyclable materials, and welding with the help of solar electricity (50kW solar system at the boat builder). Modern technology Yanmar engines (IMO Tier 2) with specialised mufflers for noise reduction and optimum turbo performance giving clean fuel burn and peak fuel efficiency and there are large roof-mounted solar panels and smart technology electrical systems to reduce generator usage. We have a very low fuel use of approximately XX litres per passenger. (This emits XXkgs CO2). The offset value is about XX cents, which we add into our reef research fund. We don't use antifouling.

Seasickness

Should you have any concerns regarding seasickness, please take seasickness medication (i.e. Travacalm HO) with a light breakfast before boarding on the day to assist with your trip to the reef. Travacalm HO are readily available for purchase from all local pharmacies (open until 8pm daily). If you can’t get to a pharmacy we do have Travacalm for sale on board, but ideally it should be taken earlier.

*Price

Prices may vary due subject to availability and accommodation type, number of travellers and activities.

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43. We will not charge a cancellation or amendment fee if you cancel or amend your booking due to a breach by us of our obligations to you or due to our fault.

Cancellations and Amendments for Online Low Cost Carrier Bookings Only

44. If your flight booking is with a low cost carrier, you can only cancel or change your booking by contacting the Provider directly.
Cancellations and amendments for hotel bookings only

Cancellations and Amendments for Hotel Bookings Only

45. Please review the cancellation policy for your hotel booking for any penalties that may apply.

Force Majeure

46. We will not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations in booking the Travel Product that is due to events beyond our control.
47. If a force majeure event occurs that affects your booking, your entitlement to a refund, a credit or re-scheduled travel booking will depend on the Provider's terms and conditions.
48. If your booking is impacted by a force majeure event and you are entitled to a refund or credit from the Provider, we will facilitate this refund or credit.
49. The Booking & Service Advisory fee, credit card fees or any commissions received are non-refundable in the circumstance that a force majeure event occurs.

Low Cost Flights

50. If you book a low cost flight with us, we will make the booking on your behalf and your contract for your low cost flight will also be subject to the airline's booking terms and conditions.
51. It is your responsibility to ensure that all details of the booking are correct before proceeding. For any changes or cancellations, please contact the airline directly, quoting your reference.

Additional Airline Charges

52. Some Providers may also charge additional fees. Please check with the Provider for their full terms and conditions.

Hotel/Accommodation Bookings

53. Some Providers will require an additional charge to be paid locally (e.g. a resort fee) at the time of check in or check out. This amount is in addition to the amount shown during the booking process under the 'total booking cost' amount.
54. There may be taxes levied abroad but not paid at the point of purchase that are payable in relation to your hotel booking (e.g. local taxes, sales tax etc.). Any local taxes will be payable by you directly to the Provider at the time of check in/check out.

Changes in Price and Itineraries

55. We reserve the right to cancel your booking in the event we have reasonable grounds to believe it is fraudulent.
56. If a Provider changes any part of your booking for reasons beyond its control, we will use our reasonable endeavours to notify you. If any such changes result in your Travel Product costing more or otherwise being materially different, then you may cancel the Travel Product. Any refund would be subject to the Travel Provider terms and conditions.
57. These terms and conditions are subject to variation at any time. Any variation will be displayed here, and you will be deemed to have accepted a variation if you have made a booking after it has been displayed.

Your Obligations and Warranties

58. You warrant to us that:
a. you are at least 18 years old and have the power, capacity and authority to enter into a binding contract with us and with the Providers of the Travel Products that you acquire;
b. you have read and understood these terms and conditions and if booking on behalf of third parties, you have conveyed these terms and conditions to them;
c. the information you provide us about yourself is true, accurate, current and complete (apart from any optional items) as required by any registration process;
d. you have considered acquiring comprehensive travel insurance and we are not responsible for any failure by you to acquire adequate insurance cover; and
e. you will use the Booking & Advisory Services in accordance with these terms and conditions and you will not use the Booking & Advisory Services in any way to breach any laws or defame anyone.

Jurisdiction and Law

59. All matters arising out of or in connection with the Booking & Advisory Services and these terms and conditions are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia. By acquiring the Booking & Advisory Services, you consent and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the laws of Victoria, Australia.

Definitions

" We" and "us" means Darebin Travel.

" You" or "your" means any user of our Website or any person who acquires the Booking & Advisory Services, including any person who acquires a Travel Product (whether or not the Booking & Advisory Services were acquired by another person).

" Booking & Advisory Services" means services provided by us to you in assisting you to acquire a Travel Product from a Provider and includes advisory and consulting services.

"Force Majeure” means, but not limited to: acts of God, accident, riot, war, terrorist act, epidemic, pandemic, quarantine, outbreaks of infectious disease or any other public health crisis, civil commotion, breakdown of communication facilities, natural catastrophes, adverse weather conditions, governmental acts or omissions, changes in laws or regulations, national strikes, fire, explosion and generalised lack of availability of raw materials or energy.

“ Travel Provider” or "Provider" or "Providers" means the company or person who provides you with the Travel Product on terms and conditions agreed with you.

