Terms and conditions for tours, school bookings and corporate volunteering

When these terms and conditions apply

These terms and conditions apply in relation to any booking made for or by You on any booking system operated by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, The Environment and Water (ABN 27 578 976 844).

Bookings initiated through a 3rd party source may be subject to varied booking terms and conditions.

By confirming your booking, you are agreeing to all terms & conditions of sale, refund & exchange.

If you do not agree do not proceed. All orders are subject to credit card approval & billing address verification.

Definitions

NPWS, We, Us, Our: National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), part of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW ABN 27 578 976 844)

You, Your, Participant, Customer, Student: the person(s) who books the Tour and participates in a Tour.

Event: a NPWS coordinated event.

Tour which includes:

• NPWS excursions or incursions which are part of the NPWS education program; and
• Leisure and educational tours provided to the public (either solely run by NPWS or in partnership with a third party); and
• Other educational and leisure tours including corporate volunteering, as approved and provided by NPWS.

Paid Tour Price: Value paid in advance of the Tour.

NPWS Staff: NPWS Rangers who facilitate any Tour.

Policy: an applicable NPWS Policy listed under concession eligibility or any new or amended policy applicable in NPWS Parks from time to time.

General terms and conditions

All participants must comply with all applicable legislation while on lands managed by NPWS, including the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 and the National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2019 and applicable Policies.

We reserve the right to make amendments to these terms and conditions from time to time. We will notify You if You hold a future booking which may be affected by any amendments to these terms and conditions. NPWS reserves the right to alter pricing at any time. Unless notified otherwise, booking charges and cancellation terms will apply as sold at the time of booking. Any variations become effective on posting. By purchasing through this site after terms & conditions have been varied, you agree to be bound by the variation.

We will not be liable for any additional expenses or other losses relating to Your Tour, including but not limited to cancellations, missing connecting transport, extra accommodation, or food expenses.

All additional expenses incurred, or other losses remain Your sole responsibility.

Participants must follow all reasonable directions relating to the safe conduct of the Tour.

We reserve the right to remove or deny access to anyone who, in Our opinion, is a hazard to themselves or others, likely to cause harm (to others, equipment, or the environment), abusive, incapable, unprepared, breaches any legislation or Policy or acts in any way that may impact the safe conduct of the Tour.

We may terminate the booking prior to or during Your Tour by asking You to leave the park immediately, if You:

• breach any legislation or Policy
• breach these terms and conditions
• cause annoyance or nuisance to others
• behave unacceptably (including drunken or uncontrolled behaviour, offensive language, malicious or negligent use of facilities, theft, culturally disrespectful behaviour or damage to any park).  No refund will be provided in these circumstances.

We will not be liable for any additional expenses incurred due to the removal of a participant or a participant’s non-participation.

Tour participants must arrive suitably attired for all weather conditions and having regard to the nature of the specific Tour (e.g. wearing appropriate footwear or protective gear such as hats).

Tour participants agree to follow the Tour leader’s instructions including any safety directions and comply with all Policies and legislation.

Tour participants agree to take all reasonable steps to be responsible for their own safety during the tour.

Your personal information will be held and used in accordance with Our Privacy Management Plan and Guidelines as amended from time to time.

Please also review the additional terms and conditions appliable to different kinds of bookings, below.

Changes and cancellation policies

All Tours proceed as planned, unless cancelled by NPWS for reasons of public safety (including, though not exclusively, due to adverse weather).

NPWS reserves the right to make any alterations to the Tour as a result of circumstances beyond its control, without being obliged to refund or exchange tickets.

No refunds are given. However, if a tour is cancelled by NPWS, ticket holders will first be offered an alternative Tour date or Tour (subject to availability) up to the value of the existing ticket. If no suitable alternative can be provided, tickets will be refunded. The total amount of any refund is limited to the face value of the ticket(s).

The NPWS will reasonably endeavour to notify ticket holders of any changes, variations, or cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances.

NPWS will not be liable for any other losses incurred as a result of cancellation.

Terms of use
Start times:

• All Tours meet 15-mins prior to start time.
• Every attempt will be made to start Tours on time.
• If ticket holders have not arrived by the specified start time, the Tour will begin regardless, and no refunds will be given.

Ticket types

Tour participants must produce a ticket at commencement of the Tour.

Tour participants bearing concession tickets must show proof of concession in the form of ID. Failure to do so may result in the participant being charged full price.

