|
|
| Our
campervans, motorhomes, RV, deluxe camper, 4WD and 4WD Campers, Car hire information
selection search guide across Australia |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |  |
| |
Who We Are
And Why Choose Us 'Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals'
MISSION
STATEMENT About
Us: 24 hours - Call Line Tel +61 8 89453338: VEHICLES
As licensed 4WD, Motorhome, Camper and Car specialist Travel Agent we will assist
you with your planning your next vacation or holiday in Australia. If it's business
you need you vehicle for then let us also help you as we have a large list of
suppliers to choose from with excellent rates. TOURS
As licensed land based Australian tour and safaris specialists here in Australia
we will assist you with your planning your next vacation or holiday in Australia.
We now offer some 2000 tours and growing in size daily right across Australia.
We will help you discover the best of these unique and special tours offers across
Australia as one of the Northern Territory's and Kimberley's leading small group
safari specialists incorporating it's web sites. OUR
BUSINESS NAME We are called 'Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals' - Our very
experienced staff at our licensed Northern Territory Travel Agency (Travel Agency
License NT094) and also a proud full member of 'Tourism Top End' situated in Darwin,
Australia just 1 klm from Darwin International Airport . Australia
4 Wheel Drive Rentals Australia Business Number 54 561 356 425 Australian
NT Licensed Travel Agent No. 094 Tel: From within Australia - Free Call- even
on mobiles 1800 107 371 (Enquiries for tours - 24 hours
a day) Tel: International 0061 (0) 8 89 453 338 (Enquiries
for tours - 24 hours a day) Fax International 0061 (0) 8 89 455
507 Roaming Mobile: International +61 400 278958 (Enquiries
for tours - 24 hours a day) Email:
info@australia4tours.com 341 McMillans Road, Anula, Darwin
0812, Northern Territory, Australia Postal address for correspondence: P.O.Box
3410, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia 0801 Australia 4 Wheel Drive
Rentals 2002. All rights reserved. Images
on our headers are courtesy of the various state tourism government departments
for the promotion of tourism in Australia. Tel:
From within Australia - Free Call- even on mobiles to tel 1800 107 371 (Enquiries
for tours - 24 hours a day) |
Our
Business Name | Australia
4 Wheel Drive Rentals Incorporating web site such as plus
information sites such as |
| Who
Are We |
| Please
take some time to read this page as hope you may be putting your holiday planning
in our hands we wish to tell you all about our business. Australia
4 Wheel Drive Rentals is a registered business and licensed Travel Agent in Darwin,
Northern Territory, Australia. We specialise in 2 areas
of travel the firstly being 'land based' Australian tours and secondly 'selfdrive
hire and rentals' across Australia (hence the business name 'Australia
4 Wheel Drive Rentals'. Our
senior management alone have collectively over 30 years in the travel industry
from around the world. With experience gathered from organizing tours of 1000+
people to exclusive tours for V.I.P.s.
Though our main business comes from you the 'Domestic Traveller' or 'F.I.T. Traveller'
(Foreign Independent Travel). The person travelling alone, the family, the couple,
the business person or group of friends. Whether you be 25 or 85 we will offer
you the best customised and personalised service possible. When
we prepare a tour we actually spend a considerable amount of time deciding if
the tour you are looking at suits your needs and desires. We like to know your
dates and flexibility so we can compare all the available options. We like to
know your thoughts on the type of trip you envisage, your approx spending anticipation
level and the people you like to travel with. Often a trip may be different to
what one thinks it will offer. Our
quotes would be one of the most extensive quoting systems on offer. Usually some
3 pages, though these quotes tend to offer you as much information as a quote
could offer. As you can tell from this page we are not a 'fly by night' company
and we actually really enjoy our jobs and take pride in our work. We would also
appreciate all the feedback possible on the tours we book for you and meet with
you if your in Darwin - as we say 'the kettle is always on'. |  |
 |
| | Operation
Hours | Mon
- Fri 6am till 10pm Sat- 6am till 12pm (On Saturdays mornings pls use the
mobile number to contact us) Sun + Public Holidays 6am till 10pm
Telephone International
+61 8 89 453 338 Telephone Within Australia 08 89 453 338 Telephone Within
Australia Freecall 1800 107 371 Mobile + 61 400 278 958 (0400 278 958) Email
Us - info@australia4tours.com.au
Enquiries are welcomed 24 hours a day. If you are ringing from overseas don't
worry about the time zone. Ring when you wish as we feel your call should be answered
anytime. | | Our
Business Registration |
We are a licensed Travel
Agent in Darwin Northern Territory, Australia. * Travel Agent Number NT 094.
