Terms and Conditions: Rentals

This document contains a summary of our rental conditions. The full details of our rental contract do apply. You are obliged to read this document thoroughly and ask for clarification of any points you do not understand. Thank you.

Vehicle Pick-ups and Drop-offs

Vehicle pick ups are available anytime after 9:00 am. Vehicle drop offs must be before 3:00 pm Monday to Friday and before 1:00 pm Saturday. No pick ups or drop offs are allowed on Sundays and public holidays.

Branch Trading Hours (not pickup and drop-off times)

WE ARE CLOSED ON: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and Good Friday

*Please note that Melbourne and Darwin branches are subject to shortened low season opening hours. These hours are 1000 to 1600 weekdays and closed Saturday and Sunday. Low season in Melbourne is June 1 to August 31 and in Darwin is December 15 to March 15.

Freecall 1800 customer assistance line

Please note when calling from Western Australia that we operate on Eastern Standard Time and Summer Eastern Standard Time.

Rental Period

Day one of the rental period is the day of pick up, regardless of the time, and the day the vehicle is returned is counted as the final day also regardless of the time. Note that compact cars rental days are charged in 24 hour periods.

Rental Duration and Kilometers

The minimum rental period is 3 days for compact cars (ruffys), 5 days for HiTop campervans, Chubby campers and 10 days for stationwagons.
All vehicles are unlimited kilometers. Rates are in Australian Dollars.

One Way Rentals

Vehicles may be rented one way between any of our branches. A $200 One-Way fee may apply however; this is is waved on the East Coast for travel longer than 28 days. A one-way fee always applies for Perth & Darwin.

One way rentals are subject to minimum rental periods please refer to the table below. These periods are really the minimum length of time required to do these trips enjoyably. Minimum rental periods are subject to change during peak periods

Multiple Rentals

Consecutive rentals can be combined to qualify for a long term discount rate provided travel is within a 3 month period. If drop off of a vehicle and pick up of a new vehicle occurs on the same day then a day each will be charged per respective rental. Multiple rentals are treated as separate rentals under the one way fee and minimum rental period conditions.

Early Returns

There is no refund for early returns. Hirers are charged for the length of time booked, not the actual time used. We strongly recommend that all hirers take out their own premium travel insurance, in the event a hirer, for reasons of their own, needs to return a vehicle earlier than expected.

Late Returns

A 59 minute grace period applies to all rentals. Additional hours charged at 1/3 daily rate to a maximum of three hours, beyond which another full day will be charged. Vehicles overdue by 24 hours may incur a $250 per day fee and be reported to the police as stolen.

Rental Period Extensions

If the customer wishes to extend the rental whilst on hire, they must first obtain authorisation from Travellers Auto Barn. This is subject to availability. The extra cost of an extended rental must be paid immediately.

Change of Drop off Location

Any change of return location can only be authorized by Travellers Auto Barn and depends solely on future bookings and availability. Subject to the change being approved, an additional charge of $200 will apply and is payable immediately. An unauthorized change of location drop off will see the hirer responsible for the entire cost of relocating the vehicle to its intended location or a $500 fee whichever is the greater.

Booking Amendments

If an amendment is made to the rental dates within 14 days of collection, no refund will be made if the length of hire is shortened (that is; the rental will be charged at the number of days originally booked). A relocation fee may apply if the collection or return location is amended within 14 days of vehicle pick up.

Driving Licenses

A valid full driving license (state, national or international) that has been held for one year is required. If the driver’s licence is not in the English language (e.g. German, French, Chinese, etc) then an international driver’s licence is also required. The original driver’s licence must be shown at time of pick-up when the driver is present. Only those individuals who are named and are signatories to the rental agreement are authorized to drive the vehicle.

Minimum/Maximum Age

The minimum age for all drivers is 18 years old.
The maximum age for all drivers is 75 years old.

Maximum Number of Passengers

Rental vehicle may only be driven with the legal number of occupants. Driving the vehicle with more than the maximum allowed number of persons voids all insurance and coverage and could result in a $250 breach of duty charge or loss of the bond.

Extra Drivers

A fee of $3 per day per extra driver is applicable and payable on pick up. Fees are payable up to a maximum of 25 days, thereafter no fees apply. Up to 5 additional drivers are allowed. All additional drivers must be noted and must sign the Rental Agreement at a Travellers Auto Barn branch.

Carbon Neutral Option

Customers who care for the environment can offset the carbon emissions produced during their hire by choosing our Carbon Neutral option for a small fee of only $0.60 per day. The money goes toward the Action for Climate Change program run by Australian Conservation Volunteers. For more information please refer to http://www.travellers-autobarn.com.au/carbon-neutral-option.

