BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

Seaside Garden Cottages • Rawson’s Kingscote • Kingscote Terraces

 

1. Booking, payment & confirmation

Unless otherwise stated in your quotation / invoice:

• A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking and reserve your beautiful accommodation.

• The remaining balance & any security bond are due 60 days before arrival.

• Bookings made less than 60 days before arrival require full payment when booking.

• Your booking is confirmed only after we have checked availability, received the required deposit & sent written confirmation.

• If the balance is not paid by the due date, we will endeavour to send a reminder. If payment is not received within 3 business days of that reminder, we may treat the booking as cancelled in accordance with the cancellation terms below.

• Please contact us promptly if guest numbers or other booking details change. Changes require approval & may affect the tariff.

• Payment of the deposit or required booking amount confirms your acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.

 

2. Cancellations, refunds & changes

• Please consider your plans carefully before booking, as the deposit is generally non-refundable.

• If you cancel before the balance due date, the deposit is retained. Any balance already paid will generally be refunded.

• If you cancel after the balance due date, payments already made are generally non-refundable. We do not require you to pay an unpaid balance simply because you cancel, however the deposit & any other payments already made remain subject to the cancellation terms above. Any security bond paid will be refunded following cancellation.

• We generally cannot offer refunds because a guest decides not to travel, arrives late, leaves early, or one or more members of the group cannot attend. Changes to dates, guest numbers or accommodation are subject to availability & may incur fees.

• Any goodwill refund, credit or alternative arrangement is at our discretion unless otherwise required by law.

 

3. Kangaroo Island travel disruptions & travel insurance

• Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended for all guests. Please check that your policy covers ferry / flights, accommodation, illness & other circumstances relevant to your trip.

• Kangaroo Island travel can be affected by transport cancellations, weather & other disruptions beyond anyone’s control. Missed nights or travel disruptions (such as the ferry) do not automatically entitle guests to a refund.

• If a ferry cancellation means you cannot arrive on your booked day, contact us as soon as possible. Where practicable and if your accommodation or comparable alternative is available, we will try to accommodate a slight change to your arrival / departure dates.

• If significant ferry disruption prevents travel for more than one day, we may consider rescheduling the booking, depending on the circumstances & availability.  Where rescheduling is agreed, the replacement stay must generally be taken within three years.

• Rescheduled stays will generally be offered to be taken during our lower season (mid-May to mid-Sept). July school holidays may be considered, but other school holidays, public holidays, special-event periods & peak dates are generally excluded.

• If the replacement dates have a lower accommodation tariff, the difference is not refunded. If they have a higher tariff, the additional amount may be payable. We cannot guarantee that a rescheduled stay will be possible. Any alternative arrangement or goodwill partial refund will be considered individually.

 

4. Guest numbers, occupancy & visitors

• The maximum permitted occupancy is specified in the property listing, quotation or booking confirmation.

• The tariff is specifically based on the number of guests staying. All adults, children & infants must be declared & included in the booking & only guests included in the booking may access or stay at the property at any time.

• Visitors are not permitted without our specific prior written approval and if approved, must not exceed the maximum capacity of the particular property. This includes day visitors, friends & relatives and people who are staying elsewhere on Kangaroo Island. Any proposed visitor or gathering must be discussed with us & approved in writing before it takes place. Additional approved guests may incur additional charges.

• Unauthorised visitors, excess occupancy or serious breaches of these conditions may result in additional charges &, where justified, termination of the booking or a requirement to vacate, subject to applicable law.

• The lead guest is responsible for ensuring that everyone in their group understands & follows these conditions.

 

5. Wedding, Celebrations and Gatherings

• Our properties are residential holiday accommodation, not function centres or event venues. Low-key celebrations are welcome: sensible parties, weddings, functions & gatherings require prior written approval.

• Approval is not automatic & may be subject to conditions & the number of people at the property must not exceed the approved guest numbers & maximum property occupancy, including during the day.  Weddings at Seaside Garden Cottages will need to book the ‘All 3 Beautiful Cottages’ option.

• Guests must respect neighbours & keep noise to a reasonable level; Quiet Hours are 8 pm to 8 am.

• Permission to hold a gathering does not remove any other booking conditions.

• Normal holiday-rental cleaning is included, but function-level or excessive cleaning is not. Additional cleaning, rubbish removal, damage or other reasonable costs resulting from an approved or unauthorised gathering may be charged.

 

6. Children & infants

• At properties specifically noted as available for children / infants, one infant under two years of age may stay free of charge when using the existing bedding provided. Additional infants and children who have turned 2 years at time of travel are charged at the child rate.

