TERMS & CONDITIONS – SWELL LODGE Effective 25 April 2026
These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your booking and stay at Swell Lodge ("we", "us", "our"), located within Christmas Island National Park. By making a booking with us, you ("the guest") agree to these Terms on your own behalf and on behalf of all guests in your party.
1. Reservations & Availability
1.1 All bookings are subject to availability. Swell Lodge accommodates a maximum of four (4) guests across two (2) private chalets at any one time.
1.2 A reservation is confirmed only when we have issued written confirmation and received the required deposit in cleared funds.
1.3 The lead guest must be at least 18 years of age and accepts these Terms on behalf of all guests in the party.
2. Pricing & Inclusions
2.1 All prices are quoted in Australian Dollars (AUD) and are inclusive of GST.
2.2 Prices are based on twin-share occupancy of one chalet unless otherwise specified. Single-occupancy and sole-use rates are available on request and may incur a surcharge.
2.3 Package inclusions are as published on the Swell Lodge website at the time of booking and form part of these Terms by reference.
2.4 Prices may be varied at any time prior to booking confirmation. Once your booking is confirmed in writing, the price is fixed and will not change.
2.5 Credit card payments may attract a surcharge, which will be disclosed at the time of payment.
3. Payment Terms
3.1 A non-refundable deposit of thirty per cent (30%) of the total booking value is required to secure your reservation.
3.2 For bookings made within 60 days of arrival, full payment is required at the time of booking.
3.3 The remaining balance is due no later than 60 days prior to arrival.
3.4 If the balance is not received by the due date, we reserve the right to cancel your booking without further notice, and all amounts paid may be forfeited in accordance with Section 4.
4. Cancellation Policy
4.1 Cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellation fees are calculated by reference to the date the written notice is received, as follows:
(a) More than 60 days before arrival — the 30% deposit is forfeited; (b) Between 30 and 60 days before arrival — 50% of the total booking value is forfeited (inclusive of the deposit); (c) Fewer than 30 days before arrival — 100% of the total booking value is forfeited; (d) No-show, late arrival, or early departure — no refund will be issued.
4.2 We strongly recommend that all guests obtain comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellation, medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and travel disruption from the date of booking.
5. Rebooking & Resale
5.1 In the event of cancellation, we will use reasonable efforts to resell the cancelled dates. We give no guarantee that resale will be possible.
5.2 If the cancelled booking is successfully resold at the same rate, we may, at our sole discretion, offer a credit or partial refund of forfeited monies, less an administration fee of $250 AUD.
6. Changes to Bookings
6.1 Date changes must be requested in writing and are subject to availability and to any rate differential between the original and new dates.
6.2 A change request received at least 30 days prior to arrival will be accommodated where possible, subject to a $150 AUD administration fee and any rate differential.
6.3 A change request received within 30 days of arrival will be treated as a cancellation under Section 4.
7. Travel & Transfers
7.1 Guests are responsible for arranging and paying for their own flights to and from Christmas Island.
7.2 Stays at Swell Lodge are scheduled around the Christmas Island flight schedule. Guests arriving and departing on the scheduled flight will check in and check out on those dates, with timings aligned to the flight. For guests travelling outside the scheduled flight (for example, by private aircraft or charter), check-in and check-out arrangements will be confirmed directly with us prior to arrival.
7.3 Return airport transfers on Christmas Island are included in your package.
7.4 Christmas Island is a remote destination and flight schedules are subject to disruption. We are not liable for any flight delay, cancellation, schedule change, or missed connection, however caused. Any costs arising from such disruption (including any extension of stay) are the guest's responsibility, and the cancellation policy in Section 4 continues to apply.
7.5 Comprehensive travel insurance covering travel disruption is strongly recommended.
8. Guest Conduct & Property Care
8.1 Guests are expected to treat the chalets, the surrounding environment, and our team with respect at all times. Swell Lodge is located within Christmas Island National Park, and guests agree to abide by all applicable Park rules.
8.2 The lead guest is responsible for any loss or damage to the property, furnishings, or equipment caused by any member of the party, and authorises us to charge the credit card held on file for the reasonable cost of repair or replacement.
8.3 Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside the chalets. A cleaning fee of $500 AUD will apply for any breach.
8.4 Pets are not permitted at Swell Lodge.
8.5 We reserve the right to terminate a stay without refund where guest conduct is unsafe, unlawful, or significantly disruptive to other guests, our team, or the surrounding environment.
