Privacy Policy

Introduction

Welcome to Yarra Walks ("we," "our," or "us"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, book our hiking adventures, or engage with our services. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about our data practices. Please read this privacy policy carefully to understand our views and practices regarding your personal data and how we will treat it.

Information We Collect

Personal Information

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you register on our website, book an adventure, subscribe to our newsletter, or contact us. This information may include your name, email address, phone number, mailing address, emergency contact information, dietary restrictions, medical conditions relevant to hiking activities, fitness level, and payment information. We also collect information about your hiking preferences, experience level, and any special requirements for your adventure.

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing activities. This includes your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, referring website URLs, pages viewed, time spent on pages, access times, and other diagnostic data. We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect this information and improve your browsing experience on our website.

Location Information

During our hiking adventures, we may collect location data to ensure participant safety, provide navigation assistance, and enhance the overall experience. This information is used solely for safety purposes and to improve our services. We may also use GPS tracking during adventures for emergency response and route optimization purposes.

How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for various purposes, including:

• Processing and managing your adventure bookings and reservations
• Communicating with you about your bookings, including confirmations, updates, and important safety information
• Providing customer support and responding to your inquiries
• Personalizing your experience and recommending suitable adventures based on your preferences and fitness level
• Sending you marketing communications about new adventures, special offers, and company updates (with your consent)
• Ensuring participant safety during adventures through emergency contact information and medical considerations
• Improving our services, website functionality, and user experience
• Complying with legal obligations and protecting our rights and interests
• Conducting research and analysis to enhance our adventure offerings

Information Sharing and Disclosure

Third-Party Service Providers

We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business, including payment processors, booking management systems, email marketing platforms, and website analytics providers. These parties are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the specific services they provide to us.

Safety and Emergency Situations

In case of emergencies during adventures, we may share relevant personal information with emergency services, medical personnel, park authorities, and family members or emergency contacts. This sharing is essential for ensuring participant safety and providing appropriate medical care when needed.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others, investigate fraud, or respond to government requests.

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our business, your personal information may be transferred to the acquiring entity, subject to the same privacy protections outlined in this policy.

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. This includes encryption of sensitive data, secure server hosting, regular security assessments, staff training on data protection, and access controls limiting who can view your information. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyze website traffic, and personalize content. Cookies are small data files stored on your device that help us remember your preferences and improve website functionality. You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings, but disabling cookies may affect certain website features. We use both session cookies (which expire when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (which remain until deleted or expired).

Your Privacy Rights

Access and Correction

You have the right to access, update, or correct your personal information. You can log into your account to review and modify your information, or contact us directly for assistance. We will respond to your requests within a reasonable timeframe and may require verification of your identity.

Data Portability

You have the right to receive a copy of your personal information in a structured, commonly used format and to transmit this data to another service provider where technically feasible.

Deletion Rights

You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions such as legal requirements, ongoing contractual obligations, or legitimate business interests. We will retain necessary information for safety and legal compliance purposes even after account closure.

Marketing Opt-Out

You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by using the unsubscribe link in emails, adjusting your account preferences, or contacting us directly. Even if you opt out of marketing communications, we may still send you important transactional messages related to your bookings.

Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to children under 13 years of age, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. For participants between 13 and 18 years old, we require parental or guardian consent before collecting their information. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information promptly.

International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence, including Australia where our primary operations are located. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers and that your information receives equivalent protection regardless of where it is processed.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. Adventure-related information may be retained for extended periods for safety, insurance, and legal compliance purposes. When information is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it.

Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this privacy policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy on our website and updating the "Last Updated" date. For significant changes, we may provide additional notice through email or other communication methods. Your continued use of our services after policy updates constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this privacy policy or our data practices, please contact us using the information below. We are committed to addressing your privacy concerns promptly and transparently.

Compliance and Governance

We are committed to compliance with applicable privacy laws and regulations, including the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for European users, and other relevant data protection legislation. We regularly review and update our privacy practices to ensure ongoing compliance and protection of your personal information.