Living with a disability brings up many challenges, with accessing spaces being one of the major issues individuals face. Simply getting around a city can present issues that many may not have considered.

With 1 in 6 people in Australia living with a disability and approximately 411,500 people with disability living in Western Australia, there’s a strong need to improve their wellbeing and available opportunities.

We’re proud to say that Mandurah is WA’s most accessible-friendly city, winning the top honour award at the 2020/21 Most Accessible Community in WA (MAWCWA) Awards. Additionally, we have partnered with Spinal Life Australia and have many tourism products and experiences reviewed on their website.

From accommodation to activities to eating and drinking—Mandurah provides easy access. Discover more below.

Accommodation

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Mandurah that’s accessible-friendly, you’ll find there are plenty of great options that will meet your needs in Mandurah.

Offering apartment-style luxury accommodation overlooking the impressive Mandurah Ocean Marina are the comfortable Dolphin Quay Apartments. This is a great spot for those looking for a more casual accommodation experience in an ideal location. Only a 6-minute walk from shops and restaurants, everything you need is within a close radius. Chat with the team at Dolphin Quay Apartments to find a room to match your needs.

Mandurah Houseboats offers WA’s very first purpose-built commercial houseboat charter vessel specifically designed for disabled or mobility-restricted guests. Called “Emily Louise,” the houseboat offers a unique experience for people living with disability, offering features including a ramp to ensure easy entry, a wheelchair-friendly wide central corridor and a bathroom with a wheel-in shower. Importantly, the helm position has been specifically designed so that wheelchair users are not limited to being passengers but can actively participate and steer the boat.

Close to some of Mandurah’s best sites (50 metres to safe beach, 70 metres to Oceanic Bar & Grill and 5 minutes to the foreshore) yet, still maintaining a peaceful and quiet serenity—Mandurah Ocean Marina Chalets offers accessible and cosy accommodation at an affordable price. With a wide selection of chalets to choose from, contact the staff before booking to ensure they pick the best stay for your visit.

Seashells Mandurah understands guests living with disability and offers an accessible reception, spacious and reduced mobility facilities and friendly and helpful staff to assist with any requirements. Seashells Mandurah ticks all of the boxes; located on the shores of Comet Bay, soak up the sun as you take in the impressive views from their outdoor seating area.

Mandurah offers a wide range of accessibility-friendly outdoor and indoor activities for everyone to enjoy. From the beautiful naturescapes, the stunning beaches and the art-rich streets—come and explore Mandurah’s offerings.

Mandurah Visitor Centre provides a comfortable environment for all guests to visit and access. There are 2 accessible parking bays on each side of the building, curb access, accessible toilets with hoist and rails, automatic open doors for access to the visitor centre, low bench height at reception, wide aisles, quiet seating area and welcoming and inclusive staff. The Mandurah Visitor Centre is here to provide help to all visitors.

The Mandurah Visitor Centre is the first Visitor Centre in Western Australia that has joined the Hidden Disability Sunflower to improve customer service to visitors with non-visible disabilities, and to ensure they feel welcome when they visit.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme exists to help those with disabilities that are not immediately obvious such as autism, chronic pain, dementia, anxiety, visual or hearing impairment. In Australia, 1 in 5 people are said to have a disability and 85% of these are hidden. Wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower discreetly indicates to people around the wearer including staff, colleagues and health professionals that they need additional support, help or a little more time.

With a 5-star rating on Accessible Australia, Flip Out provides an inclusive space for all guests. Two parking bays are available with pram ramp included, tactile is throughout the venue, ramp (slightly uphill) at the entrance, reception bench is low, comfortable standard tables, disabled toilet with railing on both sides and great communication and service from staff. Plus, Flip Out offer special sensory-friendly sessions! Flip Out offers a comfortable venue for all guests, book your session beforehand to secure your spot.

With ramped access along the jetty, ramp access from jetty to boat, a helpful and accommodating captain there to assist during the journey and space on the boat to move comfortably—Mandurah Boat Charters are here to provide a scenic and relaxing experience for all. Call the company beforehand to ensure the boat is prepared for your trip.

