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Terms & Conditions

So far we never had a court dispute with one of my customers, and we want to keep it this way. After the customer has notified us about a problem, we will do everything we can to solve the issue and to satiefy the customer.
However, there are some rules to which both, the operator and the customer, have to adhere to. These rules are outlined below in our "Terms & Conditions". We have tried to make them easy to understand and fair for both sides. They are binding for both parties, for us and for you (our customer); they do also protect your rights. Please read them carefully BEFORE you book. Paying the required deposit for a tour means you do agree to them.
In these terms & conditions we (the tour operator) will be named GIT and you (the customer) will be named participant.
GIT reserves the right to change our terms and conditions any time without notice, however the version binding for the customer is the one which was valid at the time of booking.

Terms & Conditions of Green Island Tours Tasmania

Booking

The participant can book via email and letter. GIT reserves the right to refuse a booking when it founds the participant is unsuitable for any reason, or when the participant(s) refuses to agree to GIT´s terms & conditions. The participant mentioned in the address lines of GIT´s invoice (main participant) is liable for all other participants listed on that invoice. By making a payment, the participant is deemed to have accepted GIT´s terms and conditions.
The participant has the duty to check the contents of GIT´s invoice very carefully and has to bring it to GIT´s attention immediately when something is not correct, missing or not as assured previously. If the participant has not opposed within 14 days after the invoice was sent out, it is treated as absolute correct. All other agreements, verbal or in writing, will not be valid anymore from this point on.

Discount conditions

Customised supported tours:
The tour price depends on the number of participants. The price listed on our website is valid for 6 participants. There is a discount for all participants when there are more than 6 participants when GIT has:
- only one person to have contact with and this person supplies the details of all participants in an easy to read (formless) listing
- GIT has to issue only one invoice for the entire group
So long the other conditions are met GIT may agree to receive split payments without any extra charge and / or issue separate invoices for an admin fee of $ 40 per additional invoice.
Self-guided tours:
If 4 participants or more book the same tour in the same accommodation category at the same time, GIT does allow a 7.5 % rebate for the tourprice and bike rental when following conditions are fullfilled: GIT makes all arrangements with one person of the group, does issue only one invoice and prepares only one route description / map package. The details of all participants have to be sent in an easy to read (formless) list.
If the other conditions are met GIT may agree to issue separate invoices for $ 30 per additional invoice to cover admin cost. Additional route description / map packages are available for $ 10 per pack. GIT will accept split payments at no extra charge.

Payment

Unless agreed otherwise, when the tour begin is more than 6 weeks from the invoice date, a deposit of 10 % of the total tour price must be made at the time of booking to secure the booking. The balance must be paid 4 weeks before tour begin without any further notification. If the balance has not been received by GIT 3 weeks before tour begin, GIT will send a reminder. 2 more reminders will follow within the next 2 weeks. If the balance has not been received by GIT one week before tour begin, GIT reserves the right to cancel the tour without any further notice. This will be treated as a cancellation with cancellation fees payable.
GIT will NOT book any accommodation before at least the deposit has reached their account. A delayed payment may result in GIT´s preferred accommodation no longer being available. As a consequence lower quality accommodation within the same accommodation category, or an increase of the tour price (see under "accommodation standards") may need to be accepted by the participant. This is particular true for late bookings (less than 4 weeks before tour begin).
Any general price change will affect new bookings only, regardless of the time between booking and final payment.
GIT accepts payments by following methods:
Credit card:
GIT can not process credit cards over the phone. Instead, GIT will send an email containing a link to a secure website where credit card payments can be made by the participant. This payment site is hosted by Westpac bank, Australia´s first and still one of the "big 4" banks. The participant does neither to have nor to create a user account to use this service. There is no charge for the participant to use this service. GIT does only receive a very small section of the credit card number for identification purposes. GIT will never reveal this section to anybody not involved within the payment process. GIT will never copy the credit card section and will delete the email containing the credit card section at the end of the tourist season in which the payment had been made. Note: GIT does not store any data on a server or in the "cloud".
Bank transfer:
The participant may transfer payments to GIT’s nominated Australian bank account. Unless advised by GIT before the booking GIT will allow a 1 % rebate if paid this way. Unless agreed otherwise by GIT in writing the participant is responsible for all bank fees, which can be substantial if the transfer originates from outside Australia.

