Celebrating International Wheelchair Day with accessible adventures around Victoria

Read about six accessible places to consider for your next day out this International Wheelchair Day

International Wheelchair Day, observed on 1 March, is a day dedicated to raising awareness of the barriers and challenges wheelchair users often face – and promoting accessibility and inclusion in everyday activities. It's a day to celebrate the resilience and achievements of individuals who rely on wheelchairs for mobility.

Victoria, a region known for its stunning landscapes and diverse attractions, has many wheelchair accessible activities and adventures. Here are six accessible activities to consider for your next day out:

1. Royal Botanic Gardens

Explore the tranquility and beauty of nature at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne. Motorised and manual wheelchairs are welcome on guided tours of the Gardens, with most areas offering paved pathways and wheelchair-friendly routes – plus accessible amenities. The gardens provide a serene environment for many wheelchair users. Enjoy the vibrant colours of the various plant species, aromatic scents from the herb garden, and the peaceful surroundings of the lakes—all accessible for a delightful day outdoors.

2. Phillip Island nature parks

For a unique wildlife experience, head to Phillip Island, where the nature parks offer inclusive adventures. The Penguin Parade and accessible viewing platforms and boardwalks provide an opportunity to witness the enchanting march of little penguins.

3. Accessible wine tasting

Wine enthusiasts can savour the flavours of the Yarra Valley or King Valley with accessible wine tasting experiences. Several wineries in the region, such as Domaine Chandon or Red Feet Wines, prioritize accessibility, offering ramps, paved pathways and spacious areas for wheelchair users so you can enjoy world-class wines and picturesque views.

Red Feet Wines also offers their wine tasting notes in large font size or Braille so people with vision impairments are included in the full tasting experience!

4. Canoe cruising

Kings Billabong in Mildura offers Victoria’s first accessible canoe launcher at Psyche Bend. The canoe launcher offers built-in handrails and a series of rollers to guide canoes in and out of the water more easily.

5. Accessible beaches around Victoria

Although we’re officially in Autumn now, the warm weather appears to be sticking around. So, why not spend an afternoon at the beach? There’s many beaches around Melbourne and regional Victoria that offer accessibility features for wheelchair users.

Mobility friendly beaches include those with beach wheelchair availability, beach matting or beach ramps, accessible parking and toilets, flat pathways, accessible shaded areas and accessible fresh water.

Regional Victoria

For example, Lorne beach along the Great Ocean Road has a number of great accessibility features, including being able to book a beach wheelchair and beach matting all the way to the hard sand.

Image description: Lorne beach in Victoria, showing beach matting on the sand, right to the water, so wheelchair uses can navigate the sand. The sky is a bright blue colour, with the sun shining, and turquoise coloured waves are breaking on the shore. Image source

Melbourne

St Kilda Beach is one the of many beaches in Melbourne with accessible features. A changing places facility with a hoist is available at the Life Saving Club, and beach wheelchairs and accessible pathways along the beach also allow wheelchair users to enjoy the sea breeze and stunning views of Port Phillip Bay.

Image description: A beach wheelchair with wide yellow wheelchairs and floatation devices on the sides. Image source

6. Accessible accommodation around Victoria

Make the most of the long weekend for Labour Day in Victoria by finding accessible accommodation on Airbnb. By taking advantage of their different accessibility filters, such as step-free entrance, wide doorways, accessible-height beds and roll-in shower access, you can find the perfect fit for you.

Find out more about how to use these accessibility feature, here.

Let's celebrate the spirit of inclusion and accessibility by exploring the diverse and wheelchair-friendly activities Victoria has to offer. From the lush greenery of the Royal Botanic Gardens to the captivating wildlife experiences at Phillip Island or spending a relaxing weekend away with loved ones, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Additional resources

Looking for more accessible adventures around Melbourne or regional Victoria? Here are some great resources for you:

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/accessible-melbourne-top-10-highlights-for-travellers-with-special-needs
https://www.visitvictoria.com/features/10-accessible-escapes
https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/get-into-nature/all-abilities-access