Terms and Conditions


This website is managed by Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd (3395314) and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd (4116414), Licenced Inbound Operators.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Prior to reading any further please note a new update by the Queensland Government effective 13/12/21 relating to visitors that are not fully vaccinated. Please read the following information issued by the Government COVID 19 Travel Restrictions.

Any cancellations need to be made in writing. There will be no further refunds for cancelations received due to non vaccination.

Great Barrier Reef Tour Bookings

  • All Great Barrier Reef Tour bookings are on a "Live Availability - Instant Book" or on a Request Basis.
  • Request basis tour bookings are not confirmed until receiving confirmation from our office in writing.
  • We use STRIPE to ensure secure credit card authentication
Tour Supplier

Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd act as agents for the Tour Supplier (Supplier). Should the Supplier be unable to fulfil a confirmed tour booking (in full or part) for any reason beyond their or our control, we will use our best endeavours to find you an alternative tour of a similar standard. If we cannot find a suitable tour that is acceptable to you, all monies will be refunded in full minus your banks merchant fees.

If we are required to change any part of your booking for reasons beyond our control, for example, a Supplier overbooks the tour, we will notify you. If any such changes result in the itinerary costing more or otherwise being materially different from that originally booked, then you may cancel the tour and we will refund any monies already paid less your bank’s merchant facility fees and any charges such as government taxes collected and levied by Suppliers.

Some Suppliers may impose updated booking terms and conditions that vary from the conditions stated on this website and from the initial date of a confirmed booking.

All users of these services are to read all correspondence so as to be fully aware of your obligations of the travel services.

Responsibility

Information featured on this website has been supplied by the Suppliers providing the various goods and/or services (Products). In supplying this information to you, we are acting as the agent of such Suppliers. Irrespective of any measures taken by us to ensure the information featured on this site is accurate at the time of publication, we disclaim and will be exempt from liability in respect of anything misleading, false, incomplete or inaccurate and any errors, incorrect description and all associated disappointment, loss, expense, damage, inconvenience, delay, death, shock, illness or injury, however caused.

The Participant acknowledges and agrees that, upon booking a tour, attraction or adventure through Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd, they have Acknowledgement of Risk, wherein the Participant releases Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd from any liability with respect to any injuries, loss or damages which may be sustained by the Participant in the course of undertaking any tour, attraction or adventure, whether dangerous, hazardous or otherwise.

All persons under the age of 18 years needs to have a parent or guardian travel with them on the booked tour, attraction or adventure. 

The Participant unconditionally agrees to fully indemnify Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and all its servants, agent's, clients and employees against any injury, damage or accident that may be sustained by the Participant, whilst participating in any tour, attraction or adventure booked through Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd or the Entities and Groups who offer various services to Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and also including tours, attractions and adventures won as prizes. 

The Participant warrants that he/she does not suffer from any Medical Condition and/or incapacity which may impair the Participants ability to participate in Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd tours, attractions and adventures and further, that the Participant does not suffer from any Heart Condition, Epilepsy, Asthma or other Medical Condition which may result in the Participant potentially placing himself/herself in a position of risk, by undertaking any tours, attractions or adventures booked through Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd. 

All users of these services are to read all correspondence so as to be fully aware of your obligations of the travel services.

It is the full responsibility of the Supplier to collect guests from their accommodation at the advised time by the Supplier if a request was made and confirmed for a transfer to the departure point for the tour. It is also the responsibility of the Supplier to return the guests back to the pick-up point as near to the time as possible and as indicated upon booking.

Please see the Supplier’s website for Terms and Conditions.

Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd, acting as agents, take no responsibility for the Supplier’s pick-up and drop-off times. We suggest that all tourists should take out travel insurance for any unexpected incidents and read the Supplier’s Terms and Conditions.    

We do not control the manner in which Products featured within this site are provided. We disclaim and will be exempt from liability for anything to do with the supply of such Products. This includes liability (whether as a matter of contract, tort, statute, restitution, or otherwise) for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss, liability, claim, cost, expense, proceeding, demand, penalty, disappointment, death, injury, illness, shock, inconvenience, or delay.

