Leisure Terms & Conditions

[Go Back]

TERMS, CONDITIONS & IMPORTANT TRAVEL TIPS:

1. Airlines may change flight schedules without notification, so please confirm your flights with the airlines the day before departure (Qantas Toll Free: 1800 2274500 USA, or 131223 Australia).
2. Most Airlines restrict baggage to 2 pieces per person plus a carry-on bag, however some flights in Australia (e.g. to Heron Island) are restricted to 1 piece per person plus a carry-on. Please check with the Airlines for baggage restrictions associated with your flights before you depart the USA. Penalties may be issued by the Airlines as a result of excess baggage. Excess baggage penalties are the responsibility of the client (person(s) traveling) and not About Australia.
3. Please confirm with the airlines at Check-in that they have all your Frequent Flyer information on record (e.g. Advantage Rewards Program with American Airlines etc).
4. If your International Flights were booked and paid through "About Australia", then your Visas for Entry into Australia were also processed by About Australia directly with the Australian Government. During check-in for your International flight if you are asked about your Visa’s please advise the airlines that they were processed directly by your Travel Agent.
5. We recommend you exchange some USD for some AUD (Australian currency) before departure from the USA. Similarly take some New Zealand currency with you if your itinerary includes NZ.
6. You can withdraw Australian dollars from ATMs in Australia using a Visa or Mastercard (please confirm with your bank that your card is set-up correctly). Here is a link that you can use to help you locate ATMs in Australia: www.visa.com.au
7. Visa and Mastercard are probably the most popular credit cards used in Australia & NZ. American Express Credit Cards are also widely used, but may not be accepted as widely as Visa and Mastercard. American Express Travelers Checks are also widely accepted throughout Australia & NZ. Discover Cards are not commonly accepted in Australia or NZ.
8. Please contact your Bank(s) for your Credit Card(s) and advise the Security Department of the dates that you will be traveling to Australia/New Zealand. If you do not let them know they may "cancel" your Credit Card as soon as they see unusual Foreign Transactions appearing on your account. THIS IS IMPORTANT - PHONE THEM RIGHT NOW!
9. Scuba diving in Australia: If you suffer from a medical condition or are taking medication, you may be required to complete a Medical Form (Certificate of Health) from an accredited Medical Practitioner before diving instructors will allow you to dive.  Diving Medical & Safety Requirements for Voyages Resorts (including Heron Island) are detailed on the following website: http://www.voyages.com.au/diving/ 
10.  Australia and NZ are well serviced with many ATM facilities that are globally connected.
11.  Please report to your pick-up locations for your Tours and Car Transfers in a timely manner.  Drivers are often on tight schedules and do not wait for people running late.  Tours and Transfers are non-refundable.
12.  Taxis are readily available throughout Australia and they accept Cash & Credit Cards.
13.  Penalty fees will be imposed directly to the client’s credit card in the event of a Rent-A-Vehicle not being returned to the Depot, returned late, or returned with damage. With all Rent-A-Vehicles we require the client to pay for their own Fuel and Insurance (pay-as-you-go).
14.  Any changes made to the itinerary by the client that result in penalty fees will be the responsibility of the client and not About Australia (e.g. "fees" resulting from changes to flights, hotel, car or tour bookings).
15.  Any itinerary changes requested by the client after bookings are in place will result in a minimum $100 fee from About Australia. This fee is in-addition to any other fees issued by other providers (e.g. Airlines, Hotels & Tour Operators).
16.  Please visit http://www.aboutaustralia.com/CancellationPolicy.htm for About Australia's current Cancellation Policy. 
17.  About Australia reserves the right to adjust the amount of any outstanding balances at any time according to USA/Australia Exchange Rate variations.
18.  About Australia is not responsible for loss associated with Visa's for entry into Australia.
19.  Phone numbers for your Hotels & Tour Operators can be found on your Vouchers. Leave a copy of your Vouchers & Itinerary with your family/friends so they can contact you while you are away. For other information on Australian Phone Numbers, Addresses & Timezones see URL: www.whitepages.com.au. For New Zealand: www.whitepages.co.nz
20.  For Weather forecasts and updates please refer to local Australian Newspapers (websites) such as the Sydney Morning Herald www.smh.com.au. Weather is reported in Degrees Celsius (Centigrade) in Australia. To convert to Fahrenheit (F) the formula is: F = 9/5 (C) +32
21.  For Australian Climate information please see: Australian Climate
22.  Common date format in Australia is: DD/MM/YY (not MM/DD/YY).
23.  To dial an Australian Phone Number from the USA use the following example as a guide. To phone Heron Island Resort the Australian Number is (07) 4972 9055. From the USA dial 011-61-7-49729055. ‘011’ to dial another country, ‘61’ is the country code for Australia, ‘07’ is the Area Code for the Australian State of Queensland (drop the ‘0’ when dialing from the USA) and 49729055 is the local phone number. For other International Dialing Codes (e.g. phoning Australia from New Zealand, or Fiji from Australia) please see: www.countrycodes.com
24.  To find the current ‘Time’ for any location within Australia go to www.worldtimeserver.com. It will also display the ‘Time Difference’ from your location to any location within Australia.
25.  For online Australian Street & City Maps go to www.whereis.com.au.
26.  Hint: Photocopy all your important documents (e.g. Credit Cards, I.D.’s, Tickets, Vouchers, Licences, Travel Insurance Info...) and keep a copy in a safe place. This copy will be extremely useful should you lose your wallet, purse or baggage.
27.  We recommend you take your medication with you in your carry-on luggage to avoid any medical problems in the event that your checked luggage is delayed or lost.
28.  In case of an Emergency whilst in Australia Dial "000" (not 911).