One in five (4.2 million) Australians are disabled and accessibility is currently a hot topic in Australia’s travel industry. In 2018 MyTravelResearch found that the accessible tourism market is worth $10 billion to Australia, and the industry is responding by improving facilities. There is certainly a long way to go, but recent changes have improved accessibility for travelers in Australia. Here is a small sampling of such initiatives across the country.
Researching Accessible Australia Travel
Researching travel opportunities in Australia is becoming easier than ever. Get started by downloading Lonely Planet’s free. Accessible travel online resources. Lonely Planet is also free if you’re visiting Melbourne. Accessible Melbournea guidebook full of reviews, practical details and inspiration.
In March 2019 Travel without limits., launching Australia’s first disability travel magazine. magazine, which was founded by Will travel with a wheelchair., Tries to know what disabled passengers need to know. In December 2018, Adelaide-based husband and wife team Scott and Claire Crawley launched The Good Scout. 101 Accessible Australian Adventures The guide, which offers tips on everything from accommodation to wheelchair accessible campervans and diving outfits across Australia. In 2018, South Australia became the first state to introduce it. Accessible Tourism Awards.
Launched in Sydney in 2016. Wheel Easy Reviews attractions for wheelchair users, including details on parking, restrooms and location and terrain information. Rollaways Spinal Cord Injury Australia maintains a database of wheelchair accessible accommodation for all budgets across Australia. Can go everywhere. Offers online resources covering the whole of Australia with a good range of accommodation as well as attractions and restaurants. Ideas (Information on Disability and Education Awareness Services) has an accessible holidays category that can be searched by location.
Accessible attractions in Australia
gave Gold Coast Australia’s most popular beach holiday destination and host of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, the largest sporting event to integrate para-sports. Gold Coast Tourism Publishes all sorts of useful details such as meeting beaches (for wheelchair access), mobility maps and recharge points for electric mobility devices. There is also Accessible Coastal AustraliaState-by-State Directory of Wheelchair Accessible Beaches
Shining down Sydney Opportunities for passengers with disabilities to enjoy the world-renowned port are increasing. gave Sydney Opera House Schedules Auslan-interpreted, captioned, sensory- and autism-friendly talks, events and performances throughout the year, including daily access tours for people with limited mobility. For the first time the northern foyer bar, with its panoramic view across the harbor to the bridge, will be followed by similar building works in the concert hall in early 2020. Bridge It has also recently become wheelchair accessible with the installation of elevators. Also in Sydney Gig Buddies Helps people with learning disabilities enjoy the city’s entertainment and nightlife, pairing people with and without learning disabilities to see a band, go to a club or watch a footy game.
In Victoria, Australia Cultural capitalthe City of Melbourne Publishes mobility maps, transportation information and accessible facilities. Travellers’ Aid Australia Provides services such as mobility equipment hire and minicar services at Southern Cross and Flinders Street stations, as well as voluntary assistance and recharge points. They also have JAWS-powered computers for free public use and makeshift restrooms. From many Australian cities, such as capitals Adelaideregional centers like Townsville On A large rock barrierProvides guidance on facilities for persons with disabilities.
Innovative and accessible travel experiences
Across Australia, national parks are working to improve facilities. Parks Victoria Is a world leader in creating opportunities for people with disabilities to access nature. For example, it has developed Social scripting resources Historic parks for children on the autism spectrum Wilson Promontoryand many parks offer free trail rider experiences led by volunteer Sherpas, e.g Grampians National Park Trailriders are the only wheelchairs in Western Victoria that can handle most types of terrain. gave New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service A list of amenities such as accessible forest boardwalks, accommodation and a wheelchair-friendly kayak launch Murray Valley Regional Park With an access deck made from locally recycled plastic. Queensland Department of National Parks Also lists wheelchair accessible parks and forests in the Sunshine State.
during this Disabled Surfers Association of Australia It operates surfing experiences from its 16 branches in Australia and New Zealand and Sailing for all And Sailors with disabilities Offers adaptive sailing experiences. For art lovers who cannot access audio tours, Open access tours. Offers tours of more than 60 galleries and museums using captions, Auslan, audio description and other languages, all accessible via phone or tablet.
Accessible travel agencies
Specialist agencies are also available throughout Australia. Based in Melbourne Travel ability There are plenty of travel resources for travelers, including a full range of travel agency services, from car rental to adventure travel. It also plays a major role in helping the travel industry become more accessible. Travel Company in the Flinders (tel +614 288 878 45) offers off-the-beaten track tours for trail riders anywhere in South Australia, including destinations such as the coast and bush tracks. Flinders Ranges And Adelaide Hills.
And like for travel companies Cookie GuidesVision has been observed in favor of other sensory experiences. Cocky Guides organizes adventures for visually impaired travelers in places like Kiyama Blow Hole and the Sydney Harbor Bridge.
Travel with special needs. is a travel agency that offers vacation packages that have been road-tested and evaluated by travelers with disabilities, such as Uluruthe Whit Sunday. More leads on accessible operators specializing in everything from cruises to city breaks can be found in the Free Travel Agents, Tour Operators and Commercial Operators section of Lonely Planet. Accessible travel online resources.
Top tips for accessible travel in Australia
While these companies can help you experience the beauty of the wilderness, Australia’s cities and towns are not too difficult for disabled travelers to navigate independently. Infrastructure such as tactile paving, curb kits, Braille buttons for elevators and ATMs, hearing loops in public spaces and audible signals at pedestrian crossings are widespread. gave National Relay Service Helps people who are hearing or speech impaired to communicate over the phone.
Public restrooms are usually wheelchair accessible and you can quickly find one in the area using the attached map. National Public Toilet Map. For extra room, Changing places There is a list of fully accessible restrooms with hostesses and adult-sized changing tables and a map-based search.
Wheelchair taxis are widely available and easy to find online, while the Australian company Haycomp Developed the Eagle Lifter, which is used by Qantas and other airlines to make passengers with mobility needs more comfortable on planes. Transport Victoria has installed beacon wayfinding technology in six train stations to help visually impaired people access public transport. Blind Square App
Written with the expert assistance of Martin Heng.