* Registered and Approved Licensee: We
are a registered business in Northern Territory. * Australian
Business Number 54 561 356 425 * Taxation and GST compliance Principle
and General Manager of Australia
4 Wheel Drive Rentals * 11+ years experience
Languages: English Reservation
Staff 20+ years experience - Operations Manager in international Conventions
and Group Travel Languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Malaysia.
Travel Staff 12+ years Travel Desk Consultant land based tours Languages:
English, German, Danish and still learning Australian. (Currently on leave) |
| Where
Are We | 341
McMillans Road, Anula, Darwin Northern Territory, Australia This
is approximately 1.1/2 kilometers from Darwin International Airport on the same
road 'McMillans Road'. When you leave the airport you normally turn left to travel
some 12klm to Darwin C.B.D. instead you turn right. We are on the service road.
| Memberships:
No. 1168 |  |
| Memberships |
 |
The
Alliance Française de Darwin | | The
aim of the Alliance Française is to promote French language and culture around
the world, as non- profit organization. Each branch is integrated in its community
with the Alliance Française de Paris ensuring that principles of neutrality, both
politically and religiously are applied. The Alliance Française de Darwin has
been in existence since 1985. | |
| Memberships |
| | Why
Choose Us | Some
of reasons you can feel confident in booking your next tour or recommending us.
- We are licensed Travel
Agents. In Northern Territory to be a licensed travel agent you must have the
proper creditionals and most of all relevant sound
experience to be a licensed agent.
- Our
licensee Rob Berude has lived in Alice Springs and Darwin in Northern Territory
from 1988 till now (except 1 year - 1994 in Perth). Rob grew up in the bush in
Victoria high country of the Upper Yarra and coming from a family of horse trainers,
rangers and conservationists. Rob has learnt bush tucker, bush medicine and the
real spirit of outback Australia since he was five. Now some 40 years later his
wealth of knowledge puts him in the league of travel specialists that you should
be looking for. Rob also attended Northern Territory University to obtain his
travel accreditations and adding his hands on experience for the last 10 years
Rob has passed on this knowledge to his staff over the years.
- We
show you our address clearly on our sites.
- We
are available 24 hours.
- We
try to get personalised and well thought out tour quotes to you within 2-6 hours
between 9am-4pm weekdays and if we receive a quote after 4pm our time then next
day. A quote also relies on our response from our listed tour operators. Vehicle
quotes may take longer.
- We
generally work directly with the Tour operator in the quote.
- The
only affiliated systems we would tend to use currently are the different state
government tourism booking systems such as the Connections Safaris, Connections
Adventures, APT, APT- Kimberley Wilderness Adventures, Europcar and oodles all
trusted and experience.
- We
work with the tour operators personally when possible and hand in hand on all
tours.
- As we
have an extensive listed range of tour operators, one of the largest ranges in
Northern Territory) we feel we can compare tours and provide you with their benefits
and offer you the best tour that suits your needs and desire.
- As
we only specialise in Australian land based tours (predominantly small group outback
tours) though we have extensive knowledge on all other land based tours.
- Our
staff actually gather as much information on the areas as possible. If you need
to know the updates to access to Jim Jim Falls in Kakadu, or find the most rugged
tour or the most luxurious camping tour, then we either have that information
ready or will get it usually that day.
- We
offer scheduled daily or regular departures in small and large group accommodated
tours.
- We also
offer personalised customized private charters. This is a tailored made tour that
only you/you group travel on and designed around what you want to see where possible.
- When
we book your tour we take into consideration your desires on the type of tour,
type of vehicle and size of groups, highlights and type of people you want to
be with.
- We
work with some of the most respected and trusted names in the tour industry to
bring you the best prices, specials, updates and packages as soon as they are
made available.