Infants aged 0-4 and Children aged 5–16 years, not accompanied by an adult, will be refused entry unless otherwise stated. The recommended ratio is 1 adult for every 4 children.

Concession eligibility

NPWS offers concession discounts in alignment with its annual pass definitions. Eligibility and accepted forms of identification are outlined below.

Australian Seniors Card holders:

• Available to holders of a current Australian Seniors Card
• Not available for Senior Saver Card holders.

Eligible concession card holders:

• Australian pensioner concession card holders
• Australian veteran card holders.

Companion Card Program:

• Supports people with significant and permanent disability
• Allows free entry for the companion of the cardholder to community activities and events in NSW national parks.

Not eligible:

• Student concession card holders.
• Transport concession entitlement holders.
• International pensioner or seniors card holders.

Family and group discount

Customers who purchase 4 or more tickets in one transaction for the same session, date and product will receive 10% off the total booking value.

This offer must include minimum 1 full fee-paying adult and cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or promotion.

Accompanying adults

Participating adults in leisure or entertainment programs (e.g., cave tours, leisure activities) are charged standard adult rates, unless stated otherwise.

Supervision requirements must be met as per NPWS guidelines – Plans of Management and Guide to Participant ratio.

National park use fees

The cost of Your booking does not include fees such as but not limited to, vehicle entry fees or landing fees.

Where fees apply, it is Your responsibility to ensure You have a valid pass for the duration of Your visit. See more information about passes and fees.

Events

The following additional conditions are condition of sale & event attendance for bookings made online.

No refund or exchange on any ticket except as required by law & as otherwise specified by the seller.

If a refund is made, NPWS may to extent permitted by law, retain any fee charged.

The right is reserved to add, withdraw, reschedule or substitute artists & / or vary advertised programs, prices, venues & audience capacity.

The right of admission is reserved & subject to the seller's & venue's terms of admission.

NPWS reserves the right to broadcast or record any Event.

NPWS reserves the right to use promotional photography & videography captured during this Event.

Changes and cancellation policies

Cancellations and changes by You

To avoid disappointment, notify us of any changes to Your booking as early as possible.

Cancellations by You

You may cancel Your reservation in writing with up to 3 working days' notice before the Tour date, and We will refund You the Paid Tour Price.

For cancellations received within 3 days before the Tour date, We reserve the right to charge the cancellation fee nominated at the time of booking which may be an amount up to the Tour price, and (where applicable) if the Paid Tour Price exceeds the cancellation fee applicable, We will refund You the remaining amount.

You cancel a Tour after its commencement; no refund will apply.

Changes by You

We will endeavour to accommodate changes and additional requests, but any actual changes will be made at our discretion.

No show or late arrival:

• If You fail to attend Your Tour, You will not have the right to receive a refund of the Paid Tour Price.
• If You arrive late to Your Tour, this may result in reduced Tour duration, and it will not give You the right to a refund of the Paid Tour Price.

Minimum participant numbers:

• Minimum participant numbers apply for some of Our Activities, We will let You know whether this applies to Your Tour via Your booking confirmation.
• If these minimum participant numbers are not achieved, We will inform You before Your Tour on whether the applicable safety and logistic requirements are met, We will give You the option to proceed with the booking and charge You a Tour price based on the applicable minimum participant numbers; or We will have to cancel Your booking and cancel the Tour, and We will refund You the Paid Tour Price.

Change of Your party numbers

Maximum participant numbers may also apply for some of Our Activities. We will let you know whether this applies to Your Tour via Your booking confirmation.
A change in numbers may change the Tour price as follows:

• Where it increases the cost, We will need 3 days before the Tour date to update Your booking and charge You the additional cost.
• Where it decreases the cost, We will need more than 3 days to update Your booking and refund You the discounted portion of the Paid Tour price.  Within 3 days You will be liable to pay the original quoted price if your numbers decrease.
• For changes received within 3 days before the Tour date that only affect the Tour price, We reserve the right not to accept Your changes. If You do not wish to proceed with Your booking without the refused changes, we will refund You the Paid Tour Price.

Changes may affect the Tour’s viability. The Tour may no longer comply with one or more of the following:

• minimum participant numbers
• maximum participant numbers
• safety requirements.

For changes affecting the Tour’s viability, We reserve the right to cancel Your booking. In such a case, You may be eligible for a refund.