This limitation of liability also applies irrespective of the cause, including negligence of us or a Supplier, withdrawal, cancellation, or failure to provide a Product, delay, any variation in the Product, the provision of substitute Products or a change in the Supplier. Without limitation, we will not be responsible if the Product is not available due to inclement weather conditions or other acts of nature, civil disturbances, fire, floods, acts of Government or any other authorities, accident to or failure of machinery or equipment or industrial action.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance as it may protect you if you cancel your holiday due to unforeseen circumstances.

Payment

Deposit or Part payment is available for advance bookings and Full payment is required at the time of booking for travel within a 2 week departure.

  • Upon completion of your booking, our computer system will confirm the authentication of your credit card payment via STRIPE. You will then automatically receive an email confirming your Great Barrier Reef tour booking request, and then you will be issued a Travel Voucher with all of the required travel details from our reservations team once your booking is confirmed.
  • If you are only paying a deposit or part payment for your tour we recommend a bank deposit to avoid Merchant Fees. (For International SWIFT transfers please consult your bank for transfer fees)  
  • If paying by deposit and part payment by bank deposit, our reservations team will confirm your booking at the time of reservation and hold that booking for 48 hours only. If we do not receive the deposit, part payment in our bank account our reservations team may cancel your booking.  
  • You are required to present your Voucher to the Tour Operator upon arrival and check-in.

Please note credit card merchant fees apply:

  • Visa Card and Master Card 1.2%
  • AMEX 1.8%
  • JCB 3.2%
Cancellation and Refunds

We recommend you purchase travel insurance from a reputable insurance company for all travel needs.

All tour and attraction cancellations are subject to the individual Tour Operator’s cancellation policies. An additional $60 administration fee may apply to any tour and activity cancellations on bookings made with the Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd.

All private charters cancellations are subject to the individual Tour Operator’s cancellation policies.

  • An additional $250 administration fee applies to any private day charters cancellations on bookings made with the Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd, Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd.
  • An additional $450 administration fee applies to any extended/overnight private charters cancellations on bookings made with the Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd, Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd.
  • Private Yacht/Boat Charters are subject to individual cancellation policies and will be advised at time of booking

Please note, cancellation policies vary from one Tour Operator to another and guests are advised to check the Tour Operators website. 

If a tour is cancelled by the Tour Operator, Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd will endeavour to source an alternative tour. If an alternative tour is not available, a full refund will be issued.

Credit card merchant fees are non-refundable.

No-Show Policy

No refund is applicable.

Check-in Procedure

You are required to present your Great Barrier Reef Tour Voucher upon check-in. You are advised to ensure you allow adequate time to arrive at the pick-up location or check-in location to ensure you do not miss your tour or delay the departure time in any way.

Website Information

While all efforts are made to ensure that the information contained within the website is correct, we cannot guarantee that the site is free from errors or omissions. We do not accept liability for any errors or omissions and reserve the right to change information at any time without notification. You must be at least 18 years of age to book online. All offers are subject to availability and the standard conditions of the Supplier.

Rate Match 

Tours: Rates are to be valid for the same period of travel in the same year, same booking terms and conditions for the same tours. Rate Match does not apply to one off promotions/price/deal that is or may be valid for less than a continuous 31 days or more. 

The Lowest Online Rate does not apply to Tours for the following:

• Special 'member only' rates available to members of special programs or associations (i.e. NRMA, AAA, RACV senior and government employee discounts and other clubs, associations or loyalty programmes.)

• Group rates

• Corporate or Government rates

• Wholesale rates

• Affinity/association rates

• Secret or auction sites where the tour is not known until booking is finalised.

All Rate Matches  are up to the discrection of Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd, Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and it's associated companies. 

Great Barrier Reef Accommodation Bookings

Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd (3395314) and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd (4116414), are Licenced Inbound Operators and includes its subsidiaries, related body corporates and associated entities and websites that conduct business under the Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd trading names.

