Australian Beach Accessibility

: Last Updated: 27 August 2024; Hits: 23676

A photograph of a heart drawn in the sand of a beach. Around the edges of hte heart, decoratively placed, are a variety of seashells, and starfish.

All Australians, including the 4 million people with a disability, deserve to be able to access the beach. Check out these accessible beach options across Australia, including where you can hire equipment.

During the summer months, a trip to the beach should be for everyone, including the 4 million Australians living with a disability.

This vision is becoming more of a reality, thanks to the support of many organisations and individuals who fundraise for the provision of equipment to make this possible.

We provide information on the features to help in your decision-making.

In NSW, the following beaches are accessible or have the equipment to hire

Batemans Bay SLSC - Clubhouse George Bass Drive, Malua Bay. One chair with smooth tyres. Phone 02 4471 2416.

Malabar Beach (Randwick) - Permanent Wheelchair Access with Mobi matting.
Bondi Beach - The previously accessible promenade and ramp access now have added improvements to portable beach access matting. The matting is at the Northern end of the beach, near Wally Weeks Children's Pool. Beach access matting is rolled out, weather and surf permitting, on Thursday and Saturdays from 8.30 am – 2 pm. Beach wheelchairs must be prebooked on 02 9083 8400, or through email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..Mobility parking spaces are on the Northern end of the beach at Queen Elizabeth Drive, near Bondi Pavillion, Ramsgate Ave close to the accessible and ambulant toilets. An accessible shower is located at Bondi Pavillion - obtain an MLAK key from the staff at the Pavillion.

Batehaven- One adult and one child chair are available for hire at Clyde View Holiday Park opposite the shopping centre at Batehaven. The chairs are also next to Corrigans Reserve where the accessible playground is located. Phone 02 4472 4224.

Broulee Surfers SLSC - Free to hire with donations welcome. Two chairs with smooth tyres available from SLS Club southern end of Heath Street, Broulee. Phone 02 4471 6657.
Clontarf Beach Reserve – New beach access ramp and inclusive playground opened 2021. Tidal pool, picnic area and improved pedestrian connectivity. Mobility parking spaces located near the Bosk kiosk. Accessible public amenities available at the south-western end of the reserve.
Collaroy Beach Reserve- New beach access ramp opened in 2021. FreeWheeler beach wheelchairs with soft balloon tyres available for hire from the Lifeguards. To book please call Beach Services on 02 8495 5009. Please download a form and return to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The ocean rock pool at the southern end of the beach has ramp access into the pool. As well, a submersible wheelchair is available for hire from the Lifeguards (02 8495 5009). Unisex accessible toilet / baby change room located at the surf club amenities. Additional MLAK unisex accessible toilet and change room with an adult size change table and a ceiling hoist available at the beach side of the surf club (near the Swim Club). Inclusive playground is located at the southern end of the reserve. Two mobility parking spaces are located at the southern end of the car park. Extra mobility parking spaces are located near the playground, entry from Birdwood Avenue (one-way driveway).
Dee Why Beach – New beach access ramp available at Ted Jackson Reserve – south of Howard Avenue. Accessible parking and accessible amenities are available at the Dee Why Beach car park, Dee Why Parade.
Northern Beaches - Beach Wheelchairs are available at Manly Beach, Collaroy Beach, Newport Beach and Bilgola Beach. It's best to book a Beach Wheelchair well in advance to ensure it is available. You will receive confirmation of your booking and notification of the availability of a Beach Wheelchair.

For more information, contact the Beach Services Team on 02 8495 5009.

Tuross Beach Holiday Park - Also offers a beach wheelchair. Bookings are required, please call 02 4473 8236.
Narooma SLSC - Clubhouse Main Beach, Willcocks Avenue, Narooma 02 4476 1745.
Moruya SLSC - Clubhouse Charles Moffitt Drive, Moruya Heads Phone: 02 4474 2674.

Broulee Surfers SLSC - Free to hire with donations welcome. Two chairs with smooth tyres available from SLS Club southern end of Heath Street, Broulee. Phone 02 4471 6657.

