5 Wheelchair Accessible Activities in Melbourne

Finding completely accessible venues for activities and fun in urban areas can prove to be a bit tricky sometimes. If you or your loved one use a mobility aid or wheelchair and want to get out and about in Melbourne, we’ve compiled a list of the best wheelchair accessible activities in the city for you.

The Importance of Accessibility for People with a Disability 

Using a mobility aid or wheelchair can be invaluable for maintaining independence, accessing the community and keeping active. However, it can also be disruptive to your efforts to stay engaged with your hobbies, as the world we live in does not always accommodate varying mobility needs. Melbourne is home to many venues that prioritise and champion accessibility, and while this is not the case everywhere, there’s plenty of opportunity for wheelchair or mobility aid users to find somewhere to spend an enjoyable day or night out. Getting out and about can be made easier with the support of other people. Accessing the support of a disability worker or aged care nurse to help you get ready for the day, access transport, and mitigate any issues on the day of your activity, can be invaluable.

How is Accessibility Changing in Melbourne?

Melbourne has greatly improved its urban accessibility in recent years. Initiatives like free wheelchair hire at galleries, all-terrain wheelchairs provided by Parks Victoria, tactile footpath indicators at every road corner in the CBD, and Travellers’ Aid at major CBD train stations are all fantastic accessibility initiatives. However, not every government-run space or independent business takes accessibility seriously into account, and the mental load of which spaces and venues will be accommodating to their needs falls on people with disabilities. We’ve compiled a detailed guide on five of the most wheelchair accessible activities in Melbourne to take the effort out of the research – simply scroll through and decide which activity excites you most.

Wheelchair Accessible Venues and Activities in Melbourne 

1. National Gallery of Victoria

The National Gallery of Victoria is Melbourne’s most famous art exhibition and gallery space and a great wheelchair accessible activity for a day out. Founded in 1861, NGV is not only Melbourne’s most popular gallery, but also Australia’s largest. The title of National Gallery of Victoria encompasses two galleries – the Ian Potter Centre in Federation Square, which showcases Australian talent, and NGV international – the original building on the corner of St Kilda Road and Southbank Boulevard, which boasts a perpetual rotating roster of international exhibitions. 

Accessibility

The NGV is specifically committed to being an accessible and inclusive environment for everybody. They have a myriad of options for those who have vision or hearing impairments, sensory sensitivities, and mobility issues. In terms of wheelchair accessibility, the entirety of the gallery is accessible – that includes gallery spaces, auditoriums, toilets, and studios. There is free hire of wheelchairs and motorised scooters available at both galleries – just remember to call ahead to avoid disappointment! Entrances to both galleries are on street level with automatic doors, and each level is accessible by lift. There is also a Changing Places bathroom available between both galleries, at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall. Located on level 3, this fully accessible bathroom houses a full-sized changing table, hoist system and basin – users are just asked to bring their own sling to use with the compatible hoist system. Give Hamer Hall security a buzz on (03) 9281 8288 to grab a key to access it!

How to get there

The Ian Potter Gallery is a mere 200 metres across from the accessible Flinders Street Station, and NGV International only 300 metres more than that, south down St Kilda Road. All trains across the Melbourne metro line are wheelchair accessible, and the exit via St Kilda Road is accessible.

Cost 

There are over 70,000 works that span thousands of years’ of art styles, historical events and ideas for you to enjoy for free, across NGV international and the Ian Potter Gallery! Otherwise, a seasonally rotating offering of international exhibitions have varying costs, depending on your age and additional extras for your exhibition experience. Some are completely free to access, and others range from $10 to $35.

2. Ice Bar Melbourne

The Ice Bar in Melbourne is a truly unique experience. Maybe you get sick of the hot weather during Summer, or feel the Melbourne Winter stays hovering at that awkward coolness where it’s too cold to go outside but not quite cold enough to invest in some snow gear and embrace the temperatures. Going for a drink at the Ice Bar is sure to impress and delight as a unique wheelchair accessible activity. After rugging up with the provided gear, you cross the bar entrance and are immersed in a Winter wonderland-esque establishment, where the inside is sitting at a cool -10 degrees celsius. The room and its indwelling structures are made entirely of ice – the bar, its seating, walls and flooring. If that’s not impressive enough, you can feast your eyes on ice sculptures as its decor – and it’s got tasty cocktails to boot. Sip on a drink or non-alcoholic option and see how long you can stick out the cold!

Accessibility

The Ice Bar is fully wheelchair accessible, including the reception and access to the bar. However, at the capacity of 20 people within the bar, space may be a little tight to turn around in a wheelchair – try and go during off-peak times or call up and enquire as to how many other people are booked at the time you want to go. The Ice Bar also accepts companion cards, so if you’re bringing along someone to support your taste of the cold – they can get in cost-free!

How to get there

The Ice Bar is located in the Atrium at Federation Square. There are accessible car parks, and those that are exclusively for use by people with a disability permit, but driving in Melbourne CBD can be notoriously nightmare-ish, so consider jumping on an accessible train to Flinders Street Station. The station is less than 200 metres from Federation Square, and accessible exits are on St Kilda Road and Flinders Street.

