Accessible beaches

Anglesea Riverbank

Location: Four Kings Carpark opposite 137-139 Great Ocean Road, Anglesea

Facilities include:

• Beach wheelchair hire 
• Riverside access matting, which is located in a quiet space suitable for those that may experience sensory overload at busy locations (available from 2 Jan - 14 April 2024)
• Disabled parking
• Disabled toilet
• Changing Places (MLAK key required)

Improved access at Anglesea Riverbank is part of the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) Accessible Beaches Initiative.

YMCA Anglesea Discovery Camp

Location: 1535 Great Ocean Road, Anglesea

There are three types of beach wheelchairs available to hire from the YMCA Anglesea Discovery Camp: the Sandcruiser Wheelchair, the Aussie Beach Wheelchair and the Hippocampe Children's Wheelchair. See below for more information about each type of chair.

All chairs are available for hire year round; however, pickup must occur between 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

You will need a large van, ute with a tray, or small trailer to transport the chairs safely. 

Chairs must be returned clean and any damage must be reported to YMCA staff. There will be a charge for any damage to the chairs

Please call 03 5263 1512 or email anglesea@ymca.org.au between Monday and Friday to make a booking.

Lorne Beach

Location: Mountjoy Parade, Lorne VIC 3232

Facilities include:

• Beach wheelchair and hoist (bookings required two business days prior)
• Beach access matting (available from 2 Jan - 14 April 2024)
• Disabled parking
• Disabled toilet

Improved access at Lorne Beach is part of the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) Accessible Beaches Initiative.

Lorne Surf Life Saving Club

A Mobi-Chair is available for free hire from Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA), from the Lorne Surf Lifesaving Club. See below for more information about the Mobi-Chair. 

A hoist is available on site, however you will need to provide your own sling. Users will require the assistance of one or more carers to access the wheelchair and for water safety.

Booking are essential at least two business days prior to use. Call 1300 736 533 or email info@greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au. 

Fishermans Beach

Location: 48 The Esplanade, Torquay Victoria 3228

Facilities include:

• Beach access matting (September – April)
• Disabled parking  
• Disabled toilet  
• Liberty Swing – key and access instructions required, please email info@greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au
• Beach wheelchair hire – see below 

Improved access at Fishermans Beach is part of the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) Accessible Beaches Initiative.

Torquay Angling Club

A Mobi-Chair is available free to hire at Torquay Angling Club. See below for more information abut the Mobi-Chair.

Bookings are essential and should be made at least 24 hours in advance.

To book through the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA), email: info@greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au or call 1300 736 533.

The chair has been provided in partnership with Jan Juc SLSC

Go Ride a Wave

Location: 1/15 Bell St, Torquay

Hire of a Sandcruiser Beach Wheelchair is free from Go Ride A Wave (closest beaches are Cosy Corner and Torquay Surf Beach). See below for more information about the Sandcruiser Beach Wheelchair.

Users will require at least one support person to push the chair and you must read the safety procedures and sign a Loan Agreement and Indemnity Agreement prior to use.

Bookings are essential and should be made at least 24 hours in advance. Call Go Ride A Wave on 1300 132 441 or book online now. 

Torquay Surf Life Saving Club

Location: Torquay SLSC, Surf Beach Drive, Torquay

A Sandcruiser Beach Wheelchair is available free to hire at Torquay Surf Life Saving Club. See below for more information about the Sandcruiser Beach Wheelchair.

Bookings are essential and should be made 24 hours in advance; however, for weekend usage, ensure you call Monday to Friday to secure your weekend booking.

To book, email info@torquayslsc.com.au or call 5261 4110, 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.

Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club

Location: 10 Clubhouse Road, Jan Juc

A Mobi-Chair is available free to hire at Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club. See below for more information about the Mobi-Chair.

The Mobi-Chair is reserved for use at the Jan Juc beach and cannot be transported to other locations. Surf Life Saving club volunteers are responsible for the loan of the chair only and do not provide supporting/caring roles.

The Mobi-Chair is available during beach patrol hours. Refer to Beachsafe App | SLSA Beachsafe

Bookings are essential and should be made at least 24 hours in advance. To book call 0475 265 820 or email the office on info@janjucsurfclub.com.au

Office Hours: Tues: 10am - 3pm and Thurs: 10am - 5pm.

To ensure the matting is not washed away or damaged by storms, Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) are unable to extend the matting below the high tide line.

A member of their team checks the placement of all beach access matting twice weekly and after storms. During strong winds, large amounts of sand can deposit during a couple of hours, and while they endeavour to do their best to ensure the matting remains accessible to all, during these times it is not always possible to keep the matting clear of loose wind-blown sand.

For urgent maintenance issues such as inaccessible access matting, we ask the community to please call Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority on 1300 736 533 to report any issues.

Image: Mobi-Chair beach wheelchairs

The Mobi-Chair is a high-quality floating beach wheelchair, designed for use on soft sand and water entry. The Mobi-Chair provides seamless transitions from the car park, to the beach, and into the ocean. Durable, 3 different seat adjustments, stable, seat belt.

Suitable for use with 1-2 support people. The wheelchair is quite large so entry to some toilets and transport can sometimes be challenging.

For more information about the Mobi-Chair, visit the Push Mobility website.

Image: Sandcruiser wheelchair

Suitable for soft sand entry to shallow water, and other areas such as gravel areas. Anti tip and brake bar, lap belt, adjustable leg rest, turns in relatively small area. Packs down for transport with easy assembly. 

Suitable for use with a support person.

For more information about the Sandcruiser Beach wheelchair visit www.sandcruiser.com.au.

Image: Aussie Beach Wheelchair

You will need a large van, ute with a tray, or small trailer to transport the chair safely.

Image: Hippocampe Children's Wheelchair

Double width wheels for use on sand, removable push bar for easy steering, can be folded for transport.

For more information about the Hippocampe Children's Wheelchair, please visit the Beach Wheels Australia.