Batemans Bay SLSC - Clubhouse George Bass Drive, Malua Bay. One chair with smooth tyres. Phone 02 4471 2416.
Batehaven- One adult and one child chair are available for hire at Clyde View Holiday Park opposite the shopping centre at Batehaven. The chairs are also next to Corrigans Reserve where the accessible playground is located. Phone 02 4472 4224.
At Ballina Lighthouse Beach and Avoca Beach- Have accessible beach matting (a portable and removable rollout access pathway for wheelchair users, prams and bike users).

Shellharbour City NSW- Shellharbour North Beach has the provision of Mobi Matting and beach wheelchairs. A beach wheelchair is also available at Warilla Beach. The chairs are available when lifeguards are on patrol. When the chair is not in use it is secured adjacent to the main carparks. Bookings are not required, however, a combination code is needed for access. To obtain the access code please see one of our on-duty lifeguards or contact customer service on 4221 6111. Both beaches also have accessible parking and toilets. For more information go to Shellharbour North Beach.
Thirroul and Austinmer Beaches - Have rolled out beach matting. Beach friendly wheelchairs are available at Thirroul and Port Kembla. Wheelchairs can be used during patrol hours. To book a wheelchair call 02 4227 7268. Carers must accompany beach wheelchair users. Austinmer Beach has an adult lift and change table.
North Wollongong Beach Stuart Park-Toilet facility has an adult lift and change table.

Beach wheelchairs are available to hire

Bermagui Surf Life Saving Club- Call: 0459 238 442 or visit www.bermaguisls.org.au.
Bilgola Surf Life Saving Club- Soft balloon tyre wheelchair – bookings required call: 02 9918 2337 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Coffs Harbour- Coffs Harbour City Council 02 6648 4000, ask for the Life Guard (1 chair, free), Coffs Harbour Yacht Club, 02 6652 4390, (1 chair no pre-bookings), Northcott Society, 02 6651 2366, (1 chair, hire fee and a deposit applies for non-Northcott clients), Chairs available at Park Beach Surf Club 02 6652 9870, Sawtell Surf Lifesaving Club 02 6653 2164.
Cronulla- Bookings can be made on 02 9544 5399 . Manual and powered chairs are available.
Manly- Free loan of beach wheelchair available from the lifeguard at South Steyne Surf Pavillion, 02 8495 5009.
Bondi- Accessible promenade, beach access by ramps, accessible toilet facilities at Bondi Pavilion using MLAK key, beach wheelchair available from lifeguard.
Northern Beaches - Freewheeler chair available, ramp access and can be booked through Newport Surf Life Saving Club 02 8495 5009 weekends 0418 628 362 weekdays This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Newcastle & Central Coast- Cooks Hills Surf Life Saving Club has a Lasher sports beach wheelchair and a sling and hoist.
Newport Beach - Beach Wheelchairs available.
Warilla beach- Available when the lifeguards are on patrol.
Wollongong Council- At Stanwell Park, Thirroul and Port Kembla. Wheelchairs can be used during patrol hours. To book a wheelchair call 02 4227 7268. Carers must accompany beach wheelchair users.

Victoria

Altona Beach - There is accessible beach matting which is laid down 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, there is a sandcruiser and Mobi-chair accessible beach wheelchair, walking frames, as well as an accessible bathroom, shower, change room and parking.
Mordialloc Beach - Have accessible beach matting, parking and a bathroom.
Mornington Peninsula - There is access to a sandcruiser and hippocampe beach wheelchair, as well as a sandpiper kid’s beach wheelchair. There is also an accessible bathroom, shower and change room.
Both St Kilda Beach and South Melbourne - Have accessible beach matting and a Mobi-chair accessible wheelchair.
Williamstown Beach - Has 24x7 beach matting, accessible facilities and a Mobi-chair wheelchair.
Hobsons Bay - Beach walking frames are available to hire. The frames can be collected at Altona and Williamstown Beaches on Saturdays and Sundays, from 12 pm to 5 pm throughout summer. Hobsons Bay City Council's website lists all the accessible facilities available in their area. Walking frames and wheelchairs are free to hire and bookings are essential. Contact Council’s Social Planning Team on 1300 179 944 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lorne- Has approx 50m of Mobi-matting during Summer 24 hours per day. Outdoor shower next to toilet block that is wheelchair accessible. Free Hoist – BYO Sling, both chair and hoist can be booked at Make a Booking and are available for hours that Lifeguards patrol the beaches.
Port Melbourne- Port Melbourne and St Kilda beaches both have accessibility facilities. To help remove some of the barriers people face on beaches, and let everyone enjoy the famous St Kilda foreshore, beach matting and beach wheelchairs are available over the summer months. A full Changing Places facility with a hoist and change table is available at the St Kilda Lifesaving Club.
Fishos Fixture (Torquay) Torquay Angling Club will store the beach wheelchairs at its clubhouse.

