SMALL WORLD JOURNEYS TERMS & CONDITIONS
PLEASE ENSURE PARENTS READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS.
BOOKING
IF YOU ARE A TEACHER BOOKING A GROUP TRIP (or an individual on that trip)
The booking of any trip requires a $150 AUD per person non-refundable deposit. This amount is based on estimated participant numbers and comes off the total balance due. Until this deposit is received, no trip is confirmed. We advise you not to make any travel plans or book flights until you have received our confirmation.
For student groups, we must then receive the following:
1) BOOKING FORM (accessed on our website through the special link we send you) NO LATER THAN 60 DAYS PRIOR TO THE TRIP
2) SIGNED RELEASE, DISCHARGE AND INDEMNITY FORM (accessed on the trip website we send you the link for) Parents must read and e-signed before any money is collected from parents. NO LATER THAN 60 DAYS PRIOR TO THE TRIP
We urge you to check the details we send you carefully and to contact us immediately if there is any incorrect information.
Please note that before we can accept your booking it is a mandatory requirement that you accept these terms and conditions.
If you are the parent/guardian of a minor student, you will need to e-sign the Release, Discharge and Indemnity Form BEFORE remitting any payment to Small World Journeys. You are agreeing to the terms and conditions of this agreement and that it is a legally binding agreement between Small World Journeys and you.
If you are an adult participant, you understand that you are entering into this agreement electronically and that by clicking “Submit Form”, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of this agreement and that it is a legally binding agreement between Small World Journeys and you. You must agree to these terms and conditions BEFORE remitting any payment to Small World Journeys.
PAYMENT
At time of booking………………………….$150 per person non-refundable deposit
60 days prior to departure……………… Balance is due
If you sign up for a trip within 60 days of trip departure, full payment is due at the time of booking.
If your balance payment is not received at 60 days prior to your trip, a 2% late payment charge will apply.
If your balance payment is not received by 30 days prior to the trip, Small World Journeys reserves the right to consider the reservation cancelled and you will be forfeiting your deposit.
We accept direct deposits, Australian bank cheques, and international cheques in Australian dollars or international wire transfers in Australian dollars. Our bank details are listed on your invoice. We also take payments on line with MasterCard and Visa but please note group payments by these credit cards will attract a 2.3% surcharge.
CANCELLATIONS
IF YOU CANCEL
Accidents happen; emergencies occur. For this reason we strongly recommend travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you should an emergency happen that prevents you from participating on your Small World Journeys trip.
If it is necessary for you to cancel your trip, you must notify us in writing by email or letter immediately. If we are unable to find a suitable alternative trip or trip date, we will refund you the cost of your trip less the following, per person charges:
61 days or more prior to departure………………………………….$150 per person
60-31 days prior to departure…………………………………………..50% of total price
30 days or less prior to departure…………………………………….No Refund
Your refund will be calculated on the day we receive your written cancellation.
TRANSFERS
- If you postpone your trip more than 60 days prior to trip departure date we will be happy to transfer 100% of your monies paid to another Small World Journeys trip or different departure date within 12 months of the original trip start date. If cancelling, the cancellation fees above apply.
- From 31 to 60 days prior to departure—50% of the cost of Small World Journeys scheduled trip is non-transferable and non-refundable.
- Less than 30 days prior to departure – all amounts paid to Small World Journeys scheduled trip are non-transferable and non-refundable.
IF YOU ARE AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT TRAVELLING INDIVIDUALLY ON ONE OF OUR HOLIDAY PROGRAMS
Please read all of the terms and conditions on this page to decide if you want to participate. Please note that before we can accept your booking it is a mandatory requirement that you accept these terms and conditions.
Then we will need from you & your HOME COUNTRY PARENTS no later than 35 days before the trip start:
1) BOOKING FORM (accessed on our website)
2) SIGNED RELEASE, DISCHARGE AND INDEMNITY FORMS (also accessed on our website) HOME COUNTRY parents must read and e-sign before any money is paid.
3) PAYMENT OF $200 DEPOSIT. This amount comes off the total balance due. Until this deposit is received, your place on the trip is not confirmed. We advise you not to make any travel plans or book flights until you have received our confirmation.
