What are Local Payments?
Local Payments are paid to cover meals and accommodation. Accommodation and meals are not included in Oz Experience pass prices. We are not charging you extra to travel with us. The only difference is that we take this payment for convenience and to get you the best deal possible - this is explained below . Two local payments on the East Coast are paid directly to suppliers. The total local payment for your booking incorporates these two local payments that are paid direct to suppliers so you are made aware of the full amount you will be compulsorily asked for.

Why can't I choose to pay for meals and accommodation myself when we arrive at the areas we stay?
On the East Coast (Sydney <> Cairns), with the exception of two compulsory overnight stops you can and will.
On Oz Experience food and accommodation is not included in the pass price giving you the flexibility to stay and eat where you like.
The exceptions on the East Coast are at Surf Camp and Kroombit Cattle Station.
You pay Mojo Surf Camp $50 directly for 1 night hostel dorm accommodation, dinner and breakfast because their surf camp accommodation does not have self catering facilities and it is the only property to stay at for this exclusive inclusion. It is also important that people are well nourished for safety considerations when you are in cool water and need energy for the physical exertion.
At Kroombit Cattle station $45 is for 2 course bush dinner, breakfast and bunkhouse accommodation. It is a very remote property and an opportunity to fully experience the unique atmosphere.
Away from the East Coast, Oz Experience and its partner Adventure Tours Australia operate in remote areas and we often have to camp, there are no hostels or the nearest supermarket is 100km’s away. What’s more it is impractical in a touring environment for an entire group to individually prepare their own meals.

But am I getting value for money when paying Local Payments?
Absolutely. Let’s look at an example of one of the local payments for the section of travel between Adelaide and Alice Springs. $175 will provide for you:
Accommodation: 3 nights hostel dorm multi-share, 2 nights permanent camp sites
Meals: 5 x Breakfasts, 6 x Lunches, 5 x Dinners
Other: Uluru NP fee ($25), Flinders Ranges park fees, Opal Mine Tour
If you removed the $25 National Park fee which is compulsory anyone whatever way they travel to see Uluru (Ayers Rock), $150 will provide for all you accommodation and meals for 6 days. That’s $25 a day for accommodation and 3 meals a day (excluding breakfast on the first day and dinner on the last day of touring. In Australia hostel dorm accommodation by itself for one night averages $20-25. I think you can see the value that you get all those meals. Water is also free on the vehicles, large tubs of drinking water are kept available for everyone to also use so you don’t have to buy this.

What do I eat?
Our emphasis is on fresh food wherever possible and our meals are nutritious and varied. If you are a vegetarian or gluten intolerant we can cater for you. Depending on the trip for breakfast we supply cereals, fresh fruits, selection of bread for toasting, tea and coffee. Lunch is usually a self serve sandwich and salads and sometimes BBQ meals and other alternatives to offer variety. In the evening we offer a variety of cooked dinners and salads.

Overall?
We aim to provide value for money and a quality experience. It would be very hard to cater for yourself to the standard we are providing at the prices we are doing so. The environment in Australia and nature of the touring you will undertake does not allow to easily cater for a bus of people in other ways.

Breakdown of Local Payments:	AUD$	Included: (B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner
Per Tour	$10-$15	Fuel surcharge is added to every Oz Experience pass
Sydney to Byron Bay	$50*	Accommodation: 1 night hostel dorm Meals: 1B, 1D *Local payment to Mojo Surf
Byron Bay/ Brisbane to Cairns	$45	2 course bush dinner, breakfast and bunkhouse accommodation at an Aussie Cattle Station. *Payable to Kroombit Cattle Station
4WD Kakadu Safari (2 Day)**	$50	Accommodation: 1 night permanent camp site. Meals: 1B, 2L, 1D. Seasonal park fee AUD$12.50× (boat transfer to Twin Falls) is not included and payable on departure. This tour is included in the Whipper Snapper, Fish Hook (to/from Darwin) & Fair Dinkum. Can upgrade to Big Croc for $140 – no additional local payment.
4WD Kakadu Safari (3 Day Big Croc**	$75	Accommodation: 2 night permanent camp site. Meals: 2B, 3L, 2D. Seasonal park fee AUD$12.50× (boat transfer to Twin Falls) is not included and payable on departure.
Darwin to Alice Springs	$75	Accommodation: 2 nights permanent campsite Meals: 2B, 3L, 2D
Uluru Safari (2 day)**	$75	Accommodation: 1 night permanent camp site Meals: 1B, 2L, 1D    Other: Uluru NP fee ($25) **2 day Red Centre Adventure as included in Whipper Snapper pass
Uluru Safari (3 day "Big Rock")	$100	Accommodation: 2 nights permanent camp site Meals: 2B, 3L, 2D    Other: Uluru NP fee ($25) This tour is included in the Shazza and Dazza passes
Alice Springs to Adelaide	$175	Accommodation: 3 nights multi-share, 2 nights permanent camp sites Meals: 5B, 6L, 5D Other: Uluru NP fee ($25), Flinders Ranges park fees, Opal Mine Tour
Adelaide to Melbourne	$75	Accommodation: 2 nights multi-share (incl. bed linen) Meals: 2B, 2D  Other: Park entry fees, entry to Otway Fly Treetop Walk
Melbourne to Sydney	$75	Accommodation: 2 nights multi-share (incl. bed linen) Meals: 2B, 2D  Other: national park fees
Learn To Surf	$55	Accommodation: 3 nights multi share. Meals: 3B, 2L, 3D  Other: 4 surf lessons
Fuel Levy	$10-$15	Fuel surcharge is added to every Oz Experience pass