Cancellations and changes by NPWS

Logistics

Due to circumstances that are logistically beyond Our control, from time to time, We may have to, and reserve the right to, cancel Our Tours or vary Our programs (including but not limited to start and finish times, locations, pricing, inclusions, or itinerary).

NPWS will reasonably endeavour to notify participants of any changes, variations, or cancellations due to such unforeseen circumstances.

Poor weather

NPWS reserves the right to cancel, postpone or otherwise modify Tours in the event of extreme weather (which may include but is not limited to heavy rain, high winds, dangerous surf, extremes of temperature, or elevated fire risk).

NPWS will reasonably endeavour to notify participants of any necessary change, variation, or cancellation of Your scheduled Tour due to poor weather.

If You do not attend or participate based on Your own assessment of the weather, where NPWS has not cancelled the Tour, You may incur a cancellation fee.

Cancellations and changes by NPWS Refund

If We cancel a Tour after commencement, a partial refund may apply.

The total amount of any refund is limited to the amount paid for the Tour.

Booking policies

Tour prices

NPWS reserves the right to alter Tour prices at any time. Tour prices will be reviewed and updated at least once each financial year.

Unless otherwise stated, a quote is only applicable for the period within the financial year it was given. Where a quote is issued for a specific financial year and a booking is made in a different year, Tour price increases will apply. Where a Tour price has been updated, the Tour price will be the applicable price as at the time of booking and not at the time a quote was issued.

Pricing structure

Group Bookings: a flat rate applies for group bookings. These must be pre-booked and paid for in a single transaction.

Group Tour booking numbers, e.g. school groups, must be advised in advance. Group pricing applies only to pre-booked, single-payment groups.  Lower than agreed group numbers on the day of the Tour will not be reflected in a reduction in fees. Higher than agreed group numbers on the day of the Tour will incur increased fees and may not proceed if the numbers exceed the Park’s Plan of Management and Guide to Participant ratio policies.

Individual Bookings: priced per person and available through public online booking channels.

Booking

The booking of a Tour may require payment in advance or payment after the completion of the Tour. The one which applies to You will be determined and advised at the time of booking.

Payment due after completion of the Tour

Where the booking system indicates that payment is due after completion of a particular Tour:

• An invoice will be generated once the Tour is completed and emailed to You in the case of a NPWS education program Tour.
• Payment is required within 30 days of the receipt of an invoice.

Payment due at the time of booking

Where the booking system indicates that payment is due at the time of booking for a particular Tour:

• A booking is only accepted where the Tour price is paid, and after payment, we issue You a written booking confirmation.

Forms of payment

Payment can be made either by direct deposit, credit card (Mastercard, Visa), or EFTPOS and only in Australian Dollars.

Our Tour prices are listed in Australian Dollars ($AU) and include GST.

Cash payments are not accepted.

Terms of use

Park Use Fees

In addition to the Tour price, a Park Use Fee may apply to any vehicle entering the park as part of the Tour.

We will inform you as part of the quote where a Park Use Fee will apply and if so whether it is included in the Tour price.

Where a Park Use Fee is applicable and not included, You will be charged the relevant Park Use Fee as an additional and separate fee at the time of entry into the relevant national park or reserve.

Participants Responsibilities

NPWS staff will guide and encourage Participants as they carry out their field studies.

It is the school's responsibility to provide enough adult supervisors as required by the NSW Department of Education and Training. Supervising adults (e.g. teachers, carers) are free for educational programs. 

If there are not enough adult supervisors present in the Tour, NPWS reserves the right to cancel the Tour and forfeit the Paid Tour Price.

Students should be accompanied by their class teacher, who will be expected to assist in keeping the Students focused.

While the responsibility for behaviour, first aid, safety, and wellbeing decisions relating to the Students always lies with the teacher, NPWS staff have a duty of care to all visitors. They are trained to deal with emergencies, and emergency procedures are in place.

Accessibility

The NSW NPWS school and group bookings is an inclusive program that (aims to) accommodate all participants.

Raise any additional requirements, considerations, and specific needs during Your pre-booking discussions to ensure reasonable adjustments and strategies can be considered and adopted for the Tour.

Requirements, considerations, and specific needs may relate to or include, but are not limited to, disabilities, mobility challenges, hearing impairments, vision impairments, medical conditions, sensory processing challenges, regular medication requirements, cultural and, or faith considerations.