Accessible holiday ideas in Australia: checking the details
Australia’s Most Accessible Holiday Destinations
By Nurse Next Door Home Care Services · Originally published 18 January 2022
Build the holiday around the features you actually need
Choose an activity that interests you, then ask specific questions about entry, bathrooms, equipment, transfers and the route through the venue. Confirm bookings and assistance arrangements directly. An accessible beach or trail may offer useful features without every area being suitable for your equipment.
Use primary operator information, such as Parks Victoria, and confirm current conditions before visiting. Separate the activity cost from any disability-related assistance and check NDIS support rules if funding is involved. You can choose a less demanding activity without missing the point of a holiday.
Original article and dated context
Nurse Next Door Home Care Services supports clients to maintain their independence in their own home, on their own terms. From assistance with daily life activities, to social and community participation, our experienced team offer a personalised tailored plan to match the unique needs of each individual. This article was first published here.
Caring is a round-the-clock responsibility that runs 365 days in the year.
Home care visits are a vital part of the day for millions of people with disabilities, the aging population, and their families. Basic care is important for improving quality of life, but making lives better can go beyond fundamental care. Sometimes, seeking a little adventure is all you need to brighten up the day!
While there are many leisure options available Australia wide, sometimes it can be hard to find those little gems that offer accessible tourism to the elderly and people with disabilities. But inclusive tourism and accessible adventures are a possible experience for those who live with limited mobility.
Whether it’s an accessible attraction or accessible activity, we’ve searched for the best holiday destinations available to people of all ages, levels and mobilities. If you need some inspiration for your next holiday destination, these accessible attractions and activities can be added to your bucket list!
Accessible Beaches
Australia is renowned for its amazing beaches and there’s no better feeling than a relaxing visit to one of our many popular coastlines boasting beautiful sites. When it comes to beach accessibility however, everyone’s needs and wants will be different. Simply crossing the sand can be a challenge.
The Australian Government made it a priority to make many of our well-loved beaches accessible to everyone in the country through their Accessible Beaches Campaign. There are now plenty of opportunities to visit the shoreline, soak in the sun, and marvel at the beautiful sunsets mother nature has to offer through accessible beach mats, accessible bathrooms, beach wheelchair hire, and mobility equipment hire available Australia wide.
[Clickability update, October 2026: Accessible or adaptive branding does not establish that diving is clinically suitable for you. Confirm the operator’s requirements and obtain appropriate individual advice before deciding.]
Adaptive Diving
Diving for people with disabilities is now a possibility! Adaptive Scuba Diving is a growing accessible attraction in northern parts of Australia, including the Gold Coast, and is an exhilarating experience allowing people to connect with some of the greatest natural wonders of the marine world. If scuba diving feels a little overwhelming, there are also several programs available for adaptive snorkeling available to people with impaired mobility.
Adaptive Diving is an inspiring experience for the adaptive diver, the instructor, and the dive buddy. The weightlessness of being underwater can reduce the physical restrictions an adaptive person feels on land, giving them a new sense of independence, and often becoming a memorable and life changing experience.
Accessible Trails
There is an idea that forest bathing and submerging yourself in nature is not only good for your physical self but also your mental wellbeing. National parks and walking tracks in remote areas of Australia can appear intimidating for people with limited mobility, however there are now boundless accessible trails all over the country.
Whether it’s enjoying the beautiful waterfalls, forests and bushland or admiring the unique fauna Australia has to offer, there are accessible hiking trails and walking tracks available for every type of traveller. Regardless of age and mobility, you and your loved ones can embark on a new adventure, breathe in that fresh air and take in the wonders of Australia’s abundant remote areas.
Inclusive Animal Encounters
For many of us, connecting with wildlife can have profound effects on our emotional and even spiritual well being, especially if it’s with your favourite animal! A person living with a disability however might feel limited with where they can go and what animals they can actually experience an encounter with.
There are many programs, sanctuaries and theme parks that can accommodate adaptive encounters and are wheelchair accessible. Whether it’s going for a horse ride, swimming with dolphins or simply having easy access when visiting a wildlife sanctuary, each state in Australia has considered the need for accessible travel, providing wheelchair access, accessible attractions, and accessibility information to enhance experiences.
Adaptive Mountain Biking
There is a rebellious streak in all of us despite our age and abilities. In 2019 charity organisation Break the Boundary launched Australia’s first adaptive mountain biking and walking trail hub. Their mission: to empower people with physical disabilities to go beyond flat surfaces, out of their comfort zone, and into off-road areas around Australia which they thought were inaccessible.
“The adaptive trail hub is a gateway to the outdoors – it’s the stepping stone from flat concrete surfaces and the everyday limitations of mobility aids, into nature and all its ruggedness,” says founder Andrew Liddawi. Now anyone can experience the thrills and joy of being off-road in Australia through Adaptive Mountain Biking.
[Clickability update, October 2026: Check current information for the exact facilities and activities you plan to use. Parks Victoria’s Wilsons Promontory information is one primary starting point, not a guarantee that every part of a landmark is accessible.]
Accessible Landmarks
Most of us are familiar with iconic locations like Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef, and Wilsons Promontory National Park but we never think about putting these on our travel radar for our loved ones who are elderly or living with a disability.
When it comes to accessible tourism, adding experiences around some of Australia’s most iconic landmarks to your bucket list is essential. Whether it’s a visit to Australia’s red centre or coral reefs, there are plenty of accessible travel opportunities across each state for all adaptive travelers and tourists to experience.
The world is our oyster despite our age and abilities; travel and adventure are a possibility. Happier Ageing and Making Lives Better are at the core of everything we do at Nurse Next Door. Life is filled with surprises and we want to continue to bring joy, excitement and memorable moments to all our past, present and future clients.
Clickability editorial update: October 2026
Confirm the help you can provide and the arrangements you need
Discuss the participant’s preferences before building the itinerary. Ask what assistance is expected at each activity and whether the operator provides it. Do not assume family members or nearby staff can safely cover a transfer or equipment-handling task.
Keep the important details together and agree what to do if an arrangement changes. Austrade’s accessibility framework illustrates the value of specific information. Enjoyment and wellbeing are personal; the article’s enthusiasm should not become pressure to attempt an unsuitable activity.
Questions readers ask
Is this a current verified ranking of accessible destinations?
No. It is a historical contributor list.
Does an adaptive activity suit every person?
No. Check the actual arrangements and individual suitability.
Find assistance for the holiday you want to plan
Tell Clickability about your travel-support needs and compare reviewed and rated providers. Ask about the practical arrangements relevant to your trip.
