Cookie Policy

01Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how AUStaysDownUnder uses cookies, localStorage and related browser technologies. It describes necessary functions, optional categories, typical durations and the controls available through our bottom-sheet settings panel and browser tools. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

02What cookies are

Cookies are small text records stored by a browser after a website or third-party service sends them. They can support a session, remember a preference, measure aggregated use or connect an interaction to an external service. A cookie does not automatically reveal a person’s name. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

03Local storage technologies

LocalStorage is a browser feature that stores key-value information on the device. Our consent tool uses it to remember whether optional categories were accepted or rejected. LocalStorage persists until cleared by the visitor or removed through site logic. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

04Why cookies are used

We use browser storage to keep the website functional, remember consent, support accessibility, preserve selected preferences and, where accepted, understand aggregated usage or campaign performance. We aim to avoid optional storage until the visitor chooses it. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

05Necessary cookies

Necessary technologies support consent records, interface state, security and core navigation. Because the site cannot reliably remember choices without them, they remain enabled. They should not be used for unrelated advertising. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

• Use only the information needed for the stated purpose.
• Provide clear choices where processing is optional.
• Keep records only for an appropriate period.

06Preference cookies

Preference technologies can remember a selected region, planner option or interface setting. They make repeat visits more convenient but are not required to read destination pages. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

07Analytics cookies

Analytics can provide aggregated information about page visits, device categories, interaction patterns and errors. We use this information to improve structure and performance. Analytics should remain disabled until accepted where consent is required. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

08Marketing cookies

Marketing technologies may measure the effectiveness of destination campaigns or newsletters. They are optional and should not be used to create sensitive profiles or gambling-related targeting. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

09First-party cookies

First-party cookies or storage are set by the AUStaysDownUnder domain. They generally support direct functions such as consent and preferences. Their values should be limited and documented. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

10Third-party cookies

Third-party services such as maps, fonts, analytics or embedded content may set or read cookies under their own domains. Their policies and retention practices are controlled by those providers. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

• Use only the information needed for the stated purpose.
• Provide clear choices where processing is optional.
• Keep records only for an appropriate period.

11Session cookies

Session cookies normally expire when the browser session ends. They can help maintain temporary state during navigation and are less persistent than stored preferences. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

12Persistent cookies

Persistent cookies remain after a browser closes until a defined expiry date or manual deletion. Consent and preference records may be persistent so the banner does not reappear on every visit. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

13Cookie duration

Duration depends on purpose. Necessary session state may last minutes or hours, preference records may last months, and provider cookies may use different periods. We prefer the shortest period that reasonably supports the function. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

14Consent

The first visit presents Accept All, Reject Optional and Customise options. Rejecting optional categories does not prevent access to the guide. A visitor can save a mixed selection through the settings panel. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

15Managing preferences

Cookie Settings is available in the footer. The bottom sheet allows separate control of Preferences, Analytics and Marketing while Necessary remains enabled. Saved choices are written to localStorage. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

• Use only the information needed for the stated purpose.
• Provide clear choices where processing is optional.
• Keep records only for an appropriate period.

16Withdrawing consent

A visitor can reopen Cookie Settings at any time and reject optional categories. Withdrawal affects future use. Previously stored third-party cookies may also need to be deleted through the browser. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

17Browser controls

Most browsers provide controls for viewing, blocking and deleting cookies, clearing localStorage and limiting third-party activity. Settings may be organised under privacy, security or site data. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

18Blocking cookies

Blocking all cookies or storage can prevent the site from remembering consent and may affect embedded services. Blocking optional third-party cookies is usually less disruptive than disabling all site storage. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

19Deleting cookies

Deleting browser data removes stored preferences and may cause the cookie banner to reappear. It can also sign a visitor out of unrelated services in the same browser, so review the chosen scope. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

20Do Not Track signals

Browsers may send Do Not Track or similar signals. Standards and provider responses vary. We support explicit consent controls because they provide a direct and visible choice. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

• Use only the information needed for the stated purpose.
• Provide clear choices where processing is optional.
• Keep records only for an appropriate period.

21Third-party services

Google Maps, Google Fonts, Font Awesome, hosting, analytics and email systems may process technical request data. Visitors can block or limit these services, but embedded maps or icons may not display correctly. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

22Policy changes

We may update this policy when technologies, providers or legal expectations change. The last updated date identifies the current version. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.

23Contact information

Questions about cookies or local storage can be sent to [email protected]. Include the browser and device type if reporting a preference issue, but do not send sensitive identifiers. We review this category against necessity, transparency, duration and the visitor’s ability to exercise a meaningful choice. Optional categories remain separate from essential functions, and the footer provides a permanent way to reopen settings.