-
Our site is updated daily as we work 24 hours a day.
|
| Licenses |
Verifications for a particular
current travel license can only be found at the Consumer Affairs at Darwin. Tel
08 8999 1999. In
the Northern Territory a extensive checklist is required for Travel Agents in
Northern Territory to be licensed. Tour Operators based in Northern Territory
actually have to comply the Northern Territory licensing board. Their criteria
is extensive. | | Other
Professionals |
Why book with us instead
of booking with a tour operator direct, tourist commission or a local licensed
travel agent. Tours
Operators, Territory Discovery, The NTTC Commission, and 'destination experienced'
licensed travel agents are usually excellent choices to book with. We
do not compare our services to these like minded professionals. What we suggest
is look at the benefits you receive when booking through us. Rob has lived in
the Territory some 18 years and has extensive experience. We know the operations
and reservation staff of most tour operators personally. We operate 24 hours.
We have a large selection of tour operators and will offer all tours regardless
of commissions or opposition. We do try to pass on savings in the forms of discounts
to you. We are as professional as one can be and to always remember you may not
be fully aware of all the options and to offer them. |
| Quotations | All
quotations are subject to availability of services quoted and are not guaranteed
until the booking amount as per the client's quote is received, booking is confirmed
and 'Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals' receive the clients signed ticket
confirmation form. Some quotations will have validity dates on them and if a booking
amount as per the clients quote is not received by that expiry date then the quotation
will automatically cancel without notification to you. |
| Our
Ticket System | Once
your secure booking form has been received we then endeavour to book the tour
and collect payment then prepare an E-Ticket and email that to you within 6-24
hours. This is a paper ticket you print and take with you on tour and hand it
to the tour driver at pickup. | | Our
Payment System | You
will be entering a secure session using a 128 bit security key. The secure session
is indicated by the padlock icon in the status bar at the bottom of the browser
window and by the URL starting with https://
. All data transmitted while using this service will be encrypted.
Booking Your
Tour Online:You may either go to our booking form via the reservation icon
at the top of each page or click here .https://secure.sentientonline.com/secure_tour.aspx?ID=A4WDR Booking
Your Tour Via Scanning or Faxing: To fax a booking form you may either
go to our booking form via the reservation icon at the top of each page or click
here https://secure.sentientonline.com/secure_tour.aspx?ID=A4WDR
. Fill in your details then print the page. Then fax this page
to the Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals. Fax within Australia
08 8945 55 07 Fax from outside Australia +61 8 8945 55 07 Booking
Your Tour Via Postal Mail: To mail a booking form you can go to our booking
form via the reservation icon at the top of each page or click here https://secure.sentientonline.com/secure_tour.aspx?ID=A4WDR
.Fill in your details then print the page and post it to us. (We suggest
registered mail) Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals
341 McMillans Road, Anula, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
0812 To
secure a booking: Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals requires a completed Booking
Form or e-mail, or fax sent by the client, or the parent/legal guardian (if the
client is under 18 years), and payment details (name on card, credit card number,
expiry date). A booking is valid when Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals confirms
acceptance and receives the clients signed returned confirmation in writing. Our
terms........... Payment
Breakdown: Both
a Deposit or Full Payment system are used depending on our suppliers agreement:
Your quote will advise you in detail which payment method. Payment
1: * Full amount to Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals
is required at the time of booking. Payment
2: * A booking deposit to Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals and the balance
to the tour supplier is required at the time of booking. Payment
3: * A deposit is required at the time of booking
to Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals and the balance to the tour operator at pickup.