Date change

Should the participant want to change the tour date after all hotels have been booked and it is still more than 2 weeks before the tour date following fees do apply:
For each accommodation which has to be re-booked GIT will charge is an administration fee of $25.00 plus any possible price difference to the new room or hotel plus any possible hotel-cancellations fees. Should the entire group not fit into one hotel anymore the same fee applies to the additional hotel(s) as well. GIT will also charge a $ 15 fee for each invoice which has to modified to the new date. A date change less than 2 weeks before tour begin is treated as a cancellation.

Cancellation - general

GIT reserves the right to cancel any supported tour (e.g. when the minimum number of participants has not been reached) for up to 4 weeks before tour begin. Self-guided tours can only be cancelled by GIT only under extreme circumstances, eg. when GIT and the participant are having a dispute, sudden unavailbility of tour-components (eg accommodation, bikes, support staff), weather and other conditions what makes execution of the tour impossible. If the tour is cancelled by GIT, GIT will repay all payments from the participant in full, including the deposit. GIT can not be held responsible for any subsequent costs, such as flight cancellations.
The participant may cancel the entire tour or parts thereof anytime, but the following cancellation fees do apply:
- any time more than 90 days before departure: 5 %
- between 61 and 90 days before departure: 10 %
- between 31 and 60 days before departure: 20 %
- between 12 and 30 days before departure: 30 %
- between 5 and 11 days before departure: 50%
- 4 days or less before departure or no show: 80 %
- no refund once a tour has commenced
Add-ons like bicycle rental are treated the same way.
The date of receiving the cancellation in writing (email is accepted) is taken to determine the cancellation fee.
Cancellation fees do also apply when the participant cancels due to misinterpretation of the tour offering or when the participant is (physically) not capable to undertake the tour.

Cancellation - Self-guided tours

No refund will be given when only part of the party cancels and the number of hotel rooms remain the same.
GIT does allow the participant to send a replacement person without any penalty, even on short notice, so long this person is acceptable and is using the same accommodation, room type and bike. If accommodation has to be re-booked an administration fee of $25.00 per accommodation will be charged plus any possible price difference to the new room or hotel. A bike-change is also $ 25. If the replacement bike has to be delivered the transport cost will be charged.
If a part of the booked party does cancel, GIT will charge their standard cancellation fees to this part while the other participants will not be charged.

Cancellation- Supported group tours

Following rules do apply when an entire group has booked a supported tour with a special departure date:
When the group cancels the entire tour the cancellation fees at "Cancellation-general" do apply.
When one or more participants do cancel later than 2 weeks prior to tour-departure the above cancellation fees also do apply.
When one or more participants but not the entire group do cancel earlier than 2 weeks prior to tour-departure, the price per person will be changed to the price valid for this group size. There is no cancellation fee as such. Replacement persons will be accepted without any charge, when they use the same room as the person who had cancelled. However, there may be surcharges if a room occupancy has changed, like single supplement or a room has to be changed (like from double to twin). For each accommodation which has to be re-booked GIT will charge is an administration fee of $25.00 plus any possible price difference to the new room or hotel plus any possible hotel-cancellations fees. Should the entire group not fit into one hotel anymore the same fee applies to the additional hotel(s) as well. GIT will also charge a $ 15 fee for each invoice which has to be modified.

Government intervention

Should the Tasmanian or the Australian authorities not allow the tour to go ahead (for instance due to a pandemic) or the border is closed for the participants and the tour has not commenced yet GIT will cancel the tour and refund all customer payments in full. Has the tour already commenced and has to be stopped GIT will repay the portion of the tour which can not take place. The portion of the tour price to be repaid is proportional to the tour nights which could not take place. No further payments will be made or any compensation paid.
On request GIT will help to organise transport back to the airport or any other destination, hotel accommodation and other necessary services. GIT will not charge for organising these extras, but these services have to be paid by the participant.
A general mandatory quarantine on arrival in Tasmania or on return in home country of the participant does qualify for above refund, when it introduced after the booking date. However, a personal quarantine order of the participant (due to infection suspicion or other reasons) it does NOT qualify.
For guests from outside Australia: Should the participant cancel because his/her own government ask him/her to return home this is treated as a normal cancellation (see "Cancellation general"). The cancelation does qualify If the home government have ordered residents to return home.

