Booking Terms & Conditions for Busy With Books reading retreats

Thank you for your interest in one of our reading retreats. Please read the following terms and conditions.

This Agreement, hereinafter referred to as the “Agreement,” is made between the Retreat organiser (“Organiser”), specifically as follows:

Busy with Books, organised under the laws of Australia, having its principal place of business at the following address:

422 Collins Street

Melbourne

Australia

Website address: www.busywithbooks.com (the “Website”)
Email: hello@busywithbooks.com (the “Business Email”)

and you, as a user of this website and guest of the retreat (“Guest”).

Your attendance at the Retreat, as defined below, is subject to each of the terms and conditions contained within this Agreement, all parts and sub-parts of which are specifically incorporated by reference here. By clicking “Purchase,” “Confirm,” “Attend,” “Pay”, or undertaking any other affirmative action manifesting your intent to attend the Retreat, including providing the Organiser with credit card or billing information to be charged for attendance at the Retreat, you acknowledge and agree that you are entering into a legally binding agreement with the Organiser.

YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND AND ABIDE BY THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO. READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE MANIFESTING YOUR CONSENT, AS IT MAY AFFECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS, PLEASE DO NOT MANIFEST YOUR ASSENT TO ATTEND ANY OF THE ORGANISER’S RETREATS.

Organisers and Guests may be referred to individually as the “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.” Additional details regarding the Retreat, such as included meals and amenities, transportation, etc., if applicable, will also be included on a page shown to you prior to full purchase or provided to you through emails and additional communications prior to the Retreat. Any such page is hereby incorporated by reference and shall be considered part and parcel of this Agreement.

Article 1 – Confirmation:

To secure a place at the Retreat, Guests must complete the booking process as outlined by the Organiser at the time of the relevant Retreat. This may include completing an expression of interest form or booking directly on the website, receiving and paying an invoice, and completing a guest form. The specific booking process will be communicated to Guests prior to each Retreat.

Upon confirmation of your booking, you will receive a confirmation email outlining the details of your registration. If you do not receive a confirmation email within five (5) days of completing your booking, please contact the Organiser.

The Organiser may request additional information, such as dietary requirements, health information, or other relevant details. You hereby consent to receive all such correspondence related to the Retreat. Please note that the itinerary is subject to change and may be modified by the Organiser at any time.

Article 2 – Retreat Payment:

The Organiser will outline the payment terms applicable to each Retreat prior to booking. Payment may be required in full at the time of booking, or as a non-refundable deposit with the remaining balance due by a specified date prior to the Retreat start date, as communicated by the Organiser.

Payment will be made via invoice issued by the Organiser or directly through a third-party payment platform. The Guest is responsible for completing payment by the due date specified on the invoice. If the balance is not received by the due date, the Organiser reserves the right to cancel the Guest's booking and offer the place to another guest. In such cases, the deposit will not be refunded.

Article 3 – Cancellations:

The Organiser reserves the right to cancel the Retreat if total fees are not received prior to the Retreat start date, or for any other reason at the Organiser's sole discretion. If the Organiser cancels for commercial reasons, all Guests will receive a full refund of monies paid to the Organiser. The Organiser is not responsible for any costs incurred by the Guest with third parties, such as travel or accommodation booked independently.

If the Retreat is cancelled or postponed due to circumstances beyond the Organiser's reasonable control — including but not limited to natural disasters, government restrictions, public health emergencies, or other force majeure events — the Organiser will work with Guests to transfer deposits to rescheduled dates or, where rescheduling is not possible, provide a full refund.

If a Guest wishes to cancel, written notice must be sent to the Organiser via email. Refunds will be provided as follows:

Deposits are non-refundable in all circumstances.
Cancellations with more than 12 weeks' notice before the Retreat will receive a full refund of any balance paid, minus a $99 processing fee.
Cancellations with 8–12 weeks' notice will receive a 50% refund of any balance paid, minus a $99 processing fee.
Cancellations within 8 weeks of the Retreat are non-refundable.

Guests who are unable to attend may transfer their place to another person of their choosing, subject to a $99 transfer fee and written approval from the Organiser. The replacement Guest must complete all required documentation prior to the Retreat.

Article 4 - Additional Items:

You are solely and exclusively responsible for maintaining up-to-date and valid travel documentation, such as passports, as well as any required and applicable travel visas, immunisations, or other required documentation for the locations being visited. The Organiser is not liable or responsible for any Guest being denied entry or exit to or from any location or country.

