Plenty Gorge

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Plenty Gorge Park offers a wide range of natural and cultural experiences only 20 km from Melbourne, where the spectacular gorge sets a backdrop for stunning landscape views and the abundant native wildlife are always on show.

Red Gum Picnic Area

Parking

There two designated disabled parking spaces each of 3.6 metres in width. Both parks share a central access way for loading that is 2.7 metres wide. The car park surface is asphalt and is level. The two disabled spaces are located directly in front of the toilet block.

Toilet Facilities

There is an accessible unisex toilet located on the side of the building away from the car park. The cubicle is fitted with an inward opening swing door. It is light to open and is fitted with a self closer. There is a low vertical handle on the outside of the door and an internal rotating lock fitted with a wing type handle. The door can be opened and locked with finger dexterity or strength. The toilet seat is 420 millimetres high and is fitted with a side grab bar only. There is wheelchair space beside the toilet. The flush is located low down level with the side grab bar. The flush buttons and raised. The hand basin has clear space underneath it with no exposed hot water pipes. The tap is a fluted handle twist type that requires finger dexterity and strength

Picnic Area

Red Gum picnic area is a large flat grassed field easily accessed from the car park. There are picnic tables provided. They are the fixed side seating type with 225 millimetre overhangs. The tables are all on small concrete pads.

Playground

There is a playground behind the main toilet block. It is on open ground. The main play area is covered with tanbark and surrounded by a plastic edging approximately 75 millimetres high. The playground has several ground level play features.

Hawkestowe Picnic Area

The Hawkestowe Picnic area is on two levels

Lower Car Park.

The lower car park gives access to the picnic facilities and a large grassed area. The car park has a designated disabled parking area although the individual bays are not marked. There is a loading area next to the bay that is marked with raised sleepers 75 millimetres high. The surface of the car park is gravel and level.

Picnic Area

Entry to the picnic area is at the opposite end of the car park to the disabled parking spaces. Level access is provided through the garden to the flat grassed area. There are gravel paths running through the area. The paths are all level and are a fine hard packed gravel.

Two picnic pavilions are located to the left. Each is accessed by a gravel path and has a level concrete floor. The picnic tables are steel framed with fixed side seating and a small 225 millimetre overhang at either end. A BBQ is between the two pavilions. It has two hotplates at a working height of 800 millimetres and is push button operated. The buttons are recessed and require flinger dexterity to operate them within their recessed surrounds. The BBQ has a two wing benches at the same 800 millimetre height. The BBQ surround is fine crushed gravel.

A second BBQ area is located to the right of the path from the car park at the base of the hill leading to the homestead. The BBQ is of identical design but there are two picnic tables with a 460 millimetre overhang to allow wheelchair users to sit front facing at these tables.

Upper Car Park

Upthe hill from the lower car park is the old  Le Page homestead. It can be reached by a path across the lawn but it is uphill for 200 metres at an approximate 1 in 14 slope. Manual wheelchair users would require assistance. The path leading from the designated disabled parking spaces has no steps.

An alternative parking area is located between the homestead and the outbuildings. There are no designated disabled parking spaces. The parking area is a level gravel surface.

The toilets for the Hawkestowe picnic area are located at the rear of the Le Page homestead off the rear patio. The path and patio are paved with brick. The disabled toilet is a unisex facility and is located on the side of the house on the far side of the rear patio/courtyard. The door opens outward and only requires light effort. The handle is a lever type that pushes down. It is close to the door some finger dexterity and strength would be required. The internal lock is a rotary type with a wing type handle that can be operated without finger dexterity. It is mounted below the entry handle.The room is large with space for a wheelchair beside the toilet. The seat height is 420 millimetres and it is fitted with side and rear grab bars. The flush unit is located behind the toilet at a height of about 950 millimetres above the floor. The buttons are raised and can be operated without flinger dexterity or strength. The hand basin has clear space underneath it and all pipes are protected. The tap is a lever flick style with long handle requiring only light pressure to operate it. There is a push button soap dispenser at a height of 950 millimetres from the floor and an automatic hand dryer at the same height on the other side of the basin. There is a bin in the room.

The rear patio has a great view over the old farm and the large dam below. It is a large area and there are two tables with movable chairs that allow wheelchair users to sit at them front facing. The are large trees offering protection from the summer sun.