Living & Camping Kits

HiTop campervans and Chubbys can be supplied with living equipment (such as bedding, cooking equipment, eating utensils, bath and tea towels) for a fee of $45.

Stationwagons can be supplied with camping equipment (including tent, cooker, esky, and table and chairs), suitable for 2 persons for a fee of $45. Extra kits for stationwagons are available on request for a further fee of $45.
One kit per vehicle is supplied free of charge to Travellers Auto Barn preferred agent bookings.

Maps and Campground Guides

Some maps and tourist guides are available free of charge from pick up branches. A comprehensive Handy Australian Atlas can be found in every vehicle.

Baby / Booster Seats

Baby seats can be supplied for a fee of $45 for use in the stationwagons but cannot be fitted into the HiTop campervans or Chubbys. For children over approx 16kgs a booster seat can be supplied for a fee of $45 which is suitable for use in all vehicles.
The supply of all child restraints is subject to availability and fitting of the restraints remains the responsibility of the hirer.

Vehicle Consultation

On pick up of the vehicle our staff will provide a complimentary vehicle consultation. This includes an explanation of all the interior and exterior features of the vehicle as well as driving and travelling tips.

Cleaning Fee

All vehicles must be returned washed, vacuumed and tidy. A minimum fee of $100 will apply if the vehicle is returned in an unsatisfactory condition.

Cancellation Fees

If cancelled within 28 days of pick-up: $200.
If cancelled within 7 days of pick-up: 50% of the total cost of rental.
If cancelled on the day of pick-up or non-appearance: No refund on total cost of rental.
There is no refund for late pick up or early return of vehicle.

Reservation Deposit

For direct bookings - A minimum deposit of $500, or 10% of the total rental, or the total rental charge, whichever is higher, is required when making a reservation to secure your booking. Bookings are not be confirmed until the deposit is received

Rental Payment

The full balance due for the rental period is payable upon pick up of the vehicle. Payment can be made by cash, traveller's cheque, bank cheque, or credit card. All forms of payment must be made in Australian dollars.

Credit Cards

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club. Visa and MasterCard will incur an additional 2% surcharge on any transaction. American Express and Diners Club will incur an additional 5% surcharge on any transaction.

Exchange Rate / Currency Variations

All credit card transactions are conducted in Australian dollars. Due to exchange rate fluctuations there could be some variance in the amount refunded compared to the amount initially charged. We do not accept any liability for variances up or down. Refunds by credit card can take up to 15 working days depending on the cardholder’s financial institution.

Taxes

10% GST is included in the rental rates.
A charge of 2.5% of the total cost will be levied to cover state government taxes, duties and associated costs. This charge is included in rates quoted to preferred agents.

Traffic Infringements

We reserve the right to charge the renter for any speeding or parking fines, traffic infringements or road toll fines. An additional administration fee of $50 per fine will apply to cover the costs of processing. You authorize Travellers Auto Barn to debit your credit card bond with these charges.

Road Restrictions

Unsealed Roads
HiTop campervans, Chubbys and stationwagons can only be driven on sealed roads/bitumen roads or well maintained access roads less than 500 metres long to recognized campgrounds and parking areas. Travel on unsealed roads voids all insurance and coverages. The renter is liable for the total cost of any damage to all parties involved whilst traveling on unsealed roads.

If Travellers Auto Barn has reason to believe that these vehicles may have been driven on unsealed roads the vehicle bond will be retained until a complete inspection of the vehicle determines if any damage has occurred. The renter will be liable for any damage found. If it is determined that the vehicle has been off-road but no damage is evident you will still be charged $250 for breach of duty.

Outback Road Restrictions

East Coast stationwagon restrictions: Stationwagon rentals on the East Coast are restricted to the area between Adelaide in South Australia and Cooktown (north of Cairns) in Queensland that is within 500kms of the coast. Western Australia, Northern Territory, Mt Isa, Bourke and Broken Hill are expressly prohibited.

Perth stationwagon restrictions: Rentals from Perth are restricted to the area west of a line from Carnarvon in the north to Kalgoorlie then down to Esperence in the south.

Darwin stationwagon restrictions: Rentals from Darwin are restricted to the area of the Northern Territory.

Travellers Auto Barn reserves the right at its sole discretion to restrict vehicle movements in certain areas due to adverse road or weather conditions.

Island Trips

All Travellers Auto Barn vehicles are restricted to mainland Australia (except for Magnetic Island, which is permitted). Trips to islands, including Tasmania and Kangaroo Island are allowed only with prior permission from Travellers Auto Barn. All recovery costs from any island are the renters’ responsibility, regardless of cause. Unauthorised travel will void all insurance and coverages. Hirers will also be responsible for all costs associated with the rental, including servicing, breakdown and recovery as well as loss of bond.

Outback Waiver Fee

Customers can apply at the time of booking or before pick up to