4) Once the trip is confirmed at 30 days prior to the trip, you then PAY THE BALANCE DUE.
If you are the home country parent/guardian of a minor student, you will need to e-sign the Release, Discharge and Indemnity Form BEFORE remitting any payment to Small World Journeys. You are agreeing to the terms and conditions of this agreement and that it is a legally binding agreement between Small World Journeys and you.
If you are a participant 18 years old or over, you understand that you are entering into this agreement electronically and that by clicking “Submit Form”, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of this agreement and that it is a legally binding agreement between Small World Journeys and you. You must agree to these terms and conditions BEFORE remitting any payment to Small World Journeys.
PAYMENT
At time of reservation…………………….$150 AUD deposit due (If you cancel before 35 days before the trip, this deposit is refunded. Within 35 days of the trip, the deposit is non-refundable)
30 days prior to departure………………Balance is due
If your balance payment is not received when due, Small World Journeys reserves the right to consider the reservation cancelled and you will be forfeiting your deposit.
For payment, we accept direct deposits, MasterCard and Visa.
CANCELLATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
IF YOU CANCEL
Accidents happen; emergencies occur. For this reason we strongly recommend travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you should an emergency happen that prevents you from participating on your Small World Journeys trip.
If it is necessary for you to cancel your trip, you must notify us in writing by email or letter immediately. If we are unable to find a suitable alternative trip or trip date, we will refund you the cost of your trip less the following, per person charges:
35 days or more prior to departure……………………………..…..full refund of $150 deposit
34-30 days prior to departure…………………………………………$150 deposit retained
30 days or less prior to departure…………………………….……..No Refund
Your refund will be calculated on the day we receive your written cancellation.
FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS:
IF WE CANCEL YOUR TRIP
Small World Journeys may cancel a trip due to logistical or operational issues, insufficient sign-ups or any other cause that makes the trip unfeasible for us to operate. If we do not find an alternative for you that is acceptable, you are entitled to a full refund and that will constitute full settlement.
We may also cancel departures if forced to do so by circumstances such as war, civil or political unrest or what is commonly referred to as FORCE MAJEURE.
Force Majeure
In the case of Force Majeure (meaning a circumstance beyond Small World Journeys’ reasonable control including, but not limited to, war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, disease, industrial or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire and strikes), Small World Journeys will not be liable for any delay, change or cancellation of trips.
Small World Journeys normally makes significant payments to its suppliers (hotels, outfitters, etc.) far in advance of the scheduled departure date. If a trip is cancelled due to force majeure, Small World Journeys will promptly refund the portion of the trip cost not already advanced to suppliers. Small World Journeys may, in its discretion, recover from its suppliers a refund of money paid in respect of any trip cancelled due to Force Majeure. Where this occurs, a refund will be given. Otherwise, Small World Journeys will not be liable to refund money paid in respect of a cancelled trip.
Please note Small World Journeys is also not responsible for expenses incurred while preparing for a cancelled trip (e.g., nonrefundable advance purchase air tickets, special equipment, visa fees, loss of enjoyment, etc.) or for any additional arrangements made before or after the cancelled trip.
REFUNDS
Prices are quoted as a package, and in many cases are based on group participation. Therefore, Small World Journeys does not give refunds for unused services, activities or meals. Additionally, no refund will be given if you voluntarily leave a trip for any reason after the trip has begun. Refunds will be at the discretion of Small World Journeys should you be forced to leave a trip for any reason. No refunds will be given to a participant in a group who cancels less than 30 days prior to the trip (please consider travel insurance for this reason)
CHANGES TO ITINERARY
Once you have accepted our formal itinerary proposal, we will require a $150 AUD per person deposit to secure your trip booking. If you want to make further changes after the itinerary has been finalised, we will at this point require a non-refundable $50 AUD Change Fee for every itinerary change you ask from us. We reserve the right to refuse repeated itinerary changes once the final itinerary has been agreed upon and the admin fee has been paid.
PRICING
We reserve the right to change our prices without prior notice, due to factors beyond our control. Price increases are not passed on to participants who have already paid a deposit, unless the trip is postponed to a new tourism year (which starts 1 April).
Pricing is based on the age of the students when they will be travelling with Small World Journeys.
