The fine print

Booking, Cancellation & Guest Terms and Conditions

Welcome to Nature Domes

At Nature Domes, we sincerely appreciate every guest who chooses to experience our unique off-grid accommodation in the beautiful Port Macquarie hinterland, New South Wales.

As a small, independently operated regional business, every confirmed reservation involves administration, staff coordination, accommodation preparation and the allocation of accommodation exclusively to our guests.

Once a reservation is confirmed, those dates are removed from availability for other potential guests.

Cancellations can result in administrative expenses, operational disruptions and lost booking opportunities.

To protect the sustainability of our business while providing fair and transparent arrangements for our guests, the following terms and conditions apply.

PART 1 — BOOKINGS, CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS

1. Booking Confirmation

All bookings are subject to availability and confirmation by Nature Domes.

A reservation is considered confirmed once the required payment has been received and a booking confirmation has been issued.

Guests are responsible for checking their selected accommodation, travel dates, guest numbers and booking details before completing their reservation.

By confirming a booking, guests agree to the Terms and Conditions disclosed and accepted at the time of reservation.

2. Guest Cancellations — Booking Credit Policy

Where a guest voluntarily cancels a confirmed reservation for personal reasons, Nature Domes does not ordinarily provide a cash refund.

This includes cancellations resulting from:

  • Changes in travel arrangements.
  • Illness or personal circumstances.
  • Family or work commitments.
  • Changes of mind.
  • An inability to travel.
  • Other personal reasons unrelated to a failure by Nature Domes to provide the booked accommodation.

Instead, eligible cancellations will receive an accommodation booking credit, less any applicable cancellation administration fee.

This policy applies where the guest is not otherwise legally entitled to a refund.

3. Cancellation Administration Fee — $120

A cancellation administration fee of $120 per reservation applies to voluntary cancellations, provided the amount is reasonable and legally recoverable.

The fee contributes towards reasonable costs associated with reservation management, administration, cancellation processing, staffing arrangements and other booking-related expenses.

The fee will not exceed the reasonable amount Nature Domes is legally entitled to recover. Where that amount is less than $120, the charge will be reduced accordingly.

Where applicable, the fee is deducted from the payment received before the remaining eligible value is issued as an accommodation booking credit.

No cancellation administration fee applies where a guest is legally entitled to cancel without charge.

4. Cancellation Notice — 48 Hours

Guests must provide written cancellation notice at least 48 hours before their scheduled check-in time to qualify for a booking credit under our standard cancellation policy.

Cancellations received 48 hours or more before check-in:

An accommodation booking credit will be issued for the eligible booking value, less the applicable cancellation administration fee.

Cancellations received less than 48 hours before check-in:

Guests may forfeit their entitlement to a booking credit under our standard policy.

Failure to arrive or failure to notify Nature Domes:

No-shows are treated as late cancellations and may result in the loss of the booking payment to the extent permitted by law.

These conditions do not override a guest's statutory refund rights.

5. Accommodation Booking Credits

Where an eligible cancellation credit is issued:

  • The credit is valid for 12 months from the date of issue, unless a longer period is required by law.
  • The replacement reservation must be made within the credit validity period.
  • Future accommodation reservations are subject to availability.
  • Any difference in accommodation pricing must be paid by the guest.
  • Credits cannot ordinarily be exchanged for cash, unless required by law.
  • Any unused credit may expire at the end of its lawful validity period.

Accommodation cancellation credits will ordinarily be processed within five business days.

Cancellation credits are separate from purchased gift certificates, which are subject to applicable gift card legislation and their own conditions.

6. Rescheduling Reservations

Guests requesting to change their accommodation dates must contact Nature Domes in writing.

Rescheduling is subject to accommodation availability.

Reasonable administration charges may apply where additional costs are incurred, provided these charges have been disclosed and agreed to.

Any difference in accommodation pricing will be payable by the guest.

Rescheduling requests made within 48 hours of arrival may be treated as late cancellation requests, subject to applicable consumer rights.

7. When Nature Domes Cannot Honour a Booking

If Nature Domes is unable to provide the confirmed accommodation because of circumstances within our responsibility, including an overbooking, an unavailable dome or a significant accommodation maintenance issue, guests will be notified as soon as reasonably possible.

Where the guest is legally entitled to cancel and receive a refund because Nature Domes cannot provide the booked accommodation, the guest will be offered a refund of the amount paid for the accommodation not provided.

