With a list of pregnancy complications as long as my arm I am not surprised to find myself reliant on a wheelchair for outings requiring me to be on my feet for more than a few minutes. My previous two pregnancies have finished on a similar note so I am cheered that my limited mobility is very much a temporary inconvenience. Exploring gorgeous Melbourne from a wheelchair has given me a different perspective of my hometown though. While being foot mobile is an advantage when exploring Melbourne, thankfully most of the major attractions are accessible to those in wheelchairs.
One of our favourite places to visit, wheelchairs are on loan on a first come first serve basis. All exhibits were accessible via lifts, walkways are wide and I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything being in the chair. The IMAX cinema onsite at the Melbourne Museum is also easily accessible for those in a wheelchair.
Melbourne Aquarium
Penguins at the Melbourne Aquarium
One of the lifts was broken on the day we visited meaning that, even though all exhibits were technically accessible, we had to move against the flow of visitors making things rather stressful. The lifts in use also were utilised by large groups of international guests that were fully capable of using the stairs meaning we had to wait for long periods of time for our turn. I suspect that when all lifts are working well visiting in a wheelchair is much more pleasant.
Scienceworks.
Scienceworks
This awesome museum brought out our all our family’s inner nerd with displays that cater for young kids to adults. Once again – an attraction that was easily wheelchair accessible, with loan wheelchairs available too. Good wheelchair accessible parking onsite.
Mr Moon Luna Park Melbourne
Melbourne’s grand centarian of amusement parks was easy to negotiate via wheelchair. Ability to ride the amusements depends on any medical conditions you have – not the fact that you are in a wheelchair. In my case, being pregnant I couldn’t ride the amusements but many conditions requiring a wheelchair would be no obstacle to enjoying the roller coaster etc. Wheelchair parking was however difficult to come near Luna Park.
The Botanic Gardens
The beautiful botanic gardens are traversed by many wheelchair accessible pathways. Many of the hills make heavy work for the person pushing a chair however, so a visit to the gardens is best suited to those that have an electric chair or scooter. During warmer months there are many outdoor theatre and cinema opportunities in the Botanic Gardens. I attended two of these and had to get out of my chair and walk – therefore they are not good options for those that are completely reliant on wheelchairs for mobility.
Shopping
Most of Melbourne’s major shopping centers offer motorised scootors and/or wheelchairs on loan to guests. Be warned though – the pickup point may be a long way from the car park. Phone ahead first to find out where you should park to ensure you are able to easily access this service.
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Nice one Danielle. Turning your enforced wheelchair use into a useful post. Wheelchair and Bub Friendly 🙂
Thanks Jan. Not quite the type of post I want to be writing but maybe useful to a few travellers out there.
Yes, definitely well done. Shame about the people clogging up the lifts, but it sounds like it’s better on other days when everything is fully functioning.
Thanks Bron. I’m not very good at just staying at home, even when unwell so I thought it was worth writing up what I had learnt.
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