Please read our Frequently Asked Questions below for more information on our Car Rental service.
If you require further information, please feel free to Contact us.
Can we go into Francois Peron National Park?
Yes, we now have two 4WD vehicles available for approved national park hire. At this stage, our 4WD vehicles may only travel as far as Big Lagoon and must remain on the designated access track.
Prior approval from Shark Bay Car Hire and a signed 4WD hire agreement are required. Travel beyond Big Lagoon is strictly prohibited. Standard vehicles are not permitted anywhere in Francois Peron National Park.
Can we go off-road?
Only our approved 4WD vehicles may travel on the designated track to Big Lagoon, with prior approval and a signed 4WD hire agreement.
Our other vehicles must remain on sealed roads. Beach driving, saltwater, wet birridas, unmarked tracks and travel beyond Big Lagoon are not permitted. Additional cleaning, recovery and damage charges may apply if the hire conditions are breached.
Can we do a one way drop off?
Shark Bay Car Hire can offer one-way hires subject to availability. There is a minimum 7 day hire and must be booked more than a month in advance.
This service is not offered during school holiday periods.
One way drop off can be available from:
- Shark Bay – Perth $2500/$2000
- Shark Bay – Geraldton $1500/$1000
- Shark Bay – Carnarvon $1500/$1000
- Shark Bay – Exmouth $2000 – $1500
No other locations are an option
Shark Bay Car Hire is a small-town car hire company, we do not have depots anywhere else in WA therefore one-way car hires do involve high costs for us to retrieve our vehicle’s and tend to be done on a non for profit basis. These costs must cover domestic flights, travel time, wages, fuel, wear & tear, accommodation.
These hires must be paid in full to confirm the booking and are non-refundable.
All hires going pass the Overlander road house will be required to provide SBCH with a minimum of a $3500 pre authorisation.
Can you Provide Children’s car seats?
We can provide booster seats only for 4 years plus only. It is your responsibility to install them. These are provided free of charge and SBCH take no responsibility.
Do they have anchor point?
Most of our vehicle have anchor points, however, if you do require one please let us know in advance so we can assist with this.
Do your vehicles have air conditioning?
Yes, all our vehicles have air conditioning.
Which cars are automatic?
- Holden Cruze
- Holden Captiva
Do I need an Australian driving license to drive in Australia?
A current and full motor vehicle driver’s license is required and must be produced upon vehicle collection. Should a foreign license be in a language other than English, it must be accompanied by an accredited English translation.
The translation must be provided by an authorised translation service or a diplomatic representative at a high commission, embassy or consulate, or the authority that issued your overseas license (an International Driving Permit may be acceptable as a translation if in English).
How old do I need to be to drive?
- 21 years of age or over
Rental Agreement:
If your rental agreement is broken, SBCH may terminate your hire and no refund will be given.
Credit note policy
- Credit notes are only ever offered at SBCHs discretion, if you have a credit note these terms apply.
- Your credit note is only valid for 12 months from the date it is issued. The hire must commence in the 12-month time frame, not just booked.
- If the hire is cancelled a second time the credit note is lost entirely.
- No credit note will be accepted during school holidays.
- Your credit note can only count toward one booking, if your new booking is less than the original credit note then the remaining will be lost.
- Your credit note can not be transfer to other parties.
Do I have to pay a deposit for my booking?
Yes, your car hire is not secure without a 50% deposit.
How do I secure my hire – pay the hire/deposit?
- All this information can be found on your invoice.
What are your – Hire cancellation, refund and alteration policies?
- Cancellations under 14 days prior to pick up attract non-refundable 100% of the deposit.
- Cancellations 14+ days prior to pick up – 50% of the deposit will be refunded.
- If cancelled on the day of pick up or no show, the customer is liable for the balance due of hire.
- Changes to hire dates are subject to availability.
- One-way relocation hires are the exception and non-refundable.
- If your pre-authorisation is not approved on collection of your vehicle you will still be charged the full hire amount.
Can I get a refund for dropping off my hired vehicle a day early?
No, once the hire has commenced there is no refund for early drop off.
Can I book online?
No, Shark Bay Car Hire deals directly with each customer upon confirmation of a booking via email and invoicing
When is the final balance due and how can I pay this?
The balance is due 2 days upon pick up of your vehicle, unless you wish to pay in advance. No hire will commence without full payment being made.
Are there any other hidden fees or charges?
No, not upon pick up unless it is a public holiday. All extra charges are known to the customer before pick up.
Should the vehicle be returned over its kms allowance, not fully fuelled or damaged, extra charges will apply at the end of hire to the card provide.
How much is the excess?
The excess for all vehicle’s is $4000
This can be reduced to $1500 by talking the Liability Reduction for $25.00 per day for 2wd, and $30 4×4
Do you offer any insurance Reductions?
Vehicle Excess:
| What is covered | Liability Reduction not taken | Liability Reduction take $25.00-$30 per day |
| Car Excess | Up to $4000 | Up to $1500 |
What happens if the vehicle is damaged?
Please note SBCH has 14 days from the end of your hire date to get back to you regarding any damage to the vehicle, as we are so remote it can take this long to source the needed quotes for the repair work to be carried out.
If damage is found charges will be taken from the provided credit card.
Damage happens, we ask that you inform us of this during or at the end of your hire.
At the start of every hire a video will be taken of the vehicle and we welcome you to do the same.
At the end of hire any damage that has occurred will be compared against the original video.
If damage is found SBCH will capture your excess amount from the card provided at the time of hire, we will then organise a quote for repairs and email you with your damage report.
Are there any extra charges?