Guests may instead choose to accept:

  • Alternative accommodation.
  • A replacement booking date.
  • An accommodation booking credit.

Guests who are entitled to a refund will not be required to accept a booking credit or alternative accommodation instead.

No cancellation administration fee will apply in these circumstances.

Where accommodation has already been partially provided, the amount of any refund will be determined by the guest's legal entitlement and the services already received.

8. Severe Weather, Flooding and Unforeseen Events

Nature Domes is located in a rural environment where weather conditions, flooding, creek crossings, bushfires and other natural events may affect accessibility or operations.

Where Nature Domes remains accessible and able to provide the booked accommodation, a guest's personal decision not to travel will ordinarily be treated as a voluntary cancellation.

Where an unforeseen event prevents Nature Domes from providing the accommodation or makes access unavailable, we will contact affected guests to discuss available arrangements.

Depending on the circumstances, these may include rescheduling, accommodation credits or refunds.

Any applicable refund rights will be determined in accordance with the booking agreement and Australian Consumer Law.

9. Written Cancellation and Rescheduling Requests

All cancellation and rescheduling requests must be submitted in writing to:

naturedomestomscreek@gmail.com

Administrative processing hours are Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, until 5:00 pm NSW local time.

Requests received outside business hours may be processed on the next business day.

For the purpose of the 48-hour cancellation notice requirement, the date and time the written request is received will apply.

Nature Domes will confirm cancellation and rescheduling arrangements in writing.

10. Third-Party Booking Platforms

Reservations made through third-party booking platforms may also be subject to the cancellation and payment conditions agreed to through those platforms.

Guests should review the conditions applicable to their booking.

Nothing in any third-party booking arrangement limits the consumer rights that cannot legally be excluded.

PART 2 — OFF-GRID ACCOMMODATION & PROPERTY RULES

11. Off-Grid Living

Nature Domes provides a unique off-grid accommodation experience designed to encourage guests to reconnect with nature.

Our facilities operate using independent energy and water systems.

Guests are asked to be mindful of energy consumption, water usage and the natural environment throughout their stay.

12. Electrical Appliances and Power Usage

To protect our independent power supply and battery systems, guests must not operate high-energy electrical appliances without prior approval.

Restricted items include:

  • Hair dryers.
  • Hair straighteners.
  • Electric irons.
  • Portable electric heaters.
  • Other high-powered electrical equipment.

Unauthorised appliances can overload or damage our power systems.

Guests may be held responsible for reasonable repair costs resulting from damage caused by negligent or unauthorised use.

13. Water Conservation

Water is sustainably sourced, and guests are asked to use it responsibly.

Please limit shower times, ensure taps are turned off and avoid unnecessary water wastage.

Water conservation is particularly important during periods of limited rainfall.

14. Quiet Hours

To preserve the peaceful surroundings and ensure all guests can enjoy their stay, quiet hours apply between:

10:00 pm and 7:00 am.

During these hours, guests must keep noise to a minimum.

Excessive noise, disruptive behaviour and activities affecting other guests are not permitted.

15. Smoking

All accommodation domes and surrounding decks are strictly smoke-free.

Smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor areas.

Guests must dispose of cigarette waste responsibly and comply with any fire restrictions.

16. Wildlife and the Natural Environment

Nature Domes is surrounded by natural bushland and wildlife.

Guests must respect native animals, vegetation and natural habitats.

Please ensure food is securely stored and waste is disposed of correctly.

Guests must not deliberately disturb, harm or feed wildlife without permission.

17. Waste Management

Nature Domes follows a minimal-waste policy.

Guests are asked to:

  • Separate recyclable materials.
  • Dispose of food scraps appropriately.
  • Place rubbish in designated bins.
  • Avoid leaving litter around the property.
  • Minimise unnecessary packaging.

Additional waste-sorting or cleaning charges may apply where incorrect disposal results in reasonable additional costs.

Any applicable charges must be reasonable.

18. Campfires and Fire Safety

Campfires are permitted only in designated fire pit areas and when fire restrictions allow.

Guests must:

  • Never leave fires unattended.
  • Keep fires within designated areas.
  • Ensure fires are fully extinguished after use.
  • Observe all applicable NSW fire restrictions and Total Fire Bans.

Nature Domes may prohibit outdoor fires during unsafe weather or fire conditions.

