Therapy has just finished for the day… so now what? Sydney is a vibrant and beautiful city that is just waiting to be explored with lots of great cafes for coffees and milkshakes, sunny parks for afternoon strolls and lots of shops to browse for our deserving NAPA mums… (retail therapy is important too!) Below is a list of just some of what sunny Sydney has to offer.
Zoos and Attractions:
- Wildlife Sydney Zoo, Sydney – Australian animals and reptiles
- Featherdale Wildlife Park – Zoo
- Australian Reptile Park
- Sealife Sydney Aquarium, Sydney – fish, sharks, stingrays and so much more
- Taronga Zoo, Mosman – animals from all over the world
- Sydney Zoo, Bungaribee – animals from all over the world
- Calmsley Hill City Farm, Abbotsbury – Australian and furry farm animals (and tractor rides!)
- Luna Park (good for siblings – can be tricky with some disabilities)
- Catch a Sydney Ferry
- Walk over the Harbour Bridge (start at Kirribilli and end up at The Rocks)
- Opera House and Mrs Macquarie’s Point
- Bondi Beach (and see the Bondi Rescue team!)
- Blue Mountains – Katoomba
Museums:
- Powerhouse Museum – filled with all things science, technology and art
- Madame Tussauds– a wax museum filled with everyone’s favourite celebrities.
- Australian Museum – including a Changing Places adult accessible bathroom
- Museum of Sydney
- Maritime Museum
- Hyde Park Barracks
- Art Gallery of NSW
- Chau Chak Wing Museum
- Sydney Observatory
- Elizabeth Farm
Beaches
- Bondi Beach (Bondi): Sydney’s most iconic and famous beach. There is a beach wheelchair that can be borrowed for free from the Lifesaver’s tower. You can simply just knock on their door or book prior by ringing up (as it can get very busy at Bondi).
- Maroubra Beach (Maroubra): A bit further south of Bondi Beach is Maroubra Beach. A wheelchair can be borrowed from the lifesavers during patrol hours (Summer: 7am-7pm, Winter: 7am-5pm)
- Collaroy Beach: A beautiful beach with lots of accessibility. There is a beach wheelchair that can be hired free of charge as well as a change facility with a hoist (bring your own sling) and an adult sized change table. There is also a playground with a Liberty Swing and a wheelchair accessible carousel.
- Manly Beach – On the northern beaches, Manly Beach is situated near lots of great places to eat and shop at. A beach wheelchair can also be loaned free of charge from Manly Life Saving Club.
- Mona Vale Beach – Accessible surf club, including a Changing Places adult accessible bathroom and a number of cafes and walk along the headlands
- North Narrabeen (has a beach pool)
- Balgowlah Beach – accessible playground, café, picnic area and beach
Further afield:
- Avoca beach – Central Coast
- Austinmer beach – Wollongong
For more information including contact and booking details:
ACCESSIBLE SYDNEY BEACHES & ACTIVITIES – Have Wheelchair Will Travel
Parks, Walks and Playgrounds:
- Pirrama Park, Pyrmont – A beautiful park with views to Sydney harbour. There is wheelchair accessibility with boardwalks and concreted pathways and even a playground with a wheelchair accessible carousel.
- Centennial Parklands – One of Sydney’s most beautiful green areas, beautiful for a walk in the sun or exploring with lots of walking paths. There is even the Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden that allows children to play in nature.
- Bungoona Lookout and Path – If you would like to take in the beautiful views the national park has to offer, South of Sydney in the Royal National Park there is a short 250m, 30-minute return walk that has wheelchair accessibility.
- Blackman Park – Located within walking distance to NAPA with a large play area, sporting fields and bushland walk.
- Livis Place, Five Dock and Ryde – There are multiple locations of Livis Place around Sydney which are entertaining for kids with all abilities including a seated flying fox and slides that can be accessed via ramps instead of stairs.
- Darling Harbour Children’s Playground – amazing inner city play area including water play.
- Ryde Park – Includes an awesome scooter park
- Shineshed Campbelltown – If they haven’t already had enough fun at NAPA, the Shineshed at Campbelltown is an inclusive, all abilities play centres where the kids can play all afternoon long and Mum and Dad can kick back with a coffee.
- Deerbush Park Playground, Fairfield – A wonderful all abilities playground that has everything you’d need – nest swings, seated flying fox, musical instruments, learn to ride course for wheelchairs and bikes and a Liberty Swing.
Other stroller friendly walks/parks include:
- Lane Cove National Park
- Milson’s Point and Lavender Bay (from Luna park)
- Balmoral Beach
- Taronga Zoo to Bradley’s Head and Middle Head
- Pirrama Park – PyrmontDomain Creek Playground
- Gore Hill Park, Willoughby
Further afield:
- Narrabeen Lagoon walk (Northern Beaches)
- Eastern Shoreline of Olympic Park (Homebush/Ryde)
- North Manly beach (Queenscliff) to Shelly Beach
- Royal Botanic Gardens (City)
- Baranargoo to Pyrmont Foreshore (City)
- Iron Cove Bay Walk (Inner West)
- Centennial Park (Eastern Suburbs)
- Glebe Foreshore Walk (Inner West)
- Sydney Park (City South)
- Apple Tree Bay at Bobbin Head (Northern Beaches)
Swimming Pools
Close to NAPA:
- Lane Cove Swimming Pool
- North Sydney Olympic Pool
Further afield:
- Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre
- Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre
- Olympic Park Swimming Pool
- Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre – Zetland (city south) – including a Changing Places adult accessible bathroom
Cafes:
- Frankies Food Factory at Flower Power (Glenhaven) – A café set in amongst a lovely nursery. Have lunch at the café while the kids play on the equipment, watch the ducks on the pond and browse for some nice pots and plants to take home.
- Flying Fox Café (Mona Vale) – Waterfront café on Winnererremy Bay where parents can enjoy a cup of coffee while the kids play at the adjoining playground. Winnererremy Bay has also been voted “best park in Sydney.”
- The Grounds of Alexandria (Alexandria) – Throughout the year various themes turn the “The Grounds” into magical worlds that will amaze anyone of any age. Great for a coffee, a yummy snack or to say hello to one of the cute animal friends that they have.
- The Henson (Marrickville) – If you’re after a pub more than a café, then The Henson offers good quality food with a small playroom with a ball pit!
Shopping:
- Queen Victoria Building – a beautiful heritage listed building home to lots of wonderful shops and boutiques.
- Pitt Street Mall – offering a larger array of various brands from boutiques and larger retailers.
- Manly Beach – a large strip of great clothing stores including boutique clothing as well as larger chained brands
- Westfield Sydney– all the shops you need for some retail therapy with a variety of shops, food and entertainment in the heart of the city.
- Paddy’s Markets – a large indoor market offering a variety of speciality shops and fresh produce.
Accessibility Info
