Accessible Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains is beautiful year-round, and there’s always something (accessible) to do. Visit during autumn for beautiful foliage and changing colours. Visit during winter and you might see a dusting of snow at the highest peaks (though you may want to layer-up to stay warm). 

If you’re hoping for breathtaking views that are only an easy walk or wheel away, visit Evans Lookout in the Blackheath area of Blue Mountains National Park. The visitor area has been recently upgraded to include a fully accessible pathway, new accessible toilets, safety handrails, and expanded parking options. Plentiful seating at the lookout ensures that there’s somewhere to rest and appreciate nature’s wonder.

If the kids still have plenty of energy to burn, Wentworth Falls Lake offers a fenced all-abilities playground with beautiful views of the lake, barbecue facilities and a unisex stand-alone accessible bathroom. A picture communication board, just inside the fence at the entry to the playground, provides a good opportunity for non-verbal kids to work on their skills outside of the therapy room (and for other kids to learn about the role, picture communication can play in activities with their non-verbal friends). The playground includes an accessible carousel with room for a wheelchair user and a seat for anyone who needs one. Soft fall ground covering makes accessing the equipment easy and ramp access has been provided to the slippery dip.

For day-trippers, the region has several accessible bathrooms in convenient locations. For MLAK key holders, a Changing Places facility in Echo Point is equipped with a hoist, adult-sized change table, and grab-rails. Other stand-alone accessible bathrooms can be found in the Leura Mall, and near the park at Glenbrook.

The Blue Mountains region is wonderfully welcoming for visitors of all ages and abilities. Blue Mountains City Council has produced interactive mobility maps to assist people with a disability to better navigate our beautiful mountains:

Written by Sheree Strange.

Find out more about accessible travel at www.travelwithoutlimits.com.au