Fountain View Suites – Bendigo

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The Fountain View Suites offer 10 boutique rooms housed within a magnificent example of Victorian architecture (1863). 

The classical style of these suites is displayed over multiple levels and offers an elegant Honeymoon Suite, King Suites, a Queen Suite and disabled facilities.

At the rear of the Fountain View Suites building is an accessible room.

The room is spacious. There is ample space on both sides of the bed with ample clearance under the bed for a hoist or patient lift.

The room has a large accessible full wet room bathroom. The shower area is equipped with a large fixed fold down seat, removable shower head on a flexible hose, and mixer tap within easy reach. There are a large vanity unit and a large mirror. The toilet has side and rear handrails.

At the other end of the suite is a small service room with tea and coffee facilities, a sink and tap and the mini bar. There are two accessible power points next to the sink. All amenities in the kitchenette are within easy reach.

Bendigo Pottery

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Bendigo Pottery was established in the 1850s, when Scottish migrant George Duncan Guthrie stumbled upon a local clay deposit and created a successful pottery business. Soon, it would rival the great Staffordshire potteries of 19th century England.

The car park is located along the front of the complex. At this stage, there are no designated disabled parking spaces. The site is flat throughout.

Entry is down a wide smooth brick pathway and a wide entry.

The shop area is brick paved with ample room. All shelves have the stock within easy reach with the top shelves used for display purposes only.

Adjacent to the main shop is the demonstration and potters wheel area. Classes cater for people of all abilities including high dependence disabilities.

Within the complex is an antique bazaar.  The market area is well laid out with wide aisles given good access to all stalls.

The café is located just inside the main entry doors. It is spacious and uncluttered, with moveable chairs at each table. The café caters for all dietary requirements.

The factory tour is accessible throughout including the old kilns. All displays are clearly visible. Signage is easy to read and contains both words and diagrammatic information.  

Outside that factory area, there are a series of artists workshops and studios. The pathways are all smooth brick paving and most of the doorways are wide and easily accessed. An accessible toilet is located in this area.

Balgownie Estate Winery Retreat & Restaurant

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Balgownie Estate is Bendigo’s oldest working winery established in 1969 and home of boutique Balgownie wines.

A 33-hectare winery, retreat and restaurant property overlooking Myer’s Creek at Maiden Gully. 2-hours’ drive from Melbourne CBD (10-minutes from central Bendigo).

Homestead

The homestead accommodation contains an excellent accessible room.  The bedroom has plenty of room on both sides of the bed and has an accessible entrance from the internal common space and from the external veranda. The bed has ample clearance under it to accommodate a hoist or patient lift. Lift hire can be arranged by Balgownie Estate.

The ensuite bathroom is a full wet room/roll in shower. It has a fixed large fold-down shower chair, removable shower head attached to a flexible hose and flickmaster shower control within easy reach. The toilet has handrails, backrest and raised flush buttons. The vanity unit is roll under with large mirror.

A disabled parking space is provided for guest staying at the homestead which direct access to the veranda area.

Cellar Door

The cellar door and restaurant are reached from the main car park. There are level access and wide doors into the combined area. Both the cellar door and restaurant are open with plenty of space. All chairs are moveable given a wide choice of table location.

An accessible toilet is located just outside the cellar door.

Bridgewater River Walk

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Adjacent to the Loddon Bridge Hotel is the Bridgewater River Walk. There is a designated disabled parking space next to the hotel. The walk is designated as a class 1 trail that is suitable for wheelchair users. The slopes are gentle throughout. Just below the car park is a large fishing platform with level access from the concrete path. The fishing platform has two lowered sections to cater for children or wheelchair users.

A short distance further on is a swimming platform equipped with a ladder and canoe launcher.

Above the swimming platform and accessed by a gently sloping concrete path from the fishing platform is a picnic area equipped with both an accessible picnic table and an accessible toilet facility.

Bridgewater Bakehouse

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Bridgewater on the Loddon River makes a perfect accessible lunch stop. The Bakehouse is award winning including the 2018 award for the best Vanilla Slice. There is a designated disabled parking space in front of the bakehouse. The bakehouse in entered from a level wide door with ample room inside for users of wheelchairs and mobility devices. The outdoor undercover tables on the footpath are all accessible.

