Cookie Policy

1. About this Policy

AustraliaStayList uses this Cookie Policy to explain how cookies, localStorage and similar browser technologies can support the website. These technologies can perform essential tasks, remember choices or, where separately enabled, support analytics and marketing measurement.

The exact technologies used on a website can change as its hosting, analytics, reservation and communications services evolve. This Policy describes the categories presented in the website's privacy controls and the purpose each category may serve.

2. What cookies and browser storage are

A cookie is a small piece of data that a website or related service can store through your browser. Cookies may be temporary, lasting only for a browser session, or persistent, remaining until a set expiry time or until deleted. LocalStorage is another browser mechanism that can store small amounts of data on a device without sending that data with every page request.

These technologies do not all serve the same purpose. Some are necessary for a website to work consistently, while others are optional and may help remember preferences, understand aggregated site usage or measure marketing activity.

3. Essential browser storage

Essential storage supports functions that are necessary or reasonably expected for the operation of the website. On AustraliaStayList.com, the privacy preference system uses the storage key australiastaylist_cookie_preferences so the browser can remember whether you accepted all options, rejected non-essential options or saved a customised selection.

Without this storage, the website may be unable to remember your choice and could show the privacy banner again on each visit. Essential technologies are therefore treated separately from optional analytics or marketing categories.

4. Preference technologies

Preference technologies can remember optional interface or content choices, helping the site behave consistently between visits. Examples can include language preferences, display choices or other settings selected by a visitor.

The website's privacy control includes a Preferences toggle so this category can be managed separately. A category being available in the control panel does not necessarily mean every possible preference technology is currently in use.

5. Analytics technologies

Analytics technologies can help a website operator understand broad patterns such as which pages receive visits, how visitors move between pages, what device categories are common or whether certain pages experience technical problems. Analytics should be configured in a way that is proportionate to the purpose and consistent with the visitor's selected preference where consent is required.

Optional analytics are controlled through the Analytics setting in the Cookie Settings panel. If an analytics provider is introduced, this Policy should be updated with appropriate provider and retention information where necessary.

6. Marketing technologies

Marketing technologies can be used to measure advertising performance, understand whether a campaign led to a website visit or help an advertising platform select and measure content. These technologies can involve identifiers set by external platforms and therefore require particular care.

The Marketing toggle is provided to distinguish this category from essential website functions. AustraliaStayList should not activate optional marketing technologies contrary to a visitor's recorded preference where consent is required.

7. Third-party content and external services

Some website features may rely on external services, such as embedded maps, videos, reservation tools or other interactive content. A third-party service can set or read its own cookies when it loads, depending on how the integration is configured.

Where possible, non-essential third-party content should be designed so that it does not load optional tracking technologies before the required preference is obtained. External sites opened through ordinary links are governed by the cookie and privacy practices of those external sites.

8. Managing your preferences

You can open Cookie Settings from the footer at any time. The panel allows you to accept all optional categories, reject non-essential categories or select individual options. Essential storage remains active because it supports the preference mechanism and core website behaviour.

When you save a new choice, the stored preference is replaced with the updated selection. This allows you to change your mind without needing to clear all website data manually.

9. Browser controls and clearing storage

Most browsers include controls that let you inspect, block or delete cookies and site data. The exact steps depend on the browser and device. Blocking all storage can affect website functions, including the site's ability to remember privacy choices.

If you clear the australiastaylist_cookie_preferences value, the website may treat your next visit as having no saved preference and show the privacy banner again.

10. Changes to this Cookie Policy

This Policy may be revised if the website introduces new tools, removes existing integrations or changes how browser technologies are used. The “Last updated” date identifies the current published version.

11. Contact

Questions about cookies, local storage or privacy preferences can be sent to [email protected]. You can also use the Cookie Settings control in the footer to review your current selection.