Buggy Terms

Important Buggy Conditions & Safety Guidelines

Your complimentary buggy is provided to enhance your Hamilton Island experience. To ensure your safety and the longevity of the buggy, please read and adhere to the following conditions. Failure to comply may result in fines, confiscation of the buggy, or charges for damages.

Buggy Usage Rules

• Licensed Drivers Only: Only nominated drivers with a full, valid driver’s license are permitted to operate the buggy.
• No Modifications: Do not place stickers or decorative items with adhesive backing anywhere on the buggy.
• No Oversized Items: The buggy is not to be used for transporting oversized or heavy articles.
• Check-Out Policy: The buggy is not available to guests after your check-out time.
• Always Secure: Always remove the key from the ignition when parked or unattended, and ensure the park brake is applied.
• Overnight Charging is Mandatory: The buggy MUST BE CHARGED OVERNIGHT, EVERY NIGHT for the duration of your stay. Charging during the day may cause the charger to overheat and fail to charge properly.
• Weight & Occupancy Limits:
  
  • DO NOT OVERLOAD THE BUGGY. Maximum weight capacity is 363kg.
  • Never carry more than 2 occupants on each bench seat. Overloading causes the battery to overheat and malfunction.
  • Maximum capacity is 4 persons.

Infants & Children Safety

• Never Unattended: NEVER leave children unattended or allow them to play on the buggy.
• No Operating: Children are not permitted to drive, steer, or sit on the driver’s lap. They are also not permitted to touch, stand on, or play with the operating pedals.
• Child Restraint Requirements (Australian Safety Standard Compliant):
  
  • Infants (up to 6 months): Must be restrained in a rearward-facing approved infant restraint with an inbuilt harness, secured on the front seat only next to the driver.
  • Children (6 months to 4 years old): Must be seated in a forward-facing approved child restraint with an inbuilt harness, secured to the seat.
  • HamoRent takes no responsibility for the securing of child restraints on golf buggies. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure they are correctly installed.

Rules of Operation on Hamilton Island

• Abide by Road Rules: Always use indicators and headlights as per Australian Road Rules. All roads on Hamilton Island are subject to the same road rules that apply on Mainland Australia.
• Driver’s Side Only: Operate the buggy from the driver’s side ONLY.
• Speed Limit: The maximum speed limit is 20km/h.
• Safe Starting: Ensure the direction selector is in the correct position before attempting to start the vehicle.
• Smooth Direction Changes: Always bring the buggy to a complete stop before shifting the direction selector slowly to reduce the possibility of component damage.
• Seated & Secure:
  
  • Do not start moving until all occupants are PROPERLY SEATED and HOLDING ON.
  • NEVER attempt to enter or exit a moving vehicle.
  • All occupants must remain fully seated, keep their entire body inside the vehicle, and hold on while the vehicle is in motion. Children between the ages of 4 and 7 years old will need assistance to remain properly seated and holding on.
• Parking & Road Signs: All drivers must abide by posted road signs and indicated parking regulations.
• No Impaired Driving: It is illegal to operate the vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Harsh penalties, including heavy fines and loss of license under Queensland Law, apply for reckless or drink driving.
• Seatbelts Mandatory: Seatbelts must be worn when the buggy is in motion. Failure to do so may result in a fine from Hamilton Island Security or the resident police.
• Mobile Phones: Mobile phones are not to be used while driving.
• Operating Hours: Buggies must not be driven between the hours of 1:00 AM and 5:30 AM.
• Designated Roads Only: The buggy must only be driven on bitumen and paved roads. The buggy will be confiscated if taken off-road, or driven on grassed or pool areas.

Reduce the Risk of Accidents

• Hill Safety: ALL travel should be directly up or down hills. ALWAYS apply the brake to control speed on steep grades.
• Drive Slowly: Always DRIVE SLOWLY in congested areas, on wet or loose terrain, and when reversing.
• Maintain Distance: ALWAYS maintain an adequate distance between vehicles.
• Pedestrian Caution: ALWAYS use extreme caution in areas where pedestrians are present.
• Turns & Stops: ALWAYS use extreme caution when approaching sharp or blind turns and AVOID sudden stops.

Reporting Accidents & Breakdowns

• Immediate Reporting: Any loss or damage to the buggy must be reported immediately to HamoRent and Hamilton Island Security to attend the accident scene.
• Information Required for Accidents: In the event of an accident, please obtain the following information:
  
  • Name of any Third Party and any company associated with them (e.g., managing agents).
  • Address and telephone number of the third party.
  • Description, including registration number, of any third-party vehicle involved.
  • Witness statements, if applicable, and a sketch plan of the accident scene.
• Buggy Damage & Liability: If the buggy is damaged in any way, it will be removed for assessment. Its return to guests is at the discretion of the owner.
• Guest Responsibility for Misuse: In the event of an accident or any damage or loss of the buggy due due to guest misuse, the guest will incur the cost of a replacement buggy and all costs associated with its retrieval.

Buggy Use & Liability: You use the complimentary buggy at your own risk. HamoRent and its entities are not responsible for any loss, damage, personal injury, or death resulting from your use of the buggy. This includes the correct installation of any child restraints and adherence to all conditions of use.