7 Accessible Australian Travel Destinations That Are Scooter Friendly

ACT – The Australian Institute of Sport

The ACT, Canberra in particular, is a great destination for anyone travelling with a mobility scooter. There are plenty of activities to do for the whole family, regardless of their age. One such destination is the Australian Institute of Sport. You don’t have to be an aspiring athlete to find the AIS enjoyable and there are plenty of scooter-friendly activities for the whole family to participate in.

Some of these include:

• Accessible tours
• A museum section where you can view Olympic memorabilia
• Areas where you can watch athletes train
• Interactive sections where you can play wheelchair basketball, soccer, hand wrestling and more.

The AIS also has information on its website outlining its accessibility. All public areas including the shop, café, aquatic and fitness centre and service desks are all accessible, some by lifts or ramps. They also have accessible parking as well as toilet and shower facilities. They also welcome Assistance Animals. The AIS encourages you to book ahead and discuss your requirements with them so they can tailor services to best suit your needs.

NSW – The Three Sisters

It would be a crime to visit NSW without soaking up the majesty of the Blue Mountains! While many may associate the Blue Mountains with long, winding, steep and stair-heavy walks, there are tracks available that are designed to be accessible for a mobility scooter, wheelchair, or anyone who requires mobility assistance. These tracks are wide, relatively flat, and give you access to some of the most magnificent views in the country.

To get to the walk, you’ll want to head up to Echo Point Lookout in Katoomba. When you arrive, it will likely be quite busy, but there are disabled parking spaces available as well as 1-hour spots right outside the information centre that provide level access.

When you arrive, you can either absorb the views from Echo Point Lookout, or embark on the Three Sisters Walk, a 400m return track. Please note that this track has a slight hill that may require a bit of extra power on the way back.

NT – Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

The Northern Territory has many accessible destinations available, and offers some of the most spectacular and unique views in the country. One of the highlights is the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT). Museums and galleries in general are quite accessible locations due to their popularity amongst tourists and their wide, spacious layouts.

MAGNT is no exception. The gallery, which features internationally renowned cultural and scientific collections, offers:

• internal and external disability ramps and access to all areas of the museum, including the galleries, discovery centre, shop and cafe
• wheelchair access and viewing areas in the theatrette
• disability access toilets
• accessible parking at the front of the museum
• an electronic chair lift

The gallery also owns a number of other mobility scooter friendly destinations including Fannie Bay Gaol, Museum of Central Australia, Strehlow Research Centre, Lyons Cottage and the Defence of Darwin Experience and Darwin Military Museum.

SA – Beaches & Boardwalks

South Australia offers a wide range of mobility scooter accessible activities and destinations, from its famous wineries, to national parks, to museums and galleries, to luxury hotels. One of South Australia’s highlights is its serene coastline, dotted with beaches and peninsulas that are peaceful and accessible.

Close to Adelaide you’ll find Henley Beach, and a little extra travel will get you to Aldinga Beach on the Fleurieu Peninsula, Wallaroo on the Yorke Peninsula or Granite Island, just off from Victor Harbour. You can also travel to the beautiful Kangaroo Island and enjoy the accessible boardwalk at Seal Bay while enjoying some of the famous local cuisine.

TAS – Tahune Airwalk

The Tahune Airwalk is a great spot for anyone who wants to soak up some nature and enjoy the majestic views of the Tasmanian bushland. The walkway positions you between 30-50m above the forest floor, allowing you to take in the spectacular sights in the best way possible. The Airwalk is wheelchair accessible and takes roughly 50 minutes to complete – more if you want to stop to take in the views or snap some pictures!

Before you book your ticket, call ahead and request shuttle bus access to the top of the walk to make sure it’ll be available when you arrive.

Tahune Adventures are also currently working on revitalising their Huon Pine Walk to be wheelchair and mobility scooter accessible, so this will be another option in future.

VIC – Green Olive at Red Hill

For all the foodies out there, the award-winning Green Olive at Red Hill is a great location for mobility scooter users. Located on the Mornington Peninsula, the restaurant/winery offers a unique experience with fresh, home-grown foods and a relaxing location. The farm is an inclusive space with level surfaces, flat decks, parking and accessible bathrooms available.

All the staff at Green Olive have also completed the SCOPE Access for All training, allowing them to assist visitors with special needs on their farm and giving them an inclusive experience.

WA – Fishability

Want to stay active while taking in the beautiful harbour of Western Australia and socialising at the same time? Fishability is an organisation that “assists children and adults requiring support to experience the joy of fishing with the assistance from trained and experienced volunteers and by using purpose-built motorised rods, reels and fishing rod holders.”

Fishability have a variety of groups, activities and programs available in Perth, Mandurah, Bussleton, Albany and Geraldton, which you can choose from depending on how involved you want to get. They also have a map available on their website of accessible fishing locations, if you would prefer to go fishing on your own.