The verandah areas of the Le Page homestead are wide and level with the car park allowing wheelchair access to the arts school when it is open.

Yarrambat Picnic Area.

The Yarrambat Picnic area is off the Yan Yean road on the other side of the Plenty Gorge Park. It is a small area with large grassed areas for play.

Parking

The car park has two designated disabled parking spaces that are 4 metres wide each. They adjoin a centre access area which is two metres wide. The two parking bays are directly in front of the toilet block.

Toilets

The toilet block is 30 metres from the car park along a level brick paved path. It has one unisex cubicle located between the male and female entrances. It has a large outward swing door with a small vertical “D” type handle on the outside. There is no latch to open but the handle is small and close to the door which would require some finger dexterity and grip to open. There is no handle on the inside to close the door other than the small wing handle of the rotating door lock.

The is ample room inside and space beside the toilet for a wheelchair. The toilet seat is high at 530 millimetres from floor level. There are side and rear grab bars fitted. The flush is immediately behind the toilet just above the rear grab bar. It is an unusual twist type with a 50 millimetre by 19 millimetre handle. Only light effort is required to operate it.

The hand basin has clear space beneath it with no exposed hot water pipes.

Picnic Facilities

Beside the toilet block in front of the car park is a large grassed area with several electric BBQs and picnic tables. The BBQs are electric with a small recessed push button control. The height is 800 millimetres. There sit on large brick paved surrounds.

The picnic tables are steel framed with fixed bench seating on either side. The table tops have a 225 millimetre overhang at either end but sit on small concrete pads that are not large enough to accommodate a wheelchair. A the back of the area is a picnic pavilion. It has a brick paved floor, and electric BBQ with a working height of 800 millimetres and two tables that have fixed seating on three sides and an open side for wheelchair users. The front of the pavilion has a 75 millimetre lip from the grassed area but the rear of the pavilion is level with the surrounding grass.

On the opposite side of the car park is a large playing field. There are three more picnic tables and a small rotunda that is accessible directly from the car park.

Yellow Gum Recreation Area.

Parking

There is no designated disabled parking in the small gravel car park. The surface is course stones that can be up to 25 millimetres in diameter. Entry to the picnic area is through a gate. There are small entry areas on either side of the gate but a larger gap to the right behind the shrub. The surface is quite rough with large stones. The gap is 1.4 metres wide.

Picnic Area

The picnic area is up the path to the right which is gravel and has an approximate slope of 1 in 14 for about 80 metres.

The picnic area is large and flat with a grass surface. There are several electric BBQs here with a working height of 850 millimetres. The BBQs are located on a concrete slab that is a metre around the BBQ. They are operated by a small recessed push button switch. The picnic tables are a square design with three fixed seats and one open side to accommodate a wheelchair or people bringing their own chair for back support. The tables are located on a natural surface allowing ample room around each table. At the rear of the picnic area is a large pavilion. It has one fixed table of the same accessible design with room for two more portable tables.

Toilets

There is a toilet block at the rear of the area but there are no disabled facilities.

Blue Lake Observation Platform

The Yellow Gum picnic area is renown for its views over the blue lack in the Plenty Gorge below. It can be seen from two viewing platforms. The upper platform is best accessed by taking the left hand road near the entry gate and then following the right hand branch below the toilet block. There is a path from the toilet block that joins the main path but its gradients exceed 1 in 10 and the surface is rough and rutted. The upper viewing platform looks down on the lake and is a wide area of natural earth.

The path to the lower platform is over 600 metres in length and has long sections with gradients in excess of 1 in 10.

Point Cook and Cheetham Wetlands

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Point Cook Coastal Park features abundant birdlife, an historic bluestone homestead, intertidal sand banks and a Marine Reserve. Located 20 km southwest of Melbourne, it is a popular destination for birdwatchers, nature lovers and family groups.

Over 250 fauna species have been recorded at Point Cook Coastal Park. During the Victorian summer, visiting migratory birds move between the wetlands and saltmarsh at Point Cook, the beach sand flats and Cheetham Wetlands, depending on the tides. The endangered Orange-bellied Parrot is known to feed in the saltmarsh at Point Cooke.

