The best way to really experience what Sydney's all about, take the famous ferry trip to Manly and take in the iconic views of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and city skyline. Manly boasts some of the best beach culture Sydney has to offer, so it's a great place to spend time just watching the surfers, lifesavers and beach volleyballers along the waterfront. Visit one of the many cafes or bars, go shopping along the colourful Corso, or meander through the open air markets on the weekend, showcasing unique local gifts, design and fashion. Go for a swim using the beach wheelchair or visit the all abilities accessible playground with its pod swing, carousel, sensory play boards and accessible butterfly see-saw.

Manly

Sydney’s Botanic Garden is a true oasis right next to the bustle of the Sydney CBD with magnificent views of the harbour and Opera House. The Botanic Garden has wide pathways throughout, so rolling around it can be a real pleasure. Marvel at the amazing plant and animal life, stroll around the new Calyx exhibition centre and have a bite to eat at the restaurants or cafes, or visit the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Royal Botanic Gardens

Coogee has one of the most accessible beach walks in Sydney, taking in wide ocean views, surf, sand and the pavilion and lifesaving club. An initial short fairly steep slope at the southern end of the beach gives way to a pleasant purpose built wooden boardwalk which skirts spectacular rocky outcrops with wide open ocean views. On the way you'll find an accessible toilet, an enclosed adventure playground and at Grant Reserve an accessible BBQ area with disabled parking nearby. Visit the Coogee Pavilion or Coogee Bay Hotel for a bite to eat, both easily accessible along the flat pathways of the beachfront. 

Coogee

Barangaroo is Sydney's new harbour foreshore shopping and restaurants precinct. The parklands of Barangaroo Reserve have spectacular views across the water to the Sydney Harbour and Anzac bridges. Take a stroll along one of the many upper lawn or shoreline pathways (there’s an outdoor lift connecting the two levels). If you fancy a longer stroll you can take in the best views this city has to offer by rolling on flat pathways all the way from the Sydney Opera House, via pretty Walsh Bay and Barangaroo Reserve right around to Darling Harbour. Getting here is fairly easy with a new entrance to Wynyard station nearby and parking under the Reserve.

Barangaroo

Darling Harbour is home to many of Sydney's best family attractions. Visit the Sydney Aquarium, Wildlife Zoo, Madame Tussauds, or go across the wide pedestrianised Pyrmont Bridge to see the amazing city skyline and visit the National Maritime Museum. Stroll along the wide waterside pathways with pretty views of the boats on the glittering water of the harbour and stop for a bite to eat at one of the numerous waterfront cafes, restaurants or bars. A great place to watch the sun set and then take in the view of the spectacular colourful lights of the city skyline at night.

Darling Harbour

One of the key areas of Sydney that includes the Opera House, amazing views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and easy access paths through to the Botanic Gardens. Home to Sydney's famous ferries, you can visit many other exciting places, most of the ferry wharves on the network being accessible. Well catered for with its convenient train station, shops, many restaurants, cafes and very helpful information officers. Take a spectacular short hop under the majestic Harbour Bridge around to the other Hotspots of Darling Harbour or Barangaroo. Wander along the flat waterfront pathways to see the many street artists performing. Visit the Opera house or have a cocktail at the lively Opera Bar with its  spectacular harbour views. Take care though when venturing back from the waterside, there are steep hills and older pathways going up into The Rocks.

Circular Quay

Sydney’s most iconic beach also comes with a beach wheelchair. Stroll the wide flat beachfront pathway to take in the surfers, swimmers and famous surf life savers. Have lunch overlooking the most spectacular view of the beach in the accessible Icebergs restaurant or sit outside at one of the cafes in the famous Bondi Pavilion and watch the world go by. There are also covered accessible picnic tables high up on the grassed slopes nearer the road. You can catch the train to Bondi Junction and then a bus which takes you right to the beachfront, or use one of the many local accessible parking bays. 

Bondi

Collaroy Beach is in northern Sydney just beyond Manly. Well worth a visit for the many accessible facilities in the one small area. Take a picnic to the accessible picnic settings, go for a swim using the submersible beach wheelchair, or ramped access points into the tidal pool. The new all-abilities enclosed playground featuring a Liberty swing, accessible carousel, spinner, rocker, and 6-seater swing set make this an inclusive place for all ages. There are wide disabled parking bays next to the playground and wheelchair-accessible buses from the city stop on Pittwater Road about 100m away. Fully accessible showers and toilets with a changing table make this an unusually accessible place to come for a day out with the whole family.

Collaroy

Spectacular views including glimpses of the Harbour Bridge from well paved access paths which criss-cross the green park. Watson's Bay boasts Australia's first deep water wheelchair access to a tidal harbour pool. There are two fully immersible wheelchairs and a ramp leading into the water plus storage lockers and an outdoor shower. Enjoy fish and chips at the famous Doyle's seafood restaurant, or afternoon tea on the verandah of Dunbar House. Roll along the ramped pathways to take in the magnificent cliffs and ocean views of The Gap. Take the picturesque bus journey on the 324 or 325 through Rose Bay from Circular Quay. Access to all this in one place and the gorgeous location makes this a real winner and well worth the journey.

Watsons Bay

Boasting one of the best accessible beachfront strolls in Sydney, and having a wide open bay, the view is right out to sea. South Cronulla surf life savers are some of the friendliest in Sydney, park down by the club and they'll help you easily access the beach wheelchair. Purpose built permanent seating and easily accessible sun loungers with outdoor showers make this the perfect swimmer's paradise. All in one small area, the cafes housed right next door to the club and seating offer a sunny place to have an easy to access breakfast, lunch or coffee. If you want a longer stroll, park at North Cronulla and take the paved pathway that runs all along the beach to the South Cronulla surf club and beyond onto Shelly beach which also has an enclosed playground, accessible toilets and ramps into pretty tidal pools. 

Accessible Destinations