Accessible & Inclusive Tourism

Leisure Centres

Beaton Park Leisure Centre provides access to all fitness areas, hoist access to the pool, accessible parking, shower, toilet and
easy access change room facilities, and accessible parking.

Lakeside Leisure Centre provides access to all fitness areas, an accessible toilet and lift access to the first floor.

For information on both centres, visit the Wollongong City Leisure Centres website.

Playgrounds

In Wollongong there are over 150 playgrounds, including some specifically designed All Abilities Playgrounds which are located:

Cringila Hills Playground and Mountain Bike Park – Cringila
Lukes Place – Corrimal
Stuart Park Regional Playground – North Wollongong
Wollongong Botanic Garden All Abilities Playground – Keiraville

Stuart Park and Thirroul Playgrounds feature a Liberty Swing that can be accessed using a MLAK Key*. You can purchase a MLAK Key from The Hardware Man, Unanderra. The key also opens the accessible toilets at these sites. 

*The Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK) system is an MLAA initiative that allows people with a disability access to dedicated public facilities, including facilities in National Parks and many Council municipalities, elevators at railway stations, the new Changing Places facilities throughout Australia, accessible toilets that are locked, and even the Liberty Swing. It was launched back in 1994 as a joint venture between Pittwater Council, ACROD and the MLAA, before being implemented Nationally.

People with a disability are able to purchase a MLAK key which will open all toilets, playground equipment and other facilities fitted with a lock that uses the special MLAK cylinder. To purchase a key or for more information, please click here.

Wollongong Botanic Garden

Wollongong Botanic Garden features a network of accessible pathways suitable for wheelchair access which are shown as the wide white paths on the garden map. 

Accessible parking bays are provided at Murphys Avenue car park (open daily) and Madoline Street (open weekends only). The most accessible entry to the garden is via the Murphys Avenue entrance.

There is one accessible toilet at the Murphys Avenue entry. A second accessible toilet is located at the Towri Centre (ramp access).

Tourist Parks

The Wollongong City Tourist Parks at Bulli, Corrimal and Windang have communal accessible bathroom facilities for park guests staying in caravans and camping. This includes toilets, showers and basins. All parks also have accessible cabins built to Australian Standards for wheelchair access.

Bulli Tourist Park has a café and convenience store on-site and Corrimal Tourist Park has a café, kiosk and takeaway on-site. Both
cafes provide wheelchair access and accessible toilet facilities.

Please visit the Wollongong City Tourist Parks website for more information.

For other accessible accommodation options, please head to our Places to Stay directory, and apply the ‘accessibility’ search filter.

Visitor Information Centre

Wollongong’s Visitor Information Centre is located within the Southern Gateway Centre, Bulli Tops. The building is completely accessible and features;

• Ample free parking including allocated accessible parking with level entry ramps to the premises  
• Toilet facilities including a unisex accessible toilet with horizontal grab rails & clear identification signs including raised tactile and Braille information
• Tiled surface and Braille on the building signage
• Automatic entry doors with wide entry  
• Wheelchair access 
• Assistance dogs are welcome

Accessible Attractions and Eateries

To search for the regions accessible attractions and eateries, head to our Things to Do and Food & Drink directories, and apply the ‘accessibility’ search filter.

Accessible Parking

Council has an online map of accessible parking spaces that are managed by Council. You must have a valid Mobility Parking Scheme (MPS) card to use these spaces. View a map of Accessible Parking Spaces in Wollongong here.

Please note, this information is regularly updated, but it is subject to change at anytime. Always check and follow street signage when parking.

Art and Culture

Wollongong Art Gallery has an accessible entrance ramp, toilet and lift access to upper levels. Free guided tours of selected exhibitions can be arranged for people with disability by appointment.

The Gallery can also arrange art programs tailored to meet the needs of people with disability.

Each of the theatres within the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (IPAC) offer seating and positions for patrons with limited mobility, and are equipped with sound enhancement facilities.

Selected performances are audio described and relayed via headsets. Before these performances, patrons can
participate in a tactile tour of the set and costumes.

Large-print, plain text copies of the cast sheets for Merrigong Theatre Season shows are available with notice. Selected performances are captioned.

For more information visit the Merrigong Theatre Company website or call the box office on 02 4224 5999.

Wollongong Town Hall has accessible toilets, lifts to the hall and the stage area, a hearing loop and easy access change rooms available for performers.

Other Useful Information

National Public Toilet Map

The National Public Toilet Map website shows locations and details of public toilets, including accessible features for people with disability.

National Relay Service

People who are deaf or have a hearing and / or speech impairment can use the National Relay Service to contact people using
the phone network. Contact details for this service are shown here.

Navability map for wheelchair users

Vision Illawarra’s website has a Navability map that shows footpaths, shared pathways and trails accessible by wheelchair in the Wollongong City Centre. It also includes an effort ratings guide. View the Navability map here.

Wheelchair hire services

Wollongong Central Shopping Centre
Free wheelchair, motorised scooter and stroller hire available from the Customer Service Desk, located on Level 1 opposite Priceline Pharmacy. To make a booking, contact the customer service desk on 02 4254 8200.

Stockland Shellharbour
Motorised Scooters and Wheelchairs are available for hire, free of charge from the Customer Care Centre located near Michael Hill Jewellers, beside Jamaica Blue Cafe. To make a booking, contact Customer Care on 4296 8266.

Public Transport

Premier Illawarra – Premier operates public bus services throughout the Wollongong region. Their fleet of modern low floor air-conditioned city buses are used extensively on the regular services. Please contact the office before making your travel plans to ensure that one of the step-less entry buses is operating on the route you wish to use on 02 4271 1122.

Dion’s Bus Service – Dion’s Bus Service operates public bus services, their routes include: Austinmer, Bulli, University of Wollongong and Wollongong. 

Dion’s Bus Service accessible buses have been designed to comply with the national standards for mobility aids. For more information on travelling on Dion’s Bus Services please visit the website or call 02 4243 8888.

Illawarra Taxi Network – Illawarra Taxi Network (ITN), formerly known as Radio Cabs of Wollongong, has been providing reliable and safe transportation services in the Illawarra region for more than 62 years. ITN has a total of 136 vehicles, with 12 Wheelchair Accessible vehicles and 12 maxi taxis which seat 6-11 passengers, monitored through their dispatch system 24/7. ITN is also an approved NDIS provider and their drivers have current Working with Children and Police Checks. ITN taxis are suitable to provide wheelchair accessible transport and our drivers are trained in the loading, unloading, carriage and looking after people with disabilities. For more information please visit the website or call 02 4254 2111.

Transport NSW

Find information to help you plan an accessible trip on public transport in NSW whether you have an assistance animal, use a mobility aid or want to find out which concessions are available to you here.

Accessible Railway
Stations

Wollongong Railway Station & North Wollongong Railway Station are accessible and have the
following facilities available.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Lift
• Stairs
• Hearing loop
• PA system for announcements
• Tactile surfaces

Visit Transport NSW to search the accessibility level of each railway station in Wollongong and surrouFood & Drink