Beach Recreation Area

Parking

Parking is available in three main car parks. Between each carpark is a toilet block. An information centre is located between the two toilet blocks. In the corner nearest the toilet block of each car park is a marked disabled parking space. Each space is 4.5 metres wide. The surface is asphalt and it gives direct level access to the path to the toilet block and the central park and playground area. The car parks and path can be subject to a thin layer of wind blown sand from the beach.

Toilet Facilities

The paths to the toilet blocks is a hard packed earth and gravel surface. Both blocks have an identical unisex disabled and baby change room located between the male and female entrances. They have a wide sliding door requiring light effort to open. It is fitted with a vertical handle and the doors can be opened without finger dexterity. The handle is fitted low on the door at approximately 850 millimetres from the floor. There is a rotating lock on the inside with a “wing” type handle can be operated with minimal finger dexterity.

The toilet is 450 millimetres high and is fitted with side and rear grab rails. There are exposed water pipes on the wall but these carry cold water only. It should be noted that the toilet roll holder is beyond reach from a seated position. The flush buttons are flush with the wall and would require some finger dexterity to operate. There is space beside the toilet for a wheelchair.

The hand basin has space underneath it and none of the exposed piping contains hot water. The tap is a push down type and does not require finger dexterity to operate.

There are disposal bins within the cubicle.

Playground

The main area is a large open grassed area with a playground in the middle. There is a hard packed fine gravel path from behind the toilet block to the playground. The playground has both a grassed surface and a rubberized surface to it main features. There are several features of the playground that are accessible to children using a wheelchair and wheelchair using parents can get to all parts of the playground to watch their children.

Beach Access

There are four beach access points at this part of the park, one on either side near the respective picnic pavilions and two in the centre of the park. The two middle paths are sandy tracks to the beach. The paths near the picnic pavilions are hard packed gravel right to the beach through the dune area. The paths are flat and wide with a smooth surface. The paths end right at the beach with only a short distance of sand to cross to the waters edge. The total distance from the car park to the waters edge is 200 metres.

Picnic Pavilions.

On either side of the park near the beach are two major picnic pavilions. Both of these areas have a mixture of covered and open picnic areas with free electric BBQ’s. They are fitted with large tables that have a full open side that allows wheelchair users to sit front facing at the table or those requiring back support to bring their own chairs and sit at the table. The electric BBQ’s and tables are all on the one large concrete slab. The working height of the BBQ’s is 900 millimetres.

Bird Hide and Spectacle Lake

There is one marked disabled parking space at the end of the car park next to the path leading to the bird hide. The space is only the standard 2.7 metres wide but it has the clear space of the 1.8 metre access path beside it to serve as a loading zone. There are no raised barriers between the car park and the entrance path. The car park surface is asphalt and the path to the hide, including the section next to the car park, are a fine hard packed gravel.

The gate to the path is over a metre wide and has a chain “farm” type latch. Finger dexterity is required to lift the latch off its post and to feed the chain through the gate to close it.

The path is 1.2 metres wide over its entire length and the edges are marked with raised edging approximately 75 millimetres high allowing way-finding for visitors with low vision. At its half way point the path crosses a curved boardwalk. It is horizontally planked with a maximum gap between the timbers of 13 millimetres. The boardwalk has a 75 millimetre edging on both sides.

The total distance from the car park to the bird hide is 205 metres

The hide is entered off a second boardwalk through a 950 millimetre door. In the centre of the hide is a wheelchair position. It has a roll under section, lower bench for binoculars and cameras and dual height observation viewing slits. The slides are hinged and held in place by a large wooden latch that can be operated without finger dexterity.

Point Cook Homestead

Parking

Parking at the Point Cook Homestead is on a gravel area near the cafe and picnic area. There are no marked disabled parking spaces. The surface of the car park is level and is a gravel road base.

Toilets

To the immediate left of the entry is a set of toilets. They are accessed by a fine hard packed gravel path.The last one in the series is a disabled room. It is accessed by a short 1 in 14 wooden ramp. The room has a large swing door that opens inward with light pressure. It has a light self closer on it and a rotating lock.

The toilet is at the back of the room and has a seat height of 420 millimetres. There is space beside the toilet for a wheelchair and a non slip rubber mat immediately in front of it. There is a side grab and a small vertical grab bar on the back wall beside the cistern. A disposal bin is beside the toilet. The flush buttons are on top of the cistern and are raised so they can be operated with finger dexterity.