Payment 4: *For
large booking 6 months ahead a deposit is required at the time of booking to Australia
4 Wheel Drive Rentals is required and the balance to Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals
is required 35-45 days prior to departure. Booking
Conditions: Payment in full is required
for this tour at the time of booking. Secure
Book your tour here now You will be entering a secure session using a 128
bit security key. The secure session is indicated by the padlock icon in the status
bar at the bottom of the browser window. All data transmitted while using this
service will be encrypted. |
| References |
Our references are the major
Tour and Vehicle Operators we deal with daily and have established an excellent
rapport after years of co-operation and 1000's of bookings. Previous
customers - references supplied on application |
|
IT Maintenance | In
2006 it was decided to upgrade our sites. In January 2006 we took a 50% in U-R
a Malaysian IT company. Our current downtime is 0.0003%. |
| Discounting
Policy | We
have no set discount policy rule. We do offer a early bird discount on many tours
and this is reflected in our quotes very clearly. Obviously the larger the group
the more we can try to offer a discount. Unlike years gone past the travel industry
has had a huge shake up and commissions are limited. Where possible we try to
pass on the discounts to you as we want your repeat business. Some suppliers request
that we don't discount at all and with these suppliers we respect their guidelines. |
Our
Terms + Tour Operators | As
we deal with some 36 vehicles hire suppliers and 30+ major and 128 minor tour
operators and terms may vary between suppliers, we have introduced our terms policy,
security policy, disclaimer policy. When booking we also supply you the terms
for both the Operator and Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals. If you have made a
booking and need clarification on any point please contact us. |
| Tour
Differences | There
are general classifications we tend to use that sometimes overlap due to the large
number of suppliers we have listed. Backpacker
Tours: Generally indicates a small group tour using basic camping, bush camping,
semi or permanent camping or multi-share dorm accommodation. Vehicles used are
usually either troop Carriers or 21-24 Seat Mini-Coach. These tours have a loosely
based itinerary which will vary from guide to guide and access to the attractions
may be seasonal. Generally speaking people 18-35 prefer these types of tours.
Safari in Style’: Safari
accommodation (large permanent twin share tents) with proper beds, pillow, linen,
towels, fans and lighting. Campsites have permanent cooking facilities, screened
eating areas, share showers & toilets. Kings Canyon. Luxury
Campsite/Deluxe Campsite: Generally purpose-built "Safari Tents". They are
locally designed for our tropical climate. The walls are of canvas and the windows
of insect screen. The floors are wood and are raised above the ground. They have
been specifically designed to keep cool and comfortable. A tent has two standard
size single beds, each with a traditional Australian bushman's swag and high density
mattress, linen, blankets and pillow. Australian
Safaris: A safari (from Swahili word meaning a long journey or trip) is an
overland journey. Nowadays, it's often used to describe tours through national
parks to watch Wildlife (fauna),flora and geological formations..
Reference: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safari_(travel) Australian
Overnight Tours: A tour starting early morning or midday on day one and finishing
midday or early evening day two. Australian
Extended Tours: We class this a a tour over 20 days generally combining more
than one tour. Australian
Returning Tour: This is a tour that say may start from Darwin and returns
to Darwin when it has finished. Australian
Oneway Tour: This is a tour that say may start from Melbourne and finishes
at a different city such as Darwin. Australian
Cultural Tours: This is a tour that experiences true Aboriginal Culture sometimes
in the Aboriginal Communities such as
Bathhurst Island off Darwin or other times at natural wonder such as Uluru
at Anangu Waai Tours at
Ayers Rock Australian
Adventure Activities: Examples we class -4WDing, 4WD Adventures, Aero plane
ATV Quad Bike, Ballooning, Bush Walking, Camel Riding, Camping, Horse Riding,
Island Jet Ski, Kayaking, Scuba Diving/Snorkeling, Skydive, White Water Rafting.
Australian
Sightseeing: One day coach trips to say The Blue Mountains, The Great Ocean
Road, National Parks, or Scenic Flights, one day diving, one day sailing, one
day cruises. Australian
Event Touring: Tours to a specific event such as the Tamworth Music Festival,
Mt Isa Rodeo or Birdsville Races. |
| Insurance | Australia
4 Wheel Drive Rentals does not offer insurance though strongly recommends you
to take out travel insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances which may arise
(including cancellation fees, medical and curtailment expenses, loss of luggage,
early departure from tour due to death of a relative or illness etc). |
| Our
Web Sites | We
have a number of website with different names. Some to identify the area and some
to identify our name. All in all a website URL is just an address to point you
to us. Here are some of our websites. Australia
4 Wheel Drive Rentals Incorporating
some of the following web sites: - ww.australia4tours.com.au
(offering tours from the tour operator called 'Adventure Tours Australia'. Here
are some 100 tours both camping and accommodated across Australia with a large
range of outback oneway and return tours.
- www.australia4tours.com
Here we offer some 900+ tours on oneway small coach and large coach or 4WD camping
or accommodated tours from Adelaide, Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Brisbane, Broome,
Cairns, Darwin, Davenport, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney.
