Accessible Activities to Keep Cool in Melbourne this Summer
Summer often creeps up on Melburnians. One minute it’s cold and the next we need to cover ourselves in sunscreen. Luckily, we live in a city where there are plenty of ways to keep cool in the summertime but sometimes it can be challenging to find activities which accommodate wheelchair users.
Summer is a time where everyone should be able to get out and about and enjoy time with family and friends. So, to help you with ideas, here are our top accessible activities for keeping cool in Melbourne this summer:
Cool down with a Drink at IceBar
Keep it fun and frosty in Australia’s only Icebar, located in the heart of Melbourne at The Atrium, Federation Square. This is a unique experience which can be enjoyed by all, offering full wheelchair accessibility. Although this venue is a bar, kids are welcome alongside a legal parent or guardian from 11:00am to 7:00pm and can enjoy a mocktail or two while playing in the kids corner. Set at -10 °C, you’ll be sure to stay cool inside but don’t worry, the bar supplies warm capes and Ugg boots if you need them!
Observe Exotic Fish at Sea Life Aquarium
Melbourne’s Sea Life Aquarium is a wonderful place to cool down in the comfort of air conditioning and tranquil surroundings when there’s a heatwave. Here you can discover incredible, exotic animals including King and Gentoo Penguins slipping and sliding along the ice. All are welcome at the aquarium with full wheelchair access across each exhibit. They also accept valid carer or companion cards.
Visit a Beach and try Surfing
Going to the beach is a lovely way to cool down while enjoying the sunshine in the summertime (but always remember to stay sun smart)! While a beach might not seem the most accessible place for a summer outing, there are several accessible beaches in Melbourne which offer beach wheelchairs, matting, change room facilities as well as accessible surfing! Take a look at the Australian Accessible Beach Directory here.
The Disabled Surfers Association of Australia (DSAA) is a voluntary run organisation which also provides surf lessons for people with disabilities. You can contact their team to sign up for a class or check out one of their upcoming events here.
Splash around at your local Pool
Immersing yourself in water is a quick way to cool down on a hot day. According to Section 23 of the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) all public aquatic centres must be outfitted with proper equipment in order to ensure they are accessible to all people. Melbourne has an extensive selection of aquatic centres, located in the inner city and outer suburbs with a range of facilities for all to enjoy. Take a look at the Melbourne Pool & Aquatic Centres Guide here to find your local.
Glide along at an Ice-Skating Rink
If you need a place to escape the heat for a few hours, O’Brien Icehouse in Docklands is a world-class ice-skating facility with an Olympic standard arena and wheelchair accessibility. Set at a ‘mild’ 16 degrees, you need to ensure you’re fully prepared with some warm clothes. The arena is also available for private functions and parties if you want to do something a little different in the summertime.
At Automobility we are dedicated to enabling life’s journey! We design our Wheelchair Access Vehicles (WAVs) to meet the specific needs of each individual.
If you’d like to know more about how a WAV can benefit your lifestyle, you can contact our team here. We are more than happy to support you along the way.
