Wondering what to do in between or after your sessions at the new Melbourne clinic? We have put together a list of some of Melbourne’s wonderful sights and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Whether it’s exploring some fun and beautiful parks or giving Mum some retail therapy time at the shops, there’s lots to see and do on your NAPA free weekends or afternoons.
Zoos and Aquariums:
- Sealife Melbourne – fish, sharks, stingrays and so much more
- Melbourne Zoo – animals from all over the world
- Werribee Open Range Zoo – African themed zoo where you can get up and personal with the animals. Has a wheelchair accessible safari bus to see the African animals!
- Collingwood Children’s Farm, Abbortsord – a working, non-for-profit farm located on the banks of the Yarra River. They offer a sit down café or picnic packs to take away. If the children are into animals this is nice and close to the city.
Museums & Attractions:
- Legoland discovery centre – a Lego lover’s dream with a Lego themed playcentre, rides and building areas.
- Scienceworks – a museum that lets you and the kids travel into the world of space and science.
- Puffing Billing – located in the Dandenong Ranges, tep back in time and ride a real heritage steam train.
- Scienceworks – a popular science and technology museum located in Spotswood that features modern interactive exhibitions, the Melbourne Planetarium and the Lightning Room
- Museum of Play and Art – A wonderous place to play, create and learn! Located in Geelong
- Luna Park – Historical mini-theme park located in St Kilda
- Legoland Discovery Centre– located not too far from NAPA in Chadstone shopping centre.
- We rock the spectrum kids gym – an all abilities kids gym with locations in Morabbin and Preston.
Parks, Walks and Playgrounds:
- Hays Paddock Park, Kews East – an all-abilities playground that includes typical play equipment as well as a harnessed swing and a wheelchair accessible carousel.
- Birrarung Marr Playground – Melbourne’s biggest all-abilities playground, a 10 minute drive from the CBD. There are wheelchair accessible pathways, play areas and toilets as well as a liberty swing (key can be picked up during opening hours at ArtPlay during visiting)
- Livvi’s Place, Casey, Lyndhurst – another all-abilities playground that includes shaded equipment, lots of sand for sensory play, supportive swings and wheelchair accessible carousel.
- Wombat Bend Playspace, Templetowe Lower – a wheelchair accessible and fully fenced play ground that is great for family picnics surrounded by the Australian bush. There is a liberty swing and sensory equipment.
- Brimbank Park Playscape – an all-inclusive playground with signage in both Auslan and Braille throughout the play areas. There is also an accessible sandpit and swing set that caters for children of physical disabilities.
- Hastings Foreshore Playground, Hastings – there is a wheelchair accessible Liberty swing, accessed by using an MLAK key which can be borrowed from Pelican Park Recreation Centre, Hastings.
- Wilsons Promontory National Park – A beautiful National Park about an 1hr out of Melbourne. A beach wheelchair is available at the Wilsons Promontory National Park Information Centre opened from 9am-4pm (p: 03 8427 2122)
- Marie Wallace in Bayswater is great accessible park, it has a sensory section where you go through turning doors that have mirrors etc, as well as a ramped playground and a kids ‘learn to ride’ bike section.
- Halliday Park in Mitcham (super close to NAPA) has a flying fox with harness seat.
Cafes:
- The Farm Café (Abbortsford): Set amongst Collingwood’s Children’s Farm is a cute, rustic café that takes you away from city life. A great spot that allows you to have a bite to eat while meeting some furry friends afterwards.
- Little Creatures Brewery (Geelong): A colourful canteen of good food and a few special drops for Mum and Dad to reward themselves for all their hard work.
- The Stables of Como Café (South Yarra): A beautiful café where you can eat in or pre-order a picnic basket full of sandwiches and cupcakes and find a spot in the nearby gardens to eat in the sun.
- The Hungry Peacock (Tyabb): A family friendly café that has a wonderful selection of meals for everyone as well as a place out the back called The Busy Peacock which offers sessions that include messy and sensory play, craft and imagination and can be booked via their website.
- Acre Eatery Glasshouse café – Located in Burwood (10 minutes from the clinic) – a café which is situated amongst a rooftop farm, giving space for kids to roam around.
Wheelchair Accessible Beaches:
- Williamstown Beach: a quiet beach with little waves that is great for the kids. 2 beach wheelchairs can be hired free of charge during lifesaving hours and there is also a stand-alone accessible toilet facility for use. Details below concerning booking.
- Mount Martha: on the Mornington Peninsula there is a beautiful beach that is also home to some colourful beach boxes. There are 3 beach wheelchairs available that can be borrowed during patrol season (November to April) for free as well as beach matting to the path and an accessible toilet with a change facility.
- Altona Beach: another quiet, calm beach with 2 beach wheelchairs that can be hired free of charge.
- St Kilda: Also accesisble with a long boardwalk and jetty and close to restaurants and Luna Park
- ACCESSIBLE BEACHES MELBOURNE – Have Wheelchair Will Travel
- Accessible Beaches and Recreation – Mornington Peninsula Shire (mornpen.vic.gov.au)
Shopping:
- Queen Victoria Markets: one of Melbourne’s iconic landmarks. A variety of speciality shops and fresh produce.
- Melbourne Central: a large selection of Australian and International fashion brands with over 300 retail stores to explore.
- Bourke Street Mall: browse the large array of boutiques and shops that is situated in an outdoor pedestrian mall. Great for shopping while still enjoying the outdoors.
- Emporium Melbourne: for some designer shopping from both Australian and International designers.