-
www.kakaduayersrocktours.com
Here are some 500 tours easy to find tours both camping and accommodated in Uluru
Ayers Rock and Kakadu and from Alice Springs to Darwin. Australia with a large
range of outback oneway and return tours.
- www.australia4wheeldriverentals.com.au
our
database site for vehicle, tours and accommodation.
-
www.australia4wheeldriverentals.com Hire we offer a very wide selection of
4WD, 4WD campers, Campers, Campervans, Motorhomes, RV's with pickup and dropoff
at the following locations: Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Broome, Cairns,
Darwin, Davenport, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney.
-
www.australia4wdrentals.com Hire
we offer a very wide selection from only the THL Group of 'Britz, Maui and Backpacker
Campervans' of 4WD, 4WD campers, Campers, Campervans, Motorhomes, RV's with pickup
and dropoff at the following locations: Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Broome,
Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney. Britz and Maui only (Hobart
and Broome)
- www.tasmania4tours.com
offering tours in Tasmania.
- www.sydneymotorhomes.com
Hire we offer
a very wide selection of
motorhomes across Australia.
- www.brisbanemotorhomes.com
Hire
we offer a very wide selection of
motorhomes across Australia.
| | Some
of our tour operators and our valued partners |
- Adventure
Tours Australia (Australia Wide)
-
Odyssey Safaris
- Sacred
Earth Safaris
-
Billy Can Tours
-
Sahara Tours
- APTouring
- Adventure
Connections
- Wayward
Bus Touring Group
-
Wilderness Adventures
-
Kakadu Dreams
-
Wayoutback Tours
-
Aussie Adventures
- AAT
Kings
- Emu
Run
- Anangu
Waii (Aboriginal Tours)
- Heading
Bush
- Nullabor
Traveller
- Terra
Australis Safaris
- Groovy
grapes
- Sydney
Day Tours
- Campwild
- Raging
Thunder (Queensland Adventure Tours)
- Bigcat
-
Prosail
- NT Escapes
Tours
| | Some
of our vehicle operators and our valued partners |
- Britz Australia (Part
of the THL Group)
- Maui
Australia (Part of the THL Group)
- Backpacker
Campervans (Part of the THL Group)
- Apollo
Camper Australia (Part of the Apollo Group)
- Cheapa
Campervans (Part of the Apollo Group)
- Kea
Australia
- Around
Australia Motorhomes
- Europcar
- Easylife
Rentals
- Cruisin
Tasmania
- Camperworld
- Advance
- Spaceships
| | Accommodation | This
year after many years in operation we decided to offer accommodation as well and
in the coming months we will be offering accommodation in the tour locations. |
| Glossary
- Our Tour |
Tours Glossary We Use: ..........................
Sometimes what we say will vary to a term you may recognise. Please note these
are terms we use or recognise in our sites and may differ to other specialists
and operators. - Tour:
Any pre-arranged, prepaid journey to one or more destinations and returning
to the point of departure. usually includes transportation, accommodation, meals,
sightseeing, and other components, and is sold as a unit without price break-outs
by component. Reference 'Group Travel' Author Martha Sarbey de
Souto. Also 'tour' maybe regarded as a regularly scheduled guided group
visiting one or more destinations and seeing natural and cultural places of interest
along the way. This journey may be a returning or oneway tour.
- Extended
Touring: We class this a a tour app. over 20 days generally combining more
than one tour in a oneway direction..
- Returning
Tour: This is a tour that say may start from Darwin and returns to Darwin
when it has finished.
- Oneway
Tour: This is a tour that say may start from Melbourne and finishes at a different
city such as Darwin.
- Trip:
Is a journey from start to finish.
- Travel:
Is how you make your way around on the journey from start to finish you take on
your holiday.
- Charter:
To hire by contract the entire capacity of an motor coach with the driver/guide
basing a trip plan on the needs and desire.
- Personalised
Tour: Again the same as to hire by contract the entire capacity of an motor
coach with the driver/guide.
- Tour
Operator: This is a tour company that you travel with on tour. A tour operator
is the person who supplies the guide/host/driver, the vehicle, the back-up support,
the camping equipment, the accommodation arrangements, the food.
- Our
E-Ticket: A electronic ticket via email. Consisting of 3 pages. the first
is for you to sign and return to us via fax or scanning confirming your ticket
details. pages 2-3 you take with you and hand to the driver at pickup.
