Gold Coast’s Best Accessible Activities

If you’re looking to plan a trip away with your loved ones, the Gold Coast is home to many exciting accessible activities and beaches. It’s easy to see why this destination is a tourist hotspot with its huge range of pristine beaches, wildlife activities and theme parks. Here are a few of the Gold Coasts many accessible highlights.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary offer 27 hectares of rainforest. Wind your way through this natural wonder as you view Kangaroos, Dingos, Red Pandas, Capybara and more. There’s plenty of amazing wildlife for you to see and interact with. The sanctuary offers shows twice a day with activities such as Dingo feeding and koala cuddling. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is easily accessible with a huge range of ramps and boardwalks to assist your trip. Discounts are offered to people with disability and their carers.

Movie World

Warner Bros. Movie World is the place to experience adrenaline pumping rides, meet your favourite super heroes and watch stunt shows. There is fun for the whole family with a dedicated zone for kids and thrilling rollercoaster for daredevil adults. Many rides and attractions are accessible for guests using wheelchairs or mobility aids.

To maximise your experience, Warner Bros. Movie World suggests people with a disability or medical condition seek advice from Guests Services before presenting to a ride or attraction. This allows you to understand which rides are safe and suitable for you to use. You will also be provided with a communication wristband to ensure there is no disruption to your day.  Companion Cardholders are entitled to one free of charge Companion Ticket so that care and support can be provided to you during your visit to Movie World. Otherwise, people with a Carer’s Card issued by relevant State or Commonwealth authorities can access a discounted admission rate.

Sea World

Visit the Gold Coast’s wildest attraction. Sea World is an oceanarium, theme park and marine mammal park. Home to some of Australia’s most exciting underwater creatures you can get your adrenaline pumping at shark bay, and cheer with the crowds as dolphins spin through the air at dolphin beach. Sea World not only has plenty of rides and wildlife to see but also hosts a range of exciting wildlife shows including reef and penguin feeding. Almost all shopping and dining venues are completely wheelchair accessible. Seaworld is dedicated to meeting everyone’s needs with a range of assistive devices and facilities on hand.

iFLY Indoor Skydiving

Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, iFLY’s indoor skydiving diving is a fun and accessible activity for people of all abilities. The vertical wind tunnel mimics true free fall conditions, allowing participants to experience skydiving in a fully-controlled and safe environment.

The venue is fully wheelchair accessible with lift access, restrooms and entrances to suit wheelchair uses and people with mobility restrictions. If you have a physical disability, indoor skydiving can allow you to feel a sense of freedom and weightlessness, with only small movements required to move during the experience. Due to the noise of the wind tunnel, iFLY uses visual cues which is beneficial for those who have a hearing impairment. Although, visual cues are used, instructors can also use physical communication skills to support those with low vision.

The experience is also great for people with low sensory input, as the wind tunnel provides them with constant sensory input. Throughout your indoor skydiving session, an instructor is always with the flyer for comfort and reassurance. IFLY permits carers to support their clients throughout the experience without having to pay entrance fees – should they not fly themselves.

Skypoint Observation Deck

Skypoint Observation Deck sits on level 77 of Q1 in Surfers Paradise. Accessible via elevator this space offers 360-degree views of the Gold Coast. Take in a birds-eye view of one of Australia’s most iconic landscapes, from the safety of the deck. Sit back, relax and grab a bite to eat and a refreshing drink from the Skypoint Bar & Bistro as you marvel at spectacular, uninterrupted views. The Skypoint website confirms the venue is fully accessible with a wheelchair.

HOTA

Home of the arts is where art, entertainment, culture and lifestyle collide on the Gold Coast. From galleries, exhibitions and live theatre to music, comedy and cafes you can enjoy a full day or evening out! HOTA supports everyone in the community to create, experience and engage in Arts and Culture.

For wheelchair users and people with mobility restrictions, the venue has a ramp for street access and lifts inside for accessibility between levels. When you arrive, there are designated parking spaces at the front of HOTA Central and a set-down and pick up area in front of the main entrance. A range of assistive technology is also available for hearing and vision impaired visitors, including listening assisted headsets and captioned glasses.

The HOTA Gallery also offers a quiet hour on the first Saturday of the month, between 9-10am, to support those seeking a relaxed and calm environment. The venue provides Companion Card holders a second ticket for their chosen companion at no additional cost. This can be requested from the Box Office team when you book your tickets.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Experience the excitement of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! The Odditorium is home to hundreds of unusual artefacts and is accessible for people with a disability through a back-wheelchair entrance. Once you are inside you can easily venture through the themed galleries and immerse yourself in the incredible art, pop-culture memorabilia, and stories.

