Koala Conservation centre

Koala Conservation Centre Phillip Island

/in , /by

The Koala Conservation Centre offers visitors a chance to have a face to face encounter with arguably Australia’s most loved animal. The unique tree top board walks are fully wheelchair accessible offering an inclusive experience.
Unlike a Zoo, the Koala Conservation Centre offers visitors a chance to see these lovable creatures in their natural environment. The centre has played a crucial role in saving the population of Koalas on Phillip Island.
The Visitors Centre is equipped with a cafe with accessible seating, disabled toilet facilities and an interpretative centre that will allow the visitor to leave with a full appreciation of this magnificent little creature.

Accessibility Features

Visitors Centre
The visitors centre is accessed from the five disabled parking places in the carpark via a wide and smooth path. Both the carpark and access path are gravel. The surface is smooth and the stones hard packed and fine. The centre is entered via a ramp with a 1 in 14 gradient equipped with handrails on both sides. The entrance door is wide and self opening. The centre houses a gift shop, cafe, disabled toilet facilities and an excellent interpretive centre. Inside the centre the floors are level and hard surfaced. The furniture in the cafe is movable as is the outdoor eating area furniture. The longer tables have roll under ends to cater for a wheelchair. The interpretative centre is spacious allowing easy wheelchair access. All displays are readable from wheelchair height.

Koala Boardwalk
The highlight of a visit to Koala Conservation Centre are the boardwalks that are fully accessible and allow a view of the Koalas at their level in the trees. The park is entered from the interpretive centre through a self opening door and another 1 in 14 ramp. The paths within the park are again a gravel surface. The paths are smooth and a moderate gradient. The two boardwalks are a short roll from the visitors centre. They are entered through a pair of gates that are very lightly loaded. The Koala Boardwalk lives up to its name with an abundance of Koalas on view giving some remarkable photo opportunities. The boardwalks are wide as are the observation areas allowing easy access to wheelchairs.

Woodland Boardwalk
The Woodland Boardwalk also affords good opportunity to see Koalas but is alive with native bird life. Like the Koala Boardwalk it is wide and easily navigated with a wheelchair.

Woodland Walk
In additional to the two boardwalks the Woodland Walk wanders through the natural bush at ground level. This path is a gravel surface, is smooth and of very moderate grade. Taking your time around this path offers the opportunity to spot a large variety of Australian native wildlife including wallabies, possums, echidnas and over 100 native birds.

Koala Conservation centre

The Penguin Parade Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia

/in , /by

Since the 1920’s Phillip Island to the south east of Melbourne has hosted one of nature’s great spectacles, the Little Penguins waddling ashore at sunset to their burrows buried in the sand dunes. The Penguins live year round in burrows in large colonies. They fish all day returning under the cover of dusk to feed their young and avoiding their land based predators. The Little Penguin, also often referred to as the Fairy Penguin is the smallest Penguin in world standing at only 17 inches high.

The Penguin Parade on Phillip Island is now a world renowned attraction with over 650,000 local and international visitors enjoying the spectacle every year. The Penguin Parade has the highest eco tourism rating available with all viewing options designed to protect the animals and their homes. All forms of photography are strictly prohibited to further protect the birds. Phillip Island Nature Parks is a not for profit operation and all visitor income goes back into Penguin research and conservation.
In addition to being an eco tourism attraction the Penguin Parade and its associated facilities are accessible and affords tourists with disabilities the opportunity to witness this remarkable nightly event.

Accessibility Features

Visitors Centre

On entering the car park follow the signs around to car park number one, proceed to the top of the car park and turn right into the adjacent area. There is a line of disabled parking spaces all of 3.5 metres in width. The path at the top of the car park leads directly to the Visitors Centre. Entry is via the paved path and ramp. The ticket counter is immediately inside the door. To the left is a theatrette. The door is level and there is an area inside where the short film can be viewed from a wheelchair. A ramp to the right of the stairs leads to the lower (main) level of the centre. There is a cafe and shops available inside and they all on level floors with easy access to all. Accessible toilets are available at the left hand end of the building. It should be noted that there are no accessible toilets out on the viewing platforms and boardwalks. There is an interpretative education centre down a small ramp way that explains the habitat and life cycle of the Little Penguin. All of these exhibits are at an eye height that can easily be seen from a wheelchair.

