Mackerel Islands Booking Policy – Terms & Conditions

COVID-19

If you are an upcoming guest or wanting to book a holiday to the Mackerel Islands, we want to assure you that your safety, health and well-being remains our top priority.

We are monitoring advice daily from the relevant government and health authorities to keep up-to-date and assess our continued response.

To assist us in keeping our guests, staff and local community safe and well, extra precautions are currently in place. With these precautions we aim to provide reassurance to your travel plans. This is a changing situation and may be updated at our discretion.

  • Proof of up-to-date Covid-19 vaccination status or approved medical exemption for people aged 16 years and over is required to stay at the Mackerel Islands. If not using the ServiceWA app or the Express Plus Medicare app, a valid form of photo identification will also need to be presented.
  • Contact registers are mandatory. Check-in via the SafeWA QR code or manual contact register upon arrival at reception at the Onslow Beach Resort and on arrival at the Mackerel Islands (Thevenard Island).
  • Mask wearing requirements are currently in effect for people aged 12 years and over in all public indoor settings. It is recommended you wear a mask outdoors where physical distancing is not possible.
  • Thevenard Island is open for self-catered stays. The beachfront cabins (with kitchen and BBQ) and boat moorings can be booked. Island transfers from Onslow are operating twice per week on Tuesdays and Fridays. The island shop and activity hire centre are open.
  • Some facilities and services are not available including the pool and gym.
  • The restaurant is closed. Please bring sufficient food and drinks for your stay – there is a Supermarket in Onslow on the mainland. Note no BYO alcohol due to our liquor licensing conditions, but you can pre-purchase from our Online Store to be ready for your arrival, or from the island shop.
  • We are running a “Dinner Under The Stars”, a casual island dinner, every Tuesday and Friday evening, from April to October – pre-booking is essential on +61 8 9184 6444 or [email protected]
  • We have increased our focus on our hygiene procedures with careful and rigorous cleaning and disinfecting in all areas. Our staff are fully trained on best practices and have completed the mandatory Hospitality & Tourism Covid-19 Hygiene Training program courses.
  • Good hand hygiene, sneeze/cough etiquette and social distancing procedures are in practice. Soap and alcohol-based hand sanitiser is available.
  • Snorkel equipment is cleaned and sanitised after each use, however you may bring your own gear if you prefer.
  • Our ferry is operating with passenger limits to ensure adequate space for physical distancing is available during transit, and the vessel is undergoing a disinfectant clean prior to and after boarding for each trip.
  • Should you be feeling unwell, or have a suspected case of coronavirus (Covid-19), or have been in contact with someone with a confirmed case, we ask that you please remain at home until you receive medical clearance. Guests aren’t permitted to self-isolate or quarantine at the Mackerel Islands as our accommodation and facilities are not suitable for this purpose.

COVID-19 CANCELLATION POLICY

Our normal cancellation policies are in place, however if a government imposed border closure or snap lockdown occurs that will impact your stay, or if you are unable to travel due to coronavirus (Covid-19) illness, and you have missed the refund period, we will extend an option to take a 12 month credit instead so you can postpone your stay.

Cancellations must be received by the Mackerel Islands reservations team via email [email protected] or phone +61 8 9184 6444.

Cancel 28 days or more prior to your arrival date = full refund less 10% administration fee of monies paid.
Cancellations made inside the 28 day period = will not be issued with a refund.
All no shows will be charged full payment.

View our Booking Terms & Conditions here.

View our Waiver, Release, Discharge & Indemnity here.

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Travel restrictions and border arrangements are constantly changing. Please refer to the relevant government advice before travelling.

QUESTIONS

If you have any questions please contact our reservations team via email [email protected] or phone +61 8 9184 6444.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Mackerel Islands and wish you a fantastic holiday.


General Booking Policy Terms & Conditions

The adventure holiday/tour on Thevenard Island and/or Direction Island is operated by Mackerel Islands Pty Ltd (A.C.N 008 728 087) (“Mackerel Islands”).

Please read the Mackerel Islands Information Pack provided to you upon booking, which sets out the services and facilities available.

The Mackerel Islands adventure holiday/tour may comprise of the following products and services:
Accommodation, meals, transfers on the mainland (Onslow Airport, Onslow Beach Resort, Beadon Creek Departure Jetty), ferry transfers, transfers on the island, airstrip, boat moorings, facilities (including but not limited to swimming pool, gymnasium, guest laundry, barbeques, island general store, fuel facilities), activities including equipment hire, plaka boat hire, boat charters (fishing, diving, snorkelling and whale watching), courses and activities, 4WD tours, and any other arranged tours.

Please read the terms and conditions below. In completing and submitting the Booking Form, or when making a booking with or for Mackerel Islands through other means, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions which constitute the agreement between Mackerel Islands and you. These terms and conditions apply to the exclusion of any other terms or conditions unless they are set out in the Booking Form or are otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties. Previous dealings between the parties will not vary these conditions. No purported variation of these conditions will be effective unless in writing and signed by a person so authorised by Mackerel Islands.