There is a small handbasin on the side wall that has both hot and cold water. Both taps are the rotating type with a fluted knob. Finger dexterity is required to operate the taps. The one on the left is hot water and the feed pipe below the basin is exposed. Pump action soap dispensers are supplied and there is a paper towel dispenser next to the basin.

Cafe

There is a cafe in the grounds. Entry is level and wide. There are both internal and external seating. The internal has movable chairs and the outside are standard fixed side seating benches. Table overhang at each end of the benches is 9 inches. The outside area surface is grass.

The Homestead

The homestead and outbuildings can be reached from the cafe across a flat grassed area, the distance is about 250 metres. Once at the homestead there are a series of concrete paths to explore the outside of the buildings. Entree to the public areas of the homestead is from the bay side of the buildings. Entry is first via the sunroom. There is a step of 2 inches to negotiate. The door is a wide sliding one but considerable force is required to open it. From the sunroom 2 further 150 millimetre steps need to be negotiated. The remainder of the homestead has wide doors and corridors.

Cheetham Wetlands

Just beyond the entrance to the homestead is the car park to the Cheetham Wetlands.

This is a gravel parking area with no designated disabled parking spaces.

The key attraction at the Cheetham Wetlands is the observation tower built as a dedication to “Migration and Aspirations. The track to the tower is 1.5 kilometers each way but is flat throughout.

The track starts at the gate and follows the formed access road. Pedestrian entry is through a 1.2 metre wide gate. It is a “farm” style gate with the chain type closure. The latch has to be lifted over its post which requires it to be turned and aligned. Finger dexterity is required to both open the gate and to feed the chain back through it to close it again.

800 metres down the path there is a junction. The wetlands walk follows the left hand branch through another small “farm” type gate. It is 1.2 metres wide and has the same latching method as the gate at the entrance. This path is narrower at about 1.5 metres wide. It crosses a board walk constructed of horizontal wooden planks. The boardwalk is edged with timber strips 75 millimetres high and the gaps between the timber boards no do exceed 13 millimetres.

The road that continues straight ahead at the junction brings you out at the observation tower without going through the wetlands or across the boardwalk. The road alternative is 200 metres longer.

The tower is situated on the edge of the wetlands and gives a commanding view over the former salt production pans which are now being reclaimed as a natural wetland. The tower is fully ramped to the main observation deck. There is a final section on the top that is accessed by circular staircase only. The ramp’s slope is 1 in 14, is fitted with handrails on both sides and has level rest areas.

Its surface is timber planting with the gaps between the timbers less than 13 millilitres. The final section of the tower is almost level across to the observation deck and is made of an expanded metal deck. The gaps here are 25 millimetres wide and care would need to be taken by wheelchair users with small front casters.

RAAF Point Cook

The Point Cook Airfield is active by both civilian operators and the RAAF. On the main entry road to the park are two car parks that over look RAAF Lake and the airfield. Both of these car parks have designated disabled parking spaces and both give a great view of both runways and airport activity. The aircraft movements can be viewed from your car.

There are no toilet facilities at these car parks, the nearest being at the beach access park.

Ricketts Point Nature Trail

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Rickett’s Point Marine sanctuary is located just off Beaumaris, where sloping cliffs of sandstone jut out into Port Phillip Bay. At the water’s edge the rock has been worn down into a series of platforms and rock pools, creating a varied and easily accessible marine environment. The diversity of habitats at Ricketts Point is what makes this Marine Sanctuary so interesting. The sanctuary includes rocky (sandstone) inter tidal and sub tidal habitats, sandy beaches and sub tidal soft substrates, with offshore reefs displaying a high diversity of flora and fauna. Near the shore, the rocks are covered in green and red algae that shelter a myriad of smaller creatures, including tiny brittlestars, bristle worms and crustaceans. The soft sea floor is covered in patches of green sea grass or bunches of seaweed attached to small rocks.

Access

The sanctuary is located at Beaumaris off Beach Rd. Access to the Park and Nature Trail is via the Beaumaris Yacht Club car park.

Accessibility

A new triple ramp leads from the car park down onto the hard sand given access to the beach and rock pools to people in wheelchairs. The ramp is in the form of a cross allowing access to the beach at all tide levels. Viewing is best at low tide when the rock pools are exposed. The longest section of the ramp gives direct access to the hard sand and the rock ledge/pools at low tide without the need to traverse the soft sand of the beach. The shorter sections are equipped with one hand rail. The ramp is rated as being fully accessible

Parking Facilities.