Performance

GIT will do everything in it´s power to deliver the tour exactly as described on it´s invoice. However, GIT reserves the right to change the itinerary due to important reasons, like bad weather, fire, road works and road closures, natural disaster, unsafe conditions or any other unforeseen circumstances. GIT will help to find alternative accommodation should the destination not be accessible due to unforeseen circumstances like natural disasters. Under these circumstances there will not be any additional cost for the participant. However, the participant may has to accept a lower accommodation standard then booked but will be refunded the difference to the lower accommodation category. No compensation will be paid if curtain route / tourist highlights can not be visited.
On self-guided tours without special circumstances it is the participant responsibility to get to the booked accommodation on the day it is booked. If alternative accommodation is required the participant has to carry the cost. There will be no refund if booked accommodation is not used.

Refunds

When GIT does not deliver the promised benefits as stated on the invoice the participant is entitled to a partial refund.
If the participant believes anything has not been performed as promised the participant MUST inform GIT immediately. On group tours the tour guide has to be informed, on self-guided tours GIT´s office has to be informed, best in writing. It is important that GIT is been given the change to correct the problem and / or to compensate using other benefits if possible. Any claims received by GIT later than 2 weeks after the end of the tour will not be accepted.
No compensation for missed tour highlights / meals etc. will be given when the tour had to be altered due to bad weather, fire, road works and road closure, natural disaster, unsafe conditions or any other unforeseen circumstances.
No refund will be given when the participant does not use what GIT or it´s tour guide has included within the tour price, like but not limited to entrance fees or food.

Accommodation standards

GIT will try to book that it´s preferred accommodation but at the time of booking it is unknown to GIT if these places have vancancies. If not, GIT will try to find alternative accommodation with the same or higher standard. If the alternative accommodation has not at least the same standard as the booked one, GIT will inform the participant who has the choice to agree to the alternative accommodation or not. If a lower category accommodation as planned has be used the participant will be eligible for a partial refund to the lower category. If the alternative accommodation is a bit more expensive than in most cases GIT will cover the difference. If the alternative accommodation is much more expensive GIT might ask the participant for a surcharge.
In any case, if an agreement with the participant can not be reached, the participant has the right to cancel the tour without any cancellation fee or penalty. The deposit (if paid) will be returned in full.
Please note: In some places the accommodation choices are very limited. This means some accommodation categories are not available and have to be substituted with available ones. This is standard practice and no reason for a free cancellation. If a participant insist on a curtain minimum level every night he / she has to say so at the time of booking. The route may has to altered to secure the required level.

Insurance

GIT strongly recommends that all participants take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover private health, personal accident and other medical expenses, cancellation, baggage, as well as money and public liability. Rescue fees are always to be paid by the participant. The participant is obliged to let GIT know at the time of booking about any existing or previous health conditions relevant to participant’s ability to undertake the trip. That does include food allergies.

Luggage

GIT can not be hold responsible for minor damage occurring during transportation of participant´s luggage or bikes. GIT does not accept any responsibililty for customer´s goods left on the bike or in the support vehicle during the tour after it ended.
Supported tours only: For occupational safety and to avoid overloading, the size of the luggage is limited. GIT does not accept big hard shell suitcases with rounded sides or other oversized luggage containers. Excess baggage will need to be forwarded on to the final destination at the participant’s expense ($ 35 per item).
Self-guided tours only: So long GIT can prove they have booked the luggage transport service on time in the right way and have received confirmation, GIT is not responsible for any delay, damage or loss a third party transport service (like courier) has caused.

Promotion and use of images:

The participant consents to publication, for promotional purpose, of any photos or video footage taken of him or herself or others, while taking part in this tour. The participant also consents to the use of any statement made about the activity, which may be used in the promotion of GIT on its website or brochure.

Minors:

Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal parent or guardian. On supported tours GIT may agree to take minors from 16 years of age if waivers and accompanying paperwork are signed by legal guardian(s) and received before the tour commences.

