In this blog, we’ll be your guides to accessible family adventures, ensuring that every member of your tribe can revel in the wonders of the Great Ocean Road region, creating unforgettable memories for the whole family.
Nestled in the heart of Colac, the Botanic Gardens is not just a Gardens, but a place where everyone can experience the joy of swinging with a specially designed Liberty Swing – a swing that allows children in wheelchairs the opportunity to experience the joy of having a swing in the park. It is the only swing of its type that is fully lockable and allows a maximum swing height.
Accessibility Feature: Liberty Swing
The Port Campbell Playground is nautical-themed and designed with nature in mind. The slides, climbing nets, swings, and balance boards are surrounded by sand, rocks, wooden elements, and grass. The Carousel is ideal for wheelchairs and prams and there are no steps to either the playground or the barbeque area.
The playground and barbeque area are all accessible and the toilet block has both Accessible and MLAK toilets.
Accessibility Feature: MLAK Toilets, picnic area, and playground.
On the shores of Warrnambool, Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground has been recently upgraded to be a kids’ paradise complete with the inclusion of additional all-abilities equipment. Additionally, at the eastern end of the playground, there is a brand new changing places facility.
Accessibility Feature: Varied accessible features for all-abilities play, changing places facility.
Wildlife Wonders is truly an inclusive space for all and well worth the visit for so many reasons. The 1.4km all-abilities walking path makes this a wonderful and achievable experience for the whole family, and one of the few wheelchair-friendly walks on the Great Ocean Road. The path is suitable for sturdy wheelchairs, as well as people on crutches, or those with prams.
At the beginning of the tour, you are presented with your own binoculars and audio headset to keep a keen eye out for birds, eagles, koalas, wallabies and kangaroos. The tour and the cafe are all wheelchair accessible welcoming everyone to come and learn about the wonders of the Otways.
Accessibility Feature: Wheelchair accessible all areas, accessible parking, accessible toilet facilities. A wheelchair can be borrowed onsite. Assistance dogs are welcome in the cafe and visitor centre.
Visitors to the stunning Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery have the chance to immerse themselves in a chocolate experience like no other. Kids are encouraged to explore the lawns, native garden, and emerging orchard or play in the lavender field and sand play area. Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie welcomes all people with access needs.
NB: in peak times this venue may be difficult for those with sensory sensitivities.
Accessibility Feature: accessible toilet facilities, disabled parking spots, step-free entrance, wheelchair access, caters to guests with allergies and intolerances.
For those seeking accessible aquatic adventures look no further than AquaZone, Warrnambool who aims to provide a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment to all members of the community. With a readily available hoist and pool wheelchair, it is ensured that swimming is accessible to all.
Accessibility Feature: Hoist & pool wheelchair available, accessible family change rooms and toilet facilities, inclusive swimming programs, companion card acceptance.
If you require more detailed information on any of the above locations or businesses please reach out to them individually.
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Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.
