9 minute read
Accessible Aussie national parks
ACCESSIBLE NATIONAL PARKS
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.
Advertisement
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.
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.
Blue Mountains walk from Echo Point to lookout
Uluru base walk
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
TOP 5 PODCASTS ABOUT DISABILITY AND TRAVEL
Prick up your ears and turn up the volume. We’ve compiled some of our favourite podcasts emerging from the disability community, covering travel, parenthood and more.
Lois Strachan interviews Julie Jones
LISTENABLE, WITH DYLAN ALCOTT AND ANGUS O’LOUGHLIN
Radio host and paralympian Dylan Alcott and radio and TV personality Angus O’Loughlin happen to be best mates, which is evident with their easy rapport. Their podcast is relaxed and seeks to challenge perceptions about what it means to live with a disability. ListenABLE features well-known guests and is not afraid to talk about the tricky stuff. Learn more and listen to ListenABLE at
podcastoneaustralia.com.au/podcasts/listenable
WHEELCHAIR TRAVEL, WITH JOHN MORRIS
John Morris has been sharing travel stories and advice for wheelchair users on his blog Wheelchair Travel for years. Recently, he also launched an eponymous podcast. “My goal is to connect disabled travellers with the industry and also the reverse - connect the industry with experiences of disabled travellers,” says John. Learn more at weelchairtravel.org
A DIFFERENT WAY OF TRAVELLING, WITH LOIS STRACHAN
Lois teamed up with friend and founder of Accessible South Africa, Deirdre Gower, to deliver this travel-based podcast. Lois interviews guests with disabilities about their travel tips and highlights, and shares information about accessible service providers. “I love what I’m doing with the podcast because it is giving me such a great opportunity to talk to people about something that I’m passionate about,” says Lois. Learn more and listen to A Different Way of Travelling at podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-different-
way-of-travelling
TINY ISLAND, WITH KURT FEARNLEY
Host Kurt Fearnley has claimed three Paralympic gold medals, won more than 30 marathons and crawled the length of the Kokoda Track. His podcast hosts influential and prominent Aussies for a chat about what it means to be alive and what it means to be Australian. You can expect Kurt to spin a yarn with sporting greats like Adam Goodes and Layne Beachley, pop culture icons like Osher Gunsberg and The Wiggles and politicians such as Bill Shorten and Gladys Berejiklian.
Learn more at kurtfearnley.com
TOO PEAS IN A PODCAST, WITH MANDY HOSE AND KATE JONES
You will laugh and you will cry alongside co-hosts Mandy and Kate, two unapologetic mums who love a chuckle, as they talk about parenting children with additional needs. Too Peas in a Podcast had been running for less than a year when it was recognised by Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb from Chat 10 Looks 3 and Mia Freedman from Mamamia Out Loud. Check out toopeasinapodcast.com.au
The Shine Shed All Abilities Play Centre!
Covid 19 has hit many businesses hard, including the Shine Shed All Abilities Play Centre. The Shine Shed was closed for a couple of weeks and then with NSW Health permission, reopened again after easter for private sessions. From 1st July the Shine Shed reopened for Open Play and can now host 20 participants plus parents/carers and have resumed with birthday parties.
Safety is our highest priority so we have now implemented: • Specific sessions throughout the day (see websites). • Private Hire $125 hr up to 10 people. Bring your family and friends, stay safe and save! • The centre is cleaned and sanitised between sessions. • Every person entering the Shine Shed has to complete a temperature check and health declaration, and complete our sign in sheet for contact tracing. • Online booking is available and encouraged to reduce contacts. • Social distancing , handwashing / sanitising is encouraged at all times. • Both centres have airbags rather than foam pits!
SHINE SHED NORTH WEST IS OPEN!