General Access to the Penguin Parade

There is a fair roll from the visitor centre to the observation decks at Summerland Beach. For those that require it a courtesy buggy is available immediately outside the door of the visitors centre. The parade occurs at dusk each day so check with the centre prior to your visit for the exact time and allow for the walk to the platforms. Our photos have been taken in daylight to highlight the slopes and surfaces you will be traversing.
Just outside the visitors centre there is a new gently sloping boardwalk that leads to the dunes. This path is wide and smooth it is with a gentle gradient and ample level rest areas. The boardwalk gives access to both the Penguin Parade and Penguin Plus viewing platforms. This boardwalk also allows viewing of the Little Penguins in their burrows.

Penguin Parade

This is the main viewing area at Summerland Beach. At the end of the flat boardwalk the boardwalk slopes up to the left. The slope here is 1 in 14. At the top there are two areas. Both have a large level area at the top to accommodate wheelchairs, especially for families, groups of friends or tour groups. The elevated position gives a good 180 degree view over the beach below as the Penguins arrive and waddle across the beach to their burrows. There is a designated wheelchair viewing area between the two platforms that has a prime location right above the weighing station.

Penguin Plus Viewing Platform

This area provides a more personalised penguin viewing experience. Limited to 150 people, this viewing platform provides a closer viewing of the penguin arrival than the main viewing platforms at the Penguin Parade. The stand is located in a high penguin traffic area and is much closer to the ground giving a more intimate experience. Rangers are on hand to give a full interpretation and insight into the lives of these little creatures. Wheelchair viewing is from the bottom of this stand and therefore gives a far better view than is available from the top of the stands at the Penguin Parade. Because of the limited number of spaces available at Penguin Plus bookings are essential.

The latest addition to the Penguin Plus experience is the underground bunker. The area is limited to 60 guest. It provides an eye level view as the penguins walk straight past the ground level windows. The is a special high floor section giving wheelchair users the same experience from a seated position. This option is perfect for people who are susceptible to the cold.

Penguin Parade

Puffing Billy

/in /by

Puffing Billy is Australia’s favourite steam train and operates everyday except christmas day! 

The journey aboard Puffing Billy takes you through the magnificent Dandenong Ranges, located only one hour east of Melbourne.

With lush fern gullies brushing past and Mountain Ash trees towering overhead, Puffing Billy makes for a wonderful opportunity to relax and breathe in the fresh air whilst the train makes its way through the temperate rainforest.

Visitors from around the world enjoy travelling aboard Puffing Billy as a stand-alone experience or as part of a Melbourne day tour. If you are a Melbourne local, you can bring friends, kids, other family members or interstate visitors, pack a picnic and travel aboard this historic Melbourne attraction.

Step back in time whilst dangling your legs over the side of the carriage – a favourite activity for kids (and adults!). Parents and grandparents relive their own childhood memories whilst introducing the next generation to this unforgettable part of Victorian history.

Accessibility at Puffing Billy

Puffing Billy Railway is committed to offering an enjoyable experience for everyone and has have a range of family friendly and wheelchair accessible facilities available for our passengers.

Families with children

PRAMS

Only folding or narrow prams can travel on Puffing Billy because of our heritage carriage doors.

BABY CHANGE FACILITIES

Baby change facilities are available at all stations.

WARMING OF BOTTLES / BABY FOOD

A microwave is available in the baby change room at Belgrave station. Alternatively, please approach the volunteers in the refreshment rooms at one of our stations, and they will be able to assist.

Reduced Mobility

Our friendly staff can provide special attention to visitors with reduced mobility. We recommend that you let us know about your requirements before you travel. Telephone (03) 9757 0700.

BOOKINGS

If you are travelling in a wheelchair, there are limited wheelchair spaces available. Please contact us on (03) 9757 0700 (+61 3 9757 0700 intl) during normal office hours on the weekday prior to travelling so that we can assist you in accommodating your needs.

PARKING

There are two designated disabled car spaces at Gate 3 at our Belgrave station in Old Monbulk Road. From there, access to the station platform is via a ramp (the bottom of the “zig zag path”). Wheelchair assisted persons should please note that this ramp is steep. If you require further assistance getting from here to the platform, please contact us on 9757 0700 or 9757 0721.

ACCESS TO THE STATION

Pathways to Belgrave, Lakeside and Gembrook stations are all wheelchair accessible.