Queensland

North Burleigh Heads - Has accessible beach matting.

Port Douglas- Has accessible beach matting and Freewheeler Beach Wheelchair at no cost. See lifeguards on duty.
Southport- Has a floating pontoon and two sandcruiser wheelchairs, as well as matting.
Mowbray Park at Burleigh Heads-Has matting, parking, an accessible bathroom at the Surf Life Saving Club and access to a floating and sandpiper beach wheelchair.
Wheelchair access at Burleigh Heads, Kurrawa Beach, Nobby Beach, North Burleigh, Southport, Southport Broadwater Parklands (Aqua Splash), Tallebudgera, and Tallebudgera Creek. The City of Gold Coast information on accessible beaches website lists further details on bookings and facilities.
Sunshine Coast - Kings, Coolum, Mooloolaba and Alexandra Headland.
Suttons Beach at Redcliffe- Accessible Beach Matting and ramp.
Bundaberg- Nielson's, Elliott Heads and Moore Park Beach. Sand wheelchairs, Floating wheelchairs.
Gold Coast- Now offer wheelchair access at Burleigh Heads, Kurrawa Beach, Nobby Beach, North Burleigh, Southport, Southport Broadwater Parklands (Aqua Splash), Tallebudgera, and Tallebudgera Creek. The City of Gold Coast information on accessible beaches website lists further details on bookings and facilities.

South Australia

Seacliff Beach- Has access to a Mobi-chair and slat type access platform.
Henley beach- Changing Places facility, including adult changing space. Beach matting will now be available 24 hours a day and free hire of beach wheelchairs for half days. Details on Accessibility are available through the City of Charles Sturt.

Western Australia

Quindalup- Have upgraded Beach Trekker chairs which are now available through Quindalup Sea Rescue Centre via the Dunsborough Visitor Centre on 08 9755 3517 and Equinox Café on 08 9752 4641. Busselton Foreshore, Bunker bay and Old Dunsborough Beach have beach access ramps installed.
City of Cockburn
Floating Beach Wheelchair Hire. More information is available here.
Sand Rider Beach Wheelchair Hire. More information is available here.
Beach Trekker Wheelchair Hire. More information is available here.
Beach Walker Wheelchair. More information is available here.
Floating Beach Wheelchair Hire terms and Conditions.
More information is available here.
Contact the City Administration Centre on 08 9411 3444 between 8.30 am and 5 pm.
Busselton and Dunsborough- Beach Trekker chairs which are now available through Quindalup Sea Rescue Centre via the Dunsborough Visitor Centre on 08 9755 3517 and Equinox Café on 08 9752 4641. Busselton Foreshore, Bunker bay and Old Dunsborough Beach have beach access ramps installed.

External Territories

Norfolk Island - Emily Bay

Ramped access to the Eastern end of Emily Bay. Waves mostly break on the reef, so Emily Bay has some shelter from breaking waves.
The bay also has a submerged coral reef which can cause lacerations to the feet. Recommend wearing aqua footwear or searching out a clear section of the beach.
For details on roll-out beach matting Contact Norfolk Island Health and Residential Aged Care Services (0011) 6723 22091.

Emily Bay has a floating raft within the bay.