21 minute read
Discover Lake Macquarie
LET’S DISCOVER LAKE MAC
Belmont Lakeside
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Discover Lake Macquarie, located on the east coast of Australia, boasting the largest coastal saltwater lake in the southern hemisphere - twice the size of Sydney Harbour.
Made up of 90 diverse towns and villages, 30km of pristine coastline and some of the most beautiful forests in NSW, there is no shortage of things to see and do in Lake Macquarie.
Located just 90 minutes north of Sydney and a short drive to Newcastle and the Hunter Valley Wine Region, Lake Macquarie is a popular destination for holidaymakers, with many visitors choosing to visit year after year.
Whether you are visiting for a weekend or an extended a holiday, be sure to immerse yourself in the array of activities available at your fingertips. Relax, unwind and take in the views, reach out and touch the sand at one of our golden beaches, escape to our natural playground for an adventure of discovery, or visit our large selection of local cafes, restaurants and shopping on offer.
Swansea Lake Mac Villa
Lake Mac Holiday Parks
Lake Mac Holiday Parks provide a range of waterfront accommodation from caravanning and camping, to our newly installed state of the art accessible Lake Mac Villas/Duplex. The Lake Mac Villas/ Duplex includes accessible parking, ramp access, automatic doors and blinds, motorised adjustable shelves and accessible bathrooms. Lake Mac Holiday Parks new accessible features include a wheelchair pool ramp at Blacksmiths Beachside, a wheelchair pool hoist at Belmont Lakeside, an aquatic wheelchair and accessible playground carousel at Swansea Lakeside as well as communal facilities across all three sites.
The Lake Mac Villas include a twobedroom accessible villa at Blacksmiths Beachside, a three-bedroom and twobedroom accessible villa at Swansea Lakeside and two adjoining one-bedroom cabins at Belmont Lakeside that can open into a single villa for large families.
The Parks central locations ensure you are in close proximity to the many clubs, pubs and restaurants of the local area, making Swansea, Blacksmiths or Belmont the ideal place to sit back and relax.
Swansea Kitchen
Swansea Bedroom
Blacksmiths Nine Mile
Swansea Villa Interior
Across the parks there are plenty of activities to keep the kids busy including swimming pools, mini golf, playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts as well as nearby boat launching facilities for water lovers alike. With the lake on its doorstep you won’t have to travel far to find something to do. Paddle in the shallow waters of the lake, take the boat out for some fishing, enjoy the vista along the stunning foreshore or if you are feeling more active & adventurous head to Blacksmiths or Pelican along the shared pathway. Blacksmiths Beach and Caves Beach are only a 5-minute drive away, or you can pack a picnic lunch and pick a spot on the foreshore to watch the boats go by at Swansea Channel.
Belmont Lakeside offers breathtaking scenery with its panoramic views of the lake and island like atmosphere, Blacksmiths Beachside offering that relaxing beachside family holiday we are all looking for or Swansea Lakeside for family fun and adventure seekers right on the lakes’ edge.
Lake Mac Holiday Parks has accommodation to cater for the whole family including your beloved furry friend with pet-friendly accommodation available at Belmont Lakeside and Blacksmiths Beachside.
Swimming spots
During the warmer months, take advantage of Belmont Baths and its recently upgraded accessible facilities. These include a Mobi-chair stored onsite (available to anyone with a MLAK key), ramp access, external showers, a family change room, ambulant change room, toilet facilities, an accessible changeroom and accessible parking.
Blacksmiths, Caves and Redhead Beaches all offer accessible access to the beautiful pristine coastline and onsite aquatic wheelchairs available to anyone with a MLAK key. During the colder months, visit the newly renovated Toronto Swim Centre, which caters for all abilities with accessible changerooms, showers, toilets, parking and an onsite cafe.
Belmont Pool Hoist
Belmont Baths
Museum of Art and Culture
Formerly known as Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, the Museum of Art and Culture (MAC) is an exceptional cultural experience. Located on the waterfront at the northern end of Lake Macquarie, MAC is inclusive and accessible, and offers creative and diverse cultural programs to engage the local community and visitors alike. View exhibitions, grab a bite to eat at the onsite Sculpture Cafe or try your hand at painting, sculpting and other arts and crafts classes suitable with options for both kids and adults.
