Outside Adventures’ Terms, Conditions and Cancellation Policy

By completing a booking with us, you agree to the following cancellation, payment, and operational terms. Please read these carefully before finalizing your payment.

1. Booking, Deposits and Payment Schedules

• Currency and GST: All prices are quoted in Australian Dollars (AUD) and are inclusive of GST unless explicitly stated otherwise.

• Public Bookings: Payments for public day tours, classes, kids' holiday programs, and events must be paid in full at the time of booking.

• Groups; Private, School and Corporate: A non-refundable 20% deposit is required to secure your requested date, staff, and equipment. The final balance is due strictly in accordance with your activity's cancellation window (14, 30, or 60 days prior to commencement). Failure to pay the final balance on time may result in the automatic cancellation of your booking and forfeiture of your deposit.

2. Cancellation, Transfer and Group Reduction Policy
Because we secure staff, permits, and equipment far in advance, we enforce strict cancellation windows.

Category A: Short-Term Activities

• Applies to: Single-session classes, multi-week course terms (5 or 8 weeks), kids' school holiday programs, day tours, and community events.

• Policy: You may cancel or reschedule your booking up to 14 days prior to the scheduled start date for a full refund (minus any non-refundable third-party booking fees if applicable).

• Inside the Window: Cancellations, transfers, or reductions in participant numbers made less than 14 days before the start date—or after a multi-week course has commenced—are 100% non-refundable and non-transferable.

Category B: Single-Day Expeditions and Private Group Bookings

• Applies to: Single-day expeditions, and any single-day/partial-day private group bookings (including school excursions, corporate events, and private family bookings).

• Policy: Changes, cancellations, or final reductions in group numbers must be settled at least 30 days prior to the event date to receive a refund of your final balance.

• Inside the Window: Cancellations or participant drop-outs made less than 30 days before the event are 100% non-refundable. The final balance invoiced at the 30-day mark remains payable in full, and group numbers cannot be decreased for a discount.

Category C: Multi-Day and Overnight Adventures

• Applies to: Any multi-day or overnight expeditions, overnight camps, or extended multi-day group bookings of any sort.

• Policy: Changes, cancellations, or final reductions in group numbers must be settled at least 60 days prior to the event date to receive a refund of your final balance.

• Inside the Window: Cancellations or participant drop-outs made less than 60 days before the event are 100% non-refundable. The final balance invoiced at the 60-day mark remains payable in full, and group numbers cannot be decreased for a discount.

3. Weather, Safety, and Company Cancellations

• Our Right to Cancel: As an outdoor operations company, our schedules depend on environmental conditions and logistical factors. We reserve the right to cancel or alter any tour, class, or expedition at any time due to unsafe weather, land manager restrictions, minimum participant numbers not being met, or unforeseen operational limitations.

• Company Cancellations: If we must cancel your activity for any reason, you will be issued a 100% credit or refund for the activity fee paid directly to us.

• Credit Expiry: All credits or vouchers issued by the company are strictly valid for 12 months from the date of issue and cannot be extended, refunded, or exchanged for cash.

• Extenuating Circumstances: We understand that severe emergencies and unforeseen hardships happen. While our cancellation windows are strictly enforced to cover our upfront guide and booking costs, management reserves the absolute, case-by-case discretion to review exceptional circumstances if notified in writing prior to the activity start time. Management's decision on any discretionary credit extension or transfer is final.

• Operation in Varied Weather: Our adventures are designed to run in a variety of outdoor conditions, including rain, wind, and cool temperatures. Activities will proceed as scheduled provided our guiding staff assess the conditions as safe.

• Customer-Initiated Weather Cancellations: Refunds, credits, or transfers are not provided due to poor weather or client discomfort if the activity is cleared to run by our team. Standard cancellation windows apply in these circumstances.

• Travel and Trip Insurance: While we cover activity fees for company cancellations, we do not cover personal losses caused by disruptions (such as external flights, car rentals, accommodation, or travel logistics). We strongly recommend that all participants purchase comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking to protect against unforeseen disruptions or emergency cancellations.

4. Operational, Late Arrival and Attire Policy

• Strict Schedules: Our activities run on strict timelines governed by daylight, park permits, and environmental factors like tides and weather tracking.

• Arrival Time: Participants must arrive at the exact time their activity is scheduled to start.

• Missed Departures: If you arrive after the group has departed or after the safety briefing has concluded, you will not be allowed to join the activity. Late arrivals are classified as a "No-Show" and are completely non-refundable and non-transferable.

• Required Clothing and Gear: Outdoor activities require specific personal attire for safety and comfort (e.g., enclosed footwear for hiking, appropriate synthetic layers for kayaking, and adequate sun or wet weather protection). A list of mandatory and recommended gear is detailed in your booking confirmation or sent via email, and can be found on our website's FAQ page.

• Right to Refuse for Unsafe Attire: If a participant arrives with inappropriate clothing or footwear that our guiding staff assess as a safety risk for the intended terrain or weather conditions, they will not be permitted to join the activity. This will be treated as an operational cancellation by the client inside the window, and no refunds or credits will be issued.

5. Behaviour and Right to Refuse Service

• Sobriety and Drug Policy: The consumption of alcohol or illicit substances before or during any kayaking, hiking, or group activity is strictly prohibited. Anyone who violates this policy will not be permitted to join the activity. This will be treated as an operational cancellation by the client inside the window, and no refunds or credits will be issued.

• Group Safety and Conduct: We maintain a respectful, safe environment. If a participant appears intoxicated, behaves aggressively, endangers themselves, or repeatedly ignores instructions from the guiding staff, they will be removed from the activity immediately. This will be treated as an operational cancellation by the client inside the window, and no refunds or credits will be issued.

Minors Policy: For activities involving children (including kids' school holiday programs and multi-week courses), any inappropriate, disruptive, or unsafe behaviour by a minor will result in their parent or guardian being contacted immediately to pick them up from the activity location. This will be treated as an operational cancellation by the client inside the window, and no refunds or credits will be issued.

• Forfeiture: In any instance where a participant is turned away or removed due to behavioural, safety, or sobriety issues, no refunds or credits will be issued. Any costs associated with arranging early transport back from remote locations will be the sole responsibility of the client or guardian.

6. Equipment Care and Liability

• Allocated Gear: You are responsible for any equipment (such as kayaks, paddles, lifejackets, or packs) provided to you or your group for the duration of the activity.

• Damage Charges: While we accept normal wear and tear, you agree to be held financially liable for any loss, theft, or negligent damage caused to the equipment. Replacement or repair costs will be billed directly to the primary booking contact.