What you need to know about wheelchair access in Melbourne

I’ve wanted to go to Melbourne since being a child. I finally visited in August 2023 with my parents. It wasn’t too cold although the sky wasn’t bright with patchy rain.

Accommodation

We drove to Melbourne and stayed at QT Melbourne in the city. I’d booked two rooms as the wheelchair friendly room, had one giant bed. Access was flat from the street to enter with lift access inside no steps into the spacious room. I liked being able to roll under the bathroom sink but the mirrors were far too high. A large Accessibke mirror is next to the entrance. There was a standard fold out bench to sit on in the shower.

See & Do

I wanted to check out the shops and eat. There are many heritage buildings requiring alternate entry with wheelchair symbol signs indicating if there was an accessible entry. H&M was located in a beautiful old post office with a side ramp access. Fonda Flinders Lane was a delicious Mexican restaurant with steps at the front and required going in an old service lift from a private garage with a staff member. We enjoyed Lune in our hotel room wifh thanks to Dad for getting up early to join the long line, purchase and bring to our hotel room.

Moulin Rouge was a fabulous show. The wheelchair space was located a few rows from the front with a good view. It was at the Strand Theatre which required alternate entry with staff through the restaurant next door. It was loud with sound being felt through the floor.

The old Melbourne Gaol and Magistrates Court is worth checking out. Tickets need to be purchased.. The ground level of the the Gaol is wheelchair accessible and some of the cells. Download the app for more stories that aren’t accessible. The court has an accessible side entrance accessed with staff. This should be followed by the beautiful and free Victorian Library. The library is spacious with lift access inside. It houses Ned Kelly’s armour with other artworks.