Wheelchair Friendly Tasmania

08/06/2024

DERWENT FERRIES AND SALAMANCA (HOBART)

Derwent Ferries run hourly Monday to Saturday between Brooke St Pier in Hobart, and Bellerive on the eastern shore. Costing only a few dollars per person, fully accessible at both ends, amazingly considerate crew, snacks and drinks on board, and…… wait for it….. a fully accessible toilet just for wheely’s and friends.

Parking in Bellerive near to the ferry, easy ramp access to board, and a 15 min trip to Hobart. We were lucky enough to see dolphins on the way over, and seals on the way back.

Brooke St Pier is modern and 100% accessible with ramped access and a lift. A few tourist shops, restaurants, bars and a chilled environment.

Tim had his smart drive on so we could go up and down Salamanca and explore the markets, local shops and Salamanca square. Plenty of food options, accessible bathrooms in the square, and open space.

There’s a lot of people but areas to escape if need. Salamanca itself is an old cobbled road which may not be great for all wheels but pretty good for an independent user.

A huge thank you to the super professional and friendly crew on the ferry. They knew when to offer help and when to let us roll.
Well done to the operators and creators of this service.

Overall experience for a family outing with wheels, 9/10.

https://derwentferries.com.au/timetable/

Derwent Ferries
Salamanca Market
BrookeStreet Pier
Bellerive, Tasmania, Australia
Clarence City Council
Hobart City Council
ABC Hobart

02/05/2024

Hello wheely and friends.
If you could push to change something in your community to make your day to day living better, or your dreams of a local holiday in Tasmania, dinner out etc....... what would it be and have you tried to have this change made?

Send a message to learn more

25/04/2024

Tahune Adventures Tasmania, located 90mins south of Hobart in Geeveston, is a fabulous day trip and guess what? it’s wheelchair friendly!

This is a new build following recent bushfires, with thoughtful planning regarding wheelchairs and the environment.

Upon entry, the friendly and knowledgeable staff go out of their way to identify your needs and explain how you can access the airwalk by car via a permission only gate (There’s otherwise stairs from the reception area for able bodied people). Tip: leave your wheely person in the car while you get tickets and directions unless you want food/coffee first.

Once there, the airwalk offers flat access, views of remote southern Tasmania’s thick rainforest and bushland, with rare trees standing so tall. The airwalk is amongst the high trees and overlooks the rushing Huon River.

We were also able to do the Huon Pine Walk which is mostly flat with pressed rock (see pic) although some assistance was required.

To finish off the day we went back to the reception / cafe for a lovely lunch and again, the staff were brilliant. Very happy people who are super accommodating. (A big thank you to all who were on deck ANZAC DAY).

There are 2 disabled toilets and open space to move both inside and outside of the facility.

Parking is on gravel but only a few metres from concrete so drop off could take place on concrete if necessary both at reception and the airwalk.

To sum the experience up, 10/10 and a must do.

https://tahuneadventures.com.au/
Tahune Adventures Tasmania
Wheelchair Users Australia group
Huon Valley Council
Discover Tasmania
The Mercury Newspaper
ABC Hobart
Have Wheelchair Will Travel

16/02/2024

Wheelchair access vehicle required in April for a non driving wheelie to get into. They have a driver. From previous experience I haven’t come across any accessible rentals in Tasmania. Does anyone have info on this for visitors to our state?

01/02/2024

Last chance to have your say about the beach access mat at Bellerive Beach.

We're approaching the end of the six-week trial and we want to hear about your experiences 😍

The survey closes on 6 February 2024 👉 https://bit.ly/49ejCHS

01/02/2024

Locals and visitors, Paraquad Tasmania has a great website which includes a 'wheelie good guide'. We will check out some of these locations and report back. Meanwhile, why not plan our own trip and let us know what you think.

WHEELIE GOOD GUIDE Your gateway to Accessible Venues in Tasmania Welcome to the Wheelie Good Guide Your gateway to Accessible Venues in the lovely state of Tasmania, Australia The Wheelie Good Guide was created as an informative guide for wheelchair users searching for accessible accommodation throu...

02/01/2024

The Bellerive mat is down. It's a trial and not perfect but achievable for many more than it not being there at all. Awesome initiative while we wait for future works in this area.

Have your say on this development by taking a survey here https://www.yoursay.ccc.tas.gov.au/summer-beach-access-mat-trial-bellerive-beach

Clarence City Council
Thank you

23/12/2023

Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Welcome to new members and cheers to old ones.
Have a safe and happy festive season.

05/12/2023

I wrote to every Council in Tasmania this week to find out what community wheelchair/disability access plans they have in the pipeline, and to learn about any they have put in place which we wouldn't discover unless we tripped/wheeled over it.