9. Children & Minimum Age
9.1 Swell Lodge is an adults-oriented luxury retreat. Guests under the age of 16 are accommodated on a case-by-case basis and only where the entire lodge has been booked for sole use.
9.2 Please contact us prior to booking if children will form part of your party.
10. Dietary Requirements & Special Requests
10.1 We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate dietary requirements, allergies, and special requests notified at the time of booking and in any event no less than 14 days prior to arrival.
10.2 Due to the remote nature of Christmas Island and limited freight schedules, certain ingredients may not always be available, and substitutions may be necessary.
10.3 Guests with severe allergies are encouraged to discuss their requirements directly with us prior to booking.
11. Health, Safety & Activity Participation
11.1 Guests participate in all activities at their own risk. Activities offered or arranged by Swell Lodge may include snorkelling, diving, hiking, swimming, and rainforest exploration, each of which carries inherent risks.
11.2 Guests must:
(a) disclose any relevant medical conditions, allergies, or physical limitations at the time of booking; (b) be of reasonable physical fitness to participate in their chosen activities; (c) follow all instructions provided by Swell Lodge staff and any third-party activity operators; (d) carry sufficient personal medication and any required medical aids.
11.3 We reserve the right to refuse or modify participation in any activity where, in our reasonable opinion, it may pose a safety risk to the guest or others.
11.4 Christmas Island is serviced by a hospital covered under Medicare for eligible patients. For serious illness or injury requiring specialist treatment, evacuation to mainland Australia may be necessary and may be subject to delay due to weather or flight availability. International guests, and any guests not covered by Medicare, are strongly encouraged to hold comprehensive travel insurance covering medical expenses and emergency evacuation.
12. Photography & Marketing
12.1 Swell Lodge regularly photographs and films the property and its surrounds for marketing purposes. By staying with us, guests acknowledge they may appear incidentally in such material.
12.2 Where guests will be the primary subject of any photography, video, or marketing content, we will seek prior consent and provide a separate release form.
12.3 Guests who do not wish to appear in any marketing material should advise us in writing prior to arrival.
13. Liability & Australian Consumer Law
13.1 Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts, or modifies any consumer guarantee, right, or remedy you may have under the Australian Consumer Law or any other applicable law that cannot lawfully be excluded or modified.
13.2 Subject to clause 13.1, and to the maximum extent permitted by law:
(a) our liability for any loss, damage, injury, or illness is limited to the total value of your booking; (b) we are not liable for any indirect, consequential, or economic loss; (c) we are not liable for any loss or damage arising from circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
13.3 Where we arrange or facilitate services provided by third-party operators (for example, dive operators, transfer providers, or tour guides), we do so as agent for the guest. Our liability does not extend to the acts or omissions of such third parties.
14. Force Majeure
14.1 We will not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations where such failure is caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including (without limitation) acts of God, severe weather, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, government action or restriction, border closures, transport disruption, industrial action, fire, or civil unrest (each a "Force Majeure Event").
14.2 If a Force Majeure Event prevents your stay from proceeding:
(a) we will work with you in good faith to reschedule your booking to an alternative date within 24 months, subject to availability and any rate differential; or (b) where rescheduling is not practical, we may, at our sole discretion, offer a credit (valid for 24 months) or a partial refund, after deduction of any non-recoverable third-party costs already incurred on your behalf.
14.3 Comprehensive travel insurance covering Force Majeure Events and related travel disruption is strongly recommended.
15. Acceptance of Risk
15.1 Guests acknowledge that travel to Christmas Island and stays at Swell Lodge involve inherent risks, including remote location, exposure to natural environmental conditions, and possible delays in accessing specialist medical care or evacuation.
15.2 By making a booking, the lead guest accepts these risks on their own behalf and on behalf of all guests in the party.
16. Privacy
16.1 We collect, hold, use, and disclose personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles.
16.2 Personal information is used for the purpose of managing your reservation, providing your stay, and communicating with you about Swell Lodge. We do not sell or share your personal information with third parties except where necessary to fulfil your booking, with your consent, or where required by law.
17. Governing Law
17.1 These Terms are governed by the laws of Western Australia and the Commonwealth of Australia.
17.2 The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Western Australia.
18. Variation
18.1 We reserve the right to update these Terms from time to time. The Terms applicable to your booking are those in force on the date your booking is confirmed in writing.
— End of Terms & Conditions —