• Some of our properties are suitable for well-supervised children and infants, however none of our properties are child-proofed & carers are responsible for supervising children & ensuring their safety. Potential hazards can include stairs, balconies, uneven surfaces, hot appliances, breakable items, garden plants & pest-control products etc.

• The infant must be included in the booking & counts towards the property's maximum permitted occupancy.

 

7. Pets & Assistance Animals

• Pets are not permitted unless we have given written approval before the booking.

• Emotional Support Animals are considered pets & not permitted.

• Assistance animals will be accommodated in accordance with applicable law. Please contact us in advance where practicable so that any necessary arrangements, including any additional cleaning, can be discussed.

• Please do not assume that a property is suitable or safe for animals (pest control, plants, wildlife etc.)

• Unauthorised pets may result in significant additional cleaning, damage or other costs, and may require guests to vacate the property without refund, subject to applicable law.  We do not have any insurance for pet damage.

 

8. Smoking, vaping & substances

• Smoking & vaping are prohibited everywhere on the property, both indoors & outdoors. Illicit substances must not be used or possessed at the property. Smoking-related odours, residue, litter, damage, extra cleaning may result in fees being charged.

 

9. Property care, damage & breakages

• Please treat the property, furnishings, appliances & outdoor areas with care. Items must not be moved between properties, including towels, linen, crockery, cutlery, kitchen equipment, furniture & other household items.

• Report damage, breakages or missing items to us ASAP, preferably by phone or SMS. We understand that accidents happen and certainly won't send you a bill for a single broken glass! Prompt reporting helps us put things right for you & our next guests.

• Please do not move furniture around or take indoor furniture outdoors, or vice versa, or take items home.

• Please use appliances & equipment in accordance with the instructions provided.

• If property items are lost, stolen, damaged or removed, reasonable replacement, repair or associated costs may be charged. Serious, deliberate, illegal or disruptive behaviour may result in the booking being terminated or guests being required to vacate.

 

10. Cleaning, linen & consumables

• Normal holiday-rental cleaning & linen change is naturally included in your tariff.  You don’t need to make the beds, start washing, dust, clean the floors or clean the bathrooms - we take care of normal departure cleaning after respectful guests with enthusiasm!

• Please leave the property reasonably neat & tidy: dishes done or dishwasher left running; clean food spills & kitchen mess; place rubbish in the outside bins & ensure rubbish does not overflow the bins (excess rubbish will need to be removed by guests).

• Please leave BBQs & outdoor cooking areas reasonably clean and tidy after use, and dispose of any rubbish in the outside bins.

• Please use placemats / coasters and clean spills & soiling as they occur to avoid stains, damage & attracting insects or rodents.

• Biological / human / high risk waste & cleaning: Guests are strictly responsible for clean-up & / or safe disposal of their group’s own biological waste (such as blood, faeces, vomit, urine etc.). Should our cleaning team encounter biological waste soiling (such as a mattress soaked through with urine), the item is generally disposed of & a replacement fee incurred. Specialised equipment or cleaning costs may be incurred.

• Excessive mess, stains, strong lingering odours, bodily-fluid contamination, damage or missing items may require additional cleaning, laundering, repairs or replacement which may incur a fee.

• Additional costs may be charged where the condition of the property goes beyond normal holiday use. Function-level cleaning & waste disposal is not included in the standard tariff. If excessive or specialised cleaning or damage prevents the next guests from accessing the property as booked, reasonable consequential costs may also be recoverable where permitted by law.

• Commercial-grade linen & bedding is supplied as specified, including sheets, bath towels, beach towels & tea towels.

• Fake tan, hair dye, makeup & similar products can permanently stain linen & towels. If staining cannot be removed through reasonable laundering, the reasonable cost of additional cleaning or replacement may be charged. If you use products likely to stain white linen, you may prefer to bring your own items.

• A starter supply of basic consumables is provided, such as tea, coffee, toilet paper, soap, washing powder. Guests are responsible for their groceries, toiletries & additional supplies. Please leave our unused household supplies at the property

 

11. Security bond & additional charges

• A security bond or credit card authorisation may be required as specified in your quotation or booking confirmation.

• The bond may be used to cover properly recoverable costs, including damage, missing items, excessive or specialised cleaning, unauthorised pets, EV charging, smoking-related costs, replacement of items soiled by biological waste, or other breaches of the booking conditions. Any deduction or additional charge will be based on the circumstances & reasonable costs incurred.

• Where no separate bond is held, properly recoverable costs are generally charged to the card used to make the booking.

• The bond is not a cap on liability. If properly recoverable costs exceed the bond, the additional amount may be payable.

• The lead guest is responsible for costs properly attributable to their booking & group.

