FAQ’s / Terms and Conditions

Frontier Safaris – Australian Wild Escapes is a family owned and operated company with over 20 years experience in the travel industry. We pride ourselves on taking travelers to some of our favourite parts of Australia, to share an appreciation of the beauty, history, and culture of our unique country. Whilst providing an unrivalled level of customer service with friendly, knowledgeable and experienced guiding. Guests leave with lasting memories and a desire to experience more of this great country.

All our guides are skilled drivers, cookers and are all trained in advanced first aid. All our vehicles travelling in remote areas are equipped with satellite phones, first aid kits and portable generators and or 240 power inverters to ensure life’s little luxuries like charging your camera or keeping a beer cold for the end of the day, are taken care of.

We look forward to you joining us on the trip of a life time.

Contact information
If you require any additional information regarding you tour please call 1300 792 213.

What’s included
All camping equipment including tents, camp bedding, sleeping bags and sheet liners (if you do not wish to bring your own), National Park and Camping Fees are included as well as most main meals as indicated in the brochure (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner. All on land accommodation is camping.

What’s not included
Any costs incurred before departure. Meals, unless specifically mentioned on day to day itinerary, any personal items such as drinks, newspapers, telephone, laundry, souvenirs, personal and holiday insurance.

What to bring
Baggage space is limited. A soft sided sausage style bag measuring approximately 600mm x 500mm x 300mm (24" x 20" x 12") with a maximum weight of about 10 kgs (17lbs) per person which is usually stowed on the roof rack. A small, soft airline type piece of cabin baggage is also recommended. Excess luggage may be stored at your hotel or secured at our depot.

We suggest :

• 4 to 5 changes casual clothing including :
• Shirts
• Shorts
• Swimmers
• Towel
• Joggers and a pair of Sandals or Tongs
• Jeans, jacket or tracksuit for cooler evenings.
• Hat
• Torch
• Water bottle
• Sunglasses
• Bug repellent, sunscreen,  toiletries and personal first aid supplies such as band aids, headache tablets
• Remember your camera, all necessary film / memory cards and spare batteries.
• A small soft cushion for extra comfort in the vehicle and at night.
• To preserve the environment, please bring bio-degradable soap for use in shower blocks, however, the use of soaps or solvents of any kind in waterways is strictly prohibited. You can get this from Katmandu and Rays outdoors.

Hotel Pick-ups
We will be in contact with you either directly (1st Option) or via your Hotel to advise you of pickup details the day prior to departure. You will most likely be picked from your Hotel by one of the Australian Wild Escapes / Frontier Safaris team but on some occasions when we have many pick-ups spread all over town we may also organise a Taxi to pick you up (we have an account with the company, so please don’t pay). Pickup time if you are on a tour departing by 4WD expect your pickup time to be at approximately 7am, departing by air approximately 6am and by boat approximately noon (have a early lunch before we collect you).

Smoking
As per government regulations, smoking is not permitted in vehicles. Ample stops provide time for "smoking breaks".

Unused tour sections
If a passenger fails to join a tour/safari or joins in after departure, or leaves if prior to completion, absolutely no refunds can be made.

Insurance
It is strongly recommended that travel insurance be acquired a time of booking. Insurance should cover loss of costs through cancellation, loss of personal belongings, baggage, money and medical expenses. Most claims arise from personal or close family illness before holiday departure resulting in cancellation fees.

Drinks
An honesty tin is run for drinks (beer, wine and soft drink) and surplus donations go to the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The Government has imposed very strict alcohol regulations throughout Cape York Peninsula and our company has a permit to carry certain quantities of alcohol and complies with all regulations and laws. Please do not bring any alcohol on tour.

Cash on hand
We suggest approx. 200.00  per person. Credit cards are accepted in most places throughout the peninsula. Optional excursions and approximate prices are as follows.:- Thursday Island and Horn Island tours $100-$220pp, Weipa Mine and town tours $25.

Participation
All  tours are conducted on partial participation basis, it  generates friendship and conversation. Assistance with vegetable  peeling, firewood collection and filling water buckets is greatly appreciated. Passengers assist with washing and wiping and erect their own tents after a demonstration, those less agile will be given assistance.

Numbers
The maximum number of passengers in one vehicle is normally no more than 16 people however, some times 2 vehicle may travel together.

Toilets and showers
Toilets are either flushing or composting type, showers are available most nights and if not, a long soaking soap free swim in a shallow, safe stream is available.