The Museum of Art and Culture
Toronto Swim Centre
Warners bay shared pathway
From the Eleebana Lions Park carpark, this shared pathway hugs the lake foreshore for its entirety, ending at MAC in Booragul. Paved and flat, this is a great pathway for families to enjoy together. One of the highlights is a 380 metre-long elevated boardwalk built out over the lake around a headland known locally as Red Bluff. Enjoy accessible parking, picnic and rest areas, as well as toilet facilities along the 8.9km stretch, perfect for all levels of fitness. While you’re at it, treat yourself to a coffee or snack (or both!) at one of the many cafes located opposite the lake on The Esplanade, right in the heart of Warners Bay.
Warners Bay
Accessible Bathroom
Catalina Lakefront Retreat
Catalina Lakefront Retreat is a multi-purpose centre on the waterfront at Rathmines, on beautiful Lake Macquarie. Owned by the charity Disability Life Enrichment, the facility was originally the hospital for the RAAF base and has been extensively renovated to meet the needs of both community and disability guests.
With a history as a hospital and a nursing home, the venue is ideal to support people with a disability who have accessibility needs. There is no stairs and wide hallways and doors through the building providing easy access for people who need wheelchair access. This also includes the surrounding parkland with wide, flat pathways and easy access to the water.
This is a unique facility in that Catalina Lakefront Retreat has the majority of rooms accessible. There are a variety of bedrooms, ranging from single to family and even larger bunk rooms. There are many bathrooms and accessible ensuites in a number of rooms. This means that large groups can be easily catered for, including guests with high accessibility needs.
There are plenty of areas for groups to meet, including a large function room, smaller meeting rooms, games room and a lounge. A large commercial style kitchen and multiple dining areas, including an outdoor BBQ area provide even more opportunities for social interaction. A large fenced outdoors entertaining area provides plenty of room to run around or even feed the local birds.
Catalina Lakefront Retreat is an ideal venue for people with a disability to have family holidays, group retreats or even some respite.
Left: Caves Beach, One of Lake Macquaries many shared pathways, Warners Bay foreshore sculpture trail Right: Taking an art workshop at MAC, Fernleigh Track
LOVE LAKE MACQUARIE
With beach caves you can roll into, kilometers of accessible pathways and outstanding accommodation options, Lake Macquarie is an easy destination to fall in love with for travellers with mobility needs. WORDS: JULIE JONES
As a family we love exploring different regions when we travel, but in recent years we’ve found ourselves returning to Lake Macquarie. In the beginning it was because it was close enough to Sydney to make it a relaxing weekend away, but we’ve since discovered the region excels in access and inclusion. Here’s what keeps us returning.
WHERE WE STAY
Self-catering accommodation is our preference and with a variety of holiday parks offering accessible villas there’s plenty of choice. We particularly like the accessible villa/duplex at Belmont Lakeside Holiday Park for the location and views of the lake. There’s nothing that says we are taking a break from the hustle and bustle of Sydney like waking up to the peaceful scene of a pelican gliding across the lake at sunrise.
WHERE WE PLAY
Caves Beach
Few cave experiences provide access for a wheelchair user, so our family delights in exploring the caves at this aptly named beach. Heading down at low tide with the help of a beach wheelchair we were able to
explore the exposed rock pools and caves. A beach wheelchair is available to loan for free from the Caves Beach Surf Lifesaving Club.
Fernleigh Track
We had so much fun wandering the Fernleigh Track and we can see why it’s the Hunter region’s most popular shared pathway. The 15km route along a disused coal haul rail line passes through multiple suburbs and takes in the Glenrock State Conservation Area, Awabakal Nature Reserve and Belmont Wetlands State Park. Our son particularly enjoyed the social nature of this track with everyone greeting him in some way, from the ring of a bike bell to a quick breathless “Hi mate” from runners. Overgrown with greenery the tunnel along this track is a stunning feature and a cool place to try out an echo when no-one is watching.
MAC
Overlooking the shores of Lake Macquarie we enjoyed visiting the Museum of Art and Culture (MAC), the regions premier art destination. After getting our cultural fix by admiring the artworks of local artists, it was time for us to roll up our sleeves, channel Van Gough and participate in an art workshop. We were insanely proud of our artwork which was easy and fun but left us under no illusion we had an art career in our futures. A highlight of our visit was lunch in the Sculpture café where a ploughman’s platter refuelled us for more adventures.