Parking facilities are limited to one only designated space. Whist there is only the one designated disabled parking bay there are two normal bays further down the car park towards the yacht club that share a loading/access way.

Picnic Facilities

Like many Victorian parks the picnic facilities do not really cater for people in wheelchairs. There is no over hang on the tables or the provision to roll under the ends. The concrete hardstand areas are not large enough to cater for a wheelchair to sit around the table and all wheels on the concrete. Access to the picnic area is difficult as it is across soft sand and an uneven grassed area. Most of the tables are a long way away from a hard surfaced path. There are no disabled toilet facilities available at this park other than at the Tea House.

Ricketts Point Teahouse

The Ricketts Point Teahouse has been part of the Beaumaris foreshore Reserve for over 50 years. It has gone from a small home with a kiosk to a stylish cafe seating over 200 people. The teahouse is fully accessible with ramped access, wheelchair access to the decked outdoor area overlooking the bay and has accessible toilet facilities. In addition to the designated car parks there is a drop off point right in front of the building.

Sugarloaf Reservoir Park

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Nestled in the Christmas Hills, 35 kilometres north east of Melbourne, Sugarloaf is a tranquil setting for a picnic or a stroll near the reservoir shores, offering wonderful views across the water.

Wet a line in the lake which is stocked with rainbow trout, brown trout, redfin, roach and European carp.

Saddle Dam Picnic Area

The Saddle Dam picnic area is the most accessible within the Sugarloaf Reservoir Park.

Parking

Just inside the entrance are two designated disabled parking bays, each is 4.1 metres in width.  The Car park surface is level asphalt and the bays are adjacent to both the toilet facility and the covered picnic area.

Toilet Facilities

The toilet block is accessed via a gently sloping asphalt pathway and contains a unisex accessible cubicle. It is large with ample room beside the toilet which is equipped with side and rear grab rails. The toilet height is 450 millimetres. There is an accessible hand basin with a timed push to operate tap. There is cold water only supplied to the basin. The entry door is a swing type requiring only light pressure to open and the handle is a lever type with a rotating internal lock.

Picnic Facilities

Next to the toilet block is a large covered picnic shelter. Inside the shelter there individual bays with tables. None of those tables have provision for wheelchair users, however on the outside of the main shelter is a number of tables with long overhanging ends.

The walking path around the Saddle has a compacted gravel surface.

Southern lookout

The Southern is located next to the Saddle Dam Picnic Area.

It provides a very similar view to that available at the Saddle Dam Picnic area. There are no designated disabled parking spaces available. The car park is asphalt with a concrete curb. The only curb cut available is at the far end of the car park where there is a gravel road leading to the launching ramp. The road also provides the only paved surface to the viewing area and is a loose course gravel.

There are no facilities at the Southern Lookout.

Western lookout

Parking

There are no designated disabledparking spaces available. The car park surface is asphalt and is level. It has a concrete curb 150 millimetres in height but there are no curb cuts.

The western lookout provides good views across Sugarloaf reservoir even from the car and is worth the stop.

Fishing

At the northern end of the lookout’s grassed picnic area is a gate in the fence leading to the designated fishing area. Access down to the edge of the lake is via a 1/10 gravel path of approximately 50 metres. The lake edge is a sloping rock wall which would make fishing by wheelchair users difficult without a long rod.

Ridge Picnic Area

The Ridge picnic area is spread out around the ridge at the northern edge of the reservoir park.

This picnic area has limited accessible facilities. Wheelchair users and those using mobility aids should chose the Saddle Dam picnic area.

Toilet Facilities

Disabled toilet facilities are provided in the toilet complex. The facilities are contained within the male and female blocks. The cubicle provides a toilet with a 450 millimetre seat height with side and rear grab bars. There is space beside the toilet for a wheelchair and there is turning space within the cubicle. The hand basin is located outside the cubicle. The cubicle door is equipped with a rotating lock.

Parking

The best access to the toilet block is via the upper or entry road. Parking is adjacent to the block, however there are no designated disabled bays. The first bay in the park is a wide 4 metre one with an additional triangular vacant area beside it. There is a curb cut in the adjacent bay opposite the path to the northern lookout, but it is subject to being blocked by parked cars. The curb is sloping and is 150 millimetres high.