To assist passengers with reduced mobility and to avoid our steep pathway entrance to Belgrave station, passengers may be dropped off at Gate 4 which is in front of our Belgrave station building in Old Monbulk Road. The area from the station to the platform is on one level.

GETTING ABOARD THE TRAIN

Our station platforms are not at the same height as our carriage doors, however ramps are available to provide easy wheelchair access on many of our Excursion Trains. Please see one of our friendly volunteers on the day of travel for assistance. The wheelchair ramp width is 75cm.

TOILETS WITH WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

Toilets with wheelchair access are located at Belgrave, Lakeside and Gembrook stations.

Assistance Dogs

Puffing Billy Railway welcomes visitors who use assistance dogs certified by a registered authority. Assistance dogs must be restrained by a harness or leash at all times.
Please note that assistance dogs are the only dogs allowed aboard Puffing Billy Railway.

Companions and carers

Companion card holders travels free of charge aboard the Excursion Trains. Companion card must be presented on day of travel.




Moonlit Sanctuary – An Accessible Wildlife Experience Close to Melbourne

/in /by

Moonlit Sanctuary is only 50 minutes south-east of central Melbourne, at the top of the Mornington Peninsula, and on the way to the Penguins on Phillip Island.

Melbourne’s award winning wildlife park, Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park invites you to explore 10 hectares of bushland, meeting endangered species, feeding kangaroos and wallabies, petting koalas and enjoying encounters with colourful birds, reptiles, dingoes and many other animals.

The park is on flat terrain with paths constructed of fine hard packed gravel, making the experience suitable for people of all abilities. Wheelchair visitors can negotiate the easily navigable paths. Each display has a glass fronted section to allow everyone to enjoy the park. The Koala encounter is height adjustable to allow visitors using wheelchairs to get up close and personal.

At night, Moonlit Sanctuary comes alive with world-famous lantern-lit tours. Night birds are active, tiny feathertail gliders and giant yellow-bellied gliders swoop around, and endangered quolls, pademelons and bettongs forage for food.

The Sanctuary is an ark for endangered creatures, and a showcase of their unique beauty. It is a living classroom which encourages children and adults alike to unlock the mystery of Australian mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, insects and amphibians in a natural bush setting.

You can experience a range of magical activities at Moonlit Sanctuary

Wander around their beautiful wetlands, a haven for water birds that change with the seasons. Meet koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, emus, Cape Barren geese and curlews, and stop past the wombats.

BY DAY…enjoy hand-feeding our gentle and curious wallabies and kangaroos, or cuddle one of the resident koalas. You can meet their feisty Tassie devils, and learn the latest in the fight to save this threatened species.

Catch one of the daily dingo talks, and get to know the characters in our dingo pack. Book in for an exclusive adventure with dingos Blaze and Scorch. Enjoy a python presentation or get up close and personal for a python cuddle.

Then pop over to the parrots and see orange bellied parrots, a critically endangered species; then visit the stunning red-tailed black cockatoos, gang gang, superb parrots, and the unique violet eyes of our bower birds.

The latest addition, the Wildlife Show – Conservation in Action, adds another fully accessible feature to the park.

BY NIGHT…embark on a guided lantern-lit evening tour which winds its way through the home of many of the sanctuary’s memorable nocturnal animals. See feather-tail gliders, a nightjar, quolls, Tasmanian devils, owls and possums. Meet squirrel gliders, bettongs, potoroos, to name but a few of the creatures you will encounter at surprisingly close quarters.

Accessibility

Facilities include a multi-purpose entry building with ramp in and out to the park. Containing a reception and orientation area, it has an open area that can be adapted to school groups or functions as required.

Up to 60 people can be accommodated at one time. Advanced bookings are required for this.

Wheelchair and pram access is provided by ramps and suitably wide doors. Washrooms with full disabled access and baby change facilities are attached.

Easy to access

Front door only 10 metres from car park.
Ramps into and out of visitor centre – there are no steps or stairs at Moonlit Sanctuary.

Easy to get around

Flat to undulating ground with compressed gravel paths linking all exhibit areas.
Numerous benches around Sanctuary so you can always take a breather.
Glass fronts to exhibits for visibility.
Some exhibit areas have woodchip paths.