“You” means any user of this site and includes any person who receives a Service (whether or not that Service was acquired by another person);

“Service” means making this website and any software associated with it available to you and providing a facility to enter into transactions with third parties, (Suppliers) whose details and products and services appear on this website.

"Supplier" means the accommodation management team and its servants of the hotel, resort, apartment, or any other holiday place as recommended by the Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd, Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd.

Your use of this website and other Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd websites

Your use of the websites managed by Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and its services means you accept these Terms and Conditions. We may at any time modify these Terms and Conditions and the changes will come into effect once they are uploaded onto this website. You acknowledge and agree that your continued use of this website is subject to the Terms and Conditions in force at the time of your use.

Currency

All pricing on this site is reflected in Australian Dollars $AUD unless otherwise specifically denoted on the screen.

Accommodation Supplier

Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd act as agents for the Accommodation Supplier via a Live API feed to a Meta Search aggregator. When making a booking on our website you are to observe and ensure you are fully satisfied and understand the booking terms and conditions before proceeding to complete and pay for your accommodation booking.

Credit card merchant fees are non-refundable.

Some Suppliers may impose updated booking terms and conditions that vary from the conditions stated on this website and from the initial date of a confirmed booking.

All users of these services are to read all correspondence so as to be fully aware of your obligations of the travel services.

Responsibility

Information featured on this website has been supplied by the people and organisations (Suppliers) providing the various goods and/or services (Products). In supplying this information to you, we are acting as the agent of such Suppliers. Irrespective of any measures taken by us to ensure the information featured on this site is accurate at the time of publication, we disclaim and will be exempt from liability in respect of anything misleading, false, incomplete or inaccurate and any errors, incorrect descriptions and all associated disappointment, loss, expense, damage, inconvenience, delay, death, shock, illness or injury, however caused.

We do not control the manner in which Products featured within this site are provided or managed. We disclaim and will be exempt from liability for anything to do with the supply of such Products. This includes liability (whether as a matter of contract, tort, statute, restitution, or otherwise) for any direct, indirect or consequential loss, liability, claim, cost, expense, proceeding, demand, penalty, disappointment, death, injury, illness, shock, inconvenience or delay. This limitation of liability also applies irrespective of the cause, including negligence of us or a Supplier, withdrawal, cancellation, or failure to provide a Product, delay, any variation in the Product, the provision of substitute Products or a change in the Supplier. Without limitation, we will not be responsible if the Product is not available due to inclement weather conditions or other acts of nature, civil disturbances, fire, floods, acts of Government or any other management authorities, accident to or failure of machinery or equipment or industrial action.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance as it may protect you if you cancel your holiday due to unforeseen circumstances.

Payment
  • All accommodation bookings are on "Live Availability" via an API feed. Upon receipt of your payment, STRIPE will confirm authentication of your credit card details and you will automatically recieve an email confirming your booking. Our reservations team will then issue you with an Accommodation Travel Voucher.
  • You are required to present your Voucher to the accommodation house upon arrival and check-in.

At the time of booking, you are required to make payment in full for your accommodation as we source our accommodation on a Live Availability basis via an API feed so please ensure you have checked all the terms and conditions prior to booking. 

Please note credit card Merchant fees apply:

  • Visa Card and Master Card 1.2%
  • AMEX 1.8%
  • JCB 3.2%
Cancellation and Refunds

All cancellations are subject to the individual hotel and accommodation house cancellation policies as per stated on the booking forms and as stated in your original reservations request.

Credit card merchant fees are non-refundable.

Changes can only be made to accommodation bookings without restrictions i.e. some last minute booking deals are non-changeable and non-refundable.  

Please note all Cancellation Requests must be received in writing. If you do not receive confirmation of your cancellation within 24 hours, please contact us as it may not have been received.

Amendments

Amendments are subject to the terms and conditions of the original booking. Your first amendment is free, second amendement fee is $40.00.

No-Show Policy

No refund is applicable.

Check-in Procedure

At check-in, you will be required to present your Accommodation Voucher along with Photo Identification.