Picnic Areas

There are several picnic areas and pavilions in this area, however, all of them involve the negotiation of gravel sloping paths. The largest pavilion, directly below the toilet block can be accessed from the lower road. The path is gently sloping and has a compacted gravel surface. Electric BBQ’s with a 900 millimetre working height are provided. The picnic tables do not provide a roll under end.

There are no designated disabled parking bays in the lower car park, however the park next to the access path provides an option for those needing space beside the car for wheelchair access.

The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden

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The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is situated on the Georgian Road off the Olinda Monbulk Road. It is a 36 hectare site featuring over 15,000 rhododendrons, 12,000 azaleas, 3,000 camellias, 250,000 daffodils and countless cherries. The garden was formerly known as the National Rhododendron Garden.
There is a main car park before the entrance to the gardens. The side car park contains one designated disabled parking space 3.6 metres wide. The carpark is sealed with direct access to the sealed walkway that leads to the side entry gate.
Directly opposite the main entry and beyond the car park are four more designated disabled parking spaces. These spaces are 3.2 metres in width.

Directly inside the gate is the Visitorís Centre and gift shop.
Accessible toilet facilities and a baby change room are located off the deck at the back of the centre. The facility is large with plenty of maneuvering room, side and rear grab rails for the toilet, a changing table and accessible hand basin. This is a unisex facility.
The main entry into the gardens is via the rear deck and ramp. The ramp is steep and has a moderate cross slope. The staff will open the main road gate for easier access to the garden.

From the visitors centre there are two choices to enter the pathways around the garden. Immediately below the visitors centre is the Main Trail. The first 100 metres of this path is steep with gradients up to approximately 1 in 7. After the initial descent there is a lookout over the Rockery below. The main trail continues through the Magnolia Lawn, the Conifer Lawn, Lyrebird Garden, Cherry Tree Grove, Protea Garden and the Camellia Garden. This section is approximately 1.5 kilometres in length with moderate to easy gradients of less than 1 in 14. In addition to the gardens there are spectacular mountain views. Beyond the Camellia Garden the path drops away around the corner to the Maddenii Lawn, with gradients as steep as 1 in 6. From the Maddenii Lawn the path loops around and heads back towards the entrance and there is a long steep climb below Serenity Point to Cherry Tree Grove. This section can be avoided by taking the link path from the main trail at Lyrebird Garden through Conifer Lawn. This link path is sealed and has a maximum gradient of 1 in 14. The path to the lake has a moderate maximum gradient of 1 in 14.
The lake has a fully accessible viewing Rotunda and a boardwalk along the path.
Beyond the lake the path climbs initially at a gradient approaching 1 in 10 before a steep section through the Rockery. The steepest section through the Rockery approaches a gradient of 1 in 6.
In the Kurume Bowl is a pond with accessible boardwalked viewing areas.
From the pond the path climbs through the Sensory Garden and the Cherry Lawn picnic area. The climb is moderate except for the final section back onto the main road back to the Visitorís Centre. There is a short 10 metre section with a 1 in 5 grade. The sensory garden is an accessible area of the garden.

Toilet facilities are available at the end of the top road past the nursery area. While grab rails are provided the entry is narrow and not suitable for wheelchair users. There are no unisex facilities available here as there is at the Visitorís Centre.

The total length of the path around the garden is 4.5 kilomtres on the sealed paths. Most of the steeper sections can be avoided by following the path through the Cherry Lawn to the pond and rejoining the main trail before the steep section through the Rockery. This gives easier access to the upper main trail.

The Gardens are often used for weddings and other functions. For private functions the Camellia Lawn is the preferred choice with direct access from the Camellia Gate and car park.

Wattle Park

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Wattle Park is a good accessible destination for a picnic or BBQ

2 Designated disabled parking spaces are located directly in front of the park information board. Each bay is 4 metres wide and 5 metres in length. Some caution is required for wheelchair users as the cross slope on the car park is 1 in 25.

The path to the picnic ground and playground is directly in front of the two parking bays. The surface is hard packed gravel with stones of approximately 13 mm.

The picnic area has 9 new steel tables with an overhang at both ends suitable for a wheelchair users to roll under the table.

The BBQ is centrally located and has a working height of 900 millimetres.

Adjacent to the BBQ is an accessible drinking fountain.

