By Abbey Dennis- Support Your Way.
In Melbourne we are absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to beautiful beaches. Melbourne is one of the most diverse temperate marine Environments in the Southern Hemisphere. Trust me, I'm a freediver & scuba diver and I am always traversing around the bay to find hidden treasures & rocky coves that I can jump into. I have major depressive disorder and anxiety & require medication to treat it. A trip to the beach, either gazing over the water, or jumping beneath the surface with a snorkel or SCUBA tank has always been so therapeutic for me & is truly my happy place. But for people with a physical disability- it can often be daunting visiting the beach as wheelchair access is not available at every beach. This is why I have decided to put together a list of wheelchair accessible beaches including a ranking system to make it easy for those with a physical disability to plan their next trip to the beach. Please note that these rankings have been provided by LSV and individual readers' experience may vary. Support your Way is a disability led organization. The majority of our in-house staff have a disability- so we are lucky enough to have first hand knowledge & experience with some of Melbourne’s hidden gems. PORT MELBOURNE BEACH
Photo taken at Port Melbourne beach: Credit Life Saving Vic ABOUT THE BEACH 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 overview
Mobi-Mat beach access mat. 40m to the water's edge, 10m of mat for parking on the sand available during patrols
Accessible toilet, Open public shower with large open changing area
1 accessible car park out the front of the club (parallel park on Beach Road)
Mobi-Chair floating beach wheelchair. Available during patrol. Bookable here
BYO hoist
Shade connected to the life saving club and trees in the area
Cafe with great food and coffee connected to the life saving club
Wide footpaths
Tables with 2 x wheelchair seat cut outs
Click on the link for google directions. https://goo.gl/maps/tncwMGe9Gu52
For more information on beach access contact the council at http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/accessible-beaches.htm
Accessibility Rating ★★★★★ 4/5 ST KILDA BEACH
Photo taken at St Kilda Beach: Photo Credit LSV ABOUT THE 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. Just 6 kilometres South of Melbourne CBD, it is a 20 minute car ride or you can travel by accessible trams, with stops along the way also accessible.
Beach overview
Mobi-Mat beach access mat all the way to the hard sand
MobiChair wheelchair available at the Life Saving Club 7 days a week throughout summer patrol, bookable here
Accessible toilet just on the side of the Life Saving club. If occupied, ask Life Saving Club for use of their inside facilities.
Changing places with a hoist located at the Life Saving Club and available with the use of MLAK key - get more information on MLAK keys at https://changingplaces.org.au/build-a-facility/mlak-key/
Great cafes to order lunch right next to the Life Saving Club
Wide footpaths all complaint, flat and easy to wheel along
Standard street parking and several wheelchair car parks on the main road
Bench seating in the area to have lunch
Shade around Life Saving Club but limited shade in the afternoon
For more information on beach access please contact City of Port Phillip http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/accessible-beaches.htm
Accessibility Rating ★★★★★ 5/5 WILLIAMSTOWN BEACH
Photo taken at Williamstown beach: Photo Credit LSV
ABOUT THE BEACH
One of Melbourne's best hidden secrets, picturesque Williamstown is a must visit destination. The main township (on Nelson place) is home to the Sea Shepherd fleet, and the beautiful shoreline (on the Esplanade) is home to Victoria's very first accessible beach and an awesome cafe is right next to the matting, The Kiosk by d'Asporto. Beach overview
Closest accessible beach to Melbourne CBD
Matting reaches all the way to the shoreline
Matting available 24 x 7 during operating season (rare)
Free use of Mobi-Chair floating wheelchair or Davinci wheelchair (booking required)
Operated by Williamstown Surf Life Saving Club
Excellent cafe / kiosk situated right next to matting installation
Visitor information website http://visitwilliamstown.com.au
Accessibility Rating ★★★★★ 4/5
ALTONA BEACH
Photo taken at Altona Beach: Photo Credit LSV
ABOUT THE BEACH
A trip to Altona Beach makes for a great day out for the whole family, all the while overlooking the beautiful historic pier! There's plenty to see and do in the local village, including awesome fish & chips, divine restaurants and plenty of shopping. The Altona Village Traders Association holds a local market every Tuesday on Pier Street and Logan Reserve Altona from 9am to 3pm featuring fresh local produce and local arts & crafts. 19 minutes drive from Melbourne CBD
Beach overview
Extra-wide accessible beach matting reaches the shoreline
Matting available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (rare)
Accessible parking and bathrooms located nearby
Visit Hobsons Bay City Council website for detailed information on beach access and availability.
Accessibility Rating ★★★★★ 4/5 HAMPTON BEACH
Photo taken at Hampton Beach: Photo Credit LSV
ABOUT THE 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. Located close to vibrant Hampton Street which boasts cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes. The Hampton Life Saving Club runs the inclusive Starfish Nippers - Australia program every Saturday at the same time as their nippers. Beach overview
Mobi-Mat beach access mat all the way to the hard sand
Mobi-Mat beach parking wing to set up on the sand
MobiChair and SandCruiser beach wheelchairs available at the Surf Club during patrols
BYO hoist
Accessible toilet
Shade around surf club
Picnic tables available above the beach in park areas. Approximately 100m away.
Surf club cafe open during busy periods
Wide footpaths
Standard street parking. (Beach Road gets very busy on the weekends)
Note: The path down from the street is approximately 8 degrees gradient.
Accessibility Rating ★★★★★ 3/5 Location: Hampton, Victoria, 3188 CARRUM BEACH
Photo taken at Carrum Beach: Photo Credit LSV ABOUT THE 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. There is a lovely park directly attached to the excellent facilities and plenty of places to eat nearby. Beach overview
Accessible Beach Matting
Changing Places
Accessible Shower
Hoist available
Accessible Toilet
Beach Wheelchair available
Accessible Parking
Accessibility Rating ★★★★★5/5 MORDIALLOC BEACH
Photo taken at Mordialloc Beach: Photo Credit LSV
ABOUT THE 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.
Mordialloc was one of the first accessible beaches in Victoria.
The City of Kingston has done an excellent job in making the surrounding area very compliant with plenty of parking and access to all areas.
Mordialloc beach is a 25 minute drive south of Melbourne
Beach overview
Matting extends right to waters edge
Free hire of Hippocampe wheelchair (booking required)
Excellent SLSC and surrounding facilities
Full council information at https://www.kingston.vic.gov.au/Home
Accessibility Rating ★★★★★ 4/5 MOUNT MARTHA BEACH
Photo taken at Mount Martha Beach: Photo Credit LSV ABOUT THE BEACH
The Mornington Peninsula is one of the most popular weekend getaway regions for Melbournians due to its variety of features. 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! Beach overview
Plenty of parking (unmarked and unrestricted)
Excellent accessible facilities within SLSC
Beach matting extends from concrete right to the waterline
Accessibility Rating ★★★★★ 4/5
References: Life Saving Victoria has a comprehensive guide on accessible beaches and I have used the information from their website to put this list together for Support Your Way Staff as well as anybody looking to soak up some sun and visit the beach who require wheelchair access. I would like to thank Lifesaving Victoria for providing information as well as imagery for this article.
Furthermore, if you would like to find out more information on beach activities that are available for beachgoers in wheelchairs- i highly suggest you get in contact with the Disabled Divers Association. They have a range of FREE government funded & volunteer groups that offer wheelchair snorkeling experiences. These group snorkelling experiences are led by Melbourne based Marine Biologists & professional divers as well as a large community of volunteers. They have their own facebook page that you can follow for updates on when they will be running events.