School holidays are a great time to get the family together for an adventure. All over Victoria there are free and low-cost attractions like museums, zoos, libraries, and parks.
We’ve made this list of a few of our favourite venues and attractions that provide an inclusive and accessible experience for children with disability, so read on to find your next family adventure below.
Museums
Many museums have free entry, and all Museums Victoria facilities have accessibility and sensory guidance information available on their websites and onsite. A couple of our favourites are listed below:
Scienceworks
Scienceworks, located in Spotswood, is a great choice for the whole family to enjoy interactive exhibitions, where children can learn all about the world around them.
There is detailed accessibility information on the Scienceworks website, including wheelchair, Deaf, and low vision access information. If your child has sensory sensitivities or is feeling overwhelmed during the visit, you can borrow a free sensory bag from the Information desk.
Children and Companion Card holders enter for free, every day of the week. The first Saturday of every month (excluding school holidays) is also a low-sensory session. Scienceworks is an Autism-friendly museum, and a Sensory friendly map is available, to give you a better idea of what to expect.
Sovereign Hill
When you think of a museum, you might think of a big, old building full of stairs – but a visit to Sovereign Hill is sure to change your mind. This well-known outdoor museum has recently upgraded accessibility for children with disability. There is a new accessible gold-panning area for families to enjoy, and social scripts and videos are available online, so your child knows what to expect.
Children under 5 enter free, and Companion and Carer Card holders are eligible for concession entry. So step back in time and check out the great new facilities.
Zoos and sanctuaries
Healesville Sanctuary
Great news for wildlife lovers: last year, Healesville Sanctuary launched new accessibility tools, including a sensory map. The sanctuary is also home to a Changing Places facility, so you can visit with confidence.
Carers accompanying a person with a disability who is a holder of a Child Disability Allowance Health Care Card, a Disability Pension Card, or a Companion Card can also get free entry. Children also enter for free on weekends and school holidays.
Moonlit Sanctuary
Another great wildlife adventure with accessibility tools is Moonlit Sanctuary.
Moonlit Sanctuary is easily accessible for those with limited mobility or who have prams or wheelchairs to manoeuvre. The site is fitted with compact gravel paths, ramps and wide doors. Accessible bathrooms and baby change facilities are also available near the information centre, and wheelchairs are available free of charge.
Werribee Open Range Zoo
Always wanted to go on a safari? Werribee Zoo has four wheelchair-accessible Safari Buses, and the Safari Tour is also available in Auslan. Like all Zoos Victoria facilities, Werribee Zoo has an access key, sensory map and social stories, to help you prepare for a great day out. The zoo also has a Changing Places facility.
Free entry is available to all carers accompanying a person with a disability who is a holder of a Child Disability Allowance Health Care Card, a Disability Pension Card, or a Companion Card. Plus, children enter for free on weekends and school holidays.
Melbourne Zoo
Families who have attended ACD Dream Day events know that Melbourne Zoo provides a wonderful, accessible experience for children with disability. Just like Werribee Zoo, Melbourne Zoo has an access key, sensory map and social stories, to help you prepare.
Free entry is available to all carers accompanying a person with a disability who is a holder of a Child Disability Allowance Health Care Card, a Disability Pension Card, or a Companion Card. Plus, children enter for free on weekends and school holidays.
Libraries
Libraries are so much more than a place to borrow books. Libraries all over Victoria run story time sessions, craft activities, and other accessible events for children.
For example, Maribyrnong Libraries host an Auslan bilingual story time, a sensitive story time, and a LEGO club. The City of Casey’s Connected Libraries also run sensory play and story time sessions.
You can find out what events are running at your local library through your local council’s website.
Art galleries
National Gallery of Victoria
The NGV is a great day out for the family, and another venue with a range of accessibility resources, including social stories and a sensory map. Keep an eye out for the NGV’s children’s exhibitions and holiday programs, which have free entry.
Staff are trained to recognise Hidden Disability Sunflower lanyards, and a range of accessibility tools are available for free hire: Wheelchairs, a motorised scooter, fidget devices, magnifying sheets and coloured overlays. A Changing Places facility is located nearby at Hamer Hall, 300m from the NGV.
Useful Links
Accessible outings with Changing Places
Exploring Victoria’s accessible national parks and gardens
Get out and about with a travel pass
Read more Inclusive fun