The best accessible experiences in Australia
Experience the best of Australia with these unforgettable accessible and inclusive experiences.
Australia is home to many of the world’s most spectacular beaches. Accessible Beaches lets you browse accessible facilities such as beach matting, shaded areas and beach wheelchairs. Ride the waves with Let’s Go Surfing at iconic Bondi Beach – the team will work with you to create a fun and comfortable learning environment accounting for physical and intellectual disabilities. Those with sensory sensitivities can also use live beach cams to assess the crowds at popular spots before heading to the coast.
From ancient rainforests to red deserts, the natural environments Down Under are breathtaking. You’ll find awe-inspiring scenic trails, many featuring accessible pathways and facilities. Start planning by exploring AllTrails’ list of Australia’s best wheelchair-friendly trails. Cruise through the Daintree Rainforest, trek through the rugged red hues of Standley Chasm or chase waterfalls in Tasmania. For something a little more thrilling, you can take to the skies aboard the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway near Cairns, or the Scenic Skyway in the Blue Mountains.
There’s no shortage of world-class accessible museums and galleries across Australia. Some highlights include the iconic Sydney Opera House and the National Gallery of Victoria, both of which offer accessible tours for visitors with vision, hearing, mobility or neurological sensitivities. There are off-the-beaten-track galleries that hold brilliant treasures, too – Geelong Gallery in Victoria provides a host of accessible facilities. Araluen Arts Centre near Alice Springs is accessible for visitors with limited mobility.
Australia is a haven for all things adventure and adrenaline, and there are accessible thrills to explore. Travellers with mobility, sensory or cognitive access needs can carve up the slopes with adaptive ski lessons at Thredbo. On the Gold Coast, you can parasail over Queensland's magnificent coastline with Gold Coast Watersports. Over in Western Australia, Eco Adventures Margaret River will endeavour to cater to your accessibility needs so you can quad-bike through gorgeous bushland, or if you’re a sporting fan, you can soar over Perth's Optus Stadium at the Ozone. Wheelchair users can also take advantage of Quicksilver's water-powered lift to snorkel the wondrous Great Barrier Reef.
Around two hours from Melbourne, Phillip Island awaits – an unexpected oasis of abundant wildlife. Phillip Island Nature Parks are committed to helping all travellers access the island’s treasures, including the adorable Penguin Parade and Koala Conservation Reserve. Both attractions provide sensory-inclusive tours and limited mobility access. Travellers can also meet the incredible creatures living at Sydney's Taronga Zoo before the crowds arrive, or enjoy a relaxed session at Adelaide Zoo. For wildlife spotting in the wild, catch a wheelchair-accessible ferry from Perth to Rottnest Island. Facilities have been mindfully created to ensure everyone can say hello to the local quokkas.
Immerse yourself in the wisdom and practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. In Kuranda, located just outside of Cairns, join Rainforestation Nature Park’s wheelchair-accessible Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience. Observe traditional practices such as boomerang throwing, dancing and didgeridoo playing within the peaceful surrounds of the rainforest. Or, wander between the striking red walls of Standley Chasm – a sacred site to the Arrernte people in the Northern Territory – along a wheelchair-accessible trail.
Australia has out-of-the-box experiences to take you behind the curtain of the country’s most loved food and drinks. Travellers with limited hearing, mobility or vision can taste their way through the wines at boutique Puddleduck Vineyard near Hobart. Continue sipping your way through Tasmania at Callington Mill Distillery, where you can whip up your very own single malt whisky – give the team a call to plan your accessible visit. If you’re exploring Queensland with mobility aids, be sure to stop in at Macadamias Australia for all things nutty and delicious, or create your own gin and rum at Bavay Distillery in Brisbane’s swanky Rivermakers precinct.
Australia’s icons are famous for a reason – they’re beautiful, thought-provoking and totally unique. Accessible services are available to ensure everyone can tick off these bucket list locations. Travellers who are deaf or hard of hearing can hop in a harness and scale the monumental Sydney Harbour Bridge during an Auslan (Australian Sign Language) Climb. Wheelchair users can visit the magic of the Blue Mountains during an accessible tour, or over near Melbourne, snap photos at the towering 12 Apostles by planning ahead with the region’s accessibility guide. For a taste of adventure, Outback Tour Services will guide you on an unforgettable safari throughout Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, tailoring each day to your specific needs.
