Booking Terms and Conditions

These retreats are packaged by Photographer Marina, 59 Ethel Street, Chermside QLD  4032, Australia, ABN 16186201757. When booking a retreat with us, it is imperative that you are aware of all of our terms and conditions as these form part of your agreement with Photographer Marina.

1. Making a Booking

To secure your place in a retreat a deposit of $500 (or 50% of total retreat cost if retreat price is less than $500) per person per retreat (non-refundable) and completed retreat booking form is required. Complete your booking online by filling in this Retreat Booking Form then you will receive invoice for your deposit. You agree that your booking application is an offer capable of acceptance and that no legal relationship arises until we have accepted your offer. Your booking becomes valid after Photographer Marina has received both your deposit as specified and your completed booking form, and you have received a confirmation letter from us. Please wait for confirmation of the retreat prior to booking any flights or travel arrangements. By completing and signing the booking form, either online or in writing, and paying your deposit you acknowledge that you have read and understood and accept these terms and conditions. Late bookings, made 30 days or less before retreat starting date, will be subject to availability and require full payment upon confirmation.

2.RETREAT Payments

The balance of payment is due approximately 14 days prior to the retreat starting date. If the retreat is confirmed less than 14 days prior to departure, full payment will be required within 7 days or as noted on Final Invoice. On occasion and outside of Photographer Marina’s control a higher deposit, additional part-payment or an earlier or later final payment date may be required. All other Terms & Conditions still apply.

If you do not pay the balance in accordance with this clause, we reserve the right to cancel your booking and charge a cancellation fee. 

3. Change of cost and itinerary

All retreats need a minimum number of guests to operate at the prices listed in the itinerary. If the minimum number is not reached, a retreat may still operate with a surcharge or with a change to the program. 

From time to time retreat itineraries may be altered to ensure satisfactory operations to the program. Reasons could include but are not limited to; weather, walking track or national park closures, road conditions, change of suppliers, availability of meals, other transport etc. that are necessary for the retreat to operate.

Whilst we endeavour to provide you with as much notice as possible for itinerary changes, Photographer Marina reserves the right to advise changes on tour. Your retreat facilitator will discuss these changes in detail with you, and if required can provide an alternative option. In some instances. 

4. Cancellations and transfers

If you decide to cancel your retreat, you must notify Photographer Marina immediately in writing (via email or post). Cancellation takes place as soon as we receive your written notification. The following cancellation fees apply:

  • Deposit is non-refundable

  • Between 29-14 days before departure, along with your deposit you will forfeit 50% of total retreat price

  • Less than 14 days before departure or once retreat has commenced, no refund is available

If we cancel a retreat, due to not reaching minimum numbers, then your deposit will be immediately refunded to you in full or you may elect to transfer the deposit to another retreat.

We may need to cancel or modify a booking with little or no notice due to circumstances beyond our control (force majeure events). Force majeure events include (whether threatened or actual) war, terrorism, acts of government, political unrest, strikes, riots, severe weather or natural disasters (“acts of God”), or any other events or causes which are beyond our reasonable control. If a force majeure event occurs, we will do our best to offer reasonably comparable, alternative options, or provide a refund to you (less our reasonable costs) of any money in our control which is able to be refunded. You agree that we will not be liable to you for the refund of any money which has been paid or which we are contractually committed to pay to third parties. We recommend that you check to ensure whether your travel insurance will cover these risks.

COVID19 CANCELLATION UPDATE: On your arrival day If the travel restrictions are still in place and forced by law; you will be able to postpone your booking for a new date (subject to availabilty) in the next 16months (will extend further if necessary). Any payments received by us (as deposit and/or balance) will apply to your next booking. PS; (NO amendment fee applies, regardless how many times we may need to postpone the booking due to COVID19 law enforcement).

5. Age

We cannot accept bookings from minors or those who cannot travel independently. All retreat participants have to be above 18 years old.

6. Inclusions and exclusions

Refer to individual retreat itineraries for listed Inclusions and exclusions. Services described are typical, but not specific and may change from time to time. 

7. Leaving the Retreat

While on retreat if you chose to leave due to unforeseen circumstances you must give notice to the retreat facilitator. Subject to these Terms and Conditions, unless arranged beforehand and agreed to by us, if you leave a tour you will not be entitled to any refund.
You may be asked to leave the retreat if the retreat facilitator, in their professional judgement, believes that your continued participation is not in the best interests of yourself or the other participants. 
You may also be asked to leave the retreat if you act in a way that endangers the safety, enjoyment or welfare of the group or yourself, or if you commit an act that is illegal. 
You agree that Photographer Marina will not be liable for any loss or damage you incur as a consequence of leaving.