The playground is partially accessible with a ramp leading into its central core, allowing access to parents or children with a disability.

The toilets are located to the the left of the Chalet at the top of the carpark. There is a unisex accessible cubicle. The cubicle has ample maneuvering room, wheelchair space beside the toilet and a side grab bar. There is no rear grab bar. The hand basin is accessible.

Outside the toilet facility is another accessible drinking fountain.

The historic chalet is now used for functions and receptions. There is a small, 50 millimetre step off the outside entry courtyard. Inside there is a large reception vestibule. On either side of that there is a clockroom/toilet facilities, one male and one female. Each contains an accessible toilet cubicle and accessible hand basins. The main room of the chalet is level floored. There is a mezzanine level which is only accessible via stairs.

The self guided nature trail starts behind the chalet and is asphalt down the hill to the first corner. Initially the gradient is approximately 1 in 20 but increases to 1 in 14 by the bottom of the hill. The asphalt path gives access to the bandstand and other historic buildings on the site. At the bottom of the hill the path turns to gravel. Gradients on the remainder of the nature trail increase to around 1 in 10.




Westerfolds Park

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Westerfolds is a metropolitan park in the outer Melbourne suburb of Templestowe nestled into a hilly bend in the Yarra River. It has a network of bitumen and gravel paths, shelters, playgrounds, picnic tables and electric barbecues. It is a popular spot for picnics, and family gatherings.

Canoe Launching Area

The canoe launching area provides access to the Yarra River.

The car park has four designated disabled parking bays, 3 are 5 metres wide and the one closest to the access path to the rowing club is 6 metres wide. The parking area and access path to the rowing club is bitumen. A unisex disabled toilet facility is available outside the rowing club along width an accessible drinking fountain.

Access to the river is via a compacted gravel path 60 metres in length with a maximum gradient of 1 in 10.

Swamp Gum Picnic Area

The Swamp Gum Picnic Area contains BBQs, a picnic shelter with tables and a playground.

The parking area has 4 designated disabled parking bays. Each pair of bays share a common access way. The bays are 3.3 metres wide and the access way 1.2 metres in width.

Under the picnic pavilion there are three wooden tables with extended table tops to enable wheelchair users to roll under the table. Outside there are some modern steel tables. The ends have a 400 millmetre overhang and the concrete pads are large enough to accommodate a wheelchair at the end of the table.

The BBQ’s are located in the pavilion and have an operating height of 900 millimetres.

The playground is partially accessible for children or parents using wheelchairs. It has a central ramp leading to three accessible activities. The playground is accessed via an asphalt path directly from the car park or from the picnic area.

The nearest toilet facilities are located at Melaleuca Parking area. An asphalt pathway leads from the Swamp Gum Picnic Area.

Yellow Box Carpark

The Yellow Box Carpark gives direct access to the River Trail. There are no toilet or picnic facilities.

The carpark has 2 designated disabled parking bays, each 3.3 metres wide and sharing a central loading area. There is an access ramp leading from the loading area directly onto the trail.

There is an accessible drinking fountain provided.

Red Stringybark Car Park.

The Red Stringybark Carpark provides access to another picnic area.

There are two designated disabled parking bays opposite the picnic shelter. They are again 3.3 metres wide and serviced by a central shared loading area and access path. The loading area leads directly to a brick path to the picnic pavilion. This picnic area is serviced by woodfired BBQs. There are two available outside the pavilion on a flat earthen surface. Wood is provided and the wood bins are at an accessible height.

There are no accessible picnic tables.

There are no toilet facilities at this picnic ground, the closest being at Melaleuca.

Melaleuca Car Park

The main toilet block for this end of the park is located at the Melaleuca Car Park. There are two designated disabled parking spaces and again they are 3.3 metres wide with a shared loading access way. The toilet block contains one unisex cubicle and baby change facilities. The cubicle is large with adequate maneuvering room and wheel space beside the toilet. Side and rear grab bars are provided. The entry has a sliding door.

Outside the toilet block is an accessible drinking fountain.

Porter Street

The Porter Street end of the park has too parking areas. The one furthest from the entry has two designated disabled parking bays, 3.3 metres wide. One is located in the middle of the carpark adjacent to a central loading area. The central loading area leads to a set of steps to the picnic pavilion. The second bay is located at the end of the carpark nearest the toilet block. The step free route is via the car park entry road. A short brick path leads to the pavilion. One accessible table is provided. There are electric BBQ’s with a working height of 900 millmetres. A second BBQ is provided on the grassed area towards the entrance.

