To enhance the beach-going experience for people with disability, beach wheelchairs are now available at a number of new locations. They provide and improve access to the beach and ocean, with both children and adult-sized options to allow children, in particular, to have access to and be included in a range of activities such as playing in the waves and exploring rock formations usually found at the ends of a beach.
Each Summer IDEAS are happy to learn of additions to accessible beach facilities as new equipment becomes available and destinations strive to be inclusive. Here is a round-up of the newest additions at Accessible Beaches.
New South Wales
Fingal Bay Beach
Accessible beach matting available and Movichair floating beach wheelchair. This matting is rolled out during lifeguard patrols. Wheelchair accessible bathroom and shower. A hoist is available onsite. Further Information: Fingal Beach SLSC.
Toowoon Bay Beach
Accessible beach matting is available every Saturday 10 am-3 pm all Summer Season, ending 29th April. Access to beach wheelchairs is available during patrolled hours, contact Toowoon Bay Surf Life Saving Club to arrange. Further information: Toowoon Bay SLSC.
South Cronulla Beach
Accessible beach matting and beach wheelchairs available for hire. Bookings are essential for use of these facilities. Lifeguards must be on duty with a maximum time of 4 hours with one wheelchair, per person. The matting is available on request every day from 8 am-4 pm during summertime. During winter, the hours reduce to 10 am-2 pm. Book online here. A wave of liability must be completed to use these services. The link to this is below. Further Information: Beach Wheelchair and Matting Waiver.
Victoria
Half Moon Bay
Mobi- Chair/Beach Wheelchairs are available for hire. Amenities include an accessible bathroom, shower and changeroom. Accessible parking is available beachfront. The beach wheelchairs are available during patrolled hours between 12 pm and 5 pm Saturdays and Sundays during the peak summer season. Booking is essential before 4 pm the Friday before. Further information here: Booking form.
Hampton Beach
Accessible beach matting and Mobi-Chair/Beach Wheelchairs are available. Including an accessible bathroom, shower and change room for the public. The beach wheelchairs are available during patrolled hours between 12 pm and 4:30 pm Saturdays and Sundays during the peak summer season. Booking is essential before 4 pm the Friday before. Further information here: Booking form.
Carrum Beach
Accessible ramp, bathroom, change room and parking available. Carrum Surf Life Saving Club offers a beach wheelchair for public use. No hoist available. Further information here: Carrum SLSC.
Queensland
Woorim Beach
Accessible beach matting is available here. There is an accessible bathroom available at Surf Life Saving Club. Accessible parking is also available to the public. There are two versions of wheelchairs available for beach access, the Floating Beach Wheelchair and Sandcruiser Beach Wheelchair. These wheelchairs are available to hire from the Bribie Island Surf Lifesaving Club. To book these chairs email the club at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least one week in advance. A hire agreement must be signed this is available here: Beach Wheelchair Hire Agreement.
Emu Park Beach
Accessible beach matting and a sandcruiser beach wheelchair are available here. Accessible bathroom and shower, as well as accessible parking. For further information: Emu Park SLSC.
South Australia
Normanville Beach
A Mobi-Chair floating beach wheelchair is available here with a slat type access platform. To book a beach wheelchair email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. There are no hire costs and are available in adult and child sizes. More information is available here: Normanville SLSC.
Largs Bay
There is matting on trial for access to the dunes through to soft sand. This location has an accessible bathroom and car parking available. More information is available here: North Haven SLSC.
Semaphore Beach
There is matting on trial for access to the dunes through to soft sand. The accessible park is available, as well as an adult changing room in close vicinity. Liberty swings in the park. More information is available here: Semaphore Foreshore.
Whyalla Foreshore
Mobi-Mat beach access is available to the water's edge, available on Saturday and Sunday between October and Easter. Beach wheelchairs are available free of charge from 9 am-1 pm Saturday and Sunday from October to Easter. Children and adults chairs are available. Bookings are recommended but not essential. Beach wheelchairs can be picked up from Whyalla Surf Life Saving Club. More information is available here: Whyalla.
Western Australia
Rockingham Beach
Accessible beach matting is available as well as beach trekker wheelchairs. The beach matting is available from October to April each year. Call the city before heading to the beach to confirm that matting is in place. Contact number: 9528 0333.
Geraldton Beach
Accessible beach matting available. For more information: Geraldton SLSC.
Madora Bay Beach
Beach matting is installed and available for use between September until May. For more information: City of Mandurah WA.
Town Beach Mandurah
Extra-wide accessible beach matting is available. Accessible bathroom facilities and parking is also located here. For more information: City of Mandurah WA.
Poore Grove Coogee
Accessible bathrooms and a Beach trekker wheelchair are available. Booking is required. For more information: Beach Trekker Wheelchair Hire.
North Coogee
Beach matting is available between October and Easter, yearly. Accessible parking and bathroom facilities are available, as well as access ramps. The Mobi-Chair and The Sandrider wheelchairs are both available for use, free of charge. For more information: Beach Wheelchair Hire or call 9411 3444.
More beaches
Accessible Beaches work with local governments, Surf Life Saving Clubs, People with lived experience of disability, Non-Government Organisations, Funding programs and community stakeholders to promote accessible beaches across Australia. Their website lists a National beach directory, options to book equipment and they can also be contacted on 1300 721 328.
For other beach access information see Australian Beach Accessibility.
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