Your guide to accessible beaches
Australia has some of the best beaches in the world. So, to help you plan your next beach trip, we’ve pulled together a handy list of the best accessible beaches across Victoria’s Surf Coast.
Torquay
Fisherman’s Beach in Torquay has 40 metres of beach access matting from November until Easter each year. This matting makes it easier for people with walking sticks, walking frames, and wheelchairs to cross the softer sand.
Plus, a Sandcruiser beach wheelchair can be hired from the Go Ride A Wave surf shop, for free. Perfect for people with mobility issues, the wheelchair can traverse soft sand and shallow water.
Anglesea
A range of beach wheelchairs are available for free-hire from the YMCA Anglesea Recreation Camp. The Sandcruiser, Aussie Beach and Hippocampe models are offered, all of which can navigate soft sand and shallow water.
A Changing Places facility is also located at the Four Kings Carpark in Anglesea. These changing rooms come with a range of features for people with high support needs.
Lorne
To help people with reduced mobility, 40 metres of beach access matting is set-up next to the Lorne Surf Lifesaving Club each year, from 4 January until Easter.
Also, a Mobi-Chair Floating Beach Wheelchair can be hired for free from 4 January until Easter. When in the water, the Mobi-Chair’s armrests become floatation devices, giving users the feeling of floating.
Geelong
Two Mobi-Chair Floating Beach Wheelchairs can be free-hired from the Geelong Yacht Club, seven days a week. Beach wheelchairs can also be hired at Portarlington and the Indented Head Boat Club.
Rubber beach matting has also been installed to offer a stable pathway from the Eastern Beach car park to the outdoor swimming area. The pathway allows for people with reduced mobility to access the water’s edge more easily.
If you’ve been to a great accessible beach around the region that we’ve missed, please let us know at hello@equalitysupport.com.au