Accessible Entertainment for Winter Weekends in Melbourne
The beauty of visiting Melbourne is there’s always something happening, even when the season changes and the days start to get much colder! If you’re a wheelchair user or have limited mobility, it can often be difficult to find somewhere fun and fully accessible to keep you entertained in the colder months. That’s why we’ve put together a list of Melbourne’s top accessible entertainment venues for the whole family to enjoy this winter.
Read on below and start making your weekend plans…
1. Go See a Footy Match at the MCG
Melbourne’s sporting calendar is always jam-packed with events, but the most iconic places to go during winter are the MCG and Marvel Stadium to see an AFL match! Whether you’re a footy fanatic or not, there’s nothing like enjoying a hot meat pie and hearing the roar of the crowd across the stadium. Everyone can get wrapped up in footy fever since the MCG has wheelchair seating available in all of its stands. Most of Marvel Stadium is accessible too, see here for a guide.
Get wrapped up in Footy Fever at the MCG and don’t forget to wear your scarf!
Hot tips: Don’t forget to rug-up as the stadiums can get very windy and cold in the winter! Also keep in mind, available seats are match dependent so it’s best to book tickets well in advance. Call 1300 665 915 for more information on Ticketek’s Accessible Seating options.
2. Spend Your Friday Night at the NGV
Melbourne’s streets are buzzing with arts and culture at every twist and turn. If you’re looking for an interesting place for some downtime, visit one of the many art galleries showcasing world class exhibitions and artists.
View the wonderful artworks at the NGV during their exclusive Friday Night Events.
The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) welcomes everyone and is accessible throughout its auditorium, studios and education theatres. You can spend the day relaxing and gazing upon the famed artworks with rich histories, or liven things up at the NGV’s exclusive Friday Night Events, which feature live music, DJs, delicious food and after-hours access. Wheelchairs are also available for hire from the Information Desk in the foyer, which you can book in advance online here.
3. Explore Scienceworks
If you’re looking for somewhere a little different to the classic museums around Melbourne, Scienceworks in Spotswood offers endless entertainment with its interactive exhibits and cinematic experiences.
Sit under the Stars at Scienceworks’ Planetarium in Spotswood.
The Planetarium features a 16-metre high domed ceiling, reclining seats and a 7.1 surround sound system where visitors can explore the awe-inspiring wonders of space, the stars and the sun. There’s also the Lightening Room with live, electrifying demonstrations throughout the day. All of the exhibition galleries and public spaces at Scienceworks have lift and/or ramp access and wheelchairs are available for hire on a first-come-first-served basis.
4. Immerse yourself at IMAX
Grab a Choc-top and have a cinematic experience like no other at IMAX.
For an out of the ordinary cinema trip, IMAX is the world’s most immersive cinema experience. The screen is not only bigger, but the heart-pounding audio and high-resolution 3D imagery takes entertainment to the next level!
Melbourne’s IMAX cinema is located inside Melbourne Museum at Carlton Gardens. Wheelchair seating is available and spaces can be easily purchased online. Simply purchase your ticket here, select a wheelchair space on the IMAX seat map, or call the box office on 9663 5454. See what’s on here.
5. Take a Safari Tour at Werribee Open Range Zoo
You can experience a truly exotic adventure just 30 minutes outside of Melbourne at the Werribee Open Range Zoo. There you will find an incredible array of endangered wildlife living on 225 hectares of wide, open savannah and grasslands.
You don’t need to travel far in Melbourne to see the world’s most exotic, endangered animals. Book a safari tour at Werribee Open Range Zoo!
There is an easy-to-follow and accessible pathway system and the Zoo also provides a buggy service for up to three people. The 40 minute Safari Tour – where you get up close and personal with the likes of rhinos, giraffes and zebras – is also completely accessible and is included in the admission price. Why have a picnic with a thermos of hot chocolate and hit the road? Plan your visit; book in advance here.
For more ideas on how to spend your winter weekends, read our blog Top 5 Accessible Winter Activities.
As industry leaders in Wheelchair Access Vehicle (WAV) conversions, we understand that travelling with a person with a disability or limited mobility can sometimes be challenging. If you’d like to get out and about more, consider a Wheelchair Access Vehicle.
You can call our friendly team on 1300 660 773, or contact us online for an obligation-free vehicle demonstration and consultation in your home, Australia wide.