 

12. Check-in, check-out & keys

• Check-in & check-out times will be specified in your booking confirmation. Please do not arrive before the agreed check-in time without our prior approval.

• Please vacate by check-out time as we often have guests arriving that day. Late check-out is subject to availability & prior approval. A fee may apply if a late departure causes additional costs or disrupts preparation for the next booking.

• Each property uses a key box or other specified access arrangement. Access instructions & codes will be provided before arrival. Please keep access codes secure & do not share them with anyone outside your approved booking.

• Return keys as instructed. Do not alter locks or access codes. Please advise if a key is lost or an access device is damaged.

  

13. Property access, maintenance & longer stays

• Some cupboards, sheds & storage areas are locked & are not available for guest use.

• We engage services to keep the properties running beautifully for you: gardening, watering, rubbish collection, gas-bottle checks, pest control & other routine maintenance and works.  Where practicable, work will be scheduled around guest changeover days, however some services may take place during your stay (bins are generally collected on Mon/Thurs), requiring reasonable access.

• Kangaroo Island has limited local trades & replacement supplies, so some repairs or replacements may take longer. Where a fault or repair needs prompt attention, we require reasonable access and adequate time for us to do so. Emergency access may be necessary without prior agreement where reasonably required to protect people, safety or prevent further damage.

• For extra-long stays (typically over 14 days), mid-stay housekeeping, linen changes & maintenance access may be required and arrangements will be outlined in your quotation or booking confirmation. 

 

14. Property availability, maintenance & service interruptions

• We make every reasonable effort to ensure your booked property is available, properly maintained & amenities in working order.

• We cannot however guarantee that every appliance, item or service will operate perfectly throughout every stay; if something is not working as expected, please contact us promptly so we have a reasonable opportunity to investigate & resolve the issue.

• Occasionally, unforeseen circumstances, essential repairs, property changes or operational issues may make the booked accommodation unavailable. Where reasonably necessary, we may offer alternative similar or superior accommodation.

• At the Kingscote Terraces group (apartments and townhouses), in the event of unforeseen property unavailability, we reserve the option to swap you to a substantially similar property in the group (they are very similar) and a minor difference that does not materially disadvantage you will not automatically entitle you to cancel or receive a refund. If we do not have a comparable or superior property available within the group (such as an upgrade from an apartment to a townhouse), you would be entitled to receive a refund for the accommodation amount paid.

• If we cannot provide the booked accommodation or a suitable alternative, including for unforeseen operational or maintenance issues, or because a property is sold, withdrawn from holiday letting or is no longer owned or managed by us, we may cancel the booking and refund accommodation payments received. Where possible, we will offer suitable alternative accommodation. To the extent permitted by law, our responsibility in these circumstances is limited to accommodation payments received, and we are not responsible for additional travel, replacement accommodation or other consequential costs.

• Minor or temporary faults or interruptions that do not materially affect the overall use of the accommodation will not automatically entitle guests to cancel or receive a refund. If an essential service or major item fails, we will, if possible, make reasonable efforts to repair it, arrange a replacement or find another practical solution. Please allow reasonable access & time for repairs, taking into account the availability of local trades & supplies.

• Power, water, internet & mobile services can occasionally be interrupted on Kangaroo Island, particularly during severe weather or other service disruptions including routine maintenance. This occurs more frequently than on the mainland, we do not have control over this and a refund is not necessarily available unless it is for a very extended period such that it is impractical to remain on KI.

• Please be aware that mobile coverage may not be perfect in KI. Wi-Fi is provided to the properties but uninterrupted availability or speeds cannot be guaranteed. Interruption or unavailability or wifi / mobile network does not automatically entitle guests to cancel or receive a refund. Guests are responsible for use of and logging out their own streaming accounts & any charges incurred through their accounts. Please do not alter network settings, access other guests' or owners' accounts, or interfere with the internet equipment.

 

15. Illness & communicable diseases

• Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover illness & travel disruption.

• We’re serious about safety! Please advise us asap if you or anyone in your booking has a known or suspected communicable illness that may pose a risk to other people. Before arrival, we will assess the circumstances & determine whether the stay can proceed safely, whether additional precautions are needed, or whether postponement or cancellation should be considered.

• Please notify us promptly if a current guest develops a potentially contagious illness that may affect cleaning, safety or future guests. Decisions will consider the nature of the illness, level of risk, applicable health & safety requirements & relevant public health advice. We may need extra cleaning or disinfection arrangements following a stay involving a communicable illness.

 

16. Parking & electric vehicle charging

• Please use designated parking areas & do not park on lawns or gardens or obstruct accessways. Vehicles must not block neighbouring properties, driveways or service access.

