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Terms and Conditions

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

General

  • By booking or participating in any activity with Noosa River Eco Adventures, you agree to the following Terms & Conditions.
  • These terms apply to all watercraft hire, including (but not limited to) kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, canoes, and motorised vessels.

Age Restrictions

**Minimum age requirements may apply depending on the activity.**

  • All occupants must be over the age of two (2) years for motorised equipment. (Tinnie Hires).
  • All occupants must be over the age of seven (7) years for non-motorised equipment (2.5 Hour & Part Day Hires).
  • All occupants must be over the age of seven (12) years for non-motorised equipment (6 Hour, Full Day & Multi Day Hires).
  • All occupants must be over the age of seven (18) years for single person non-motorised equipment (SUPS, 1 Person Kayaks).

Participant Requirements

  • All participants must follow instructions provided by staff at all times.
  • Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
  • Participants must be physically capable of safely operating the hired equipment.
  • All occupants must be able to swim and are capable of swimming to the lake edge should they fall out of the equipment.

Safety & Responsibility

  • Life jackets (PFDs) must be worn at all times.
  • Customers are responsible for their own safety and the safety of their group.
  • You must stay within designated operating areas and follow provided maps/routes. [View Zone Map]
  • Alcohol and drug use prior to or during hire is strictly prohibited.
  • The Noosa River is a natural environment with changing conditions, including tides, wind, wildlife, and vessel traffic. Participants accept these inherent risks. .

Equipment Use

  • All equipment must be used in a safe and responsible manner.
  • Customers are liable for any loss, theft, or damage to equipment.
  • Equipment must be returned on time and in the same condition as provided.
  • Late returns may incur additional fees.

Weather & Environmental Conditions

  • Activities operate in most weather conditions.
  • Management reserves the right to delay, modify, or cancel bookings due to unsafe conditions (e.g. strong winds, storms, flooding).

Booking & Payment

  • Full payment is required at the time of booking.
  • Prices are subject to change without notice.
  • Bookings are subject to availability.

Cancellations & Refunds

Direct Bookings:

  • Cancellations made more than 24 hours prior: Full refund or reschedule.
  • Cancellations within 24 hours: No refund.
  • No-shows: 100% cancellation fee.

Third-Party Bookings:

  • Bookings made via travel agents or online platforms must be cancelled through the original provider.
  • Their terms and conditions will apply.

Late Arrival / No Show

  • Customers must arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the booked departure.
  • Late arrivals (30 minutes or more) may result in reduced hire time or forfeiture without refund.
  • No-Shows. If a guest fails to turn up within 90 minutes of the booked hire time will be considered a no-show and will result in forfeiture of your booking without refund.

Liability Waiver

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

  • Participation is at your own risk.
  • Risk waivers are required for every participant. Refusal or failure to complete the risk waiver within 24 hours of departure will result in cancellation of your booking without refund.
  • The company is not liable for injury, loss, or damage sustained during the activity.
  • Customers indemnify the business against claims arising from misuse of equipment or failure to follow instructions.

Damage & Security

  • A security bond may be required for certain equipment.
  • Customers agree to pay for repair or replacement costs if equipment is damaged, lost, or misused.

Environmental Responsibility

This is an eco-based experience. Customers must:

  • Not litter
  • Avoid disturbing wildlife
  • Respect protected areas
  • The Noosa region forms part of a protected biosphere with significant ecological value, and all users are expected to minimise environmental impact.

Photos & Media

  • The business may take photos/videos during activities for promotional use.
  • Please advise staff if you do not wish to be included.

Changes to Itinerary / Access

Routes, launch points, and access areas may change due to:

  • National Park restrictions
  • Water levels
  • Safety considerations.

Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of Queensland, Australia.

Acceptance of Terms

By proceeding with a booking, you confirm that:

  • You have read and understood these Terms & Conditions.
  • You accept all risks associated with water-based activities.
  • You agree to comply with all safety directions.

Responsible Behaviour (Common Sense Clause)

We operate in a natural, unsupervised river environment where poor decisions can create serious safety risks. By participating, you agree to act in a reasonable, responsible, and competent manner at all times.

This includes (but is not limited to):

  • Following all verbal and written instructions.
  • Remaining within designated areas.
  • Using equipment as intended.
  • Returning within the agreed hire time.
  • Exercising basic judgement regarding weather, distance, and personal ability.

The business reserves the right to refuse hire or terminate an activity without refund if a participant:

  • Acts recklessly or unsafely
  • Ignores instructions
  • Poses a risk to themselves, others, or the environment.

Designated Operating Area (River Boundaries)

All hires are strictly limited to the designated operating area as outlined in:

  • Following all verbal and written instructions
  • Pre-departure briefing
  • Provided maps [View Zone Map]
  • Signage and/or digital instructions.

Customers must not:

  • Following all verbal and written instructions.
  • Travel beyond marked boundary points.
  • Enter restricted or unsafe zones.
  • Attempt to reach the Everglades or other long-distance areas unless explicitly permitted for that hire type

**IMPORTANT: Some areas of the Noosa River system are not reachable within standard hire durations. Travelling beyond limits may result in fatigue, stranding, or emergency response situations.**

Any customer found outside the designated area may:

  • Be subject to recovery/assistance fees.
  • Forfeit bond and/or incur penalties.
  • Be liable for any costs associated with retrieval.

Time Limits & Late Returns

  • Hire periods are strictly enforced to ensure safety and availability for other customers.
  • Your return time will be clearly communicated prior to departure.
  • A grace period of 10 minutes may apply at management discretion.

Late returns will incur the following fees:

  • Up to 30 minutes late: $30 fee.
  • 30–60 minutes late: $60 fee.
  • Over 60 minutes late: $90 fee

**If you are significantly overdue and cannot be contacted**:

  • We may initiate a welfare check or recovery response.
  • All associated costs will be charged to the customer.

Damage Loss & Recovery Fees

Customers are fully responsible for all equipment issued to them.

Standard charges (Guide Only – may vary):

  • Paddle: $80–$150
  • Life Jacket (PFD): $80–$120
  • Kayak / Canoe: Up to full replacement cost ($800–$4,000+)
  • Tinnies: Up to full replacement cost ($15,000+)
  • SUP Board: Up to full replacement cost ($600–$2,000+)

Additional fees may apply for:

  • Equipment returned excessively dirty or requiring deep cleaning.
  • Damage caused by misuse, collisions, or failure to follow instructions.
  • Lost equipment (including drifting due to failure to secure).

Recovery & Rescue Costs

**If a customer**:

  • Exceeds boundaries
  • Fails to return on time
  • Becomes stranded due to poor judgement
  • Requires staff assistance or retrieval.

**The following may apply**:

  • Call-out fee: From $100
  • Staff time: $80 per hour
  • Boat / vehicle use: Additional charges may apply
  • Emergency service call-outs (if required) may result in significantly higher costs, which remain the customer’s responsibility where negligence is involved.

No “Race Mentality” / Unrealistic Use

Our experiences are designed to be safe, relaxed, and enjoyable, not endurance challenges.

Customers must not:

  • Treat the hire as a race
  • Attempt unrealistic distances within limited timeframes
  • Ignore advice on safe turnaround points.

Failure to follow guidance may result in:

  • Early termination of hire
  • Additional charges
  • Loss of bond.

Acknowledgement of Natural Environment

Customers acknowledge that:

  • This is not a controlled environment
  • Conditions can change rapidly
  • Assistance is not always immediately available.

By proceeding, you accept full responsibility for:

  • Your route decisions
  • Your time management
  • Your safe return.