PART 3 — CHECK-IN, CHECKOUT & ADDITIONAL CHARGES

19. Check-In Times

Standard check-in is between:

3:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

These times allow our team to prepare accommodation and organise guest arrivals.

Guests expecting to arrive after 7:00 pm must notify Nature Domes in advance.

20. Late Check-In

Late check-ins may require additional after-hours staff arrangements.

A surcharge of up to 25% of the total accommodation booking cost may apply to approved arrivals after 7:00 pm, where this reasonably reflects additional recoverable costs.

Any applicable surcharge must be disclosed and agreed to before the arrangement is confirmed, and will not exceed reasonable additional costs.

Arrivals after 10:00 pm require prior approval.

Nature Domes will endeavour to accommodate late arrivals where practical and safe.

21. Checkout and Departure

Standard checkout is:

10:00 am.

Guests must vacate their accommodation by this time to allow for cleaning and preparation for incoming reservations.

Guests are welcome to enjoy permitted outdoor areas of the property after checkout, subject to staff instructions and availability.

Late checkout requests must be approved in advance.

Reasonable additional charges may apply to unauthorised late checkout where the guest has been informed of those charges.

PART 4 — PROPERTY CARE, DAMAGE & GUEST SAFETY

22. Damage to Accommodation and Equipment

Guests are responsible for taking reasonable care of accommodation, facilities and equipment.

Where property is damaged or lost because of guest negligence, misuse or deliberate actions, Nature Domes may seek payment for reasonable repair or replacement costs.

Items include:

  • Music and sound systems.
  • Lighting and lanterns.
  • Blankets and bedding.
  • Dressing gowns.
  • Furniture and furnishings.
  • Electrical equipment.
  • Other accommodation property.

Normal wear and tear will not be charged to guests.

Any damage-related charges will reflect reasonable costs, taking into account the circumstances and the condition of the affected items.

23. Additional Cleaning

Guests are expected to leave accommodation in a reasonably tidy condition.

Additional cleaning charges may apply where excessive cleaning is required beyond normal accommodation servicing.

Charges will be limited to reasonable additional costs.

24. Guest Safety and Responsibility

Nature Domes is located in a rural natural environment containing uneven terrain, waterways, wildlife and outdoor facilities.

Guests are expected to exercise reasonable care when exploring the property and using its facilities.

Children must be appropriately supervised.

Guests must follow reasonable safety instructions provided by Nature Domes staff.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes any liability or consumer protection that cannot lawfully be excluded.

PART 5 — EMERGENCIES & COMMUNICATION

25. Emergency Assistance

Due to the remote location of Nature Domes, mobile phone reception may be limited.

An in-dome communication device is available for emergency assistance.

For property assistance, guests may contact:

0401 730 268
0403 684 409

In an emergency requiring police, fire or ambulance assistance, call 000 where a connection is available.

PART 6 — AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER LAW & ACCEPTANCE

26. Australian Consumer Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the applicable laws of New South Wales and Australia.

Nature Domes respects the rights of guests under the Australian Consumer Law, contained in Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth).

Nothing in these conditions excludes, restricts or modifies any consumer guarantee, right or remedy that cannot legally be excluded.

Where a refund is required under Australian Consumer Law, Nature Domes will provide the appropriate refund within a reasonable timeframe.

The voluntary cancellation policy, cancellation administration fee and booking credit arrangements apply only to the extent legally permitted.

27. Acceptance of Terms and Conditions

By confirming a reservation, guests acknowledge that they have been provided with and have accepted the applicable Booking, Cancellation and Guest Terms and Conditions.

This includes:

  • The cancellation administration fee of up to $120.
  • The 48-hour cancellation notice requirement.
  • The accommodation booking credit policy.
  • The late cancellation and no-show conditions.
  • Check-in and checkout requirements.
  • Off-grid accommodation rules.
  • Guest safety and property responsibilities.

These terms apply to new reservations where they have been disclosed and accepted before booking.

Existing confirmed reservations remain subject to the booking conditions previously agreed upon, unless the parties lawfully agree otherwise.

Thank You for Choosing Nature Domes

We sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Our policies help us operate sustainably as a small regional business while maintaining the quality of accommodation, service and experiences we provide.

We look forward to welcoming you to Nature Domes and sharing the extraordinary beauty of the Port Macquarie hinterland.

NATURE DOMES

Tom's Creek, New South Wales, Australia

Email: naturedomestomscreek@gmail.com