Get to Know Australia's Reptiles

The Australian Reptile Park is a popular destination for animal lovers of all ages and has the largest collection of reptiles in Australia.

It also has other wildlife such as dingoes, wombats and kangaroos and there are plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with some of Australia's most fascinating creatures.

Most areas of the Australian Reptile Park are accessible via wheelchair and the park's staff are available to provide assistance to visitors with disabilities.

All pathways are wide and made of concrete or grass. The majority of exhibits are visible from a wheelchair, either through fencing or over the top of barriers.

Enjoy Scenic Beauty

It can often be a real challenge to find natural settings with the appropriate facilities to allow people living with a disability to get out into the physical environment.

Fortunately, the Central Coast Council has developed a guide to improve access and help locals and visitors find accessible bushland destinations, reserves and foreshore areas.

The guide provides factual information such as parking, amenities and other features that help people living with a disability or limited mobility to plan a day out in nature.

Information on the Council’s beach wheelchair and matting is also included. The guide showcases the great range of natural destinations that can be explored throughout the region.

Get Active

Riding for the Disabled (NSW) offers therapy, sport and recreation, through horse riding and various horse-related activities, to those who have a disability.

The Central Coast's hinterland is home to one of their Centres at Somersby off Kangaroo Rd. You can make individual or group bookings and riding classes run weekly, with extensive support from trained and accredited coaches.

The region boasts three active recreation providers – Peninsula Leisure Centre, Lake Haven Recreation Centre and Niagara Park Stadium – and three pools – Gosford Olympic Pool, Wyong Pool and Toukley Aquatic Centre – which provide multiple community sport and active recreation activities, facilities and services.

The region also has a great Special Olympics network where you can find local sport groups providing inclusive sport for those with disabilities.

Get out on the Water

Brisbane Water is a tranquil waterway that is perfect for a relaxing cruise. Several companies offer accessible cruises that cater to people with disabilities.

Visitors can enjoy the scenery, spot wildlife, and learn about the region's rich history.

Sailability Gosford is a non-profit organization that provides sailing opportunities for people with disabilities in the Gosford area.

Sailability's active recreation clubs aim to encourage, promote and facilitate sailing and boating activities for people with disabilities, providing them with the opportunity to experience the freedom, exhilaration, and therapeutic benefits of sailing and meet new friends along the way.

Sailability Gosford offers a range of inclusive sport services, including sailing lessons, racing programs, social events, and access to adaptive sailing equipment.

This is just one of the many local sport organisations that arrange community sport throughout the region.

Take in the Views

If you're after breath-taking views, then Norah Head Lighthouse could be for you.

The lighthouse is located on the northern end of the coast and is an historic lighthouse that offers stunning views of the coastline.

The lighthouse is wheelchair accessible, and visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the facility. There is also an accessible picnic area and playground nearby.

Feel the Sand Between Your Toes

The Central Coast Council has done a great deal over recent years to make its beaches more accessible. Throughout the summer patrol season, beach matting is installed at Toowoon Bay, Umina Beach, Ocean Beach, and Terrigal Beach. Beach wheelchairs are available for use across the Central Coast from the south to the north at a number of patrolled beaches. For more information, visit the council's beaches webpage.

Terrigal Beach, located in the heart of Terrigal, is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Central Coast and is a great destination for people with disabilities to relax and enjoy the sun and sand. The beach has great public amenities with accessible toilets and showers, and provides three models of beach wheelchair hire, water wheel and sand cruiser hire that allows visitors to access the water. Many other beaches in the area also provide free hire of beach wheelchairs. Beach patrol information can be found on the Council's website.

The area also boasts an iconic boardwalk that connects Terrigal’s main high street and beachside promenade directly over the crashing waves to The Haven and its surrounding parkland. There are lots of great lunch spots including the accessible Terrigal Beach House.

If you'd like to stay overnight on the Central Coast, the award-winning accessible cabins at Ocean Beach Holiday Resort Umina offer fantastic facilities that accommodate varied needs in a stunning setting. They have received excellent reviews from Have Wheelchair Will Travel.

You can visit the beach, the heated pool, enjoy a barbecue or relax at the cafe.

How can Focus Care help?

Want to have an adventure? We’re here to help! 

Focus Care is a registered NDIS service provider, offering personalised support tailored to your needs and preferences. We can join you for an outing - or suggest ways to support your next adventure. 

Wherever you are, we’ve got you covered. If you’re outside of the Central Coast – or planning an broader excursion – check out our top activities in Sydney and Melbourne.

If you are looking for a service provider which offers Support Coordination, assistance with daily life, creative therapies, and more, contact us today.