Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

Welcome to Yarra Walks! These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of our website and booking of our Australian wilderness hiking experiences. By accessing our website or booking any of our adventures, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you disagree with any part of these terms, please do not use our services.

Yarra Walks reserves the right to update and change these Terms at any time without prior notice. Your continued use of the service following the posting of any changes to these Terms constitutes acceptance of those changes. We recommend checking this page periodically for updates.

2. Description of Services

Yarra Walks provides guided hiking and wilderness adventure experiences throughout Australia, specializing in sustainable eco-tourism with cultural sensitivity to Aboriginal heritage. Our services include:

• Multi-day guided hiking expeditions
• Cultural experiences with Aboriginal traditional owners
• Sustainable camping and wilderness education
• Transportation to and from designated meeting points
• Professional wilderness guides and safety equipment
• Meals and accommodation as specified in adventure packages

All adventures are conducted in accordance with Australian tourism regulations and environmental protection laws. We maintain comprehensive insurance coverage and follow strict safety protocols for all wilderness activities.

3. Booking and Payment Terms

Adventure bookings require a deposit payment to secure your reservation, with full payment due no later than 30 days before your scheduled departure. We accept major credit cards, bank transfers, and approved payment platforms. All prices are quoted in Australian Dollars (AUD) and include applicable taxes unless otherwise specified.

Booking confirmations will be sent via email within 24 hours of payment processing. Please ensure your contact information is accurate and check your spam folder. Any changes to bookings must be requested in writing and are subject to availability and additional fees. Group bookings may require different payment terms as specified in individual agreements.

4. Cancellation and Refund Policy

Cancellations made more than 60 days before departure receive a full refund minus a 10% administrative fee. Cancellations between 31-60 days incur a 50% cancellation fee, while cancellations within 30 days of departure are non-refundable. Medical emergencies and family bereavement may qualify for exceptions with appropriate documentation.

Yarra Walks reserves the right to cancel adventures due to weather conditions, safety concerns, insufficient bookings, or circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, participants will receive a full refund or credit toward future adventures. We are not responsible for additional costs including flights, accommodation, or other travel arrangements made in connection with your booking.

5. Participant Requirements and Responsibilities

All participants must be in reasonable physical condition appropriate for their chosen adventure level. Medical conditions, injuries, or medications that might affect your ability to participate safely must be disclosed during booking. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian unless explicitly arranged otherwise.

Participants are expected to follow guide instructions, respect cultural protocols, adhere to Leave No Trace principles, and behave responsibly toward fellow travelers and the environment. Disruptive behavior, failure to follow safety instructions, or activities that endanger others may result in removal from the adventure without refund.

6. Safety and Risk Acknowledgment

Wilderness adventures involve inherent risks including but not limited to: remote locations, variable weather conditions, wildlife encounters, rugged terrain, and distance from medical facilities. While Yarra Walks maintains comprehensive safety protocols and experienced guides, participants acknowledge these risks and agree to follow all safety instructions.

All participants must complete a medical questionnaire and liability waiver before departure. Comprehensive travel insurance covering adventure activities is strongly recommended and may be required for certain expeditions. Emergency evacuation costs are the participant's responsibility unless covered by their personal insurance.

7. Cultural Sensitivity and Aboriginal Heritage

Our adventures often take place on traditional Aboriginal lands and include cultural components shared by Indigenous communities. Participants must show appropriate respect for sacred sites, cultural protocols, and traditional knowledge. Photography, recording, or sharing of cultural content requires explicit permission from Aboriginal guides and community representatives.

Yarra Walks works directly with Aboriginal traditional owners and ensures economic benefits flow to Indigenous communities. Participants agree to respect cultural boundaries, follow traditional protocols, and understand that some areas or activities may be restricted based on cultural significance or seasonal considerations.

8. Environmental Responsibility

All participants commit to sustainable tourism practices including minimizing environmental impact, respecting wildlife, following designated trails, and properly disposing of waste. Damage to natural or cultural heritage sites may result in legal liability and additional costs for restoration or penalties imposed by land management authorities.

Yarra Walks operates under strict environmental guidelines and expects participants to support our conservation mission. This includes using provided eco-friendly equipment, following water conservation practices, and participating in any educational components about ecosystem protection and restoration.

9. Limitation of Liability

Yarra Walks' liability is limited to the cost of your adventure booking. We are not responsible for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages including lost profits, missed opportunities, or additional travel expenses. Our maximum liability shall not exceed the total amount paid for your adventure.

This limitation applies to all claims whether based on warranty, contract, tort, or any other legal theory. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain damages, so these limitations may not apply to you. Participants are strongly advised to obtain comprehensive travel and adventure activity insurance.

10. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Personal information collected during booking is used solely for adventure coordination, safety purposes, and communication about your experience. We do not sell or share personal data with third parties except as required for service delivery or legal compliance. Please review our Privacy Policy for complete details about data handling.

Photography and video content from adventures may be used for marketing purposes unless participants opt out. Participants retain rights to their own images and may request removal from promotional materials. We respect your privacy preferences and provide options to control how your information and likeness are used.

11. Intellectual Property

All website content, adventure materials, route information, and educational resources are protected by copyright and remain the property of Yarra Walks or our partners. Participants may not reproduce, distribute, or use this content for commercial purposes without written permission. This includes maps, cultural information, and proprietary adventure formats.

Traditional cultural knowledge shared during adventures remains the intellectual property of Aboriginal communities and should not be recorded, reproduced, or shared without explicit permission. Participants agree to respect these cultural rights and understand that unauthorized use may violate both our terms and cultural protocols.

12. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia, and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of Victorian courts. We encourage resolving any concerns through direct communication with our customer service team before pursuing formal legal action. Most issues can be addressed through good faith discussion and reasonable accommodation.

For disputes that cannot be resolved directly, we support mediation through recognized Australian dispute resolution services. Legal action should be considered only after exhausting these alternative resolution methods. All communications regarding disputes should be in writing and directed to our registered business address.

Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us: