50 Accessible Holiday Destinations in Melbourne

Do you want to plan a holiday with your loved ones this festive season? With the holiday season fast approaching, many of us are looking forward to spending more quality time with friends and family. But when someone you travel with has accessibility needs, it can be difficult to know where to begin.

We’ve compiled a list of 50 accessible holiday destinations in the Greater Melbourne region for you and those closest to you to make meaningful memories. Whether you are travelling to Melbourne from another state, another country, or simply having a staycation in your home city, there is something to appeal to everyone’s interests and preferences.

Accessibility in Melbourne – What is disability access?

Disability describes any physical, sensory, intellectual, cognitive, or psychiatric impairment that affects a person’s ability to undertake everyday activities. Disabilities can be present from birth or happen at any stage of your lifespan. Some disabilities are visible, while others cannot be seen.

In the context of disability, accessibility describes how easily a person can participate in physical environments, social settings, and activities. Access to public spaces, employment, recreation, and community life must be granted to everyone regardless of the presence of a disability. 

In Australia, accessibility is legislated by the 1992 Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). The DDA “makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person, in many areas of public life, including employment, education, getting or using services, renting or buying a house or unit, and accessing public places, because of their disability.”

Disability discrimination can be direct, such as explicitly excluding people with disability from events, places, or organisations. Indirect discrimination is often passive or unconscious and occurs when a practice, policy, or rule applies to everyone equally in a way that disadvantages or creates barriers for people with disability. 

Examples of indirect discrimination include; selling tickets to venues that can only be entered via stairs, meaning that people who use mobility aids are at an unfair advantage.

People with disability in Australia

Australians with disability are a significant, important, and valuable addition to our nation’s community. The number of people living with a disability is increasing in Australia and globally due to population growth, increased life expectancy, and population ageing.  

Approximately 18% (1 in 6) of Australians identify living with one or more disabilities, equating to around 4.4 million individuals. Of these, about 1 in 3 (32% or 1.4 million) people live with a profound disability requiring higher support needs to lead a normal life. Disability prevalence increases with age, meaning you may be more likely to acquire some form of disability as you age.

Is Melbourne a disability-friendly city?

Access and inclusion are improving in Melbourne and many other parts of the country. Unfortunately, some of Melbourne’s infrastructure is among the oldest in Australia, posing physical barriers for people with disabilities and mobility aid users. Some buildings, outdoor spaces, and public transport options were designed in a time when disability access was taken less seriously than it is today. Upgrading or retrofitting these facilities is taking time, but progress is being made.

The City of Melbourne’s Disability Access and Inclusion Plan has set a goal of Melbourne becoming one of the world’s most accessible and inclusive cities. Its first plan was created in 1999 and has gradually made significant improvements to enable more people living with disability to enjoy all Melbourne offers. Some of Melbourne’s accessibility initiatives include:

• Interactive access and mobility maps to help you plan your visit.
• Travellers Aid which offers travel-related support and aid, including an accessible toilet, shower, and change amenities, equipment loan, and a rest area. It provides advice and assistance to older and frail people and people with disabilities to ensure safe passage. Travellers Aid is located at City Village on Bourke Street, Southern Cross and Flinders Street stations in Melbourne’s CBD, and Seymour Station in regional Victoria. Bookings are essential.
• Accessible public transport options to help you get around the city.
• Arts Access Victoria provides access, engagement, and professional development in the arts and cultural life across Victoria for people with a disability.
• Accessible outdoor experiences, parks, and gardens, managed by Parks Victoria. Support includes all-terrain wheelchairs in several parks and some towns, boating aids, beach wheelchairs, a Stairclimber to access Buchan Caves, and modified cabin accommodation.
• Accessible beaches can be found at St Kilda, Port Melbourne, and other parts of Melbourne. Accessible sport and recreation options are listed on the Access All Abilities (AAA) Play website.
• Free Accessible Melbourne ebook by Lonely Planet providing ideas and information about accessible travel, recreation, and social activities across the city of Melbourne.

50 Accessible holiday destinations in Melbourne and regional Victoria

Whether you want to get out into the great outdoors, visit some of our most famous landmarks, book a stay in an accessible cabin, or book a city escape in an accessible hotel, we’ve compiled 50 of the best holiday destinations across Melbourne for you or a loved one with accessibility needs.

Accessible beaches

Australia has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Why not spend a day at one of these beaches with accessible features? A day at the beach is one of the best, free, and most fun activities for the whole family to enjoy the sun, sea, and surf.

