“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.”
Susan Sontag
Here are Australia’s most accessible holiday destinations you and your carer can visit:
Caring is a round-the-clock responsibility that runs 365 days a year.
Home care visits are a vital part of the day for millions of people with disabilities, the aging population and their families. Basic care is important for improving quality of life, but Making Lives Better can go beyond fundamental care. Sometimes seeking a little adventure is all you need to brighten up the day!
While many leisure options are available Australia-wide, sometimes it can be hard to find those little gems that offer accessible tourism to the elderly and people with disabilities.
Inclusive tourism and accessible adventures are possible and there are plenty of experiences you can find across the country.
Whether it’s an accessible attraction or accessible activity, we’ve searched for the best holiday destinations available to people of all ages, levels and mobilities.
Click below to expand
To find a list of accessible activities, attractions and inclusive tourism in your area, select your state below:
- Victoria
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Western Australia
- Northern Territory
- Australian Capital Territory
- Tasmania
If you need some inspiration for your next holiday destination, these accessible attractions and activities can be added to your bucket list!
Accessible Beaches
Australia is renowned for its amazing beaches and there’s no better feeling than a relaxing visit to one of our many popular coastlines boasting beautiful sites. When it comes to beach accessibility, however, everyone’s needs and wants will be different especially when you are faced with a disability. Simply crossing the sand can be a challenge.
The Australian Government made it a priority to make many of our well-loved beaches accessible to everyone in the country through their Accessible Beaches Campaign. There are now plenty of opportunities to visit the shoreline, soak in the sun and marvel at the beautiful sunsets mother nature has to offer through accessible beach mats, accessible bathrooms, beach wheelchair hire and mobility equipment hire available Australia-wide.
Adaptive Diving
Diving for people with disabilities is now a possibility! Adaptive Scuba Diving is a growing accessible attraction in Northern parts of Australia, including the Gold Coast, and an exhilarating experience allowing people of all abilities to connect with some of the greatest natural wonders of the marine world. If scuba diving feels a little overwhelming, several programs for adaptive snorkelling are available to people with impaired mobility.
Adaptive Diving is an inspiring experience for the adaptive diver, the instructor, and the dive buddy. The weightlessness of being underwater can reduce the physical restrictions an adaptive person feels on land, giving them a new sense of independence, and often becoming a very memorable and life-changing experience.
Accessible Trails
There is an idea that forest bathing and submerging yourself in nature is not only good for your physical self but also, your mental well-being. National parks and walking tracks in remote areas of Australia can appear intimidating for people with a disability, however, there are now boundless accessible trails all over the country.
Whether it’s enjoying the beautiful waterfalls, forests and bushland or admiring the unique fauna Australia has to offer there are accessible hiking trails and walking tracks available for every type of traveller. Regardless of age and mobility, you and your loved ones can embark on a new adventure, breathe in that fresh air and take in the wonders of Australia’s abundant remote areas.
Inclusive Animal Encounters
For many of us, connecting with wildlife can have profound effects on our emotional and even spiritual well-being, especially if it’s with your favourite animal! A person living with a disability however might feel a little bit deterred or limited by where they can go and what animals they can experience and encounter.
Many programs, sanctuaries and theme parks can accommodate adaptive encounters, and arewheelchair accessible. Whether it’s going for a horse ride, swimming with dolphins or simply having easy access when visiting a wildlife sanctuary, each state in Australia has taken into account the need for accessible travel, providing wheelchair access, accessible attractions, and accessibility information to enhance experiences.
Adaptive Mountain Biking
There is a rebellious streak in all of us despite our age and abilities. In 2019 charity organisation Break the Boundary launched Australia’s first adaptive mountain biking and walking trail hub. Their mission; is to empower people with physical disabilities to go beyond flat surfaces, out of their comfort zone, and into off-road areas around Australia which they thought were inaccessible.
“The adaptive trail hub is a gateway to the outdoors – it’s the stepping stone from flat concrete surfaces and the everyday limitations of mobility aids, into nature and all its ruggedness.” exclaims founder Andrew Liddawi. Now anyone can experience the thrills and joy of being off-road in Australia through Adaptive Mountain Biking.
Accessible Landmarks
Most of us are familiar with iconic locations like Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef, and Wilsons Promontory National Park but, we never think about putting these on our travel radar for our loved ones who are elderly or living with a disability.
When it comes to accessible tourism, adding experiences around some of Australia’s most iconic landmarks to your bucket list is essential. Whether it’s a visit to Australia’s red centre or coral reefs, there are plenty of accessible travel opportunities across each state for all adaptive travellers and tourists to experience.
The world is our oyster despite our age and abilities; travel and adventure are a possibility. Happier Ageing and Making Lives Better are at the core of everything we do at Nurse Next Door. Life is filled with surprises and we want to continue to bring joy, excitement and memorable moments to all our past, present and future clients.