Cost 

The price of the Ice Bar varies on how much you want to experience there! Kids can get in between 11am-7pm, with a mocktail included, for $19 – they just have to bring an adult along. Standard entry for an adult, with a cocktail included, is $39. Depending on whether you want to add a photo, souvenir beer glass, or extra drinks, this cost can go up to $75.

3. Eureka Tower and Skydeck

It’d be remiss to live in or visit Melbourne and never take the opportunity to view it in its entirety from 88 floors up! As the largest skyscraper in Melbourne, located in the heart of the bustling Southbank, it’s known as one of the best observation viewpoints in the world. At a breathtaking 285 metres above sea level, the skydeck is sure to impress – are you brave enough to take it further and step into the Edge Experience? You can step into a glass cube and be projected out the side of the 88th floor, where the city sprawls beneath your feet and you can take in the panoramic views of the city around you at this very impressive wheelchair accessible activity.

Accessibility

The entire experience is wheelchair accessible. The lift that’ll shoot you 88 floors skyward is accessible, as are the viewing platform and entire Edge Experience.

How to get there

Around the corner from Flinders Street Station, jumping on an accessible metro train and getting off there would be the easiest way to access the Eureka Tower. There is Eureka Tower car parking at Wilson Eureka Parking – accessible and reasonably priced if you’re a guest at the Eureka Tower, ranging from $6 to $13 depending on the time of day.

Cost 

General Admission to the skydeck is $18 for a child and $28 for an adult, and only $14 extra for an adult to access the Edge Experience as well. 

4. Melbourne Museum

Located on Nicholson Street in the inner-north suburb of Carlton, the Melbourne Museum is a cultural and historical museum that is widely regarded as a must-do wheelchair accessible activity when you’re in the city. As well as hosting a seasonally rotating variety of exhibitions in its gallery spaces, general entry to the museum grants you access to viewing its permanent collections, where you can learn about science, the environment, Aboriginal land, and the history of Melbourne.

Accessibility

All exhibitions and gallery spaces are wheelchair accessible, complete with lifts, toilets and free wheelchair or mobility scooter hire at reception. Melbourne Museum also accepts companion cards, if you need to bring along someone to assist you access these areas on the day. If you’re planning to catch a film at the revered adjacent IMAX cinema, there is space available for wheelchair users – just give them a buzz when you book your ticket online to avoid missing out. After your museum visit, you may wish to take a stroll around the beautiful, light-dappled Carlton Gardens – along a path that is completely accessible for people with mobility aids or wheelchairs.

How to get there

There areas designated disabled parking spots underneath the museum, but public transport is a good shout too. The Melbourne Museum/Nicholson St tram stop 11 is wheelchair accessible, and has the 96 and 86 trams running through it. Alternatively, the 250, 251 and 402 buses run down Rathdowne Street seven days a week.

Cost 

For general entry, Melbourne Museum is free for children and concession card holders, and adults pay $15. For the seasonal exhibitions, adults pay $29 and children pay $15. Parking underneath the museum ranges between $7 and $43, depending on time of day and length of stay.

5. The Forum Melbourne

For those who are fans of live music, intimate gigs and beautiful architecture – The Forum is not to be missed as a night out in Melbourne. Built in 1929 on the corner of Flinders and Russel streets, the atmospheric venue retains much of its century-old architecturally inspiring qualities, including cabaret-style seating booths, the intricately designed theatrical proscenium arch, and the generously large lower-ground viewing area. With an impressive lighting design created to make the ceiling above look like the twinkling night sky, coupled with an intimate gig atmosphere, the Forum is a go-to for all music lovers in Melbourne.

Accessibility

Entrance to the Forum is wheelchair accessible, as is entrance from the Foyer to the main auditorium viewing area, where you can get up close and personal with your favourite artists on the stage. While access to the seating booths a level up from the ground-floor viewing area is accessible, there are a few steps to access the actual seats – so bear that in mind as an option if you use a mobility aid such as a walking stick. There is an accessible toilet from the main auditorium. Consider engaging some disability support to ensure your night out runs as smoothly as possible.

How to get there

The Forum is a stone’s throw from Flinders Street Station. There are accessible car parks on the street, and those that are exclusively for use by people with a disability permit, but grabbing a train and getting off at Flinders Street may be easier, as parking, especially at a time to catch an evening gig, can be a bit of a nightmare in the CBD! 

Cost 

Depending on which artist you’re seeing, and what kind of seating you’re after, tickets can vary greatly. General admission to the auditorium downstairs could range from $40 to $90, and seating could go up again in price, depending on the kind of show. Bear in mind that some shows are 18+ only!

There are a myriad of wonderful activities to partake in and places to visit in the vibrant city of Melbourne. Remember to book ahead, have a backup plan for transport or parking, and enjoy every moment of getting out and about in the cultural hub of Australia.