The second car park provides an addition designated disabled parking space next to the park service road. This is a wide bay with the additional clearway space beside it.

A toilet block is located between the car parks and it contains a unisex accessible toilet and baby change room facility. The room is large with wheelchair space beside the toilet with grab bars provided beside and behind the toilet.

William Ricketts Sanctuary

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Located on the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road the peaceful surrounds of the world-renowned William Ricketts Sanctuary offer is a perfect place for reflection. The sanctuary is home to more than 90 evocative sculptures, many of Aboriginal people, which lie half-hidden in the trees, rocks and undergrowth of the native forest.

Indigenous connections

Influenced by his time living in Aboriginal communities in central Australia, William Ricketts believed everyone should respect the inherent spirituality of the natural world. Many of his sculptural works reflect his commitment to this ideal, while others depict his response to the effect the European settlers’ had on the environment.

The foundations of the William Ricketts sanctuary, blending sculptures into the natural environment, create some accessibility challenges as the sanctuary is built on the side of a hill. The sanctuary is not big and can be explored slowly, however, manual wheelchair users are likely to need assistance due to the steepness of some sections of the paths.

Parking.

There are three designated accessible parking spaces available. One is underneath the visitors centre on the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road. That bay is 3.5 metres wide with additional loading space available in the adjoining bus pull in area. This bay backs onto the Dandenong Tourist Road and is not suitable for rear loading vans.

Two additional designated bays are located at either end of the lower car park on the opposite side of the road. These bays are 6.4 metres wide. The use of these bays is subject to the ability to climb the long ramp from the car park to the road. This ramp has a maximum gradient of 1 in 4.5 over its lower half but the minimum gradient on the ramp is 1 in 8.

Entrance

The right hand side of the driveway has a gentler gradient but it is still approximately 1 in 7.

The main entrance to the information centre has a standard door width of 750 millimeters.

Information Centre

The information centre contained a disabled toilet and baby change room facility. It is a unisex facility with wide entry door and large room with good maneuvering room. The toilet has a side grab bar and a bar on the back wall next to the cistern. The hand basin is roll-under with a lever type tap and large mirror.

The upper level contains the information counter and the lower level the souvenir items. The levels are linked by an internal ramp.

The main entrance into the Sanctuary is from the lower level which has a wide doorway.

The Sanctuary

From the information centre the path is initially flat with a hard bitumen surface. There is a short, 20 metre section, that is steep with a gradient of approximately gradient of 1 in 7. Once past that section the path remains at less than a 1 in 14 gradient right through to the log cabin visual display building. The entry to this building is wide and the left hand room provides good access. The aisle down beside the seating is wide and there is an area at the front for wheelchair visitors.

The paths immediately around the building are flat hard packed fine gravel.

At this point there is a choice to return back the same way or to take the sealed path to the gallery and upper sculptures. The path leading to the upper road has sections with a gradient of 1 in 4.

Just prior to the main road is a path off to the left accessing the “Brute” and “Long Beard” This path is also sealed and the gradients are less than 1 in 14.

The final section to the main road is steep with an approximate gradient of 1 in 5. The road to the main gallery is steep again with an approximate gradient of 1 in 4.

The road back to the information centre has gradients as steep as 1 in 10 with the final section approximately 1 in 7.

“Earthly Mother” is only accessible via steps but can be seen from the main road.

There is a toilet block above the information centre but it does not contain any accessible facilities.

Ballarat Botanical Gardens

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The Ballarat Botanical Gardens is situated on the edge of Lake Wendouree and occupies 40 hectares. It is a significant cool climate garden.

There is disabled parking at both ends of the garden in Wendouree Drive. The parking bays at the Nursery Dr end have an extended area behind them making them suitable for rear loading vans.

The terrain is flat making it easily accessible to wheelchair and mobility device users as well as slow walkers. The surface of the paths through the garden is either asphalt or fine hard packed red gravel.

Seating is provided at regular intervals throughout the garden as are wheelchair accessible drinking fountains.

The old conservatory has ramped access with handrails.

The new conservatory has level entry.

Accessible toilets are provided at both ends of the garden adjacent to the disabled parking areas.