- Our
Quote: An email sent by us usually around 2-3 pages details a specific tour.
- F.I.T:
(foreign independent
Traveller) - An international preplanned, pre-booked, and prepaid trip with an
itinerary and components planned to the traveller's specifications. Custom-designed
itinerary, as opposed to buying an existing travel package. Reference
'GroupTravel' Author Martha Sarbey de Souto.
- Adult
Prices: This is usually for a person aged 12/14/16 and over in Australian
land based tours. Your quote will specify the exact age for child or adult pricing.
The age will vary between tour operators.
- Childs
Prices: Generally children between 4-12, up to 16 depending on the particular
tour operator. Your quote will specify the exact age for child or adult pricing.
An example is her from the operator ' Adventure Tours Australia'. Children over
12 years of age pay full adult fare. * Children aged 8-12 years receive a discount
on most tours. Prices available on application. * Children under 16 years of age
are not permitted to unless accompanied by an adult
- Infant:
Generally a child under 2 years old.
- Adventure
Traveller: - Trips designed for the active traveller
often including hiking, trekking, rafting, camping, terrain exploring. For the
fit and adventurous who want to get off the beaten track.
- Soft
Traveller: Those who prefer the more comfortable facilities
yet still travelling to experience all Australia has to offer and can hike 5-9kms
a day over uneven terrain often in high temperatures.
- Extreme
Adventurer: Hikes up to 9kms or more per day. Warning: Tours graded with ‘3
Boots’ are only suitable for very fit people who enjoy basic bush camping and
can hike 5-9kms a day over uneven terrain often in high temperatures.
- Bus:
Generally a 45 front facing seat vehicle with air-conditioning.
- Mini
Coach: Generally a 21-24 front facing seat Toyota vehicle with 'NO' toilet
on board.
- Coach:
Is a motorcoach or deluxe bus with a toilet on board. Generally a 45 front facing
seat vehicle with air-conditioning.
- Large
4WD: Often refference to a 16/20/22/24 canter, OKA, Isuzu or other large specialised
4wd vehicles.
- Troopie:
This is referred to a Toyota Troop Carrier. With 3 seats including the drivers
in the front and 2 side facing cushioned bench seats (4 pax) on each side in the
back. Please not the vehicles are air-conditioned though often we find guides
like to drive with the window's down as the tour passengers and jumping in and
out of the vehicle so often the guides want the passengers to get acclimatized
to the area. Generally last day on the way home the a/c goes on.
- Flynet:
A net pulled down over ones face to protect themselves from annoying flies.
Mostly used seasonally in Central Australia. Cost App $8-$15.
- Depart:
This is usually a 5.30 -7am start from a city. In our tickets and quotes we will
clarify this.
- Pickup:
The address of where you begin the tour.
- Finish:
This is usually at the end of the tour. Finishes times are generally 5-8pm unless
specified in your quote. Exception would be some of our Ayers Rock tours which
finish at midday at the rock..
- Deluxe
tour: A term that varies betweens tour operators. We generally say this to
be the best of the tours that particular tour operator has to offer. This will
either have accommodation or best quality campsites.
- Luxury
tour: As with Deluxe tours this is the same. A term that varies betweens tour
operators. We generally say this to be the best of the tours that particular tour
operator has to offer. This will either have accommodation or best quality campsites.
- Luxury
camping: A term that varies betweens tour operators. We generally say this
to be the best camping facilities of the tours that particular tour operator has
to offer. This will have campsites with hosts and cooks. The meals will be not
be fine dinning but better quality than basic camping. The tents will be slightly
bigger with beds frames, pillows, mattresses and linen. Some will have lights
and fans.
- Bush
camping: Generally - no facilities other than those that are carried on the
vehicle. Passengers sleep in swags (Aussie bedroll). The tour will stop along
the way at roadhouses for clients to have a shower etc.
- Permanent
camping: Generally - have permanently erected tents (multi-share), permanent
cooking facilities and purpose-built fire pits, screened eating areas, share showers
and toilets.
- Semi
permanent camping: Generally - tents must be erected by guide and passengers,
share showers and toilets, no cooking facilities except those carried on the vehicle.