• Charging electric vehicles from the property's power supply is not permitted, including through standard power outlets, unless we have specifically approved an arrangement in writing. Please use designated public or approved EV charging facilities.

 

17. Fire safety, water & the environment

• Bonfires & open fires are strictly prohibited anywhere on the property, including campfires & fire pits.

• Please observe all Total Fire Ban restrictions, fire danger warnings & applicable rules.

• BBQs may only be used when permitted & must be operated in accordance with the instructions provided. Never leave a BBQ or other permitted cooking equipment unattended while in use.

• Please follow the property's instructions for toilets, septic systems, waste & recycling. Unless otherwise specified, only toilet paper should be flushed. Do not flush wipes, sanitary products, nappies, paper towels, fats, oils or other unsuitable materials.

• Fish cleaning facilities are not available and must not be cleaned inside.

• Please use water responsibly & report leaks or plumbing issues promptly.

• Place rubbish in the designated outside bins & follow any property-specific instructions.

• Kangaroo Island is a natural environment. Insects, wildlife & seasonal conditions are part of the Island experience, despite reasonable pest-control measures. Please do not feed, touch or disturb wildlife.

• Take reasonable care around gardens, plants, outdoor surfaces & natural hazards.

  

18. Security, personal belongings & lost property

• Please lock doors & windows when leaving the property & take reasonable care of your personal belongings & vehicles.

• Some properties have external security cameras covering areas such as driveways, entrances & access points. Cameras are intended for external property security & access monitoring. Audio recording is disabled. Guests must not cover, disconnect, move or tamper with security equipment.

• Guests are responsible for checking the property carefully before departure & taking all personal belongings with them. We are helpful, but cannot accept responsibility for personal belongings left behind, lost or misplaced at the property & do not undertake to store, post or deliver forgotten belongings. Items found after departure may potentially be disposed, donated or discarded at our discretion, particularly if of a perishable nature, considered of low value or impractical to store or return.  Where we agree to return an item, postage, courier & any associated costs are the guest's responsibility.

 

19. Safety & guest responsibilities

• Guests are responsible for taking reasonable care of themselves & their group while using the property.

• Ordinary household & outdoor hazards may include stairs, balconies, uneven surfaces, slippery areas, hot appliances, sharp utensils, garden plants, wildlife & maintenance equipment. Children must be appropriately supervised, & guests should take care when using appliances, outdoor areas & any equipment supplied.

• Please follow any property-specific safety instructions & report hazards or faults promptly.

• At properties where a billiards table / ping pont or similar is provided, children must not use it unless directly supervised by a responsible adult. Any damage to billiards table felt is the responsibility of the person booking.

 

20. Property information, supplies & suitability

• Property listings & photographs are intended to provide an accurate representation at the time of booking. Furnishings, décor, appliances & amenities may occasionally change as properties are maintained or updated. If a particular feature, layout, access, or amenity is important to your stay, please ask before booking.

• Starter consumables are supplied to help you settle in. Guests should bring their own food, groceries, toiletries & purchase extra supplies as needed. Please don’t remove unused consumables or household supplies from the property upon departure.

 

21. Privacy & guest information

• We collect & use guest information to manage bookings, communicate with guests, provide accommodation, maintain security & meet legal obligations. We do not sell guest information. Information may be shared with service providers where reasonably necessary to manage your stay, for operational reasons, or where required or permitted by law.

• We may request identification where reasonably necessary for booking verification, security or legal obligations. If you do not wish to provide us with photo identification information, please book via a third party booking site which will manage this.

• Guest information & identification will be handled securely & retained only for as long as reasonably necessary, subject to applicable legal requirements.

• Like most hospitality establishments, external video security cameras are in place at most properties (ie driveway / entrances / porch) and record access for operational & security reasons. Audio is not recorded.

 

22. Contact us about problems

• If something is not right during your stay, please contact us as soon as possible. We will make reasonable efforts to address genuine concerns promptly.  Please give us a reasonable opportunity to investigate & resolve an issue before departure where possible. Raising an issue after departure may limit our ability to remedy it during your stay or in time for our next guests.

 

23. General conditions

• These Terms & Conditions apply to direct bookings unless we agree otherwise in writing.

• The property listing, quotation, booking confirmation & property-specific instructions form part of the booking conditions. Any specific written variation agreed with us will apply to the extent of that variation. The version of these Terms & Conditions provided at the time of booking applies to that booking, together with any written variations agreed with us. We reserve the right to remedy any trivial or obvious communication or information errors.

• If any provision is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply.

• These conditions are governed by the laws applicable in South Australia & relevant Commonwealth law.

• Nothing in these conditions is intended to exclude or limit any consumer guarantee, right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.