GMobility’s Accessible Travel & Activity Guide for Summer 2024-25

At GMobility, we believe that travel and adventure should be accessible to all. To help you make the most of this summer, we’ve curated a guide featuring 20 accessible destinations and experiences across Victoria. Whether you’re planning a day trip, a weekend getaway, or a week of relaxation, these destinations invite you to enjoy quality time with loved ones in beautiful, accessible settings.

Our guide includes attractions thoughtfully designed to meet a diverse range of abilities.

We encourage you to call ahead and confirm that the accessibility features meet your specific needs, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.

 

1. Buchan Caves Reserve – Accessible for People and Children with Autism

Located in East Gippsland, the ancient limestone caves at Buchan Caves Reserve showcase stunning formations and underground rivers dating back 400 million years. Parks Victoria has worked with Amaze to make this site accessible for children on the autism spectrum, providing a social script to ease visits. Accessible features include a stair climber and motorised all-terrain wheelchair, allowing people with mobility restrictions to explore the caves and surrounding areas.

2. Art Gallery of Ballarat – Accessible for People with Low Mobility

As Victoria’s largest and oldest gallery, the Art Gallery of Ballarat presents a rich collection of local and international art in a welcoming environment. Accessibility is prioritised with multi-level access via ramps and elevators, ensuring easy navigation for visitors with low mobility.

3. Woowookarung Regional Park – Dementia-Friendly and Wheelchair Accessible

This dementia-friendly forest in Ballarat offers a one-kilometre sensory trail where visitors can engage with nature through touch, smell, sight, and sound. Designed for inclusivity, the trail is fully wheelchair accessible, providing an enriching and calming experience for visitors with dementia and mobility challenges.

4. The Mill Castlemaine – Accessible for People of All Physical Abilities

Housed in a repurposed 1870s wool mill in North Central Victoria, The Mill Castlemaine features a vibrant market with eclectic goods, local artists, and food vendors. With wide pathways and gentle ramps throughout, this inclusive space invites visitors of all abilities to explore comfortably.

5. Phillip Island Penguin Parade – Accessible for People with Sensory and Mobility Needs

Experience the enchanting sight of Little Penguins returning to shore at sunset at the iconic Penguin Parade on Phillip Island. Accessibility features include quiet zones, sensory bags, reduced noise areas, and wheelchair-friendly boardwalks, creating an inclusive environment for sensory-sensitive and mobility-restricted visitors.

6. Explore the Gippsland Lakes by Boat – Wheelchair Accessible

Discover the natural beauty of the Gippsland Lakes with H2O Tours & Adventures, offering accessible experiences on two vessels. Both the MV eXplore and MV eXpress are equipped for wheelchairs, wheelie walkers, and prams, ensuring all guests can enjoy this serene lake excursion.

7. Red Feet Wines – Wheelchair Accessible and Suitable for People with Vision Impairments

Set in King Valley, Red Feet Wines combines scenic vineyard views with a boutique tasting experience. Wheelchair accessibility and tasting notes in large print and braille make it easy for guests with mobility and vision requirements to enjoy their visit.

8. Waterbikes Australia – Suitable for People with Carers

Waterbikes Australia offers an active and accessible adventure on the water in Geelong, the Bellarine, and the Mornington Peninsula. Tandem waterbike options allow carers to accompany those with additional needs, providing a safe, fun water experience for people of all abilities.

9. Geelong Gallery – Wheelchair Accessible and Suitable for People with Vision Impairments

Featuring a 125-year collection of Australian and European art, Geelong Gallery offers a sensory-friendly experience with braille signage, raised wayfinding, audio guides, and wheelchair loans. Curated tours cater to visitors with dementia, ensuring an accessible and enriching gallery visit.

10. Wildlife Wonders – Wheelchair Accessible

Wildlife Wonders on the Great Ocean Road lets visitors explore native wildlife and bushland on a 1.4-kilometre accessible trail. Suitable for wheelchairs, crutches, and prams, the path offers beautiful vistas and wildlife encounters for all guests.

11. Tidal River – Suitable for People with Different Mobility Needs

Located in Wilsons Promontory National Park, Tidal River features beautiful beaches and trails accessible by hiring an all-terrain wheelchair or TrailRider. Visitors with mobility challenges can easily navigate the area and enjoy the sand and sea.

12. Inverloch Foreshore Trail – Accessible for People in Wheelchairs and Low Mobility

This scenic coastal trail in Gippsland offers expansive views along a sealed, wide path perfect for wheelchair access. With no roads to cross, it provides a safe and accessible outing for visitors of all abilities.

13. Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

The Royal Botanic Gardens offer expansive, lush gardens with paved pathways, mobility scooters for hire, and accessible restrooms, creating an ideal and serene environment for people with limited mobility to explore this urban oasis.

14. National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)

Showcasing an impressive collection of Australian and international art, the NGV provides accessible amenities, including wheelchair hire, audio descriptions, sensory-friendly sessions, and Auslan-interpreted tours, welcoming all visitors to enjoy the exhibits.

15. Puffing Billy Railway

This scenic steam railway through the Dandenong Ranges is a family-friendly experience with wheelchair-accessible carriages and lift services at select stations, ensuring that all visitors can enjoy the lush views and historic train journey.

16. Healesville Sanctuary

Located in the Yarra Valley, Healesville Sanctuary provides an immersive wildlife experience with paved, wheelchair-friendly paths, accessible bathrooms, and enclosures designed for easy viewing, allowing everyone to get close to Australian animals.

17. Melbourne Zoo

Melbourne Zoo’s extensive exhibits and immersive animal experiences are wheelchair accessible, with paths, ramps, sensory-friendly spaces, and wheelchair hire available, ensuring an inclusive environment for animal lovers.

18. Great Ocean Road Scenic Drives

Famous for its dramatic coastal views, the Great Ocean Road offers accessible viewing platforms and paved paths at key scenic stops like the Twelve Apostles, allowing visitors with mobility restrictions to take in the breathtaking sights.

19. ArtVo Immersive Gallery

This interactive gallery in Docklands lets visitors take photos with 3D artworks for a fun, immersive experience. ArtVo is fully accessible with smooth floors and wide spaces, making it simple for wheelchair users to explore.

20. Moonlit Sanctuary – Accessible and Inclusive Wildlife Experience

Located on the Mornington Peninsula, Moonlit Sanctuary provides an inclusive wildlife experience for visitors of all abilities. With wheelchair-accessible pathways, restrooms, and viewing areas, it’s designed for ease of exploration. Visual stories—easy-to-read guides with pictures—help visitors prepare for their visit, offering comfort to those who may feel anxious in new environments. The Inclusive Keeper Club program allows children requiring extra support to engage with native animals and learn about wildlife care alongside experienced Education Officers. Moonlit Sanctuary creates a welcoming and meaningful adventure for everyone.

 

Planning Your Next Getaway

As you plan your next getaway, consider the enriching experiences that await in the beautiful state of Victoria. Beyond its breathtaking landscapes and cultural treasures, Victoria offers accessible adventures across many regions, embracing inclusivity in travel. From exploring the ancient wonders of Buchan Caves, marvelling at the art scene in Ballarat, to experiencing sensory delights in Woowookarung Regional Park, Victoria invites everyone to discover its beauty. This summer, step beyond your comfort zone and immerse yourself in these welcoming and accessible activities.

At GMobility, we’re here to support your journey. Our range of mobility aids is designed to enhance your independence and comfort, ensuring that your travel experiences are smooth and enjoyable. Call us today to discuss your needs, or visit one of our showrooms in Pakenham, Warragul, or Morwell to chat with our friendly team.