Get outside · 6 min read
Wheelchair-accessible beaches in Australia: matting, chairs and boardwalks
Which Australian beaches have beach wheelchairs, access matting and accessible facilities — and how to plan a beach day that actually works.
Australia has some of the best beaches in the world, and more of them are becoming genuinely usable for wheelchair users and people with mobility needs. The three things that change everything: beach matting, beach wheelchairs, and accessible facilities nearby.
Beach wheelchairs
Beach wheelchairs have wide balloon tyres that glide over soft sand, and some models float in the shallows. Surf clubs, councils and lifeguard services lend them — often free, sometimes by booking. Popular programs run on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and at beaches around Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
Beach matting
Roll-out matting creates a firm path from the promenade onto the sand. It's often seasonal — laid in summer, removed in winter — and storms can shift it, so check recent updates before you plan around it.
The facilities that matter
An accessible toilet or Changing Places facility near the beach can be the difference between an hour and a whole day. Accessible parking close to the entry point, outdoor showers with room to manoeuvre, and shaded seating all count too.
Find an accessible beach
Search Can We Go for beaches and filter by the features you need. Every listing links to its source so you can check the details before you pack the car.
Information may change. Check with the venue if a feature is essential to your visit.
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