Travel Without Limits #4

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Access All Areas

ACCESSIBLE NATIONAL PARKS

BLUE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, NSW The Blue Mountains National Park is one of the most famous in New South Wales. Follow a short, wheelchairaccessible track from Echo Point Visitors Centre for stunning views of the Three Sisters, or the Fairfax Heritage track overlooking the Grose Valley. DAINTREE NATIONAL PARK, QLD THE MARRJA, DUBUJI AND KULKI boardwalks in Cape Tribulation in far north Queensland’s Daintree National Park are completely accessible. They’re wonderful ways to experience the world’s oldest rainforest, and keep your eyes peeled at Oliver Creek where you might spot crocs in the wild. ULURU-KATA TJUTA NATIONAL PARK, NT To experience the best of the Red Centre, conquer the Uluru Base walk.

The 10-kilometre loop encircling Australia’s most famous rock is only wheelchair-accessible in dry weather. You can complete shorter sections if the whole circuit is too long. Nearby, in Watarrka National Park, try the sealed Kathleen Springs Track. WALPOLE-NORNALUP NATIONAL PARK, WA Susupended 40 metres above the ground in Walpole-Nornalup National Park (Western Australia) is the Valley of the Giants treetop walk amid the ancient karri forest. Or descend to the boardwalk below to explore the Ancient Empire Walk, where you’ll enter a grove of towering tingle trees, giant eucalypts found nowhere else on earth.

Blue Mountains walk from Echo Point to lookout

Uluru base walk

FREYCINET NATIONAL PARK, TAS For an unparalleled vista over Tasmania’s Wineglass Bay, set off on the Cape Tourville circuit in Freycinet National Park. It’s a wonderful track for spotting wildlife. Keep an eye out for sea birds, sea-eagles, whales, seals and dolphins.The moderate slope may mean some assistance is required.

PARKS VICTORIA, VIC While pets are not permitted in National Parks, assistance animals such as guide dogs are. Your dog needs to be kept on a short lead and you should carry necessary paperwork on you just in case. Parks Victoria runs a Walk in the Park program for blind or vision impaired visitors. Trained guides will assist the group through certain parks in Melbourne, Geelong and Bellarine regions. Parks Victoria also provide social scripts for some destinations, including Brimbank Park, Buchan Caves, Jells Park, Serendip Sanctuary and Wilsons Promontory. These scripts are designed to help visitors on the autism spectrum or with sensory needs prepare for their outdoor adventure.

Image: Parks Victoria

When the days get longer and the weather more mild, it is the perfect time to explore the lush rainforests, seaside cliff tops and wind-swept mountains of our accessible national parks. We recommend you give one of these a try.

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