8. Complaintpolicy & procedures

As a responsible retreat operator, we seek to maintain and enhance our reputation of providing you with high quality products and services.  We value complaints as they assist us to improve our products, services and customer service. We are committed to being responsive to the needs and concerns of our customers or potential customers and to resolving your complaint as quickly as possible. We accept though that sometimes things do not go according to plan and you may wish to complain about an aspect of your retreat. If you encounter any such situation during the tour you need to let the retreat facilitator know immediately so we can try to resolve it on the spot. We cannot be liable for any complaint that you make when you return home, that was not mentioned when it occurred. If you were not happy with how something was resolved and wish to make a complaint you must advise us in writing within 30 days of your return to home base.  If you encounter any difficulties during the retreat that you feel are Photographer Marina responsibility then you should raise them with the retreat facilitator. If you feel that the issue was not adequately dealt with then you should refer the matter to Photographer Marina, in writing, within 30 days of the retreat ending. You can request a copy of our complaints policy by email or post.

9. Photographs, Retreat feedback & e-newsletter

During the retreat, facilitators take photographs for use in Photographer Marina brochures, social media and other promotional materials. After the retreat you will be sent an online ‘post retreat questionnaire’ for your feedback. Photographer Marina reserves the right to use these images and this feedback for promotional purposes, unless otherwise notified by you to Photographer Marina in writing. Please advise us if you to withhold your consent to the use of these images, your feedback and the inclusion of your email address to an automatic subscription to our e-newsletter. Please read our Privacy Policy which is available on our website 

10. Retreat FACILITATOR

An experienced photographer will accompany your retreat. Local facilitators may assist with different aspects of a retreat. Photographer Marina photographers are mindful of each participant’s welfare however they cannot ensure the health and personal safety of participants. At all times you must exercise care for your own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others accompanying you.

11. Limit of Liability 

All tickets, coupons or vouchers supplied for your retreat and accommodation are arranged and supplied by Photographer Marina as agents only. By confirming your booking with us, you expressly authorise us to arrange and make bookings and contract on your behalf with third party suppliers. All bookings and arrangements made on your behalf are subject to the terms and conditions imposed by these third party suppliers. All tickets, deposit tickets, coupons and orders are furnished and issued to you subject to their usual terms and it is your sole responsibility to understand these terms and to comply with or exercise the legal obligations and rights arising under any such arrangements. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Photographer Marina and its employees and agents are not liable to you for any injury, loss (including consequential loss), damage, accident, delay or irregularity (whether negligent or otherwise) which may be caused by any acts or defaults of any third party suppliers or organisations responsible for carrying out any of the arrangements of the tour. Our liability is also limited to the extent that any relevant international conventions in respect of travel and carriage services may apply. Where our liability cannot be excluded, our liability to you is limited to the remedies available under the Australian Consumer Law (Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth). Nothing in these Terms and conditions is intended to limit or exclude any rights you may have under the Australian Consumer Law. 

12. Acceptance of Risk

You accept that all travel involves risk, and that our retreat take you to some areas where transport, safety, conditions, medical facilities and comfort may be considered unreliable, adventurous and off the ‘beaten-track’ and involve a certain amount of personal risk. You are aware that a retreat including hikes has certain additional dangers and risks, some of which may include: physical exertion for which you may not be prepared, exposure to sudden and unexpected weather events, exposure to hazards from flora and fauna, exposure to illness and disease, exacerbation of existing medical conditions, remote and sub-standard medical services and evacuation difficulties. By booking with us you understand and accept there may be inherent risks which include, without limitation, the possibility of injury or death, psychological trauma, disease, loss or damage to property, delay, inconvenience and discomfort. You assume all such risk for all itineraries, bookings and tours, and release Photographer Marina from all losses, costs, damages, expenses, payments, claims or actions arising from them.  By booking with Photographer Marina you accept the risks of travel. 

13. Choice of law and jurisdiction

This agreement and the entire rights and obligations of the parties arising under or by reason of this agreement shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be exclusively governed by the concurrent laws of Queensland and the Commonwealth of Australia. All parties submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of Queensland and the Commonwealth of Australia.

14. Definitions

In this agreement, unless the context suggests otherwise:

  • The words ‘we’, ‘us’, ‘our’ refer to Photographer Marina (ABN 16186201757 ) and its servants or agents

  • The words ‘you’, ‘your’ and ‘participant’ refer to the person described in the Retreat Booking Form as the guest

  • The word ‘injury’ includes ‘disease’ and ‘illness’

  • The terms of this agreement are binding on the heirs, executors, administrators or assigns of the participants and / or any person signing this agreement on behalf of a traveller.

  • The word ‘retreat’ refers to group and/or private retreats provided by Photographer Marina