Warners Bay Foreshore
Lake Macquarie offers more accessible foreshore walks than any other location we’ve visited and even produces a brochure listing the shared pathways and accessibility. It’s a joy to have so many walks to choose from. The Warners Bay Foreshore is an ideal spot for a picnic with lake views, sculptures dotting the pathway and cafes nearby.
WHERE WE EAT
Our troops get hungry after all the fresh air and full days exploring so it’s lucky the area isn’t short on accessible dining options. Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalows is our favourite place to go for its water views, live music, and delicious pizzas. Belmont 16s offers an extensive menu which will cater to even the pickiest of diners and water views. Tides Café & Restaurant at Swansea serves up a pancake stack and eggs perfect for a hearty breakfast to start the day. And as an ice cream- loving family we love Greg and Audrey’s homemade ice cream, retro vibe and the quirky bat phone on the counter. The Toronto waterfront nearby is the ideal place to sit and savour our ice cream.
10 REASONS FOR ROLLIN’ IN NOOSA
Sensory Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible
Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is one of the most visited destinations in Australia. But is it accessible? We’ve got the lowdown from a local so you can decide if it’s right for you.
WORDS: DANIEL CARROLL
Our dream of living in subtropical Queensland finally eventuated over 13 years ago. Originally from Melbourne, our family holidayed in Noosa many times before making the permanent move. Like many before us, we fell in love with the low-rise village feel, beaches and surrounding countryside.
For travellers with sensory concerns, Noosa exudes a calmer and more laidback vibe than other hectic Queensland destinations. We love the warm summers, but the best time to visit depends on the activities that interest you. Like most popular tourist destinations, Noosa is busy during school holidays, and parking becomes scarce. It is only a 35-minute drive from the Sunshine Coast Airport.
These are our favourite accessible things to do and see in Noosa:
01
NOOSA MAIN BEACH & BOARDWALK
Noosa Main Beach is one of the few north-facing beaches along our coastline. The gentle waves make it perfect for families with year-round safe swimming. A beach wheelchair is available for use, as there is no beach matting for standard wheelchairs. If required, the surf lifesavers will assist you to the water's edge, but you will need a family member or support worker to take you into the sea. There is accessible parking and toilets at the Noosa Surf Club. The boardwalk is flat and wide, and there are accessible dining options and beachfront accommodations nearby.
02. HASTINGS STREET
Tree-lined Hastings Street offers something for everyone, from thong-wearing beachgoers to those after high-end resorts, restaurants, bars, cafes, and boutique shopping. Many establishments along the street are wheelchair accessible, and access to the beach is adequate. Disability parking spots exist along the road, but during peak periods, you might find it easier to pay for parking behind Hastings Street at Bay Village.
03. CAFÉ LE MONDE
Offering a casual ambience, Café Le Monde is one of Noosa's longest-running restaurants and bars. We love going there for a yummy breakfast after a dip at the beach. It also offers lunch, dinner, live music and late-night drinks. The café has a wheelchair accessible entry and disability parking in proximity.
04. NOOSA SURF CLUB
The Noosa Surf Club sits at Main Beach with superb views to the National Park and Noosa North Shore. Recently renovated, it has extensive menus, kids’ meals, plenty of space and excellent wheelchair accessibility, including a toilet. From the Hastings Street pavement, a ramp leads to the entrance which has a lift to the dining and bar area. There is ramp access to the sheltered outdoor space.
05. NOOSA RIVER BOARDWALK
The Noosa River boardwalk, adjacent to trendy Gympie Terrace in Noosaville, stretches for approximately two kilometres. Locals and visitors alike love this area and frequently exercise along the strip. The boardwalk is flat, wide and passes beautiful scenery, accessible toilets, accessible cafes, and water sport activities. For children, the Pirate park is at the western end of the boardwalk and has a wheelchair accessible Liberty Swing.
06
NOOSA NATIONAL PARK
The Noosa National Park walk is spectacular and accessible from Hastings Street with a wheelchair. It is one of our favourite inclusive activities to do as a family. There are a few hills to overcome, so it does help if someone can assist you. To shorten the distance, you can start the walk from the car park. There are accessible toilets at the car park and along the track opposite Tea Tree Bay, which is our favourite Noosa Beach!
The sealed trail ends at Dolphin Point. Without an all-terrain wheelchair, it is challenging to go any further as there are steps and the path is narrower. We lift Morgan in her Hippocampe Wheelchair and continue to Hells Gates, which offers 360-degree views. Afterwards, enjoy a coffee and snack at the National Park cafe.