Mandurah Cruises provide a wheelchair-accessible vessel, allowing ease of access for all guests. Call the company beforehand if you require wheelchair access and the helpful and accommodating staff will ensure all needs and requirements are catered for. Travel through the canals and admire the stunning views as you relax.

Wheelchair is accessible onto the Pirate Ship, and with seating and railing available, this is suitable for individuals with mobility impairments. Although the ship doesn’t offer wheelchair access on the boat, there is assistance to fold up and store wheelchairs for those who are able to sit down and enjoy the scenic cruise.

Book your epic escape room adventure with Escape Squad. There are three rooms to choose from ranging in difficulty from easy to medium and hard.

One of the three rooms – The ‘Schools Out’ escape room – is entirely wheelchair accessible. Further, all hallways, toilets and waiting rooms are wheelchair accessible. ACROD parking is available and carers are not charged if they are with a client.

Escape Squad aim to accommodate every one of every ability, but to do that they need a little bit of information to make sure they are capable and prepared.

If someone in your group has extra needs please contact the Escape Squad team prior to your booking.

Visiting some of Mandurah’s best and most popular beaches is a pastime people of all abilities want to enjoy.

To improve beach access, the City of Mandurah has installed beach matting at selected beaches and provides beach wheelchairs and walkers for hire. Beach matting is in place during September until May (dependent on weather and storm surges).

A Hippocampe beach wheelchair, track & trail beach wheelchair and beach walker are available free for community use.

The City of Mandurah wants everyone to enjoy Mandurah’s beautiful outdoor spaces and many of the City’s parks are accessible and inclusive for people with disability.

There’s plenty of opportunity for everyone to have fun and explore!

Accessible play equipment includes musical instruments, sensory seeking and sensory avoidance equipment, nature play, soft fall rubber ground surfaces, accessible swings and carousels.

There is even a roller table at Treecreeper Way Park which provides sensory support through the application of deep-muscle pressure from the steel rollers and enclosed areas at both Caterpillar Park and Koolaanga Waabiny Playground. Download your flyer of accessible parks in Mandurah here.

Find out more about accessible facilities and services in Mandurah here.

To access reviews of local parks, and to share your experiences, download Spinal Life’s Accessible Australia mobile app or visit www.accessibleaustralia.com.au

If you’re looking to wine and dine in Mandurah, you will be spoiled with many accessible-friendly options. From a morning brew to a delicious brunch to an impressive seafood dinner—there’s plenty of options in Mandurah.

Mataya Eatery boasts 5 stars on Accessible Australia, with a thoughtfully designed interior and an extensive menu that will make your mouth water! Mataya Eatery offers a ramp with a good decline down to the shop. The venue entrance is flat with decently sized doorways (wheelchair can fit through with ease). There’s an accessible bathroom, accessible parking (only 100 meters away) and good height of tables and counter. It’s no wonder why Mataya Eatery has been awarded 5 stars.

Offering cosy indoor seating, scenic outdoor spots and not to mention a beer garden—The Pen is a great place to enjoy lunch or dinner. There’s curbing and a concrete ramp upon entry with the main door left open for easy entry/exiting. Within the venue, there’s plenty of comfortable seating options as well as enough space to move around on a wheelchair with small ramps throughout interior. Bathrooms are accessibility-friendly with handrails and the mirror is at a good height.

Open for breakfast and lunch, Wood and Stone cafe is a go-to for Mandurah locals and visitors. There’s a good selection of indoor and outdoor seating, with tables at a comfortable height to fit a wheelchair underneath and plenty of space to manoeuvre within the interior too. There’s parking across the road and easy access via the bustling street of Mandurah. Wood and Stone cafe is cosy, delicious and welcoming option for all customers.

The City of Mandurah is dedicated to providing an inclusive, welcoming and safe place for all guests regardless of abilities. By offering ramps instead of stairs throughout the streets, providing plenty of lighting, offering inclusive and fun activities, and offering support and resources from the Visitor Centre, Mandurah is committed to offering an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Check out the reviews on accessible tourism offerings on the Accessible Australia page.

For any questions regarding accessibility, please contact the Visitor Centre, download your accessibility leaflet below or send us an email.