The Organiser may coordinate with third parties to provide some or all services for the Retreat, including accommodation, catering, and activities. You acknowledge and agree that participation in the Retreat may require compliance with any third-party terms and conditions. The Organiser will not provide a refund if you are denied any third-party services because you failed to comply with their requirements.

The Organiser does not accept liability for loss, damage, or theft of personal belongings. Guests are responsible for keeping their valuables secure.

While the Organiser will make every effort to accommodate dietary requirements as communicated in advance, we cannot guarantee an allergy-free environment as food preparation may involve shared equipment or facilities. The Organiser will not assume liability for adverse reactions to food or items encountered during the Retreat.

Article 5 - Travel Insurance:

All guests are strongly encouraged to purchase and maintain travel insurance during the entire length of the Retreat (including through the return date). Guests who choose to purchase coverage are individually responsible for paying for travel insurance and ensuring adequate coverage. Coverage should ideally include, but not be limited to illness, injury, property damage, loss of personal items, death, cancellation and any other potential losses, damages, expenses, and/or liabilities.

The Organiser is not responsible or liable for any loss, damage, expense, cost, or any other travel issue. Guests may fail to purchase travel insurance at their own risk.

Article 6 - Media Release:

You acknowledge and agree that before and during the Retreat, you may be subject to photographs, video, sound recordings, or other media captures of your face, name, voice, or likeness. In consideration for your participation in the Retreat, you hereby and irrevocably consent to the use, publication, distribution, broadcasting, reproduction, live-streaming, editing, recording, posting, copyrighting, licensing, digitisation, and/or re-release of the Released Media, as defined below, by the Organiser, as well as any employees, affiliates, associates, representatives, or agents (collectively referred to as the “Release Receiver”) for any legal reason or purpose, including but not limited to social media, commercial products, education, course materials, video footage, sales, marketing, or any other medium in any form that has been or will be invented.

The Released Media will include but is not limited to, all photographs, videos, sound recordings, paintings, sculptures, and all other media currently known or hereinafter developed, captured of you or your likeness before and during the Retreat by the Release Receiver.

You hereby release the Release Receiver from any and all claims and demands arising out of or in connection with any use of the Released Media, including, without limitation, claims for privacy violations, right of publicity claims, defamation and/or any other intellectual property rights. You claim no ownership of the Released Media and forego any opportunity, whether past or present, to copyright or trademark the Released Media.

You give consent to the use of this Released Media while knowing and understanding that your name, comments, and other identifying factors may be revealed to the general public. However, the Release Receiver may not make known to any party in any medium by known or previously known location, email or physical address, or any other contact details, such as phone number.

Article 7 - Health Eligibility:

Your participation in the Retreat indicates your acknowledgment and agreement with, as well as your warranty of, the following statements:

(a) It is my responsibility to consult a physician before participating in this or any Retreat to affirm that I have no medical conditions that would restrict me from participating in the Retreat.

(b) I agree to hold the Organiser, and if applicable, its employees, owners, agents, trainers, and representatives, harmless from any damage, whether tangible or intangible, that may happen to me while participating in the Retreat. Such injuries may include, but are not limited to, muscle strains, muscle sprains, muscle spasms, heart attacks, raised blood pressure, and broken, fractured, or dislocated bones.

(d) I agree and verify that all of the information that I have given the Organiser and its representatives is accurate, up-to-date, and without the omission of any known medical issues.

(e) I agree and verify that If I have omitted any necessary personal information, whether knowingly or unknowingly, I will hold the Organiser harmless against all liability for any damages that may occur to myself or to others because of my actions or inactions.

(f) I agree to keep the Organiser apprised of any changes or upcoming changes concerning my physical health and personal information.

(g) I understand and agree that it is my responsibility to let the Organiser know if I find myself in any pain or discomfort before, after, or during the Retreat.

(h) If I do require medical treatment or attention while or after participating in the Retreat, I agree that the medical costs are mine and mine alone and hold the Organiser blameless from any charges, fees, or costs that my conditions may incur.

(i) I specifically acknowledge and agree that these clauses are not intended to be a general release, which would be limited under some local laws.

Article 8 - General Assumption of Risk:

You agree and understand that your participation in the Retreat may involve risks, including but not limited to those associated with travel, physical activities, and interaction with other guests. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with all possible risks prior to attending. You agree that the Organiser is not liable, to the fullest extent permissible by law, for any harm arising from your participation in the Retreat.

YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOUR DECISION TO ATTEND THE RETREAT IS MADE WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE OF ALL THE INFORMATION DESCRIBED ABOVE AND THAT YOU ARE ATTENDING OF YOUR OWN WILL AND VOLITION. YOU AGREE TO BE THE SOLE PARTY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ASSUMPTION OF ALL RISK INVOLVED IN CONNECTION WITH THE RETREAT. IN NO EVENT WILL THE ORGANISER BE LIABLE FOR ANY LIABILITIES ARISING FROM OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE RETREAT.

Article 9 - Use:

The Guest agrees not to use the Website or Retreat for any unlawful purpose or any purpose prohibited under this clause. The Guest agrees not to undertake any action which may damage the Organiser in any way. The Guest further agrees not to use the Website or Retreat:

(a) To harass, abuse, or threaten others or otherwise violate any person’s legal rights;

(b) To violate any intellectual property rights of the Organiser or any third party;

(d) To perpetrate any fraud;

(e) To engage in or create any unlawful gambling, sweepstakes, or pyramid scheme;

(f) To publish or distribute any obscene or defamatory material;

(g) To publish or distribute any material that incites violence, hate, or discrimination towards any group;

(h) To unlawfully gather information about others.

The Organiser reserves the right to ask any Guest to leave whose behaviour is considered disruptive, threatening, or harmful to other Guests or to the Retreat environment. In such cases, no refund will be offered.

Pets are not allowed at the Retreat. Assistance animals may attend by prior arrangement, depending on the property and other guests attending.

Article 10 - Release of Liability:

The Guest hereby releases the Organiser, as well as any of the Organiser’s affiliates, licensors, suppliers, subsidiaries, parents or other legal representatives, from any claims, demands, damages or other legal action that may arise from the Guest’s dispute with any other Guest.

Article 11 - Termination:

This Retreat Agreement shall continue until cancelled as specified above by either Party or until the Guest attends and completes the Retreat. Any provision of this Agreement which by its terms imposes continuing obligations on either of the parties shall survive termination of this Agreement.

Article 12 - Intellectual Property:

The Guest acknowledges and agrees that the Organiser’s name, services, and any logos, designs, text, graphics, software, content, files, materials, and any other intellectual property rights contained therein, including without limitation, any copyrights, patents, trademarks, proprietary or other rights arising thereof, are owned by the Organiser or its affiliates, licensors, or suppliers.

The Guest acknowledges and agrees that the source and object code of the Website and the format, directories, queries, algorithms, structure, and organisation of the same are the intellectual property, proprietary, and confidential information of the Organiser and its affiliates, licensors, and suppliers.

The Guest expressly agrees not to do anything inconsistent with the Organiser’s ownership of all of the intellectual property discussed herein. The Guest further agrees that there are no rights, title, or interest in or to any of the Organiser’s Intellectual property. In addition, the Guest is not conveyed any right or license by implication, estoppel, or otherwise in or under any patent, trademark, copyright, or other proprietary rights of the Organiser or any third party.

Article 13 - Restrictions:

The Guest is prohibited from selling or reselling the Guest’s space in the Retreat, unless the Guest has specifically executed a written agreement with the Organiser that expressly allows for such activity.

Article 14 - Indemnification:

The Guest agrees to defend and indemnify the Organiser and any of its affiliates (if applicable) and hold them harmless against any and all legal claims and demands, including reasonable legal fees, which may arise from or relate to the Guest’s use or misuse of the Website, the Guest’s attendance at the Retreat, the Guest’s breach of this Agreement, or the Guest’s conduct or actions. The Guest agrees that the Organiser shall be able to select its own legal counsel and may participate in its own defence, if so desired.

Article 15 - Representation:

The Guest agrees that they are over 18 (eighteen) years of age and may legally consent to and enter into this Agreement to attend the Retreat.

Article 16 - Severability:

If any part or subpart of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by a court of law or competent arbitrator, the remaining parts and sub-parts will be enforced to the maximum extent possible. In such condition, the remainder of this Agreement shall continue in full force.

Article 17 - Governing Law:

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Australia without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule.

Article 18 - Headings:

Headings to this Agreement are for convenience only. Headings shall in no way affect the provisions themselves and shall not be construed in any way that would limit or otherwise affect the terms of this Agreement.

Last updated: September 2026