Useful facilities

Wheelchairs, walking stick and umbrellas available for loan free of charge.
Disabled facilities adjacent to visitor centre. Pan height 45cm.
Baby change table available for use

Companion Animals

As required by law, companion animals are permitted in Moonlit Sanctuary. However we do remind visitors that if they bring a companion animal with them, none of our animals will approach them and they will not be able to enjoy the close contact with animals enjoyed by other visitors. We require that companion animals do not enter any animal enclosures, including the Wallaby Walk and that they remain under the physical control of the visitor at all times.




Station Pier

Station Pier – Melbourne’s Cruise Ship Terminal

/in /by

Station Pier was originally known as Railway Pier and was first openedin 1854. It played a key role in Victoria’s history and through the mid to late 1800’s saw the arrival of the first visitors keen to seek their fortunes on the goldfields and then the settlers. It saw off the first contingent of Australian troops headed for the Boer War. In October 1914 16 ships left Station Pier for World War I. Again in 1940 troops headed for the European, African and Pacific theatres of World War II from Station Pier. Post the Second World War many thousands of the migrants that came to Australia’s shores and gave Melbourne its rich multicultural diversity first set foot on Australian soil at Station Pier. The pier and its unique Gate House are heritage listed.
Today Station Pier is Melbourne’s premier cruise ship terminal and is also host to the Spirit of Tasmania ferry service from Melbourne to Devonport. It also plays host to visiting naval and tall ships. Unlike many cruise ship terminals, Station Pier is not located within a freight terminal. The pier is constructed directly off the beach into Port Phillip Bay at the historic and cosmopolitan suburb of Port Melbourne, giving visitors stunning views from their ship and the chance to wander along the beach side board walks directly from the end of the pier.
Station Pier is 15 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD.
The pier is open to the general public from 6am to 9pm daily (for pedestrians only). However, the pier is closed to the public during cruise ship visits, some naval ship visits and other exceptional circumstances.

Accessibility
Terminal Building
During cruise ship visits entry to the pier is via the left side gate for initial security. The path down the pier is level and smooth with a road crossing about half way down to the cruise terminal. The cruise terminal is the second building on the pier and there is a set of elevators just past the main escalators. The terminal is on the first floor with a small cafe accessible toilets, and a gift shop prior to the main security checkpoint and gangway entry. The tidal movement in Port Phillip bay is only approximately 18 inches, gangway slope will alter greatly during your visit. Depending on the ship and gangway configuration assistance is on hand for wheelchair users.

Drop off and pick up procedures
From the main gate and security checkpoint it is approximately 500 metres to the cruise ship terminal. Drivers are permitted to drive onto the pier and drop passengers with a disability at the terminal building. On return the procedure is more complex. Passengers with a disability must arrange with the ships purser for a pick up at the terminal building. The passengers name will then be added to the security gate register. The driver of the pick up vehicle will need to quote that name to be allowed through the security checkpoint. As it is a pickup zone only prior arrangements will need to be made to contact the driver when the passenger has cleared customs and is ready to be picked up.
Please note: These arrangements must be made with the cruise line. Station Pier is not manned when there are no ships are in port.

Access to the City
There are two public transport options to the CBD. There is an accessible shuttle bus that operates on weekdays from the cruise terminal to the arts precinct in the city near the Flinders Street Station.
An accessible tram service (route 109) operates from the Beacon Cove terminus right into the centre of the centre with stops along Collins Street. Route 109 operates flat floor roll in trams from elevated tram platforms. Each platform has a 1 in 14 ramp at one end for wheelchair users. The accessible stops are:

  • 8-Parliament/Collins St (Melbourne City)
  • 7-101 Collins St (Melbourne City)
  • 6-Melbourne Town Hall/Collins St (Melbourne City)
  • 5-Elizabeth St/Collins St (Melbourne City)
  • 1-Spencer St/Collins St (Melbourne City)
  • 124A-Casino/MCEC/Clarendon St (Southbank)
  • 129-Beacon Cove/Light Rail (Port Melbourne)

The Tram terminus is a pleasant 10 minute walk/roll from the cruise terminal. On Cruise visiting days an accessible bus shuttle operates from the terminal to the Beacon Cove terminus.

When ships are in port public transport tickets can be purchased at Station Pier. For further details and ticket prices contact Public Transport Victoria http://ptv.vic.gov.au



Station Pier