Inclusive Plans for the Whole Family

When a member of a family lives with disabilities, fun and inclusive activities are a must! From zoos to fun parks, museums to movies, Australia has so much on offer! These are some of the country’s best inclusive spots for family fun:

Perth Zoo

Beautiful gardens, magnificent animals and plenty of opportunities to learn, Perth Zoo has everything you could want and then some. Keepers and docents wander around the zoo and are more than happy to stop for a chat or a fun animal fact.

Accessibility is a top priority; companion cards are recognised and accepted, holders entering free of charge. Guests-to-be can download a free symbol-based accessibility map, outlining inclines, accessible doors, and disability parking spaces, as well as aural/keeper talks, rest areas, audio-visual facilities, and tactile and sensory activities.

At Perth Zoo, drinking fountains, toilet facilities and barbeque areas are wheelchair-friendly. There are plenty of hands-on tactile activities for children with visual impairments, and the Variety Playground is designed to be a sensory experience, including children of all abilities.

Moonlight Cinema

There’s nothing quite like enjoying a family film under the stars! At Sydney’s Moonlight Cinema, visitors can kick back, relax, and take in the excitement of an outdoor cinema experience. With accessibility a top priority, Moonlight Cinema is serviced by disability parking spaces and an accessible toilet. There is a designated wheelchair viewing area and paved pathways to most areas onsite. It sounds like a treat!

Sea World

Jam-packed with sea animals and a whole heap of fun, Queensland’s Sea World is an Aussie must-see! The park is accredited by the Zoo Aquarium Association and values sea-life education, so there are plenty of opportunities to learn about the deep blue’s most fascinating creatures.

Sea World’s Guest Services team are dedicated to helping visitors plan the best possible day and are more than happy to help curate an accessible itinerary. Companion card holders are entitled to one free entry, while carers card holders are eligible for front gate discount.

If needed, Sea World has complimentary wheelchairs available for hire (you do need to pay a $20 deposit, but it’s totally refundable!).

All main restrooms are equipped with accessible facilities, queue assistance is available to guests who have difficulty standing for long periods of time, and hard-of-hearing visitors can, at some attractions, access an assisted listening device.

Some rides are safe for guests with disabilities and medical conditions, and the Guest Services team are great at identifying the best ones. If you need medical assistance or storage of medical equipment, the Registered Nurses at the Sea World First Aid centre are happy to help! Sea World is a fantastic disability-friendly tourist spot!

Melbourne Museum

Melbourne Museum is full of exciting things to learn and explore. With temporary exhibitions on all aspects of history, culture, natural environment, and more, there truly is something for everyone! Make the most of your chance to check out the Science and Life Gallery, admire the magnificent trees of the Forest Gallery, or learn about Indigenous culture in the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Culture Centre. Guests with small children can head into the Children’s Gallery for a whole host of awesome activities, and when you’re tired from exploring, you can stop by the giant IMAX Melbourne screen to see a 3D documentary or Hollywood blockbuster!

Melbourne Museum supports companion cards, offering complimentary admission to valid holders. There are a number of accessible parking spaces, wheelchairs available for hire at the front desk, and ramp or lift access to all exhibitions.

At the IMAX theatre, there is wheelchair seating available and spaces can be reserved ahead of time if needed. All three levels of the Melbourne Museum are serviced by accessible toilets. Several exhibitions also have assisted listening devices available to hard of hearing guests, and many have tactile elements for people with vision impairments.

Priding itself on being an Autism-friendly museum, Melbourne Museum offers a map of high and low sensory spaces, and are happy to assist families with additional needs. It’s the perfect one-stop shop for a fantastic day out!

Altona Beach

About a half hour drive west of Melbourne CBD, Altona Beach is a great spot for a fun day in the sunshine, and it boasts a bunch of awesome accessible features! Surrounded by fantastic coffee shops, restaurants, shopping precincts, and a great fish and chip shop, Altona Beach is a definite hub of activity.

On Tuesdays, the Altona Village Traders Association holds local markets featural fresh local produce and arts and crafts, where there’s always an excellent bargain to find. Altona Beach overlooks a stunning historic pier and seems to stretch on for miles.

It’s great in terms of accessibility, with extra-wide Mobi-Mat wheelchair matting available 24/7, reaching all the way to the shoreline. If booked ahead, visitors can access a Davinci wheelchair, a Sandcruiser beach wheelchair, or a Mobi-Chair floating beach wheelchair free of charge. Accessible toilets, showers, and parking spaces are available, but change rooms are an unfortunate no. Altona Beach was the first Aussie beach to be made accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s a disability inclusive gem!

Whether you’re learning all you can or kicking back for a well-earned rest, Australia is growing on the accessible family fun front, and there are plenty of awesome activities to choose from. As more and more destinations catch up on inclusion, there’s bound to be even more fantastic experiences to be had all over the country!

Looking for a wheelchair that suits your lifestyle, check out our wide range of wheelchairs for your daily or sporting needs at www.sunrisemedical.com.au