Weather
Our tours operate during the 'dry' season. Occasionally we strike some wet weather and generally, a light spray jacket is sufficient which may also be used as a sweater on rare, cooler evenings.

Aeroplanes
We endeavour to use medium sized aeroplanes with a capacity of around 20 passengers for our fly and drive tours. Flights to Horn Island medium size planes seating approx 70pax.

Vehicle Seating
Vehicle seats are individual, Vehicle suspensions are modified to ride as comfortably as possible but the roads to Cape York can be extremely corrugated and rough in places.

Bedding
Feel free to bring your own sleeping bag but we will happily supply a freshly laundered sleeping bag and sheet liner at no charge.

Distances
Our tours are designed to show the very best of Cape York Peninsula without driving too many kilometres each day. During the normal course of the day we stop for morning tea and lunch. We also stop at places of interest, towns, communities and any notable flora or fauna features. We aim to reach camp by mid-afternoon.

Guides
Our guides are chosen for their ability to relish their occupation. They have a good sense of humour, are competent drivers and are skilled bush chefs.

Meals
Our Guides work extremely hard to provide passengers with excellent, wholesome meals. Cooking is often done over a campfire. Breakfast consists of a choice of at least 3 cereals, toast and spreads, occasionally a fully cooked breakfast is made. Lunch has a variety of cold meats and an selection of salad vegetables. With more time available in the evenings, our staff can concentrate on their culinary talents and present a complete 3 course meal. We begin with nibbles and 'happy hour', main course could be a grill, roast, casserole. An appropriate selection of vegetables is generally served with the main course followed by a tasty dessert.

Special Diets
We do not provide special meals for passengers choosing what we consider to be fad, trendy or fashionable diets. The meals we provide are wholesome and nourishing, appropriate to the lifestyle and availability of provisions from the remote areas we travel. If however, a passenger is on a medically prescribed diet, we will do our absolute utmost to cater suitable meals for that person. Before booking the tour, it is suggested that you contact our office to discuss such diets and to assess suitability.

Electrical
Telephones, cameras and other electrical devises can be charged in the vehicle with a normal 240 power adapter plug (our vehicles run on 24 volt systems so a 12 volt adapter will not work). Mains power is available in Cooktown, Musgrave, Coen, Weipa, Bramwell and Cape York (Loyality Beach) and sometimes at our overnight camp sites when the Eco-approved generator is running for a couple of hours.

Telephones
Telstra Next G network currently offers the best coverage, in regional areas but do not work in remote areas. All vehicles are equipped with Satellite phones but are for emergency use only. In case of emergency family or friends can contact you via our head office number 1300 792 213 and a message can be sent on your behalf.

Vehicle Storage
We are unable to store your vehicles or vans whilst you are on tour but we will happy put you in contact with a suitable company to assist, both the parks listed below come highly recommend be sure to mention Frontier Safaris / Australian Wild Escapes.
Crystal Cascades 07 4039 1036 www.crystalcascades.com.au
Cairns Holiday Park 07 4051 1467 www.cairnscamping.com.au

Terms and Conditions

General Conditions

These tours involve travel in very remote areas and the operator reserves the right to alter itineraries, carriers or camp sites as necessitated by the conditions, including weather prevailing at the time or mechanical failure. Any personal expenses incurred by any passenger as a result of any action or omission of the operator, its staff or agents are the responsibility of the passenger. The operator is unable to guarantee exact timings of the tour and is not liable for the failure to make any connections. The operator and employees of the operator accept no responsibility which may result in any loss, damage, accident or theft in relation to luggage or personal belongings.

The operator reserves the right to ask any passenger to leave the tour, at any time should that passenger commit an illegal act or impair the safety or enjoyment of others. The cost of leaving the tour will be the sole responsibility of the traveler(s) involved no refund for unused portions of the tour will be offered by the operator.

Passenger are required to comply with requests of the operator and employees of the operator.
Bookings require a 20% deposit and final payment 45 days prior to departure, if these conditions are not meet the operator may terminate the booking.

The operator recommends that passenger take travel insurance, most claims arise from either personnel or close-family illness before departure resulting in cancellation charges.

Cancellations policy

Cancellations received more than 45 days prior to departure are subject to a full refund. Cancellations between 45 and 30 days will forfeit there deposit. Cancellations between 30 and 21 days are subject to a 50% refund. Cancellations 21 days or less are subject to no refund whatsoever.