There are also interactive games and a 7D moving cinema for those able to access, or be transferred onto, the cinema chairs. This is a great spot, where hours of entertainment are guaranteed. Single and combo tickets or family packages can be purchased, with concessions available for students and children.

ArtVo

ArtVo Gold Coast at Robina Town Centre offers everyone the opportunity to experience the traditional art museum, with a twist. The immersive, ‘trick-art’ gallery gives you the chance to not only touch and interact with the art but also ‘be’ the art. All ages and abilities can get involved by stepping into the optical illusions or larger than life murals to strike a pose or even fight a dragon!

People with disability can enjoy the immersive experience as the venue is wheelchair-accessible. The staff are happy to accommodate your needs as best they can and encourage you to get in touch prior to your visit. Individual and Family tickets are available for pre-book online or can be purchased from reception on the day. The venue can be easily accessed with bus stops, train stations and taxi points located nearby.

There are also interactive games and a 7D moving cinema for those able to access, or be transferred onto, the cinema chairs. This is a great spot, where hours of entertainment are guaranteed. Single and combo tickets or family packages can be purchased, with concessions available for students and children.

Hopo Ferry

Cruise the water ways of the Gold Coast onboard the accessible Hopo Ferry. The ferry stops at five iconic destinations including Surfers Paradise, HOTA, Marina Mirage, Southport and Sea World. The service departs every hour, from both a North and Southbound direction.

The ferry is fun, safe and accessible for everyone with a ramp for onboarding and disembarking and priority seating at the back of the vessel for wheelchair and mobility aid users. If you require assistance accessing and travelling onboard the ferry, call (07) 5655 3528 or visit the Sea World Cruises terminal prior to your trip. Discounted tickets are offered to carers.

Sea World Cruises

Choose your own experience with Sea World Cruises. The options include whale watching, rooftop parties, buffet lunches and even seasonal holiday cruises. Sea World’s tours are accessible for people with different physical, intellectual and sensory abilities. Both vessels have ramp access for wheelchair or mobility restricted users – view more accessibility details here.

Additional assistance can be provided from the crew when boarding and disembarking upon request. There is accessible parking and bathrooms at the Sea World Cruises Terminal and offsite and accessible public toilets nearby the Surfers Paradise Departure location. National Companion cardholders who purchase a full-priced ticket can receive a ticket for their companion at no extra cost. These bookings must be made over the phone or in person, and your companion card must be presented at check-in.

The ferry is fun, safe and accessible for everyone with a ramp for onboarding and disembarking and priority seating at the back of the vessel for wheelchair and mobility aid users. If you require assistance accessing and travelling onboard the ferry, call (07) 5655 3528 or visit the Sea World Cruises terminal prior to your trip. Discounted tickets are offered to carers.

Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk

Take in incredible views of Mount Tambourine’s rainforest canopy at the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk. Standing 30m above Cedar Creek Falls, this fully accessible boardwalk is a must do. Relax in nature as you wind your way along the walk and listen to the birds chirping in the trees. The skywalk takes you from the upper canopy all the way down to the lower canopy where you can explore rock pools and the butterfly gardens.

Miami Marketta

Miami Marketta is the perfect spot to treat your tastebuds and enjoy some live entertainment. The laneway comes alive from 5pm and is full of street food vendors so you can indulge in foods from around the globe. The night market is accessible and free to the public every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night, with other ticketed events available for purchase.

Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets

Situated at the end of Cavill Avenue, these beachfront markets offer a diverse shopping experience. The Market stalls range from fashion, jewellery and candles to local produce, food and experiences.

The markets operate every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night from 4pm – 9pm, and are fully accessible with ample street parking along the esplanade and in nearby carparks. There are also accessible unisex public toilets available along the foreshore. Afterwards, you could enjoy dinner at one of the many accessible restaurants nearby!

Accessible Beaches

Thanks to a collaborative trial between Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park Surf Life Saving Club and Gold Coast City, there has been a coast wide initiative working to make many popular beaches fully accessible. Beaches such as Burleigh Heads, Nobby’s and Southport now provide mats and sand chairs to the public for no cost. See here to view the full list of accessible beaches and available equipment.