1. Who we are
Backpackers.com.au is an Australian travel website and directory focused on backpacking in Australia, including destinations, things to do, stays, guides, and related travel content.
If you have a privacy question, request or complaint, you can contact us at:
Email: hello@backpackers.com.au
Website: www.backpackers.com.au
2. What we collect
Depending on how you interact with our website, we may collect:
- your name
- your email address
- your phone number
- your business or listing details
- information you include in forms, enquiries or emails
- analytics and usage data
- browser, device and IP address information
- cookie and tracking data
- information about pages viewed, links clicked and referring websites
- information relating to outbound affiliate or booking link clicks
We do not provide customer user accounts on this website.
3. How we collect information
We collect information when you:
- browse or use our website
- submit a contact or enquiry form
- submit a business or listing enquiry
- subscribe to our emails or newsletter
- click on affiliate, booking, or partner links
- interact with cookies, analytics tools, pixels, or similar technologies
We may also receive information from service providers that help us operate the website and communications.
4. Why we collect information
We may collect and use personal information to:
- operate, maintain and improve our website
- respond to enquiries and messages
- manage listing, business, or partnership enquiries
- send email updates or newsletters you have subscribed to
- understand how visitors use the site
- improve content, performance and user experience
- measure traffic, engagement and affiliate performance
- detect technical issues, misuse or fraud
- comply with legal obligations
5. Cookies, analytics and tracking
We use cookies and similar technologies, including Google Analytics, to understand website traffic and usage, improve performance, and measure how visitors interact with our content.
We may also use email and marketing tools such as Mailchimp to manage subscriptions and campaigns.
These technologies may collect technical and behavioural information such as your IP address, browser type, device information, pages viewed, time spent on pages, and links clicked.
You can usually control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect how some parts of the website work. OAIC guidance says organisations should be clear and transparent about their use of tracking technologies and the handling of personal information collected through them.
6. Affiliate links and third-party websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, booking providers, and affiliate partners.
If you click through to a third-party site, that third party may collect and handle your information under its own privacy policy and terms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites or services.
We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any third-party site you visit.
7. Disclosure of information
We may disclose personal information to service providers and partners that help us operate the website and related services, including providers involved in:
- website hosting and performance services, including Cloudflare and Vercel
- content management and website administration, including Sanity
- website analytics, including Google Analytics
- email communications and newsletter services, including Mailchimp
- technical support, development and maintenance
- affiliate tracking and commercial reporting
We may also disclose personal information where required by law, or where reasonably necessary to protect our legal rights.
We do not sell personal information.
8. Overseas disclosure
Some of our service providers may store or process personal information outside Australia.
Because we use services such as Google Analytics, Mailchimp, Cloudflare, Vercel, and Sanity, personal information may be processed in countries outside Australia, including the United States and other countries in which those providers or their infrastructure operate.
Where applicable, we take reasonable steps to ensure service providers handle personal information appropriately. OAIC guidance says an APP privacy policy should state whether overseas disclosure is likely and, where practicable, name the countries involved.
9. Security
We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.
However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. OAIC guidance expects covered entities to take reasonable steps to secure personal information they hold.
10. Access and correction
If you would like to request access to personal information we hold about you, or ask us to correct it, please contact us using the details above.
We may need to verify your identity before responding. OAIC guidance says an APP privacy policy for covered entities should explain how an individual may access and correct their personal information.
11. Complaints
If you believe we have mishandled your personal information, please contact us with details of your complaint.
We will review your complaint and respond within a reasonable time.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may be able to contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. OAIC guidance on privacy complaints notes organisations should have a process for handling complaints and generally be given an opportunity to respond first.
12. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date.
13. Contact us
For privacy questions, requests or complaints, contact:
Backpackers.com.au
Email: hello@backpackers.com.au
Website: www.backpackers.com.au