These findings will be updated as I get them:

Waratah-Wynyard Council
First cab off the rank with a same day response - and they have done a fabulous job. We have been regulars to Wynard over the years but somehow missed that they put a beach mat in about 10 years ago. It's available upon request as it can't be left out. Somerset Surf Life Saving Club also have a sand suitable chair which can be borrowed upon request.

There is a fancy new Yacht Club in Wynard which is fully accessible and offers a Sailability program. It's important to note here that the club Commodor utilises the Sailability program himself and would understand disability needs. Wynyard Yacht Club

The Wynyard town planners are thoughtful with their footpaths and public areas. There are long, long, long stretches of flat acessible coastal pathways.

Thanks Bronwyn Folden - Manager Community Activation at Waratah Wynyard Council, for your amazing initiatives.

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Circular Head Council have advised that they will be working on accessible planning in 2024 and have now reached out to Kingborough Council to learn more about their recent beach mat works.

Thanks Jodie Saville (Community Officer) at Circular Head Council.

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Sorell Council have provided us with loads of great wheely initiatives. At Park Beach and Carlton Beach, there are two permanent beach access ramps with the planning on these including consultation with ParaQuad Association of Tasmania Inc. Additionally, they have some very existing news with 2 all terrain wheelchairs at the Carlton Park Surf Life Saving Club about to be released for those who wish to borrow them.

Thank you Stacey Gadd - Manager Community Relations, for your work.
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Glenorchy City Council have a fabulous river walkway on the Montrose foreshore, and will soon be upgrading accessible pathways at the Berridale Foreshore.

There are two new major playgrounds in the pipeline which will include accessability at Giblins Reserve in Goodwood, and Benjamin Park in Moonah. A few smaller playgrounds will also receive upgrades in the near future to include accessible pathways and equipment.

Thank you Mayor Bec Thomas for your work and continuous improvements.
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Burnie City Council have advised that they have a beach wheelchair located at the Burnie Surf Life Saving Club which you can access with a Liberty key. These are a generic key for wheelchair users to access play equipment as well. Apply through your local coucil to get one.

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Central Coast Council have an access and inclusion group which consists of the Mayor, council staff and community members including a fellow wheely. Such insight has given them first hand experience in the simple changes which could make life so much better for many users.
They have worked hard to improve kerb ramps and railway crossings and they have upgraded beach access in Penguin with plans to improve Sulpher Creek access.
The concept of a wheelchair mat with this council will be taken to the committee to discuss.
Thank you Paul Breaden, Director Infrastructure Services, and the council committee for your goals and achievements so far.
Wheel on!!
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Hobart City Council's Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds responded with an invite to attend an Equal Access Committment Forum on the 14th Feb at the Town Hall. Sadly this is in working hours (wheely's work too!) and we are unable to attend. However, Anne also advised that their Accessible City Coordinator will be in touch to discuss current and new works. The HCC have an Equal Access Committment program - Win win. Thanks HCC :)

03/12/2023

We will be checking this out in the next weekend or so. Fabulous work Kingborough Council and everyone involved.
I hope other councils follow in your wheeltracks 🦽 🏊 🧡

19/09/2023

2 more sleeps 🙂 Tim Farrell

Premiering on Thursday 10 August at 7.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand, Great Australian Walks with Julia Zemiro sees Logie nominated actor, presenter, and come...

25/08/2023

Check out our very own wheely Tim Farrell on the 21st September episode, chatting with Julia Zemiro.
Featured briefly in this promo.
Get your popcorn ready and check out Tim in his all terrain electric on a kunanyi Mt Wellington walk.

Premiering on Thursday 10 August at 7.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand, Great Australian Walks with Julia Zemiro sees Logie nominated actor, presenter, and come...

31/10/2022

Hi, just wondering if anyone in Tasmania has a spare car with fitted hand controls that they are either selling cheap or we can borrow/hire for some weeks while insurance is sorted.
Tim's car was written off on Tuesday due to someone crashing into him. As any wheely will understand, he has been stripped of his freedom and independance to attend work, help with the kids, and socially.
Please inbox me if you have any ideas. Thanks

09/10/2021

Longbeach Sandy Bay.
This is the most friendly wheely suitable park I’ve seen. The wheelchair user can participate easily and access the main playing area. All flat with waterfront concrete path access to the foreshore. The foreshore walk is great as well and goes for a good kilometre.
And if you were there today, you would’ve had the great experience of seeing a hump back whale breaching off the shore.

29/08/2021

Hmm where to book our next wheely family friendly holiday in Tasmania.