Bookings

CREDIT CARD GUARANTEE

A credit card is required to secure your booking. Credit card surcharges apply as follows:

  • Visa & MasterCard 1.27%
  • Amex & Diners 1.8%

DEPOSIT & PAYMENT POLICY

  • A 25% deposit is required to confirm your holiday/tour booking.
  • The full balance is due 28 days prior to your arrival date.
  • For group bookings (a group is defined as 20+ people), the final rooming list is required at least 14 days prior to arrival date.

CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY

Please Note: *COVID-19* Our normal cancellation policies are in place, however if a government imposed border closure or snap lockdown occurs that will impact your stay, or if you are unable to travel due to coronavirus (Covid-19) illness, and you have missed the refund period, we will extend an option to take a 12 month credit instead so you can postpone your stay.

  • Mackerel Islands operate in a remote location where cancellations often result in decreased occupancy.
  • If for some reason you need to cancel your holiday/tour booking, your cancellation notice must be received by the Mackerel Islands reservations team via email [email protected] or phone +61 (0)8 9184 6444, at least 28 days prior to your arrival date to receive a full refund less 10% administration fee of monies paid.
  • Cancellations made inside the 28 day period will not be issued with a refund.
  • All no shows will be charged full payment.

CYCLONE CANCELLATIONS

  • In the event that you are unable to go to the island due to a pending cyclone, Mackerel Islands will issue you a full refund.
  • If you are already on the island and are to be evacuated, Mackerel Islands will issue a refund on a pro rata basis.
  • Mackerel Islands will not accept responsibility for any travel or other expenses incurred by you and recommend you take out appropriate travel and medical insurance.
  • If your booking is between the months of November and April, please ensure that you are aware of any potential cyclones in the area before leaving home.
  • Decisions made to continue your travel to the Mackerel Islands during the risk of a potential cyclone will be taken into consideration when refunds are issued, if you are required to evacuate the island.

Island staff will be happy to assist you with current cyclone warnings. Please contact us on [email protected] or phone +61 (0)8 9184 6444 for more information.

CANCELLATION BY MACKEREL ISLANDS PTY LTD

  • Mackerel Islands Pty Ltd (“We”) without liability reserves the right to amend, vary or cancel a booking for a holiday/tour for any reason or at any time where, in its best judgment, road and transport, climatic, political or other circumstances deem it to be convenient or necessary.
  • Any accommodation, transfers, tours or activities operated and cancelled by Mackerel Islands Pty Ltd will be refunded in full when a holiday/tour is not able to commence.
  • We cannot guarantee the exact arrival and departure times and are not liable for any failure by you to make connection with any other service or carrier.
  • We will not accept responsibility for any travel or other expenses incurred by you if you are affected by a cancellation.
  • We recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover you in case of cancellation or other adverse events.

Nature of holiday/tour

It is important to note that an adventure holiday/tour with the Mackerel Islands requires a degree of forward planning, flexibility, and higher level of boating and outdoor skills because:
(i) Mackerel Islands operate in a remote location. Although Thevenard Island offers self-contained beach cabins and a store offering food supplies, alcohol and other provisions, the facilities and services are basic at both Thevenard Island and Direction Island.
(ii) The island waters are subject to harmful marine life and unpredictable tidal and wind changes.
(iii) Medical facilities and assistance is of a limited nature and mobile telephone reception is limited.

Health & safety

You understand and accept that the holiday/tour may:
(i) require physical exertion; and
(ii) operate in remote areas.

You agree to observe the safety and other instructions that the island staff or tour guide provides for the duration of the holiday/tour.

Assumption of risk

You acknowledge that you are travelling to geographical areas where, amongst other things, the standard of accommodation, transport, safety, hygiene, cleanliness, medical facilities, telecommunications and infrastructure development may not be of the standard that you are used to at home or would find on a conventional holiday/tour.

You acknowledge that having read and understood the terms and conditions outlined above, an adventure holiday/tour at the Mackerel Islands may involve risks (and rewards) above and beyond those encountered on a more conventional holiday/tour and that you are undertaking the adventure trip with its inherent dangers.

We do not guarantee the safety of the boat moorings at Thevenard Island and Direction Island. It is up to the individual boat owners to inspect the mooring they use, to assure themselves that they are comfortable in using the mooring available. If not they will need to use their own anchor.

We recommend that you take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance.

You accept these risks and obligations and fully assume the risk of travel and accommodation, and release Mackerel Islands Pty Ltd from any liabilities whether in contract and/or in or arising out of, or in connection to these risks, to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Jurisdiction

Any legal disputes which may arise shall be resolved in the jurisdiction of Western Australia.