Individual accommodation houses require you to provide a credit card upon booking to cover any incidental charges you may incur during your stay.

Please note check-in time is generally from 2.00pm on the day of arrival and check-out time is generally 10.00am on the day of departure, unless otherwise stated. Should you require an early check-in or late departure please state this on your reservation form. Additional charges may apply

Apartment and Holiday Home rental may require off-site check-in procedures which will be advised at the time of reservation.

Please note: it is vitally important that you advise us of your flight details and arrival times for off-site check-in procedures for privately let holiday apartments and holiday homes.

Accommodation

When a property or room is booked through the Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd API, the Guest named on the Booking Confirmation is liable for any damage caused to the room or property and any missing items. If any damage is caused to, or any items are missing from, the property or room, the Guest gives Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd / Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and/or Managers the authority to debit the Guest's credit card for the estimated costs of any repairs or replacement of the said items, at the discretion of the property managers. Any balance to be refunded to the guest will be refunded within 14 days of the repaid being affected.

If a Guest arrives at the property and is not satisfied with the accommodation chosen, the Guest will remain liable for the full balance owed, unless it can be shown beyond doubt that the Guest did not get what was detailed on the Confirmation Form or what was depicted on any relevant Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd Publications, taking into account the Terms and Conditions raised below.

The majority of properties provided are strata titled. This means that each property is owned by a different person. Because of this, the furnishings in each property can vary. On our websites, we have displayed photos of typical properties. These are neither the best properties nor the worst. The photos are used as a guide only, and Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd cannot be held responsible if a particular property does not resemble photos on any Publication.

The Guest gives Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd authority to debit his/her credit card for any monies owing for his/her booking, in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.

It is the responsibility of the Guest to check if they have made a reservation to stay during a special event and if so to check if any additional fees and charges may apply during this time to a third party for access to a restricted area which can include the accommodation. It is the responsibility of the Guest to ensure they have the appropriate permit to access the accommodation and have paid applicable charges. We will not take responsibility for Guests who fail to do this.

Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd will endeavour to do its best to advise you, the Guest, of any rectification, works at, in or around the chosen holiday accommodation, resort, hotel or apartment if Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd are made aware of it prior to your arrival at the chosen holiday accommodation. Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd will not be held responsible or liable for non-notification of any maintenance, or rectification works to any of the services or facilities that may or may not be undertaken at your chosen holiday accommodation during your occupation.     

Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd act as "Agents" for the holiday accommodation only and have no control over the services and facilities that are the common areas of the resort, hotel, apartment or holiday accommodation as these services and facilities do not form part of our accommodation agreement between you the Guest and Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd the Agents.

In the event that there is a problem with the accommodation booked all customers are to contact the property managers and/or Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd at the earliest occasion the problem becomes apparent. We will not accept responsibility for any difficulty where the Guest does not alert us to the problem when it first becomes apparent.

The Guest agrees that the accommodation is booked only for the number of people stated on the Confirmation. Any additional people will be charged for at the applicable Supplier’s nightly rate. The Customer gives Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd the authority to charge the customer’s credit card for any such additional people.

If for any reason the property/house/room type becomes unavailable even though the Guest has a confirmed booking, the managers may need to relocate to a different property/house/room type. We will not be held liable for any change or additional charges may be required for a relocation.

Security / Bond

A key/security deposit may be required by the hotel or accommodation house and is to be paid by credit card details provided when the balance of tariff is paid. Standard bond requirements are $200 minimum in a One Bedroom property, $400 minimum in a Two Bedroom property and $600 minimum in a Three Bedroom property. The security deposit is refundable within seven (7) days of return of keys and is subject to additional cleaning/damage fees. Key collection arrangements are made prior to arrival. On vacating, the premises are to be securely locked and the keys are to be returned.

Any accommodation booked is for accommodation purposes only and expressly prohibits the use of this accommodation for anything other than this purpose. We expressly prohibit the use of accommodation for functions, gatherings or parties or any other purpose which would interfere with the comfort of other guests and facilities.

