After a big year, everyone’s ready for a holiday. Time to pack the sunscreen and find that next adventure!

For the millions of Australians living with disability or accessibility challenges, deciding on where to holiday can be a little more complicated. With thoughtful planning, research and preparation, all kinds of inclusive adventures and holidays can be experienced by every member of the family.

If you’re looking for your next accessible holiday destination, we’ve put together a round-up of the best spots in South Australia that are worth the trip.

Where to go

We’re spoilt for choice in South Australia when it comes to beautiful, accessible holiday destinations. The inner city of Adelaide alone offers plenty of options that can fill multiple days of tourist adventures.

Adelaide Botanic Garden sits on over 50 hectares in the heart of the city. Opened in 1857, you’ll find some of the very best plant collections in Australia. The gardens are open year-round, and they’re free to access – a nice bonus! There are often events suitable for all ages held in the Botanic Gardens, so take a look at their What’s On page – plan your visit around an event that catches your attention.

One taste of natural beauty, and you’ll be tempted to seek out more of it. A short drive from the city lies Seacliff Beach, the first in South Australia to introduce an accessible beach mat. This mat is set up on weekends and public holidays between 1 pm-5 pm, extending from the bottom of the wheelchair ramp to the edge of the ocean. If you’re looking to spend some time with the calming sound of the ocean, this destination is a must-visit.

Looking for something a little more remote? South Australia is the state that just keeps on giving, with the Flinders Ranges offering ample opportunity for adventure.

At the foot of Rawnsley Bluff, you’ll find Rawnsley Park Station, which offers an accessible holiday unit. With three bedrooms, an accessible bathroom and a large roll-in shower, this is the perfect base for a holiday full of long drives through breathtaking landscapes, explorations in national parks, and more Flinders Ranges scenery than you can take in in just one visit.

If getting up close and personal with iconic Australian wildlife is more your flavour, ask Siri to give you directions to Cleland Wildlife Park. 30 minutes outside of the CBD, this venue will provide you with intimate access to kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, reptiles, emus and more. The park is complete with accessible trails and facilities – prep for your visit by checking out their Disability Access Map.

Once you’ve had your fair share of natural scenery, flora and fauna, it’s time for a good feed. Eyre Peninsula’s Coffin Bay is known for its best-in-class seafood, with all kinds of taste buds catered for in its line-up of restaurants. Once you’ve eaten your delicious helping of fish and chips (or oysters, if that’s more to taste!), you can make the most of the 8 km-long, wheelchair-accessible Oyster Walk.

What to pack

Packing for a trip requires preparation for all of us, including those with disabilities. Our Lifestyle Attendants regularly work with our customers as they prepare for an exciting upcoming trip, as well as accompanying our customers on day trips within local areas.

Before you begin packing, the first step is to plan what you’ll need to take along for your trip. The more you can research your destinations, your accommodation, any transport you’ll be using along the way and the activities you’ll be undertaking, the more you can prepare with the right supplies and tools for your trip.

You can organise your packing list under categories like:

  • Mobility and medical equipment
  • Clothing (make sure you’ve checked the weather forecast for each destination)
  • Toiletries
  • Electronics (like iPads, cameras, noise-cancelling headphones)
  • Entertainment (don’t forget that book you’ve been meaning to read, or a pack of cards for long trips!)

By planning your list before you begin packing, you’ll be able to assess which bags and suitcases are most appropriate for the amount you take. You can also use the list as a checklist to keep track of your progress as you go.

Travel tips and tricks

There’s an abounding online world of travel tips and tricks designed to make holidays and adventures more enjoyable. While some of these are smaller, such as bringing a neck pillow for long car, train or plane trips, others are hugely important, such as preparing the right travel insurance for your trip.

Some items are only necessary for longer trips, or for trips interstate or overseas. We recommend paying attention to the following areas:

  • Insurance. This isn’t necessary for day trips, but is certainly important for overseas travel and domestic trips, particularly when air travel is involved. Make sure your travel insurance has adequate coverage for the type of holiday you’re going on – this will give you priceless peace of mind as you enjoy each experience. Should something go wrong, your insurance will help to take care of it!
  • Preparation at home. If you need someone to collect your mail, water the plants, feed the fish or keep anything else running, ask a family member, friend or neighbour if they can drop by while you’re gone (and remember to leave a key with them for easy access).
  • The essentials. Travel documents, tickets, your itinerary, emergency contacts, personal ID, bank cards – make sure you’ve got all the items you need on hand before you travel, removing the stress of realising you’re missing something when you’re already out the door.

Make the most of your trip

Once you’re ready to go, there’s only one thing left to do: enjoy yourself!

Our Lifestyle Attendants work with our customers to plan and prepare for all kinds of holidays and adventures. We support the ongoing independence and autonomy of our customers so that you can enjoy these once-in-a-lifetime moments and create precious memories.

If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you plan for your next holiday, contact our team to learn more about how our Lifestyle Attendants may support you.