Rental Bicycles

If the participant is renting a bike from GIT following rules do apply:
GIT will try to supply the type of bike with the frame size the participant has booked. However, even when booked early it can happen that the preferred bike type and /or size is unavailable. In this case GIT will substitute the bike either with one of the same type but similar frame size or with one of the same frame size but similar type. GIT will inform the participant as soon as this is known to GIT in order to give the participant a choice. GIT will deliver the bike to the first hotel free of charge; usually before the arrival of the participant. In some cases, after consultation with the participant, the delivery is done when the participant is present. GIT may change the agreed deliverey time even on short notice. However, GIT will make sure the participant has the rental bike for the full duration of the booked tour.
The participant must lock GIT´s bike with the supplied lock when unattended. The participant is liable to the extent permitted by law for all damage, including third party damage occurring during the hire period. The participant agrees that s/he will:
- take all reasonable steps to safeguard the bike from accident, damage or loss
- not abuse or misuse the bike. That means but is not limited to overloading the bike max. 20 kg luggage on the rear rack, max 120 kg total load, MERIDA bikes: max. 95 kg total load
- not ride or use the bike for any illegal purpose
- not ride or use the bike in contravention of any road traffic or other legislation; under the influence of drugs or have with a blood alcohol exceeding the legal limit
- not ride or use the bike when it is damaged or unsafe (eg. with an existing problem) or in conditions for which it is unsuitable or unsafe (e.g. off-road).
The participant acknowledges that GIT is not liable for any loss caused by the theft of any personal property from the bike, for the damage to any personal property on the bike or for the loss of any personal property left on the bike during or after the end of the hire period.
GIT does NOT allow taking their bikes on any sea cruise with an open boat like the one to Maria Island as the sea spray causes massive corrosion. GIT does NOT allow using their bikes on gravel roads or off-road, short distances like driveways are excluded from this rule. The participant is liable for any damage caused by violating above rules or when the bike is not used the way it is intended or any other damage caused by action of the customer (e.g. accident).
The participant has to return the bike in the same condition as it has been at the commencement of hire, fair wear and tear and unforeseeable defects due to natural causes excepted. GIT may charge a bond for bike-hire only customers which will be refunded in full after the returned bike has been checked in GIT´s workshop and found to be free of damages. This workshop test is usually carried out about 1 week after the end of the rental period but this period can be up to 3 weeks. Missing accessories will be charged as follows: pump $ 15, lock $ 20, tool kit $ 50, helmet $ 50, pannier set (pair) $ 175.
Participants of self-guided tours have to return the bike(s) to the location listed in their route description, which is usually the last hotel of their tour. Bike hire only customers have to return the bike(s) to the location listed in their invoice. If for any reason this is not possible the participant has to inform GIT immediately. GIT may charge a relocation fee. If the participant fails to return the bike on the due date without permission, a late return fee of $50 per bike plus the additional rental fee will be charged.
Where the use of a bike by the participant results in damage (eg.caused by an accident) or loss of the bike (eg. due to theft), intentional or not, the participant is liable, without limitation: for all damages to the bike up to the replacement cost of $ 1,000.00 for a push bike and up to $ 2,500.00 for an electric bike, and third party damage if any. In case of an accident, the participant has immediately to report such incident to the police and will secure a copy of the police report; will not, without the written consent of GIT, make or give any offer, promise of payment, settlement, waiver, release, indemnity or admission of liability. GIT or its insurer may at its own cost bring, defend, enforce or settle any legal proceedings against third parties; will immediately inform GIT and give all information and assistance which GIT or its insurer may reasonably require, including attending at lawyer's offices and at court to give evidence.