07
PELICAN BOAT HIRE
Situated on the Noosa River boardwalk, Pelican Boat Hire offers seamless entry from check-in to boarding the pontoon style boats. These boats are flat, have ramp access, and after a brief introduction, they are easy to drive. A boat licence is not required. Morgan loves motion, and this is a pleasurable activity for the whole family.
08. DAY TRIP TO DOUBLE ISLAND POINT
One of our favourite adventures outside of Noosa is the four-wheel-drive day trip along the ‘Great Beach Drive’ to Double Island Point. Tucked away in the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park, this is a must-see for nature lovers and a favourite among Noosa locals. Driving along the sand is exhilarating with the Pacific Ocean on one side and National Park on the other. There is no accommodation and camping is not allowed. Double Island Point has no facilities apart from a food van selling ice creams, drinks, and light snacks, so pack your food and beverages.
09. SEAHAVEN NOOSA – ACCESSIBLE BEACHFRONT ACCOMMODATION
Positioned between Noosa Main Beach and Hastings Street, SeaHaven offers luxury beachfront accommodation with wheelchair accessibility. Recently renovated, the resort provides underground disability parking, ramps, lifts, and accessible bathrooms. The grounds throughout the hotel are also accessible, including access to the beach boardwalk via the tropical pool area. Management will obtain equipment specific to your needs. Tingirana Noosa is another accessible accommodation option.
10. NOOSA BOATHOUSE
When we dine out as a couple, we look for a restaurant with great food, water views and beautiful sunsets. Noosa Boathouse is our favourite as it is perched right on the Noosa River. The menu features modern Australian cuisine, including local beef and seafood, locally harvested produce, and vegetarian options. Wheelchair accessibility is fantastic, although only on the spacious ground level.
See more of our Rollin Adventures.
@rollinadventuresinnoosa @rollinadventures_in_noosa rollinadventures.com
Making the great outdoors accessible
Looking forward to your next holiday in the outdoors? Dreaming of beach bliss or untouched bushland?
The most rewarding and inspiring locations to visit in Australia are not always the most accessible.
Many wheelchairs are designed for use on sealed pavements. They aren’t always great on the unpredictable and uneven surfaces of our beautiful sandy beaches and the rugged bush tracks of our National Parks.
Beachwheels Australia has a range of All Terrain and Beach Chairs that help you can safely traverse sand, rocks, gravel, mud, grass and even snow.
Allow your imagination to veer off the beaten track and let Beachwheels Australia equip you with the wheels to get there.
As part of the Beachwheels Australia range:
DELTA BUGGY … AN EXCITING AND VERSATILE ADDITION TO OUR RANGE
Delta Buggy is built for the great outdoors.
Designed and manufactured in the UK by Delichon, this rugged lightweight All-Terrain Buggy opens up new horizons beyond the reach of conventional pushchairs, strollers or wheelchairs. It is available in a range of six sizes to suit children and adults.
Delichon's customary attention to detail has created an exceptional All-Terrain Buggy boasting a wealth of safety and comfort features for carer and occupant alike. It also boasts the optional new features:
• Bike Attachment… Can be easily attached behind a bicycle
• Multi Directional Swivel
Wheels… makes the Delta even more highly manoeuvrable.
• Suggested use...
Footpaths,shopping centres, indoors.
• UV and Insect Mesh
Protector… offers protection from the Aussie sun and insects • Delta Recline… this has
And an adjustable back for users that need additional head support.
BEACHWHEELS AUSTRALIA ALL TERRAIN CHAIR … GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY
Our Beachwheels Australia All Terrain Chair is one that should not be overlooked for value.
With four large 49cm balloon tyres, a light frame, pull up arm rests and a folding footrest it is a low maintenance workhorse that carries up to 150kg with ease across difficult to navigate surfaces.
At less than half the price of most all terrain chairs this is a beauty!
Contact Beachwheels Australia at info@beachwheelsaustralia. com or 0435 916391.
CAPITAL GAINS
For many Aussies Canberra conjures up memories of schooltime excursions. These days the capital has a myriad of experiences and attractions for travellers of all ages and with a wide range of needs.