Gift Vouchers

Full Terms and Conditions relating to Gift Vouchers are available to read HERE. 

These “Terms and Conditions” relate to our current group of websites known under the Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd brand are: www.barrierreefaustralia.com; www.thetourspecialists.com.au; www.cairnsaccommodation.com; www.palmcoveaustralia.com; www.portdouglastravel.com, and any future website managed by Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and for tours, experiences and accommodation where we act as agents.

The goods and services that can be purchased as a “Gift Voucher/Certificate” from these websites include overnight accommodation, tours and attractions or a Voucher to a nominated value in Australian currency to be spent on the aforementioned.

When you purchase a Gift Voucher from any of the websites that are managed by Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd, you are bound by the Terms and Conditions that are published on this website.

*For more detailed information on Gift Voucher Terms and Conditions read HERE.

Redeeming Special Promotion Holiday Accommodation Vouchers

Congratulations you are about to get an amazing Holiday Accommodation Deal from the Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd so we just need you to read this fine print first, so you know our Terms and Conditions to ensure you are happy to abide by them

As always, the Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd recommend that you purchase Travel Insurance from a reputable Travel Insurance company.

Prior to purchasing an Accommodation Voucher please note the Block Out Dates i.e. Non-Availability Dates.

You can purchase the Accommodation Voucher now and book your holiday dates at a later stage once you have checked flight information.

We recommend you book your preferred dates as soon as you can to ensure you have locked in your first travel date preferences.

Please note the number of guests the room type can accommodate, extra persons at extra persons rate TBA.

You can purchase multiple vouchers for yourself, for your friends and as gifts for whomever you like to bestow them upon, just advise them they need to read, understand and abide by these Terms and Conditions for redeeming these Accommodation Vouchers.

  • Unless otherwise specified, Accommodation Vouchers include all taxes related to the Accommodation Voucher and expressly exclude any other travellers’ costs.
  • We try to accommodate life’s little changes and we will do our very best to change your already Booked and Confirmed Accommodation dates to another new date as requested by you. Any change in date of the originally confirmed booking will attract a re-booking fee of $40.00 and changes are only permitted subject to the hotels terms and conditions.
  • Please note these Voucher Offers are valid for NEW BOOKINGS ONLY and are not valid for bookings currently held, cancelled, and re-booked on this offer. We and our Accommodation Suppliers do not permit cancellations of held bookings to re-book on Voucher Offers for bookings currently held on the same travel dates.
  • Should you currently have an accommodation booking with the Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd or Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd you will need to check the Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and the nominated Accommodation Supplier’s terms and conditions for any cancellations and change of travel dates.
  • These Accommodation Voucher Offers only apply to the Accommodation Suppliers on the newsletter and those as advised by the representatives of the Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd.

There are no refunds on these amazing Accommodation Sales Deals. 

  • All Accommodation Voucher bookings and all date change bookings must be made according to the advertised sales dates and the advertised block out dates.
  • Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd do not facilitate and are not liable for any special requests, which may be accommodated directly with the Accommodation Supplier.
  • You agree to abide by any additional rules and restrictions that the Accommodation Supplier may require and violation of such additional rules and restrictions may result in additional charges and the cancellation of your Accommodation Booking.
  • All promotions are subject to the applicable laws and regulations of Queensland, Australia.
  • When checking into your holiday accommodation, in most cases you will be required to provide security to the Accommodation Provider in the form of a cash deposit or credit card. Please ensure you are prepared for this prior to arrival at your holiday accommodation.
  • Don’t forget to print your vouchers and supply them to the Accommodation Supplier upon check-in.
  • When purchasing your accommodation voucher, ask the Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd about Big Discounts on your tours with Barrier Reef Australia.
  • Discounts dollar amounts or percentage amounts on all Tours and Attractions are at the discretion of the Cairns Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd and Australia Holiday Specialists Pty Ltd. All tour cancellations will incur a 30% of the total Discount Tour Price.
Normal cancellation penalties will apply see our terms and conditions on booking.

Great Barrier Reef Blog