In the midst of all this pandemic craziness the Shine Shed North West at Vineyard opened on the 4th July! Perfectly located for families in Windsor, the Hills District and Blacktown areas. The Shine Shed North West is proudly owned by Iain and Samantha Thomson and their family of Brianna, Nate and Zach. Brianna and Zach both live with a rare genetic disorder called CDG (PIGN) MCAHSS1- Congenital Disorders of Glycolsylation subtype PIGN and after visiting the Shine Shed in Campbelltown and seeing the benefits it offered their children, were keen to bring the Shine Shed closer to home and to their community in North West Sydney.
Like the original Shine Shed, the North West centre features an accessible zipline, air bag pit, climbing walls, trampoline, therapy swings, sensory room, wheelchair cubby, spinning pods and more. There is a full café so you can grab a hot coffee , lunch or a snack while watching the everyone have fun! It’s also air conditioned for year round comfort.
ALL AGES, ALL ABILITIES
At the Shine Shed, we get asked all the time – What age is the Shine Shed suitable for? The answer is simple – any age. The Shine Shed was designed to meet the sensory, play and social needs of people of all ages. Weight is the main factor with equipment use, and most of our equipment can manage 100kg with ease with many pieces rated to 200kg.
Lets face it, our young children with sensory needs often grow into young adults with an ongoing need for sensory input! Many adults enjoy visiting the centre and its always great to see teens and young adults having a blast alongside everyone else, with no judgement and loads of acceptance!
Both centres are happy to cater to individual adults wanting to come and join the fun Or adult group programs. Adults are welcome to come at anytime, but we suggest that if they have behaviour challenges or are extremely sensitive that you contact us and we can arrange a nice quiet time to come along.
THE SHINE SHED ALL ABILITIES PLAY CENTRE
South West Sydney 5 Mount Erin Rd Campbelltown, Nsw 02 4629 5555 shineshed.com.au North West Sydney 1/16 Rob Place Vineyard, NSW 02 4577 9107 shineshednorthwest.com.au
Making Dreams Happen with Integrity
During these difficult times, it is gratifying to see people come together to help and support those in need. In the last month Integrity Car Sales and Rentals (ICSAR) had a couple of standout examples of collaboration and generosity in action.
ICSAR SALES
A while ago, Integrity was approached by a family who needed a vehicle to transport their six-year-old daughter, Kareena. Kareena has cerebral palsy. Integrity knew they had to help. The Cerebral Palsy Alliance rallied together in an amazing fund-raising effort with the local Lions Clubs of Balgowlah, Frenchs Forest, Mosman, the Lions District Cabinet, and the Australian Lions Foundation. After months of dedication, a wheelchair accessible vehicle was presented to Kareena’s family at Integrity’s Sydney home office. Even though it rained on the day, the spirits and smiles of all involved could not be dampened.
ICSAR RENTALS
Integrity opened their latest satellite rental site in the Illawarra region partnering with local representative Evan Loats. Evan knew Jack Clewley, a young man with cerebral palsy who was a mad Rabbitohs fan and wanted to go to a game in Sydney. Until now, this had been impossible. There were no disability rental vehicle services south of Sydney and a bus or taxi would be too expensive. Integrity is a registered NDIS Provider so Jack was able to use his NDIS funds to go to the game with his carer, James Brooks, from local disability service provider Interchange Illawara. Unfortunately, even though Jack and James were Rabbitohs members, they had missed out on a ballot to win tickets to the game. Integrity got in touch with the club, explained the situation and the club generously gave Jack and James tickets to the game. The Rabbitohs beat the Warriors and Jack and James couldn’t have been more delighted.
Experiences like these are what keeps the team at Integrity going; the drive to help people get out, travel, and do what they love motivates everything Integrity does. Whether the customer needs spare parts, troubleshooting, or repair call outs, the team is just a phone call away. They will also do everything they can to support their customers in renting a vehicle and regaining their freedom.
“To be of service is the reason we are in this industry and we couldn’t be happier doing what we do” INTEGRITY TEAM.
1300 WELCAB | 1300 935 222
