Aussies love our beaches, it’s the highlight of the summer months. However, for the 4 million+ Australians that live with a disability the beach is a tricky place to visit. There is often long flights of steps to the sand, and the sand itself can be a challenge. Additionally those with special needs often require accessible changing places, bathrooms, close car parking, wider paths, and matting for wheelchairs. These are just some of the factors that need to be thought of when someone with special needs wants to visit the beach.

A company was founded in 2016 called Accessible beaches, their goal is to make the majority of the patrolled beaches in Australia accessible for those with special needs. To date they have helped make 25 beaches wheelchair accessible across Australia.

Below are some of the accessible beaches in Australia, so you know where to go on your next trip this summer:

Victoria

Williams Town Beach 

One of Melbourne’s best hidden secrets, picturesque Williamstown. A must visit location.

Accessable features: 

•  24×7 beach matting
• Mobi and davinci Beach wheelchairs
• Accessible Bathroom, shower, change room
• Accessible parking

Altona Beach

A trip to Altona Beach makes for a great day out for the whole family, all the while overlooking the beautiful historic pier!

•  24×7 Beach matting
• mobi-chair, and sandcrusier beach wheelchair
•  Accessible bathroom, shower, change room
• Accessible parking

Mordialloc Beach

Mordialloc is a beautiful seaside town overlooking the beautiful bay of Melbourne. It is home to a new Surf Life Saving Club with great facilities.

•  Beach Matting
• Accessible bathroom
•  Accessible parking

Mt Martha beach

With a short travel time from the city, the region boasts a diverse bay, beautiful ocean, forests to explore, plateau landscapes to enjoy, incredible food and wine – but most importantly, the incredible accessible beach!

• Mobi chair beach wheelchair (weekends)
•  accessible bathroom, shower, & change room

St Kilda Beach

Located in the iconic suburb of St Kilda, an Iconic suburb of Melbourne, full of cafes and restaurants and home to some great festivals and events.

•  Beach matting
• Mobi chair beach wheelchair
• accessible bathroom & change room

Port Melbourne

Port Melbourne beach is located in the suburb of Port Melbourne in Melbourne. This beach is just a few kilometres from the south-western end of Melbourne’s CBD.

• Beach Matting
• Mobi chair beach wheelchair

Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay is one of Victoria’s prettiest beaches. Aptly named for its shape resembling half a moon.

•  Mobi chair beach wheelchair
• Accessible bathroom, shower, change room
•  Accessible parking

Hampton Beach

Hampton Beach is an Idyllic spot 15kms South of Melbourne CBD with accessible pathways all the way along the beautiful gardens overlooking the bay.

• Beach Matting
• Mobi chair beach wheelchair
•  Accessible bathroom, shower, & change room

Carrum Beach

Carrum Beach is lovely beach on Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay that has something for everyone. Easily accessible from the ideally located accessible parking providing access onto the decked and paved pathways, through the shelter of the Carrum Surf Life Saving Club and straight on to the beach.

•  Accessible Bathroom, change room
• accessible parking
• Accessible ramp

Lorne Beach

Lorne Beach is a stunning beach in a stunning location along Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road.

•  Beach Matting
•  Accessible change room
• Accessible parking
•  Accessible hoist

Queensland

Burleigh Heads Beach

Situated next to the Burleigh Heads National Park and surrounded by beautiful parkland scattered with picnic tables, Burleigh Heads beach is a stunning destination.

•  Beach Matting
•  Floating beach wheelchair
•  sandcrusier wheelchair
• Accessible bathroom
•  Accessible parking

Mooloolaba Beach

With a fully accessible Surf Life Saving Club and surrounded by places to eat, including a beach side kiosk, Mooloolaba Beach on the Sunshine Coast is a great place to visit. With plenty of accessible facilities

• Accessible Parking
• Accessible Beach Matting
• Accessible Bathroom
• Beach Wheelchair availability
• Accessible outdoor shower
• Accessible Shade

Avoca Beach

Surrounded by towering Norfolk pines, parklands with barbeques and picnic tables, wide pathways, as well as a fantastic playground and rockpool for the children, this stunning 2 kilometre stretch of beach is the perfect accessible family destination.

• Accessible Beach Matting Three Beach Wheelchairs available

• Accessible Toilet and Changeroom nearby

• Cafe and Kiosk

• Shaded parkland, picnic tables and barbeques

• Wide accessible pathways

• Accessible Parking

Probably the most famous beach in Australia, Bondi Beach is a must-see destination for Australians and tourists alike.

• Accessible Beach Matting –Available Thurs & Sat from 8:30am to 2pm
• Beach Wheelchair availability
• Accessible Shower
• Accessible Bathroom
• Accessible Parking

South Australia

Seacliff Beach

•  Mobi chair and floating beach wheelchair
•  Slat type access platform

• Accessible Parking (1 car space)

• Beach wheelchairs available

• Accessible Change Room

Rockingham Beach

The Rockingham Foreshore features a Beach Plaza with a range of recreational, cultural and heritage attractions, a boardwalk featuring timber terraces, and an accessible ‘Lookout’ and ‘Beach Bowl’ have been created

• Beach matting
•  Beach tracker wheelchairs
• Accessible Shaded Area
• Accessible Parking