WORDS: YASMINE GRAY
Hearing Impairment
Sensory Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible
Vision Impairment
Above: Yasmine and her son at Floriade Canberra Right: Yasmine trying Vertikal anberra is the wonderful city that I’ve called home for nearly 25 years. Often referred to as the Bush Capital because of the abundance of nature close by, Canberra is also famous for its many cultural institutions. Most attractions are family-friendly and suitable for people with different kinds of accessibility needs. I’m a power wheelchair user, but you can always find more accessible experiences in Canberra at getaboutable.com
THE DETAILS
There’s a variety of places to stay across all budgets, with at least 39 offering wheelchair-accessible rooms. You can even stay overnight among the animals at Jamala Wildlife Lodge.
You can visit the city year-round. Canberra blossoms in Spring, which is when it holds the annual Floriade festival. Enjoy the dry heat of summer, when people head to Canberra’s outdoor pools, natural waterways and shaded bush tracks. Autumn starts with the Balloon Spectacular and Enlighten Festival and brings glorious colours to the deciduous trees. Canberra gets cold in winter, but provides a great pit stop on the way to Snowy Mountains ski resorts.
Public transport (buses and trams), including Canberra’s hop-on hop-off tourism circuit, are wheelchair accessible and have both visual and auditory stop information. Unfortunately, Canberra’s public transport doesn’t reach some big tourist draw cards. The Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Service (WATS) participates in the Taxi Subsidy Scheme and accepts interstate vouchers.
WHAT TO DO IN CANBERRA
I’ve grouped my favourite tourism itineraries by geography, focusing on places with straightforward wheelchair access. Check out these top 5 accessible Canberra precincts:
The Parliamentary Triangle
Canberra’s ‘Parliamentary Triangle’ refers to the area just south of Lake Burley Griffin from New Parliament House to the Kings Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue bridges. Start by taking a tour of New Parliament House. Compare it to Old Parliament House, home of the Museum of Australian Democracy and a beautiful rose garden. The wheelchair accessible entrance to Old Parliament House is on the left, under the main staircase entrance. Staff are helpful in giving instructions on getting around to see the key parts of the building.
Make your way to the National Gallery of Australia, where my favourite exhibits are the Aboriginal Art collections, Jackson Pollock’s Blue Poles and the outdoor Sculpture Garden. You can then walk or roll past the High Court to Questacon science museum and National Library.
Lake Burley Griffin
The path along Lake Burley Griffin circles the entire lake (34 km). The smaller circuits are perfect for a leisurely weekend stroll and include the Central Basin (5 km, crossing the lake over the Commonwealth and Kings Avenue bridges), the Eastern Basin (9km, from Kings Avenue Bridge to the Jerrabomberra Wetlands), and the Western Basin (from the Commonwealth Bridge to Scrivener Dam). For families, Boundless Playground is near the Carillon on the north side of the lake’s Central Basin. Various monuments line ANZAC Parade to the north of the lake, leading to the interactive exhibits and Wall of Remembrance at the War Memorial.
Acton and Black Mountain
The National Museum of Australia is on Acton Peninsula. It houses artefacts from 60,000 years of Australian history in a modern waterfront building. The National Botanical Gardens are on the eastern slope of Black Mountain and have a range of wheelchair accessible walks. Nearby is Telstra Tower, which has a wheelchair accessible indoor observation level with expansive 360° views of Canberra.
Arboretum and Zoo
The National Arboretum was created in the ashes of the 2003 Canberra bushfires and is a stark reminder of how close the fires came to the centre of the city. The Arboretum’s café and playground are worth visiting, as are the expansive grounds which include a National Bonsai Collection. The National Zoo and Aquarium is surprisingly accessible, although it is hilly and covers a large area, so can be quite tiring. Wheelchairs and scooters are available for hire if needed, and there is a great playground on the far end of the zoo that’s worth visiting with children.
Cotter Road precinct
Start at the renovated historic Mt Stromlo Observatory. There is an accessible barbecue at Cotter Bend and walking track to Cotter Dam. The Cotter Road then turns into Paddy’s River Road, from which you can reach the CSIRO-Tidbinbilla Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex. Its Visitor Centre outlines Australia’s impact on space exploration, including the tracking of the Apollo lunar module. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve has many areas with accessible paths, including through the Koala Enclosure. It also loans out a TrailRider for exploring the less accessible trails.
I recommend support workers from HireUp. Mobility Matters and Total Mobility rent and repair mobility equipment.