ITINERARIES & CHANGES
We will take every measure to ensure the accuracy of the website, promotional literature, itineraries and prices, but conditions can change and errors can occur. Circumstances beyond our control may also necessitate changes to our itineraries. In this case, guests should refer to the tour itinerary included on the special trip website with the updates. Changing conditions in the field may also necessitate itinerary modifications after the trip has departed.
PRE-TRIP MATERIALS
Once you have signed up for a trip, Small World Journeys will send you a link to a special website with additional information to help you prepare for your trip.
You will have access to a special website with the following information:
- General Information document which includes visa, travel agent and travel insurance information, reading list, information on climate, cultural etiquette, and other helpful information
- Suggested Packing List
- Videos and other educational resources
COMPLAINTS
Small World Journeys takes guest satisfaction and feedback quite seriously. This is why we give every guest who travels with us an Evaluation Form so that he or she may give us honest feedback, and if applicable, lodge a formal complaint with Small World Journeys.
Before you enter the state of Queensland, and as a condition of booking, we ask you to read our Complaints Policy, found in our Terms & Conditions document. We will provide a copy of this Policy in your first language if requested.
Should you have any complaints about any aspect of Small World Journeys’ operations or our suppliers, please inform us in writing. We will address your complaint in a prompt and professional manner within 5 working days of having received the complaint, and if appropriate, take remedial action.
You may contact us by email: info@smallworldjourneys.com.au or by post: PO Box 6267, Cairns, QLD 4870. If you are dissatisfied with the conduct of Small World Journeys, you may contact the Commissioner of the Office of Fair Trading on 131 304 or via email at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au/complaint-general.html.
At no point will this dispute resolution process affect you from exercising your rights to other legal remedies.
INSURANCE
We strongly recommend you purchase insurance coverage to protect you in the event of trip cancellation, protection to baggage, possessions and valuables and to cover against personal accident. Travel insurance should cover you if you become sick or injured before your trip, thus preventing you from travel.
For more information on travel insurance, please contact our travel agent Sandy Siriani at MTA Travel or by email: ssirianni@mtatravel.com.au
We will not be responsible for any loss, damage, or theft of your baggage, possessions or valuables under any circumstances.
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CLIENT
You are responsible for:
1. Choosing a trip appropriate to your physical abilities and interests. Guests are responsible for being in sufficiently good health to participate on their trip and may be required to obtain a medical practitioner’s clearance. Once a trip has been confirmed medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy. Small World Journeys takes no responsibility regarding medical advice, medications or vaccinations that you or your doctor feel is necessary for your safe participation. All journeys are undertaken at your own risk and we reserve the right to refuse your participation in a particular activity or a complete journey if we believe it is for your own safety and the safety of other passengers.
2. Having a valid passport for international travel. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date which you expect to return home. You are responsible for arranging visas or travel permits, if applicable. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry to Australia.
3. Providing Small World Journeys with correct information regarding your personal details. This includes name, address, email, medical conditions and flight details. We will not be responsible for losses incurred due to incorrect, incomplete or inaccurate information.
4. Providing Small World Journeys with a signed Release, Discharge and Indemnity Waiver prior to trip departure (You will not be permitted to join a trip without this information on file). You are also responsible to complete and submit an updated version of the Release, Discharge and Indemnity Waiver if any medical conditions change between the time you completed the waiver and the start of the trip.
5. Studying the pre-departure information sent to you, and arriving at the trip start with the recommended clothing and gear as specified on the Packing List.
6. Respecting the laws and customs of Australia.
7. Following the leader’s directions in accordance with environmental guidelines and regulations. This includes abiding by Leave No Trace Environmental Ethics as instructed by the trip leader.
8. Appreciating that in Australia, level of service, local customs, etiquette, food, living standards and accommodation may differ from those in the your home country. In Cairns especially, the pace of life and service can differ significantly from other Westernized nations.
9. Respecting the rights and privacy of other trip members. Any cause of danger, distress or annoyance to the group will be acted upon. You may be asked to leave a trip if the guide feels that your continuing participation may prove detrimental to yourself or to the safety or well-being of other guests. Any expenses incurred from removal from a tour will be your responsibility.