- Public Holiday Pick-up or Drop off – $30
- Excess kms: 50 cent per km (100klms given per day)
- $75 Fuel service fee is the vehicle is returned un-filled
- Extra cleaning charges: $100 per hour (only if vehicle is not up to standard upon drop off)
- Requires Assistance – Minimum call out charge of $500 if hirer is at fault and required assistance.
- Damaged Key: upto $1500, this included new key cost plus vehicle freight to Geraldton for key coding. If you fly home with the key and forget to return it you are liable for the extra days SBCH are without that key and can not hire the vehicle out.
- If a change is made to your booking once your booking is confirmed via payment please note this will attract a $25 admin fee.
How many kms do I get per day?
100kms per day free.
Excess klms are 50 cent per klm used and will be charged at the end of your hire.
Can I drive at night?
No, our liability reduction does not cover driving between sunrise to sunset outside of the city (or town) limits and we strongly advise to plan your arrival at your destination by 5pm and depart after 7.00am.
This is due to natural wildlife on the roads (kangaroos become active late afternoon and through the night)
Are there any restrictions on where I can drive?
- Vehicles are not permitted past the Overlander Road House without written consent from SBCH and a $3500 pre authorisation.
- Vehicles are not permitted on the Uselees Loop road under any circumstances unless pre approved in writing by SBCH
- Vehicles including are not permitted to enter the Francois Peron National Park or to be taken on unsealed roads. unless in 4×4 and pre approved by SBCH in writing ( big lagoon only )
- Beach driving is not permitted.
- We ask that due to wild life in our remote area you do not drive any of our vehicles on open country roads from dusk till dawn. Driving within town limits is acceptable.
Failing to adhere to the above conditions will void any excess reductions and charges may apply.
unsealed road – a road not sealed with a hard material such as a tar, bitumen or concrete).
Off road conditions include, but are not limited to fire trails, beaches, sands, tracks, fields, and paddocks.
The following areas are strictly off limits for All vehicles:
- Little Lagoon Beach (without prior approval)
- big lagoon (without prior approval)
- Francois Peron National Park (without prior approval)
- Steep Point (without prior approval)
- The Useless Loop road (without prior approval)
- Past the Overlander road house (without prior approval)
Pick up and drop off times?
Shark Bay Car Hire do not offer half day or 24 hour period car hires and our bookings are based on a calendar day only.
Our Calendar day starts at 8.00am and ends at 5.00pm
Does every driver have to be there on pick up of the vehicle?
Yes, we will need to sight all drivers actual, full, valid driver’s licence (photocopies are not accepted) and all drivers are required to sign the rental agreement.
Can I pick up or drop off at the airport?
Yes, we deliver cars to and from the Monkey Mia/Shark Bay Airport for a relocation fee of $25 each way.
Where is your desk located at the airport?
Once you step of the plane, you will find Shark Bay Car Hires desk located to the left of the counter and someone will be there waiting for you.
Can I pick up or drop off at Monkey Mia?
Yes, we deliver cars to and from Monkey Mia Resort for a relocation fee of $40 each way.
Can I pick up or drop off at Denham?
Yes, if you are staying in Denham we will deliver and collect your vehicle from your accommodation at no extra cost.
Do I have to return the vehicle fully fuelled?
Yes, you are required to return your hire vehicle fully fuelled on drop off.
You will be charged the pump price plus a $75 service fee if the car is not returned fully fuelled.
What else do we need to do prior to dropping the vehicle off?
Please ensure that you have taken any rubbish away, shake sand out of the floor mats. SBCH DOES NOT require you to clean the outside of the Vehicle when used in accordance with the terms and conditions of hire.
Will we be charged a cleaning fee?
Vehicles returned in poor condition will attract an additional cleaning charge at the applicable rate of $100 per hour for services rendered. Any remains of biriada clay or evidence of off road driving without express written approval from SBCH will attract an automatic cleaning charge of $500.
What are your opening hours?
OFFICE OPENING TIMES
| Monday | 8.00am – 5:00pm |
| Tuesday | 8.00am – 5:00pm |
| Wednesday | 8.00am – 5:00pm |
| Thursday | 8.00am – 5:00pm |
| Friday | 8.00am – 5:00pm |
| Saturday | 8.00am – 12.00pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
The above times do not affect your pre-arranged hire
Please note we are a small family run business and at times are unable to answer calls during these times, please be patience and we will get back to you.
SBCH can be met with by appointment only and all hires will be dropped off to you at your chosen location. SBCH does not have a depot open to the public.
SBCH is in Western Australia. WA is 2 hours behind the East of Australia during Winter months and then 3 hours behind during the Summer Months. Calls made outside of our opening times will not be answered.
Most international customers can call during these business hours.
Please note in hiring a car from SBCH you are agreeing and signing to these hire condition’s
Required Assistance
If you require assistance and you are at fault there is a minimum call out fee of $500.
Kilometre Allowance
100 klm included per day. Excess kilometres will be charged at 50cent per klm.
Fuel
Full to Full. If the vehicle is returned below full you will be charged the receipted pump rate for the fuel plus an additional $75
Restricted Areas
No vehicle is permitted past the Overlander Road House without prior approval from SBCH. No vehicles are permitted on the Useless Loop road under any circumstances. No vehicle is Permitted to enter the Francois Peron National Park, this will result in an automatic $500 charge. Beach driving is not permitted.
We ask that due to wildlife in our remote area you do not drive any of our vehicles on open country roads from dusk until dawn. Driving within town limits is acceptable.
Failing to adhere to any of the above conditions will void any excess reductions.
Cleaning fee
Vehicles returned in poor condition will attract an additional cleaning charge ast the applied rate of $100 per hour.
Any remains of Biriada clay, evidence of driving through salt water or off road driving particularly through the National Park will attract and Automatic cleaning charge of $500