- Basic
camping: Generally - tents must be erected by guide and passengers, share
showers/toilets or some/all nights no showers/toilets , no cooking facilities
except those carried on the vehicle. (Specified in the itinerary section of your
quote what's available - if not please ask us). As tour companies may tend to
move campsites these facilities change.
- ‘Safari
in Style’/Deluxe Campsite - Safari Accommodation (large permanent twin
share tents) with proper beds, pillows, linen, towels, fans and lighting. Campsites
have permanent cooking facilities, screened eating areas, share showers and toilets.
- Pax:
Generally one person who is on a tour. Known also as a Passanger.
- Per
Person: Generally the price of a single adult or child
- Small
Groups: We usually say this for number from 5-24 passengers
- Medium
Groups: We usually say this for numbers from 30-55 passengers in a tour.
- Large
Groups: We usually say this for numbers from 55+ passengers in a tour.
- Guide:
Person licensed (wherein necessary) and employed to take tourists on local
or interstate sightseeing and adventure excursions. Not to be confused with the
host. Usually also your driver on a tour. This person will accompany you on the
itinerary walks and explain about the local flora, Fauna and cultural aspects
of that area. The guide may not be a walking dictionary though he generally will
have a sound knowledge of the area.
- Host:
The person accompanying the guide or driver. This person is licensed (wherein
necessary) and employed to generally be know as the tour groups manager and explain
the sights. We find this term 'Host' seems to vary betweens companies.
- Driver:
Is usually your
guide. The drivers responsibility is for the driving of the tour clientele throughout
the tour. He is generally responsible for the maintenance whilst on tour.
- Breakdowns:
This is when a tour vehicle breaks down during a tour. A driver must follow
protocol and his operations managers guidelines. Often that may be to delay the
trip and wait for a replacement bus or spare part or service mechanic. Even a
new bus can develop difficulties. The more remote the trip usually longer the
wait. As vehicles are service regularly this is not a common occurrence. The Australian
Tourism industry prides itself on providing reliable vehicles.
- Sightseeing:
Generally a term we use for a very soft adventurer or large coach group on
tour. This we feel means guided tours of sights easily accessed. We acknowledge
this term can be described in many ways. We don't strictly adhere to this definition.
- Admission
fees: includes fees to National Parks, Museums, Cultural Centre's and attractions.
- Hostel accommodation:
Ever noticed there is only one letter different between hotel and hostel. - 4
or 6 or 12 bed Dorm rooms or Twin/Double rooms with shared facilities. Shared
facilities may be a common kitchen, toilets and showers (toilets/showers same
sex generally).
- Budget
accommodation: Generally - Each room is air conditioned and contains bunks
or a double bed and bunks, two people in each. There is also table and chairs
in the room but no en suite or private facilities. Budget accommodation guests
share a shower and toilet block near the rooms. Bed linen and pillows are supplied.
- Hotel accommodation:
Generally - Hotel/Lodge accommodation is three star. Each room is large,
airy, air conditioned and has private bathroom facilities.
- Waiting
List: people on a list for an last minute opening occurs
- Cancellations:
We a client contacts us and says they wish to not go on the tour anymore after
they have booked. Tour operator - no cancellation policy is the same between Tour
Operator. A rule of thumb may be - Up to 30 Days - agents deposit creditied
for another booking. 48 Hours - 30 Days is 25% of Fare Plus Deposit. 24
Hours - 48 Hours - 50% of Fare Plus Deposit. Within 24 Hours or No-Show
100% of Fare Including Plus Deposit
- No-Show:
If it is departure time and a tour passenger has not arrived, there is no alternative
but to go on without the passenger - a no show.
- Credit
Card Fee: Currently only one tour company has a credit card fee. This is Adventure
Tours and they have a 1.5% fee on all amounts taken by them using a visa or mastercard.
- Rack
Rate: Published -regular rates of a tourism service.
- Gross
rate: Rate prior to deducting any commission
- Net
Rate: Is the rate wholesale rate before any markups. If payment is taken as
a spilt system (see payments) then generally speaking in our tickets we will show
this as the amount the supplier requires.
- Twin
Share: All tours
with camping or accommodation tend to be twin share or even dorm share. Our tours
have this listed. Some tours offer optional extra upgrades so a person be accommodated
alone.