10. Informing Small World Journeys if–either whilst ON the trip or any time in the two weeks prior to the trip–you are feeling unwell; if you have any flu-like symptoms; if you have been exposed to anyone known to be infected with COVID-19, if you have been advised to self-isolate; or if you suspect you may have COVID-19. You will then be recommended not to attend the trip until QLD Health advises it is safe to do so.
11. You also need to inform Small World Journeys if you are considered vulnerable or “at-risk” to COVID-19. Vulnerable customers (those who identify as ‘at-risk’) are recommended not to attend the trip until QLD Health advises it is safe to do so. Vulnerable (those who are considered “at risk”) customers who are comfortable participating on the trip are advised to take your own additional safety precautions, understanding that Small World Journeys cannot guarantee your safety.
Parents will be asked to read and understand the following waiver, release & indemnity:
In consideration of Small World Journeys Pty Ltd, ATF SWJ Family Trust, trading as Small World Journeys (referred to as “SWJ”) permitting me to participate in the activities, including transit to or from the activities or instruction in the activities (such participation, instruction and transit referred to as “Activities”), I acknowledge and agree as follows:
Risk Warning & Acknowledgement
- I acknowledge that the services provided may involve travel and activities undertaken offshore or in remote locations where medical treatment and evacuation may be delayed or unavailable.
- The Activities comprise sporting activities or similar leisure time pursuits and I am participating in the Activities for the purpose of enjoyment, leisure or recreation. I acknowledge that the Activities may be dangerous and involve a significant degree of physical exertion or physical risk. I voluntarily choose to participate in the Activities, fully accepting that the materialisation of those risks may cause personal injury, death, property damage or economic loss.
- The business of SWJ involves the coordination, packaging and supply of tourism and recreational services which may be provided by an independent contractor who is not an agent of SWJ. I have not relied on nor has SWJ given any representation or warranty (whether express or implied) about the quality of the services of the independent contractor. I solely rely on the skill, judgment, expertise and explanation and advice about risks of the Activities of the independent contractor in respect of the service provided by an independent contractor.
Waiver & Release
- Section 139A of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 permits SWJ, as a supplier of recreational services, to ask you to agree that the statutory guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law do not apply to you (or a person for whom or on whose behalf you are acquiring the recreational services).
- To the greatest extent permitted by law (including section 139A of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010) I unconditionally release, discharge and agree not to sue SWJ in respect of all liabilities, claims and causes of action that may arise from any act, omission, default, failure or error on the part of SWJ (including any negligent act, omission, default, failure or error) occurring wholly or partially and whether before, during or after the Activities.
- To the greatest extent permitted by law (including section 139A of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010) I indemnify and will keep indemnified SWJ from any liability, claim or cause of action that may be brought against SWJ as a result of or in connection with any act, omission, default, failure or error on the part of SWJ (including any negligent act, omission, default, failure or error) occurring wholly or partially and whether before, during or after the Activities.
- To the greatest extent permitted by law (including section 139A of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010), in the event of my death, caused wholly or partially by the Activities, my estate and my personal representatives, executors or administrators indemnify and will keep indemnified SWJ from any liability, claim or cause of action that may be brought against SWJ by my personal representatives, executors, administrators, dependants or any other person entitled to claim damages in respect of my death.
- Clauses 5, 6 and 7 are limited to liability for:
- death; or
- a physical or mental injury (including the aggravation, acceleration or recurrence of such an injury); or
- the contraction, aggravation or acceleration of a disease; or
- the coming into existence, the aggravation, acceleration or recurrence of any other condition, circumstance, occurrence, activity, form of behaviour, course of conduct or state of affairs:
- that is or may be harmful or disadvantageous to you or the community; or
- that may result in harm or disadvantage to you or the community.
- I have read and understood the matters set out in this document and affirm that I am over the age of 18 and legally competent to give this waiver, release and indemnity. I understand that this document is contractual in nature, has legal effect and is not merely a warning nor provided for information purposes. I have signed this document of my own free will and without any representation or inducement by SWJ, its agents or employees. I acknowledge that SWJ has relied on this document in allowing me to participate in the Activities.
- Where this document is signed for a participant under 18 years of age, then the parent/guardian signing this document covenants in terms of clauses 5 to 9, and 11, in respect of any claim, liability or cause of action that arises out of or is incidental to the child’s participation in the Activities.