04/06/2021

Heading back to this beauty in September / October. The tulips will be blooming and the lighthouse tours (for two peds) will be a site to see as well. Absolutely love Wynyard for accessibility and friendly locals. The Waterfront Wynyard Accommodation Precinct Table Cape Lighthouse Tours Table Cape Tulip Farm

13/04/2021

WHITESANDS
Ironhouse Point, East Coast Tasmania

Highly suited to families and wheelchair users.
Access to accessible villa 19 is via the back door with a small entry lip, or via a huge flat deck with amazing ocean views.
The sliding doors to the deck open all the way along the front, as do those in the bedroom which is also ocean facing.
While the 2 bedrooms, accommodating 4 people is called modern/ luxury, I would class it more as very comfortable with standard/clean furnishings.

The bathroom is a standard square shape with a wide door, grab handles/rails around the toilet and a good sized fold down shower chair in an open shower space with a curtain. The kitchen and living space is also open plan.

Whitesands is located approx 30 mins north of Bicheno and hosts Ironhouse Brewery oniste. Lots of beer, wine, whiskey and gin in the guest and restaurant area. $10 for a 3 x tasting with overly generous serves. The restaurant has a great little play centre area for the kids to run crazy and the food is pretty good. Service and staff are excellent.

Wheelchair users can fully access restaurant facilities and poolside via a down sloping sealed road. There's other little tracks which will suit some users but not everyone. Families also get to enjoy a huge beach, climbing around the rocks, tennis, mini golf, playground and making lots of new friends.

Recommended improvements: not many! a few very small things which are easily fixed. Ask for 2 keys when you get there. To get to the restaurant, wheelchair users can not get on to the footpath and need to go through the entry gate which requires a key fob.
Another tricky issue we come across in most accommodation places, is access to the master bedroom bedside areas and having enough room to transfer.

Whitesands has a basic website but don't be deterred by this. The location really is a winner. https://www.white-sands.com.au/accommodation.html

Disability rating 8/10
Overall rating 9/10
White Sands Estate & IronHouse Brewery, Vineyard & Distillery

29/11/2020

COASTAL PODS
Wynyard Tasmania

What a surprise Wynyard is. We were able to do a lot of equal opportunity activities and get around on nice flat wide footpaths with a lot of on/off access points. At this stage we can easily say that Wynyard is the most accessible town in Tasmania that we know of.

It's quirky and family friendly.

We stayed in the Coastal Pods which have a dedicated disability friendly cabin / home. It's very modern with a rustic luxury feel and everything a family could need. Lots of games, independent large wheelchair bathroom, ensuite, two large king rooms, a separate single room. The kitchen and living area is open plan and easy enough to get around.

The pods are literally located on the wharf and an excellent river walkway that goes right to the river mouth, or back into the local very well manicured gardens. The walkway includes pontoon style jetty's and flat areas to fish off.

There is a fish and chip shop close by that is rated in the top 10 in Australia, we can confirm that as well!!!

As for what we did in Wynyard - we visited the Table Cape Lighthouse which is obviously not wheelchair friendly, but it's a great place to drive to, wheel around and take in the lovely scenery.
Further on is Boat Harbour which has an accessible cafe on the beach and the most stunning views into the Bass Strait.
Also around this area we visited the Lobster Ponds. The cafe and through to the show room area is accessible. They are very helpful and friendly and currently have plans to concrete pathways to another area which is currently not very suitable for wheels.

It's important to note that our travels include one wheelchair user who is an independent paraplegic. Please contact Coastal Pods directly to make sure your disability needs are going to be achievable as well.

Excellent community and stunning area to stay.

Thanks to the Coastal Pod crew who were so thoughtful and creative in their build. Visit here to book or seek more info. https://coastalpods.com/

Disability rating 9/10
Overall experience 10/10

Wynyard, Coastal Pods Table Cape Lighthouse Tours Table Cape Tulip Farm Waratah-Wynyard Council Boat Harbour Discover Tasmania The Wynyard Wharf Fish & Chips

13/11/2020

Any wheelys got some airport and flight / boat info to share when travelling in and out of Tasmania.

For us, Jetstar have been a complete fail. And when we once complained about it, after many letters and emails, they tried to tell us we didn't actually fly with them! Hmmmm

Virgin were pretty good, and Qantas good but expensive. Of course, things have all changed now so there might be new processes.

Sydney airport has been a massive fail with one occasion Tim was required to be in a push chair from the baggage area. He had to sit in it for some hours, and needed me to push him if he wanted to go anywhere. Note, pushchairs and the pushers, don't all fit in the disabled loo's. Unhappy family that day.