- Single
Supplementary Charge: When you have a single adult travelling and the tour
is based on twin share. This person then requests if available a single tent or
room to themselves paying the difference for upgrading.
- Optional
Tour: This is where a passenger may choose a option not part of the tour itinerary
such as a flight over the Kakadu escarpment or Quad 4WD-ing on a tour from Hobart.
- Addon:
A supplementary charge. This is explain when offered in detail.
- GST:
The Australian Goods and Services Tax. This is 10%
- YHA:
Youth Hostel Association member
- VIP:
A Membership of a backpackers Association
- Backpacker:
It used to be some one with their travel and personal items in a canvas bag
strapped onto their back in a napsack, travelling in a oneway direction on a limited
budget exploring different nations and cultural as they travelled through that
country. Nowadays it can include such people as a couple of professionals (with
the backpack) on a limited time frame travelling just one country wanting to explore
it's icons and highlights with a very generous budget staying in 4 star hotels.
- Packaged
tour: Pre-arranged combination of such as hotel, air, sightseeing and social
events packaged together and sold as an all-inclusive package.
- Specials:
This is generally speaking a package or tour with a set time to pay and to
travel by that has been discounted.
- Transfers:
Usually this means the mode of transport from your hotel to the tour starting
point or finishing or airport. Not generally used in our tours. Except may be
used when you fly into Seven Spirit Bay or Bathurst Island tours.
- Force
Majeure: From the French, literally a stronger force. In the context of a
tour operator's responsibility clause, referring to something beyond one's control,
as in an act of God. Reference 'GroupTravel' Author Martha Sarbey
de Souto.
The
Selfdrive Glossary We Use: - 4WD
Hire: Generally a large current model standard Toyota Land Cruiser Station
Wagon or similar Nissan. An example of a operators 4WD clause would be as follows:
Four Wheel Drive Vehicles can also be driven on recognized gazetted unsealed tracks
but may only travel to the following remote areas with the express written permission
of Apollo: Any Islands, Tasmania, Simpson Desert, Gunbarrel Highway, Cape York
(North of Daintree River), Oodnadatta Track, Birdsville Track, Tanami Track, Gibb
River Road, Kalumburu Road, Warburton Road, Strzelecki Track, Cape Leveque, Bungle
Bungles and any other remote area. No Vehicle is permitted on the last 2 kilometers
of the Lennard River Gorge Road, the Canning Stock-route, The Lost City in Litchfield
Park and the Telegraph Road section of the road to Cape York.
- 4WD
Camper: A 4WD campervan is a 4 Wheel Drive vehicle with a rear cabin for sleeping
and sometimes a dining and meals preparation area. There is also a storage area
for personal belongings, stoves and fridges.
- Camper:
A 2WD campervan is a 2 Wheel Drive vehicle with a rear cabin for sleeping
and sometimes a dining and meals preparation area. There is also a storage area
for personal belongings, stoves and fridges.
- Campervan:
A campervan is a self-propelled vehicle that provides both transport and sleeping
accommodation. The term mainly describes vans that have been fitted out for use
as accommodation. They are considered as an alternative to the purpose-built recreational
vehicle or motorhome because they are smaller and handle like most vans. Reference-
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campervan
- Motorhome:
Generally a luxurious long body vehicle with over a 2 Meter height factor
and is a Two Wheel Drive Vehicle that can only be driven on sealed/bitumen roads
or well maintained access roads less than 2 kilometers long to recognised campgrounds.
Motorhomes accommodated from 1-6 people with generous room to move around and
has a mains 240V air conditioners, toilet and shower. We have no motorhomes for
7 or more persons available from our fleets.
- RV:
Recreational vehicle is a vehicle used for the personal pleasure of selfdrive
travel- we tend to use this in the same reference as the motorhome.
-
Hire + Rentals: Both words actually mean different things in the dictionary
though in the selfdrive industry we generally recognise them as the same meaning.
That is to engage in a rental contract in hiring a vehicle the hirer will drive
themselves from agreed start and finish location with agreement in writing to
the suppliers Terms and Conditions.
- Selfdrive:
A vehicle 2WD or 4WD that the driver is the traveller.
Est.2002.All
rights reserved. Contents/Copyright of this website | |