Beach Access Guide
In Western Australia, we are truly blessed when it comes to the natural environment we are surrounded by, and sometimes take for granted. From the bush to the beach, there is so much to explore – especially during the long summer days ahead of us.
And as MSWA Client, Margaret Cable has shown us in her story, using a wheelchair shouldn’t be a barrier to enjoying the great outdoors or our lovely coastline on those hot days! MSWA Occupational Therapist Michaela Van Zuylen has put together this useful guide, from beach wheelchair and walker hire to accessible trails, so you can start planning your summertime adventures.
Find your local
The Accessible Beaches website has a search function to help you find which beaches have public access wheelchairs, matting, accessible bathrooms, hoists and other important information when planning a beach day.
Find the right equipment
There are a few beach wheelchairs and walkers which can be booked on spacetoco:
- Sandcruiser Beach Wheelchair – Leighton Beach
- Push Beach Walker - Leighton Beach
- Sandcruiser Beach Wheelchair - City Beach
- Sandcruiser Beach Wheelchair – Bathers Beach / Shipwrecks Museum
Other equipment can be booked through your local council’s website.
Time to change
Changing Places website is a directory of where to find changing places – these are specific disability change rooms for people who require a hoist for transfer, change table, wheelchair accessible shower and toilet.
On Accessible Beaches I found two locations which also offer free loan beach wheelchairs and changing places for people who need hoist transfers:
Time to hit the trails
AllTrails has a list of wheelchair friendly trails across Perth, with hand-curated trail maps, driving directions and detailed reviews from fellow nature lovers – so you know exactly what to expect.
Ready for more?
Break the Boundary is a volunteer organisation that runs off-road cycling and hiking opportunities for people with physical and neurological conditions. From multi-day camps to individual clinics and social group rides, the team helps people connect with the outdoors and experience areas thought to be inaccessible.
Remember to reach out to your Occupational Therapist if you need help going off-road this summer. As well as helping you to locate which beach or trail has the accessibility features you require, they can also assist you with booking out the equipment and determine accessible changing places.
