Top Places for Getting Out & About as a Wheelchair User in Australia

Everyone loves getting out and about – whether it’s for a special occasion, a change of scenery or taking time for some self-care. For most people, going out for the day, away for a weekend or booking a holiday doesn’t involve much thought beyond location and of course the costs. But for wheelchair users, planning ahead is essential just to make sure they have access to general facilities as well as entertainment for a good time.

While there’s certainly a long way to go before everywhere in Australia is totally inclusive, recently there has been some great progress in making more places wheelchair accessible, alongside new and improved resources to support wheelchair users plan their outings.

Take a look at these 6 resources currently helping wheelchair users in Australia plan and enjoy their days with ease:

1. Lonely Planet’s Accessible Travel Guide – For travel advice, you can download Lonely Planet’s country-by-country accessible guide for free, as well a specific ebook for Accessible Melbourne. Read our blog on accessible entertainment for winter weekends in Melbourne here.

2. Travel without Limits – This is Australia’s first ever disability travel magazine which aims to communicate all the handy tips and details travellers with disabilities need to know.

3. WheelMate – The WheelMate app helps you find wheelchair-accessible toilets and parking spaces near you.

4. MLAK Key – A MLAK key gives you access to locked accessible bathroom facilities across Australia.

5. Access Earth – The Access Earth app allows you to find recommendations for accessible places including restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions which have been rated by fellow users, so you can find places which specifically meet your needs.

6. Companion Card – If you have a permanent disability and always need the assistance of a care giver or companion when you go out, you can use a companion card at participating entertainment venues to get a complimentary ticket for your carer.

If you’re in need of some inspiration for planning what to do on your next day off, road trip or family holiday, here are some of the best nationally run organisations in Australia with wheelchair access, which also accept companion cards:

Sports

If you’re after spectator entertainment you can check out the following:

• AFL – Watching an Australian Rules football game in Melbourne is always a great excuse to get out of the house when the colder months roll in. You can rug up with a blanket and enjoy a hot pie while watching a game. If you want to plan ahead, you can book through Ticketek.
• Australian Rugby Union – If you’re not a footy fan, you can catch some great spectator action at Qantas Wallabies Test Matches and International Rugby Sevens. Book your next game here.
• V8 Supercars – If you’re into a need for speed, V8 Supercars is a touring car racing category based in Australia with events country wide all the way from Townsville to Tasmania. You can feel the wind in your face as you watch these unique cars make it to the finish line!  
• Tennis Australia – Sit back in the sunshine in the summertime and watch the tennis hall of fame sweat it out at the Australian Open. If things get too heated, there’s endless entertainment on the grounds where you can cool down and enjoy live music.

Fitness

Keeping fit is essential for overall health and wellbeing. If you want to make the most out of your exercise routine, these community-oriented gyms have plenty of recreational activities on offer:

• Fitness First – If you’re new to starting a fitness regime, Fitness First offers a 5-day trail pass at all group fitness classes so you can see what you enjoy at your local gym before having to make any commitments. 

• YMCA – Core services at the YMCA include health and wellbeing, sport and recreation, youth services, children’s services, camping as well as community development! They have a variety of membership options to suit your personal lifestyle and activity level.

Performing Arts & Music

If you’re theatrical or musically inclined, there are several productions across Australia to scope out throughout the year:

• Australian Chamber Orchestra – With more than 100 concerts each year, you can catch the internationally famed, breathtaking waves and explosive performances of theACO across Australiafor an unforgeable experience.
• Circus Oz – For a little something out of the ordinary,dive into a wondrous realm of stunning visual projections, jaw dropping acrobats and awe inspiring shows with Circus Oz for endless entertainment.
• The Australian Ballet – Be dazzled by the dancing and the costumes of the beautiful Australian Ballet. You can choose from season packages to single tickets to suit your schedule.

Movies

There’s nothing like sitting back to relax and enjoy the surround sound in the cinema with some popcorn and a Choc Top. You can experience box office movies at:

• Village – Enjoy the Gold Class luxury experience or save your pennies with cheaper, $13 Tuesday tickets when you apply for a free membership with Village cinemas online.
• Hoyts – If Hoyts is your local cinema you can seat yourself in LUX (similar to Gold Class). Also, having recently simplified their pricing, tickets now range from $12 up to $19 for a standard session.

Need more inspiration for getting out and about?

Read our blogs on:

• Accessible Holiday Destinations in Australia
• Accessible Extreme Sports in Australia
• Fun & Accessible Activities for Children in a Wheelchair

As Industry leaders in Wheelchair Access Vehicle (WAV) conversions, we understand that living 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 which we can adapt to suit your specific needs.

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.