VICTORIA
Accessible Beaches
- Williamstown Beach
- Altona Beach
- Mordialloc Beach
- Mt Martha Beach
- St Kilda Beach
- Port Melbourne
- Ocean Grove Main Beach also offers adaptive surfing programs
Inclusive Animal Encounters
- Melbourne Zoo
- Werribee Zoo
- Healesville Sanctuary
- Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium
- Jirrahlinga Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary
- Phillip Island Penguin Parade
- Horse Riding VIC, enter your postcode for the nearest location
Accessible Trails
- Blue Lake Circuit
- Steavenson Falls Lower and Upper Lookouts
- Westerfolds Park Circuit
- Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail
- Plenty River Trail from Westerfolds Park
- Pyramid Rock Lookout
- Loch Valley Tramway Walk
- Great Victorian Rail Trail
- Californian Redwoods
- San Remo to Phillip Island Bridge
- Darling Park via Dorothy Laver Reserve
- Dementia Friendly Forest and Sensory Trail
Accessible Landmarks
NEW SOUTH WALES
Accessible Beaches
- Bondi Beach
- Shaws Bay
- Avoca Beach
- Bar Beach
- Fingal Beach
- Toowoon Bay
- South Cronulla Beach
- Malabar Beach
Adaptive Diving
- The Scuba Gym provides diving experiences in the safety of a pool
- Dive Bondi, Keiran is their resident qualified adaptive diver
- St George Underwater, Kel is their resident qualified adaptive diver
Inclusive Animal Encounters
- Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
- Taronga Zoo
- Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters
- Australian Reptile Park
- Symbio Wildlife Park
- Solitary Islands Aquarium
- Mogo Wildlife Park
- Hunter Valley Zoo
- Sydney Zoo
- Coffs Harbour Butterfly House
- WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
- Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
- Horse Riding NSW, enter your postcode for the nearest location
Accessible Trails
- Minyon Falls lookout
- Boyds Tower walking track
- Sea Acres Rainforest boardwalk
- Dawsons Spring nature trail
- Devils Hole Lookout
- Fairfax Heritage
- Mimosa Rocks
- Rainforest Loop
- Rainforest Walking Track- Hat Head National Park
- Thaaklatjika Mingkana
- Governor Lookout
- Watsons Bay Trail
Accessible Landmarks
QUEENSLAND
Accessible Beaches
- Surfers Paradise
- Burleigh Heads
- Nobby Beach
- Mermaid Beach
- Alexandra Headland Beach
- Mooloolaba Beach
- Kings Beach
- Coolum Beach
- The Strand
- Hervey Bay Beach
- Palm Cove
- Port Douglas Four Mile Beach
Adaptive Diving
- Turtle Town Scuba Diving, Bundaberg, can design a program to meet your individual needs
- Marlin Coast Diving, Richard is their resident qualified adaptive diver
Inclusive Animal Encounters
- Australia Zoo
- Brisbane Whale Watching
- Hervey Bay Whale Watch
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
- Billabong Zoo
- Seaworld
- Dreamworld
- Horse Riding QLD, enter your postcode for the nearest location
Accessible Trails
- Cairns Esplanade
- Great Barrier Reef Drive
- Rocks Riverside Promenade
- Clamshell Falls
- Maroochydore to Mooloolaba
- Lake Eacham Circuit
- Riverdale Park Loop
- Marrja Botanical
- Tarragindi to Stones Corner
- Atherton Tablelands Rail Trail
- Fig Tree Walk
- Sleipners Lookout
- Sandy Camp Road
Accessible Landmarks
- Great Barrier Reef
- Daintree Forest
- Barron Falls
- Paronella Park
- Glass House Mountains
- Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Accessible Beaches
Inclusive Animal Encounters
- Montaro Safari Park
- Adelaide Zoo
- Cleland Wildlife Park
- Seal Bay
- Horse Riding SA, enter your postcode the for nearest location
Accessible Trails
- Wood Duck Walk
- Sir Edwin Avenue and Brady Gully Track
- Hallett Cove Conservation Park
- Onkaparinga River National Park
- Morialta Conservation Park
- Para Wirra Conservation Park
- Anstey Hill Recreation Park
Accessible Landmarks
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
If you’re looking for something further out west, WA has plenty of hidden gems with beach matting or beach wheelchairs available:
Accessible Beaches
- Geraldton Beach
- Madora Bay Beach
- North Coogee
- Rockingham Beach
- Trigg Beach
- Hillarys Beach
- Mullaloo Beach
Inclusive Animal Encounters
- Perth Zoo
- Caversham Wildlife Park
- Armadale Reptile Centre
- Horse Riding WA, enter your postcode for the nearest location
Adaptive Mountain Biking
Accessible Trails
- Lake Monger
- Lake Joondalup Circuit
- Margaret River Heritage Trails
- Cape Naturaliste to Sugarloaf Rock
- Forest Path Loop
- Turquoise Way Walk Trail
- Sequoia Walk
Accessible Landmarks
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Accessible Beaches
- Mindil Beach might not have direct access to the shoreline yet but their Mindil Beach Sunset Market is fully accessible and the perfect way to take in the golden hours
Inclusive Animal Encounters
- Crocasaurus Cove Darwin
- Territory Wildlife Park
- Alice Springs Desert Park
- Horse Riding NT, enter your postcode for the nearest location
Accessible Trails
- Litchfield National Park
- Bicentennial Park
- Nightcliff and Casuarina Beach Path
- Watarrka National Park
Accessible Landmarks
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Inclusive Animal Encounters
- National Zoo & Aquarium
- Jamala Wildlife Lodge
- Horse Riding ACT, enter your postcode for the nearest location
Accessible Trails
TASMANIA
Accessible Beaches
Inclusive Animal Encounters
Accessible Trails
- Barossa Creek
- Berriedale Foreshore
- Bicentennial Track
- Clarence Foreshore Trail
- Clarence Park
- Giblins Reserve
- Goulds Lagoon Sanctuary
- Jim Bacon Recreation Walk
- Lutana Woodlands
- New Norfolk Esplanade
Accessible Landmarks
If you have additonal accessable destinations or activites that you think should be added to our list, we would love to hear from you.