Wheelchair blogger rates Douglas tourist spots
Access report card
A widely read wheelchair blogger has rated Douglas accommodation, restaurants and tourist spots with the report card that makes for interesting reading.
An Accessibility Hub has been added to the Cairns & Great Barrier Reef destination website to assist travellers with mobility impairment select activities and itineraries for their Tropical North Queensland holiday.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said the team had worked closely with Spinal Life Australia and Out There Travel Care to put together content showcasing experiences and accommodation.
“Research by Tourism Australia has shown that accessible tourism can be a game changer for destinations that will assist with post-pandemic recovery by building industry resilience,” Mr Olsen said.
Put to test
So how does the Douglas Shire and our tourist gems stack up for accessibility for a person confined to a wheelchair? Well, disabled journalist Imogen Kars has put Douglas to the test and written a series of blogs on travel options in our part of the world. She’s also produced report cards on Cairns, Palm Cove, the Cassowary Coast and the Atherton Tablelands.
What stacks up
Four Mile Beach for one, it should be high on the list for wheelchair tourists according to Imogen “Whether you’re into swimming, sunbaking, snoozing under the palm trees or watching the sunset, Four Mile Beach is an incredible escape for folk with all kinds of mobility levels with the northern end of the beach the most accessible entry point, so for those who use wheelchairs, Four Mile Beach is a wonder to explore, the sand is firm, making it a far easier beach to wander than most in the area, catering beautifully to accessibility, the Lifeguard Hut at Four Mile Beach is also home to a unique beach wheelchair called the Freewheeler, which can be hired free of charge by signing an indemnity form at the Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club” she said.
No croc shocks
Imogen was also super impressed with Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures at Wangetti. “With most of the park completely accessible for wheelchair users, the team has gone above and beyond to cater for folk with all kinds of disabilities and visually impaired visitors can enjoy a specially-created tour that shows them the best of the native wildlife, and guide dogs and companions or carers are welcomed” she said.
Swim the reef
Imogen also gave a glowing report card on Quicksilver and their catering for wheelchair visitors to the Great Barrier Reef. She says “Hop on board a Quicksilver Cruises boat that features reef platforms with spacious ramps, wheelchair-friendly bathrooms and even ramp facilities to the floating platforms in the outer Barrier Reef and the hydraulic lift that allows wheelchair users to swim with the creatures of the deep blue is the only one of its kind on the reef”
Wheelchair friendly stay
Our wheelchair blogger needed a place to stay and found some digs that were very accessible. “Just a few minutes from the beach and the charming hustle of Port Douglas town, Macrossan House is one of the primary pillars of luxury in Port Douglas, boasting a completely accessible stay, their apartments are home to an accessible bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette and for those keen to rest their head here, the accessible apartments can be accessed via the ground level with no steps or sills to navigate” Imogen said. Of course, many of the area’s accommodation operators already cater for the disabled visitor.
Easy eats
Imogen gave a couple of our iconic eateries a guernsey as well as Port Douglas itself. “The town itself is generally accessible, meaning folk with all kinds of mobility levels will be able to enjoy the quiet hum of this charming coastal town with special mentions going to The Tin Shed, which boasts both an incredible view over the Port Douglas inlet as well as parking, ramp access and a lift for travellers with varying mobility levels, also Salsa Bar & Grill features an accessible bathroom and ramp access, but it’s always best to call ahead to be sure the functionality will match your needs” she said.
Tourism opportunity
Senior Advisor Access and Advocacy for Spinal Life Australia Dane Cross said the accessible tourism market represented a largely untapped opportunity for tourism operators. ‘It’s been great to work with Tourism Tropical North Queensland on this project and in our view, this is the best accessibility information available for any region in Australia,” he said.
For Imogen’s full report card on these and other Douglas spots go to
The Accessibility Hub is at https://www.tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/plan-your-trip/accessible-travel/
Thank you!
Newsport thanks its advertising partners for their support in the delivery of daily community news to the Douglas Shire. Public interest journalism is a fundamental part of every community.
Got a news tip? Let us know! Send your news tips or submit a letter to the editor here.
* Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport, its staff or affiliates. Reader comments on Newsport are moderated before publication to promote valuable, civil, and healthy community debate. Visit our comment guidelines if your comment has not been approved for publication.