Australia is a beautiful country with breathtaking landscapes, vast wilderness, and very friendly people. As we have a wheelchair user in our family we try to visit places and do activities that are wheelchair accessible. Last summer was a landmark year for me as I graduated from high school. Before going to college we did a road trip to the country down under where of course was winter. Australia is a big country/continent to cover in a single trip. This time we had planned to cover the states of New South Wales and Victoria. Sydney and Melbourne are the two major cities we visited. Both the cities are very different with their own little signature and charm. Sydney has famous landmarks like the Sydney Harbor Bridge and a stunning Sydney Opera House whereas Melbourne is very lively and vibrant with cafes, art, sports, and people-watching.

Amongst all the activities, watching Fairytale penguins on Phillip Island was one of the most unique experiences for us. We were also really amazed by the wheelchair accessibility of that place. 

Phillip Island is famous for its wildlife adventure, beaches, and magnificent Penguin parade. This is one of the largest Fairytale penguin colonies in the world. Hundreds of  little Fairytale Penguins comes ashore, marching like soldiers, around dusk every day of the year. You can see the cute little Penguins up close as they waddle towards their burrows. You can also see them in the underground section at eye level. There is a Boardwalk and a platform for viewing. The rangers will guide you to your seat. Make sure to book the tickets beforehand as they get filled up very fast. And also try to reach there a couple of hrs early. Since the Penguin Parade is at sunset and outside, please be prepared for any change in weather, so make sure you bring warm clothes and a raincoat. During winters this place is very cold and windy.

♿️ Wheelchair Accessibility ♿️

  • All the parks in Phillip island are inclusive and very accessible
  • There are quite a few accessible parking. Make sure to arrive early as they get filled up fast.
  • Other general parking also has accessibility. Right from the parking, there are wide pathways to enter the visitor center 
  • All the pathways have directions.
  • There is a ramp from the visitor center to the Penguin watching platform
  • There is a complimentary wheelchair to use in the visitor center if you don’t have your own
  • The view platform has assigned place for the wheelchair user to seat
  • The crew wearing orange jackets are very helpful. They can guide you exactly where to seat
  • General and underground viewing both are wheelchair accessible
  • The doors have wide openings and automatic 
  • There are accessible restrooms with automatic doors where you only have to press the button to lock them.