" Travel Product" means the service or product provided by a Provider, for example, an airline or a hotel.

" Website" means our website https://deluxelife.com.au/

Schedule of Professional Service Fees

Planning Fee	$125 per itinerary. Creating unique travel itineraries is our specialty. For detailed quotations providing tailored recommendations for custom designed tours, a non-refundable planning fee applies. Should you proceed with booking, this fee is credited towards your trip.
Service Fees	$40 Domestic/Trans-Tasman airfare per person or as discounted
	$150.00 International airfare per person or as discounted
	$50.00 Domestic/Trans-Tasman business class airfare per person or as discounted
	$200.00 International business class airfare per person or as discounted
	NIL Domestic/Trans-Tasman package, tour, or cruise per booking
	NIL International package, tour, or cruise per booking
	$ Other Services dependent on service explained to you
	$200 to $500 Itinerary planning per booking (credited towards reservation once booked)
Deposit & Balance	For all bookings, the initial deposit is 20% and the balance of payment is due 60 days before departure. If Travel Provider terms and conditions vary, we may request an additional deposit from you, after the initial deposit is paid, plus the balance payment date may also vary. After you have paid your initial deposit, you will have five days cooling off period to accept these Booking & Advisory Terms and Conditions, during which time your deposit is refundable. After 5 days has passed, or you have accepted the Terms and Conditions, the deposit will automatically become non-refundable. Note, some Travel Products must be paid in full at time of booking. Service Fees must also be paid at time of booking and are non-refundable.
Amendment Fees	Changes to Domestic/Trans-Tasman bookings will incur a fee of $50 per passenger per booking in addition to Provider and credit card fees.
Amendment Fees	Changes to International bookings (excluding Trans-Tasman bookings) will incur a fee of $50 per passenger per booking in addition to Provider and credit card fees.
Cancellation Fees	Cancellations to Domestic/Trans-Tasman bookings will incur a fee of $75 per passenger per booking in addition to Provider and credit card fees.
Cancellation Fees	Cancellations to International bookings (excluding Trans-Tasman bookings) will incur a fee of $150 per passenger per booking in addition to Provider and credit card fees.
Credit Card Fees	Visa - an additional 2.0% applies
	Mastercard - an additional 2.0% applies
	American Express - an additional 2.0% applies

(All fees exclude GST, where applicable).

Privacy Notice

Darebin Travel collects your personal information to enable us to respond to your queries and provide you with the Booking & Advisory Services, including assisting in arrangements with Providers (such as hotels and flights).

We will also use your personal information to personalise the service we provide you, including your experience on our, and other, websites, and to provide you with information about our, and our partners’, business, products and services. Your personal information may be shared between entities within Darebin Travel and with DeluxeLife Pty Ltd (ACN: 647 484 115), disclosed to suppliers, Providers, our cloud infrastructure, our contractors and to others where authorised or required by law. Some of these entities may be located overseas.

ANNEXURE – TRAVEL TIPS FOR TRAVEL PRODUCTS

These tips set out below are NOT legally binding terms and conditions.

Passports, Visas and Health Requirements

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the required documents, including visas and passports, before travelling to a destination. For more information please log on to www.dfat.gov.au and www.smarttraveller.gov.au. Please check with the respective Embassy or Consulate of each country that you are travelling to, as many destinations require visas for both Australians and non-Australian passport holders. For more information, log on to www.visalink.com.au. You need to ensure that you have at least 6 months validity on your passport from the date of your departure return.

For International travellers booked on flights to the USA, including Hawaii, it is now mandatory, under the Visa Waiver Program to receive an electronic authorisation known as ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) no less than 72 hours before travel to the USA. This can be obtained from the following website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/ .

For international travellers booked on flights to Canada, you either need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to, or transit through, a Canadian airport. An eTA can be obtained from the following website: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/apply.html

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are aware of any health requirements for your travel destinations. Vaccinations are strongly recommended for certain destinations. You need to contact your local doctor who will advise you of these requirements. Please note that vaccinations may be recommended before your travel departure date.

Travel Advice

We recommend that you contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or visit their website at www.dfat.gov.au for general travel advice, as well as specific advice (including safety alert levels) relating to the destination you wish to visit.

Ticketing

For international and domestic departure, e-tickets will be issued upon payment and completion of the booking process. All other travel documentation, such as hotel booking confirmations, will be emailed to the email address you provided as an e-document. Should the Provider issue paper vouchers, these will be posted to the address you provided.

Baggage Allowance

Baggage allowance varies from airline to airline and in many cases the airfare you have paid may not include the cost to cover checked baggage. Please check with your Travel Advisor and/or the airline providing your flights for the allowances.

Frequent Flyers & Special Requests

For more information on whether your airfare is eligible for Frequent Flyer rewards, please contact the airline directly. When booking online, please ensure that you have entered your correct number. For bookings made by telephone via our Customer Service Team, please advise of your Frequent Flyer details and these will be added to your reservation. We do not take any responsibility should an airline not register your trip. You should retain copies of your air ticket and boarding pass.

Special requests will be passed on to the Providers but cannot be guaranteed.

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