Booking Terms & Cancellation Policy
Please read these booking terms before confirming your stay with Lakeshores Accommodation. These terms explain payments, cancellations, refunds, booking changes and important guest obligations for holiday accommodation bookings in Lake Macquarie and surrounding areas.
Key Booking Conditions
We want booking your stay to be simple and transparent. These key conditions apply to direct bookings and should be read together with our full Terms & Conditions of Stay.
1. Payments & Booking Confirmation
- A deposit or full payment may be required to confirm a booking, depending on how and where the booking is made.
- For direct bookings, a deposit may be required at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due before arrival.
- Bookings are not confirmed until the required payment has been received and processed.
- Payment dates, deposit amounts and balance due dates may vary depending on the booking platform, property, season or promotional offer.
- Booking fees, card processing fees, payment fees and platform fees are non-refundable where applicable.
2. Cancellation Policy
Direct bookings
- Cancellations made more than 30 days before arrival may be refunded, less applicable booking, payment processing and administration fees.
- Cancellations made within 30 days of arrival are generally non-refundable.
- No refunds are provided for no-shows, early departures, shortened stays, reduced guest numbers or change of mind.
- If we are able to rebook cancelled dates, a partial refund may be considered at our discretion, less any applicable fees, discounts, commissions or administration costs.
Third-party platform bookings
- If your booking was made through Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, Stayz or another third-party platform, the cancellation policy shown on that platform will apply.
- The platform’s terms, refund rules and dispute process may take priority over our direct booking terms where there is any inconsistency.
- Our Terms & Conditions of Stay still apply to your conduct, use of the property, damage, guest obligations and issue reporting during your stay.
Nothing in this policy excludes, restricts or modifies any rights you may have under Australian Consumer Law. If accommodation does not meet consumer guarantees, a guest may be entitled to a remedy depending on the circumstances.
3. Booking Changes
- Requests to change dates, guest numbers, property selection or stay details are subject to availability and approval.
- Booking changes may result in additional accommodation charges, cleaning charges, platform charges or administration fees.
- A booking change is not confirmed until approved in writing by Lakeshores Accommodation or the relevant booking platform.
- Changes requested close to arrival may not be possible, particularly during peak periods, school holidays or public holidays.
4. Refunds & Guest Responsibilities
- Refunds are not provided for personal preference, change of mind, failure to read the listing, unsuitable travel plans, reduced guest numbers or early departure.
- Guests are responsible for reviewing the property listing, photos, location, sleeping arrangements, amenities and house rules before booking.
- If a guest believes there is an issue with the property, it must be reported as soon as reasonably practicable during the stay.
- Guests must allow Lakeshores Accommodation a reasonable opportunity to inspect, verify and resolve the issue.
- Claims raised after departure, where the issue was not reported during the stay, may be declined, subject to applicable law.
5. Property Suitability & Amenities
- Holiday homes are individually owned properties and are not hotel-style accommodation.
- Photos, descriptions and amenities are provided to help guests choose a property that suits their needs.
- Minor differences in décor, presentation or furniture placement do not constitute grounds for refund.
- WiFi, internet, streaming services, televisions, air-conditioning, appliances, pools, spas, BBQs and similar amenities are provided for guest convenience.
- Temporary outages, maintenance issues or third-party service disruptions do not automatically entitle guests to compensation where we are given reasonable opportunity to assist or resolve the issue.
6. Environmental & Location Factors
- Many properties are located near beaches, lakes, bushland, village areas or residential neighbourhoods.
- Environmental factors such as insects, mosquitoes, sandflies, wildlife, weather, outdoor odours, leaves, sand, salt air and natural debris are not considered property faults.
- Noise from neighbours, nearby properties, roadworks, construction, council works, community activity or local events is outside our control and does not constitute grounds for refund.
7. Check-In Requirements
- Guests may be required to complete a check-in form before arrival.
- The check-in form may require guest details, identity verification, acceptance of stay terms and confirmation of booking information.
- Failure to complete required check-in steps may result in delayed check-in, refusal of access or cancellation where permitted by the booking platform and applicable law.
- Check-in details may be withheld until required guest information has been completed.
8. Chargebacks & Payment Disputes
- Guests agree not to initiate chargebacks or payment disputes for charges made in accordance with the booking agreement, cancellation policy and Terms & Conditions of Stay.
- Where a chargeback or payment dispute is raised, Lakeshores Accommodation may provide booking records, signed agreements, check-in records, communications, entry logs, inspection notes and supporting evidence to the booking platform, payment provider or financial institution.
- Costs associated with defending or recovering a chargeback may be pursued where permitted by law.
9. Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend guests arrange suitable travel insurance. Travel insurance may assist with unexpected illness, transport disruptions, weather events, personal emergencies, changes to travel plans or other circumstances that may affect your ability to travel.
10. Full Terms & Conditions of Stay
These Booking Terms & Cancellation Policy should be read together with our Full Terms & Conditions of Stay.
By proceeding with a booking, completing a check-in form or staying at a Lakeshores Accommodation property, guests confirm they have read, understood and agreed to the applicable booking terms, cancellation policy and stay conditions.