1. Williamstown Beach

Features: Accessible Beach Matting, Accessible Parking, Beach Wheelchair availability, Lead up pathways, Retail within 150 metres, and Accessible Change Room. Accessibility rating: 4 stars ★★★★

2. Altona Beach

Features: Accessible Beach Matting, Beach Wheelchair availability, Accessible Bathroom, Accessible Shower, Accessible Parking, Lead up pathways, and Retail within 150 metres. Accessibility rating: 4 stars ★★★★

3. Mordialloc Beach

Features: Accessible Beach Matting, Accessible Parking, Beach Wheelchair availability. 

Accessibility rating: 2 stars ★★

4. Mt Martha Beach (Regional Victoria)

Features: Accessible Beach Matting, Accessible Bathroom, Accessible Change Room, Accessible Shower, Beach Wheelchair availability, Accessible Parking. Accessibility rating: 4 stars ★★★★

5. St Kilda Beach

Features: Accessible Beach Matting, Accessible Parking, Beach Wheelchair availability, Lead up pathways, Retail within 150 metres, Accessible Change Room. 

Accessibility rating: 4 stars ★★★★

6. Port Melbourne Beach

Features: Accessible Beach Matting, Beach Wheelchair availability, Accessible Bathroom, Accessible Shower, Accessible Change Room, Accessible Parking, Lead up pathways. 

Accessibility rating: 4 stars ★★★★

7. Ocean Grove Main Beach (Regional Victoria)

Features: Accessible Beach Matting (not available in winter), Beach Wheelchair availability, nearby retail, accessible toilet, accessible parking, Liberty swing.

Accessibility rating unavailable.

8. Half Moon Bay Beach

Features: Accessible Beach Matting, Beach Wheelchair availability, Accessible Bathroom, Accessible Parking. Accessibility rating: 2 stars ★★

9. Hampton Beach

Features: Accessible Beach Matting, Beach Wheelchair availability, Accessible Bathroom, Retail within 150 metres, Lead up pathways. Accessibility rating: 3 stars ★★★

10. Carrum Beach

Features: Accessible Beach Matting, Beach Wheelchair availability, Changing places, Accessible Bathroom, Lead up pathways, Accessible Parking, Retail within 150 metres, Accessible Shower, Accessible Bathroom, Hoist. Accessibility rating: 5-star ★★★★★

Inclusive and accessible animal encounters

Interacting with animals is an amazing way to spend a day in Melbourne, with experiences to delight children and adults alike. 

Zoos Victoria endeavours to ensure accessibility to their facilities, including allowing assistance animals where possible and offering mobility aid hire. You can also use your companion card to receive discounted entries for eligible cardholders. All four zoos in Melbourne also have fully accessible Changing Places toilets.

Here are some of the inclusive and accessible opportunities to interact with animals in Melbourne.

11. Melbourne Zoo
Parkville, Victoria. Wheelchair hire is available. Bookings are essential. Click here to book. Sensory maps are available for neurodiverse visitors. 

12. Werribee Open Range Zoo
Werribee South, Victoria. Wheelchair hire is available. Bookings are essential. Click here to book. Sensory maps are available for neurodiverse visitors. 

13. Healesville Sanctuary – Healesville, Victoria.

Wheelchair hire is available. Bookings are essential. Click here to book. Sensory maps are available.

Zoos Victoria Ticket Prices:

• Adult $42 per person
• Child $21 per person (under three years receive free entry)
• Child Concession 4-15 years $5
• Seniors $38
• Companion Card holders have free entry

Family passes are available.

14. Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium – King Street, Melbourne CBD, Victoria.

Wheelchair-accessible attractions. Wheelchair hire is available. Noise-cancelling headphones are available for people with sensory needs. Accessible bathrooms and assistance animals are permitted. Find out more about accessibility at the Melbourne aquarium here.

Ticket prices vary. Pre-booking discounts, memberships, and tiered pricing can be found here.

15. Jirrahlinga Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary – Chewton, Victoria. 

Meet the residents at this sanctuary for Australian wildlife and tour the grounds.

Ticket prices:

Adults: $35

Children 3 – 15 years: $22

Children under 2: Free

Family – 2 Adults + 2 children under 15: $106

Family 2 Adults + 3 kids under 15: $126

Seniors and Disability: $28

16. Phillip Island Penguin Parade (Regional Victoria)

Watch the adorable penguins make their trip to the ocean and connect to nature in a way your whole family will remember.

Wheelchair-accessible pathways, Changing Places, accessible toilets, complimentary wheelchair or buggy access, interpretive displays, sensory items like noise-canceling headphones, and weighted lap bags are available. Assistance animals are welcomed, and Companion Card discounts are available. 

Ticket prices:

Adults: $27.70

Children 4-15 years: $13.70

Family pass (2 adults + 2 children) $69.10

Australian Pension Card holder: $19.30

Accessible trails and walking experiences

Taking a leisurely stroll is one of the best ways to take in the sights, connect and converse with those you love the most. AllTrails is a fantastic resource for checking accessibility information before you go. You can also find information about difficulty level, scenic highlights to look out for, and weather information.

17. Blue Lake Circuit – Plenty, Victoria

18. Steavenson Falls Lower and Upper Lookouts – Marysville, Victoria

19. Westerfolds Park Circuit – Templestowe, Victoria

20. Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail – Melbourne, Victoria

21. Plenty River Trail from Westerfolds Park – Templestowe, Victoria

22. Pyramid Rock Lookout – Ventnor (near Phillip Island), Victoria

23. Loch Valley Tramway Walk – Noojee, Victoria

24. Great Victorian Rail Trail – Tallarook, Victoria

25. Californian Redwoods – Beech Forest, Victoria

26. San Remo to Phillip Island Bridge – San Remo, Victoria

27. Darling Park via Dorothy Laver Reserve – Glen Huntly, Victoria

28. Dementia Friendly Forest and Sensory Trail – Ballarat, Victoria

Accessible landmarks and tourist attractions

29. The Grampians– Southwest Central Regional Victoria

30. Great Ocean Road, Southwest Coastal Regional Victoria

31. Wilsons Promontory National Park – Gippsland, Eastern Regional Victoria

32. Skydeck – Melbourne’s CBD

View Melbourne’s CBD at the southern hemisphere’s highest observation deck.

33. Flinders St Station – Melbourne CBD

Check out one of Melbourne’s oldest attractions and central points of transport. Get assistance from Traveller’s Aid for all your access needs.

34. Federation Square – Melbourne CBD

Right across the road from Flinders Street station.

35. St Paul’s Cathedral – Melbourne CBD.

36. Melbourne Museum – Melbourne CBD.

37. Old Treasury Building – Melbourne CBD.

38. State Library of Victoria – Melbourne CBD.

Call their Access and Inclusion librarian on 8664 7005 or check out their website to plan your visit.

39.  Arts Centre Spire – Southbank, Victoria.

40. Melbourne Cricket Ground – Richmond, Victoria.

41. Rod Laver Arena – Melbourne CBD.

42. Marvel Stadium – Docklands, Victoria.

43. Melbourne Exhibition Centre – South Wharf, Victoria.

Accessible accommodation and hotels

44. Doubletree by Hilton Melbourne – Flinders Street

Price: From $293 per night.

Phone:  (03) 9654 6888

Email: [email protected] 

Address: 270 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/melfsdi-doubletree-melbourne-flinders-street/   

Read a full review on this hotel’s accessibility here.

45. Novotel Melbourne on Collins

Price: From $204 per night

Phone:  (03) 9667 5800

Email: [email protected]. 

Address: 270 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Website: https://www.novotelmelbourne.com.au/   

Read a full review on this hotel’s accessibility here.

46. Vibe Savoy

Price: from $237.15 per night

Phone:  (03) 9622 8888

Email: [email protected] 

Address: 630 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Website: https://savoyhotelmelbourne.com/

Read a full review on this hotel’s accessibility here.

47. The Larwill Studio

Price: $249 per night

Phone:  (03) 9032 9111

Email: [email protected] 

Address: Royal Children’s Hospital, 48 Flemington Rd, Parkville VIC 3052

Website: https://www.artserieshotels.com.au/larwill/  

 Read a full review on this hotel’s accessibility here.

48. Novotel South Wharf

Price: From $173 per night

Phone:  (03) 9058 0444

Email: [email protected] 

Address: DFO South Wharf, 7 Convention Centre Pl, South Wharf VIC 3006

Website: https://all.accor.com/hotel/B064/index.en.shtml

Read a full review on this hotel’s accessibility here.

49. The Langham Melbourne

Price: From $365

Phone: (03) 8696 8888

Email: [email protected] 

Address: 1 Southgate Ave, Southbank VIC 3006

Website: https://www.langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/melbourne/ 

Read a full review on this hotel’s accessibility here.

50. Crown Metropol Melbourne

Price: From $249 per night

Phone: (03) 9292 6211

Email: [email protected] 

Address: 8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006

Website: https://www.crownhotels.com.au/crown-metropol-melbourne   

Read a full review on this hotel’s accessibility here.

How Homage can help

Planning a holiday is always exciting, but it also involves a lot of effort and can become stressful. Why not engage the support of a professional, dedicated Care Professional from Homage? Our companionship service can support your loved ones by filling their day with companionship and activities they enjoy for a fulfilled life. We can accompany them on holidays our outings, so you can spend less time worrying and more time making memories. 

Provide the best care to your loved one today!