There is an accessible toilet facility adjacent to the bakehouse.

Fusspots Inglewood

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Antiques and collectables are a feature of Inglewood. Fusspots offers a good accessible experience. The shop is entered through a level double door. There is a bell on the outside of the store if the second door is not open.

Inside the store, the layout is good for allowing people using wheelchairs or mobility devices to browse the shop freely. The shop is well laid out and uncluttered which also makes it suitable for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Inglewood

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The grand historic buildings of Inglewood stand as testament to the wealth that flooded into this area. Today antiques and collectibles stores are clustered amongst the exquisite buildings and historic shopfronts.

The Inglewood historic township is flat. The main street has accessible parking spots. The footpaths are wide with good crossing points with most of the shops and cafes offering level entry. There a good accessible toilet attached to the Inglewood Community Hub located on Market Street. The treasure map and the Sir Reginald Ansett memorial are both located in Verdon Street.

Inglewood Blue Eucy Museum

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The Blue Eucy Museum is on the site of the old Eucalyptus Distillery. It contains the historic remains of the distillery, a working model of the distillery process, a café, picnic area and toilet block.

The car park is hard packed fine gravel. From the car park to the main building the path is asphalt and level. Entry into the main building is through wide double doors that are manually operated with a lever doorknob. Door press is light and easily operated. The café, gift shop and display areas are all open with wide aisles and plenty of manoeuvring room. The countertop is low. All chairs can be moved to allow a choice of seating options for wheelchair users and users of other mobility devices. A wide door at the end of the café leads to an accessible outdoor eating area.

The model distillery display has wide entry and some bench seating with plenty of space inside for all types of mobility devices as well as prams and pushers.

The same theatrette has movable seating.

An accessible unisex toilet is located in the toilet block adjacent to the main building.

The historic distillery is reached via a gravel path. The path is new and does contain aggregate up to 50mm in diameter. The path gives access to all areas of the old distillery.

A picnic table and BBQ is located adjacent to the old distillery.  It is reached by crossing a relatively hard lawn area.  The BBQ and table on a concrete base and covered by a pavilion.

Puffing Billy

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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.




Jervis Bay Wild, An Accessible Whale Watching Experience

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Jervis Bay is renowned for its natural beauty and extraordinary wildlife, such as dolphins, seals, sea birds, fairy penguins and migrating whales (from May through November). Rich in Australian history, Aboriginal culture and geological marvels, Jervis Bay is also famous for its diving, exceptionally clear water.

Experience the wonders of Jervis Bay on 18.5 metre catamaran Port Venture. She has five viewing levels, and has been specifically designed to suit all ages, especially those who are in wheelchairs or have a physical disability. Port Venture has disabled amenities on board and level walk/wheel on, and off ramp.

Guests with any type of disability can experience whale and dolphin watching, as well as be safely hoisted into the boom net or go snorkeling in the clear waters of Jervis Bay.

Once back on shore visit Jervis Bay Wild’s Portside Cafe to enjoy lunch or tea and a cake.  Portside has fully accessible amenities available.

Jarvis Bay Wild operates 365 days of the year and run a number of Eco tours consisting of:

Dolphin – all year round

Whale – mid-May to mid November

Summer – mid November to mid-May

Boom Netting – mid-November to mid-May

Twilight – December to April

Seal Colony – dependent on wind and sea conditions

Private Charters – to suit any occasion.

About the Shoalhaven

The Shoalhaven is situated on the South Coast of NSW and includes Jervis Bay.

Around the Shoalhaven there are many activities suitable for travellers of any ability, their families and their friends, making this region the perfect destination for people who may require some extra care and assistance with their access requirements. Whether fishing from an accessible jetty, admiring the spectacular pristine, white sands around the Bay, or out on the water in a fully accessible boat for dolphin and whale watching For those who are more adventurous a hoist can lift you into the boom net or off the back of the boat to go snorkelling with the marine life.

There is a large range of accessible accommodations options available.