Birding Sydney and Beyond Terms & Conditions

When purchasing a BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND tour you are entering into an agreement with BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND. When you purchase a tour from BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND you are agreeing to the following Terms and Conditions of that agreement.

 

1. Participants agree that BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND will deliver a tour according to its advertised content.

2. Participants agree that BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND makes no promise that any particular bird or animal species will be encountered on any tour. Birds are wild animals and no sightings of any species can be guaranteed. BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND will not be held responsible for clients not seeing any particular species.

3. Tours must be paid for in full at the time of booking the tour.

4. (i)Tours cancelled within 7 days of tour result in 50% loss of tour cost. (ii)Tours cancelled within 48 hours of tour result in 100% loss of tour cost. (iii)Tours are transferrable, but 48 hours notice must be given in writing via email and the replacement guest must complete the tour booking form. You may, however, instead defer your tour to a later date that is within 3 months of your original tour date. (Your tour can only be deferred once) (iv) If you defer your tour within the 2 days before the tour date, there will be a 10% late deferral fee and if you subsequently cancel the tour then cancellation fees will be calculated based on your original date of deferral.

* TOUR ROUTES MAY BE ALTERED ON DAYS OF HIGH BUSHFIRE RISK

BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND will refund a tour for tours that are cancelled at BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND’S discretion - including if the tour is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather.

5. If weather conditions force a BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND tour to be abandoned another tour will be planned within thirty days or at a date which fits the participants’ calendars. If participants cannot attend another tour within three months a part refund will be offered and negotiated.

6. Small groups call for consideration from all participants so that all may enjoy the experience. Any antisocial behaviour (swearing, smoking in non-smoking areas, alcohol abuse etc) that could be detrimental to the enjoyment of a tour by the other group members, shall be deemed to be unacceptable. If there are complaints from other tour members and the tour leader finds any person unable to conduct themselves in a manner seen fit, the leader reserves the right to send them home at their own expense.

7. All participants on a BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND tour must conform to all NSW NPWS rules and guidelines.

8. All participants on a BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND tour must conform to any instruction from your BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND guide, National Park Rangers and other park employees on matters pertaining to touring activities and park use.

9. All participants on a BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND tour must refrain from attempting to handle any wildlife, pick flowers, sample ‘bush tucker’, collect feathers or disturb any wildlife, including nesting birds or birds feeding their young. All participants must be aware of our Ethical Birding and Birding Etiquette Rules.

10. (i)BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND tours are conducted on easy trails, some bushwalking/hiking trails and walking are required on trails Graded 1 to 4. Trails will run at a relatively slow pace gauged by the group’s ability, with frequent stops and breaks for snacks. Participants must be able to walk at least 6km. By accepting the tour, guests will be agreeing they have reasonable fitness and ability to safely participate in the tour chosen.   

(ii) Due to the physical activity in our tours, all new clients over 69 years of age will be required and agree to complete a medical clearance from a qualified medical practitioner.  

(iii) It is essential for guests to advise the business at the time of booking of any pre-existing condition, medical or otherwise, that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of the guest requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of the tour and the enjoyment of other participants. This should include, but not be limited to limb or back injury, epilepsy, dizziness, heart conditions, asthma, visual impairment, deafness, depression or recovering from recent surgery, allergies, or special dietary requirements. A guest may be requested to provide medical clearance from a qualified medical practitioner.

11. (i) Tours will require all children under the age of 17 be accompanied by an adult/guardian. Recommended age for tours taking Grade 1 - 4 trails will be 10 to 69.

(ii) Tours to suit age, physical ability and wheelchair accessibility can be privately requested which are less strenuous. These tours can be organised to take a more suitable route for an individual guest's capability. This is for guests who are less able, older and/or a family group who would like to book a private tour and bring their younger children. This will include only short trips from the guide vehicle and sticking to only Grade 1 or Grade 1 and 2 trails depending on capability.      

12. Some birds are sensitive and/or rare. Many of our bird’s locations are the result of many hours or days’ worth of work by our guides and are therefore considered BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND AND OWNER SIMON HUSHER’S Intellectual Property. Therefore the recording of these locations by use of Global Positioning System (GPS) devices of any kind (including, but not limited to, hand-held GPS devices, GPS apps on mobile/cell phones etc.) is prohibited during the tour. Furthermore, disclosure of species’ locations in the public domain is also prohibited. The use of apps such as e-bird is only allowed at the discretion and direction of the tour leader / guide. By booking this tour you agree to these requirements. If you are in breach of these requirements your participation in the tour may be terminated at the tour leader’s discretion, without any refunds payable to you for the unused portion of the tour.

13. (i). By paying the BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND tour fee you are indicating that you have read, understand and accept you will be covered by Public Liability insurance for personal accident and injury held by BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND AND OWNER SIMON HUSHER when participating in BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND activities. However none of your personal belongings will be covered by any insurance held by BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND. By paying a BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND tour fee you are indicating that you understand and accept this too.

14. (ii). BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND cannot offer any guarantee that your personal belongings won’t be lost or damaged during your participation in their field activities. BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND AND OWNER SIMON HUSHER accept no responsibility for any loss or damage you might incur in this regard. You accept full responsibility for all of your personal belongings at all times during your participation in all BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND activities.

15. If for some reason of force majeure (such as pandemic lockdowns, bushfires, floods, etc..) or personal illness or injury, BIRDING SYDNEY AND BEYOND AND OWNER SIMON HUSHER is unable to offer a TOUR, he retains the right to defer the event to a later date or, in extreme circumstances such as permanent injury, cancel the adventure without being held liable to compensation or refund. In the event of any of these occurrences, this will be conducted with the closest possible consultation with participants.

16. Participants are required to provide some of their own food/snacks for the tour unless otherwise stated in the tour’s description.