Bicycle defects rental bikes

IMPORTANT: If the participant detects a fault on the bike, even when supposedly harmless, he/she has to inform the tour guide (on supported tours) or the GIT office (self-guided tours, bike rental only) immediately. They will determine what action is necessary. If it is not possible to contact any of them, participants must seek professional advice before continuing to use the bike. GIT is not responsible for any resulting faults, damages or injuries as a result not consulting the tour guide / GIT office or a knowledgeable bike-mechanic. Please note, the consequential problems can be much more severe than the original defect, even dangerous!
Self-guided tours and bike hire only
The participant should be able to perform small repairs like patching a tube or adjusting the gears, at least with GIT´s supplied written instructions and / or GIT´s phone support. GIT will help the participant remotely in every way possible to get the bike working again, even talking the participant through the repair on the phone. However, only on major problems it may be possible to send somebody to the participant to repair/ exchange the bike. If the problem is caused by the customer, intentional or not, and with Bike hire only participants who have not booked the roadside assist package, GIT will charge a call out fee: 45 cents per total km plus $ 25 per hour, measured from leaving to return from/to GIT´s depot in Akaroa, near St. Helens on the Northeast coast. Please note: consequential problems caused by not fixing or reporting defects immediately, do count as caused by the customer .
If the participant has to use external help like a bike shop: small repairs up to the value of $ 40 will be refunded by GIT on presentation of a receipt. The refund of more expensive repairs can only be guaranteed if GIT has issued an authorisation prior to the repair. It is up to GIT (not a third party workshop etc) to decide what steps are necessary and what parts need to be repaired or exchanged to get the bike back in a working condition. If the participant wants to have more parts exchanged / repaired than necessary to restore the proper function of the bike he/she has to pay for the additional parts/work. GIT is not responsible for any resulting faults or damages caused by unprofessional repairs outside their own workshop. GIT is not responsible for any delays resulting from bike problems.
Supported tours
The tour guide will fix all problems on rental bikes. He/she will choose the best method under the circumstances and the current location. There is no assistance needed from the participant and no charge, unless the fault/damage was caused by the participant, intentionally or not.

Bicycle defects customer bikes

If the participant is using his/her own bike following rules do apply:
The participant alone is responsible for his/her bike. GIT can not hold responsible for any problems / delays / accidents / personal injuries etc. related to participant´s bicycles.
GIT strongly recommends that the bike is intensively checked by a qualified bike mechanic prior to the tour.
Supported tours
The tour guide has the right to prohibit the use of a particular bike if he/she finds if unsafe to use. If a bike problem occurs the participant is responsible to fix it by him/herself or get it fixed. The tour guide may help with little things foer free but will charge for excessive time and any spare part if needed. If it is not possible to carried out a repair the participant has the choice to
- continue with one of GIT bikes (if available) for the standard hiring fee
- hire a suitable bike from a third party
- visit a bike shop on his/her own expense
- continue the tour without bike
Please note, it is not the job of the tour guide to transport the participant to a bike shop.
Self-guided tours

GIT may give limited phone advice free of charge but any call out will be charged with the normal fee of 45 Autralian cents per total km plus AU$ 25 per hour, measured from leaving to return from/to GIT´s depot in Akaroa, near St. Helens on the north-east coast. In addition, all spare parts will be charged. If the participant has to visit a bike shop he/she has to pay for the transport.

Legal general

The invalidity of single terms does not render the entire contract void.
If a section of these terms & conditions is found not to be conform with consumer rights the other sections are still valid.
In case of a court case the court nearest to GIT´s office has to be used.

Agreement

By booking a tour with GIT, the participant agrees that the following applies:
I declare I am 18 years of age or older. I am capable and competent to participate safely in this ride. I accept that I am to wear a helmet and abide the road laws. I acknowledge that cycling is a dangerous recreational activity and that by participating in it I am exposed to certain risks. I assume the risk of and responsibility for any injury, death or property damage resulting from my participation in a tour with GIT. Other persons participating in cycling and / or other road users may cause me injury or may damage my property, or I may cause injury to other persons or damage their property. The conditions in which the activity is conducted may vary without warning. I may be injured or die, or suffer damage to my property as a result of the negligence or breach of contract of Green Island Tours Tasmania. In consideration of the acceptance of my payment for participating in cycling (and except to the extent that the same may be precluded by statute)
I Agree to Release and Indemnify GREEN ISLAND TOURS TASMANIA as follows:
I participate in the GIT tour at my sole risk and responsibility. I release, indemnify and hold harmless Green Island Tours Tasmania, its staff, servants and agents, and all other persons involved in the organisation of this tour from and against all and any actions or claims which may be made by me or on my behalf or by other parties for or in respect of or arising out of any injury, loss, damage or death caused to me or my property whether by negligence, breach of contract or in any way whatsoever.
I also agree that in the event that I am injured or my property is damaged, I will bring no claim, legal or otherwise, against Green Island Tours Tasmania in respect of that injury or damage.