- I agree that the law of the State of Queensland, Australia, will apply to my participation in the Activities and the contract concluded by my signing this document, irrespective of where I sign this document. The courts of Queensland, Australia, and courts of appeal from those courts will have jurisdiction to determine any claim or dispute arising out of my participation in the Activities and this document and I submit to that jurisdiction.
Photographs
- I give to SWJ and its directors, officers, proprietors, employees, representatives or agents the irrevocable right and permission to take photographs of me and/or my child for use in any publication such as advertising, direct mail, brochures, newsletters and magazines advertising SWJ’s business and to use those photographs in electronic versions whether on the world wide web or in other electronic forms of media.
- I waive any right to inspect or approve proofs or finished photographs or printed or electronic material displaying images of me and/or my child and indemnify and agree to keep indemnified SWJ, its directors, officers, employees, representatives and agents against any liability, claim or cause of action that may be brought against SWJ by me in respect of such publication.
Please do not pay your deposit if you are not in agreement with this waiver, release & indemnity.
RESPONSIBILITY OF SMALL WORLD JOURNEYS
LIMIT OF LIABILITY
Small World Journeys will take all reasonable steps expected of a tour operator to ensure your safety and well being.
Some days or activities and certain trips listed in this catalog are operated by local tour operators contracted with Small World Journeys. We assume no liability or responsibility in connection with any injury, death, loss, accident, damage, cancellation, delay or inconvenience to person or property which may result through the acts of any company or person engaged in carrying out arrangements of the trip or resulting directly from the following: acts of God, detention, annoyance, terrorism, thefts, pilferage, force majeure, civil disturbances, government restrictions or regulations, strikes, delays and expenses arising from quarantine, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, discrepancies or change in transit or hotel services beyond the control of Small World Journeys.
Extreme care is taken in the contracting of all services, however we cannot be responsible for the errors or omissions of the suppliers or services. In the unlikely event that a supplier fails to honour their contract with us, we reserve the right to alter, change or cancel such services which are outlined in our website and promotional material. If and when such a change occurs, we will attempt to substitute a comparable service. However, we will not be liable for any difference in the quality or enjoyment.
Small World Journeys reserves the right and trip participants agree to allow Small World Journeys to take photographic or film records of any of our trips and trip participants, and may use any such records for promotional and/or commercial purposes. You acknowledge that during the trip which you are choosing to participate in you are subjecting yourself to certain risks including, but not limited to: forces of nature, travel in remote areas and wilderness terrain, and transportation by coach. You recognise that such risks may be present at any time during the trip.
Small World Journeys reserves the right and trip participants agree to allow Small World Journeys to take photographic or film records of any of our trips and trip participants, and may use any such records for promotional and/or commercial purposes.
COVID-19 Safety Clause
The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 is extremely contagious and is believed to spread mainly from person-to-person contact. As a result, federal, state, and local governments and federal and state health agencies recommend social distancing.
Small World Journeys has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19; however, Small World Journeys cannot guarantee that you or your child(ren) will not become infected with COVID-19. Further, participating in a Small World Journeys tour COULD increase your risk and your family’s risk of contracting COVID-19. Vulnerable (those who are considered “at risk”) customers who are comfortable participating on the trip are advised to take your own additional safety precautions, understanding that Small World Journeys cannot guarantee your safety.
By agreeing to these terms & conditions, I acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that my child(ren) and I may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 by participating in a Small World Journeys tour and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death. I understand that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 on a Small World Journeys tour may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself and others, including, but not limited to, Small World Journeys’ employees, volunteers, and program participants and their families.
Payment of your deposit represents your acceptance of the above terms and conditions.
Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners
We humbly acknowledge Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islander People as the first inhabitants of Australia and acknowledge Traditional Owners of the lands where we work and our groups travel, which include the Yirrganydji, Yidinji, Kuku Yalanji, and Djabugay people.
We were inspired by the beautiful artwork of local indigenous artist Colin Higgins – painter and musician from Yarrabah. We commissioned Colin for the use of his painting (symbolising the world in the dry season) and are grateful for his contribution to Small World Journeys