We love good stories here and good ratings, but it's also important to highlight areas which need improving.

Inbox me your stories and any pics you are happy to share.

05/11/2020

BOTANICAL GARDENS
Hobart Tasmania

Theses gardens are stunning and very family focused.

Tim has an electric Smart Drive attachment for his wheelchair which is essential for these gardens. It's not in a flat setting so hand wheeling would become exhausting if you are wanting to cover the entire gardens.

With the Smart Drive we can get to most areas. Entry into buildings is ramped with amenities at the top end of the gardens including a gift shop, kiosk, restaurant and equal access bathroom.

Staff are very helpful upon entry and our preference is to enter from the top.

For more information go to https://gardens.rtbg.tas.gov.au/visit/access/

Disability rating 8/10
Experience 9/10

Cost FREE

31/10/2020

If you are an accommodation host, restaurant manager or tour operator in Tasmania, and you want to chat to us about access, please send a message.

We would be very happy to visit you to give some honest feedback on how you can maximise equal access for wheelchair users.

We would be super happy to rate you and recommend your efforts.

Meanwhile, we will continue to rate as we go about our day to day outings and mini breaks.

29/10/2020

Russell Falls - short walk / roll
MOUNT FIELD NATIONAL PARK - Tasmania

We have recently discovered the National Parks in Tasmania are either set up, or converting to excellent wheelchair friendly paths and facilities. Not everything is accessible due to the nature of some of the walks into the bush and up hills, but there is usually some access to be able to get out there.

For Russell Falls, there is two disabled parks at the information centre, clear access through the centre and onto a hard surfaced path. It's about a 20 minute roll through deep green forest, lots of amazing flora and mixed forest to look at. Once you reach the falls there is a big platform to view them.

The visitor centre has a cafe and gift shop, disabled toilets and a flora and fauna display.

It's about an hours drive from Hobart to Westerway, via New Norfolk (lovely place to stop halfway).

Highway recommend this family outing.

More information is available here. https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/mount-field-national-park/russell-falls

Disability 8/10
Experience 10/10

Cost $/$$$$

28/10/2020

WILLIE SMITHS
Huon Valley - Tasmania

What a lovely place to visit for lunch, or to see their market.

Willie's is an old apple barn style space which has been modernised rustically inside.

Once you have parked in the flat compressed gravel disabled park at the back door, it's ramped and has a dedicated accessible bathroom close to the outdoor area.

Specialising in apple cider, you can attend a tour, market, check out the apple history of the valley, or watch a band on some weekends. There's a great little kids playing area which is safe and near the outdoor dining so you can watch the kids while relaxing.

Inside is all hard floor.
Outside is pebbles and a little difficult for wheelchairs but doable.

Bookings or more info can be obtained through here. https://www.williesmiths.com.au/

Disability rating 8/10
Experience 9/10

Cost $$$/$$

27/10/2020

St Helens - Tasmania
NRMA St Helens Waterfront Holiday Park (2 bedroom)

This is a very new park and set a few km's out of St Helens on an almost completely flat waterfront setting. As always, these sorts of parks have a communal area and kids playing room/park.

The dedicated accessible cabin is flat parking and no ramp to the entry. Small open living inside with an excellent bathroom set up. Hard flooring in living and carpeted bedrooms. No rugs.
The outlook is lovely and relaxing.

Only complaint here which is common, is the master bedroom can only fit a wheelchair down the side if you push the bed right over. Not great for the partner!

There is an onsite bar and restaurant which is about a 50m roll on a flat road. Very nice food.

You can book through https://www.nrmaparksandresorts.com.au/st-helens-waterfront/accommodation-and-sites/accessible/

Disability recommendation is 9/10.
Overall experience 9/10.
Cost - $$$/$$

27/10/2020

St Helens - Tasmania
Big 4 - Valley View Unit (2 bedroom)

St Helen's is a very special place of Tassie's east coast. Lots of amazing beaches, a lovely flat township and fishing village.

We love Big 4 and NRMA parks. They do a good job catering for equal access and kids with excellent play equipment and outdoor eating/playing areas.

This park offers a dedicated disability cabin with a concrete carpark right at the ramped entrance to the deck. The deck overlooks a valley where wildlife comes out at night and you can see into the trees. Getting around the park is pretty good although a few mild slopes.

All hard flooring inside, open plan bathroom. Comfortable bedrooms and small open living space relative to the cabin style.

Bookings can be made through https://www.big4.com.au/caravan-parks/tas/st-helens-north-east/st-helens-holiday-park/accommodation/valley-view-units-fully-accessible #&gid=1&pid=7

Disability recommendation is 9/10
Overall experience 9/10
Cost - $$$/$$