It’s not often a location ticks so many accessible boxes, let alone kid-friendly accessible features! Well, the beautiful village of Tathra 5 hours from Sydney certainly does. In today’s blog, we share one of the first inclusive playgrounds, free beach wheelchair hire, Whale watching, two wheelchair-accessible places to stay, flat paths for wheelchair cruising and more. Be sure to check out the exclusive offer at the end, of two free nights*.

1/ Inclusive Playspace

Possibly the most entertaining activity for kids is the brand spanking new inclusive playground. Our tax dollars were well used by the NSW government, as member for Bega, Andrew Constance puts it, “This fantastic space will give kids of all ages and abilities hours of playtime to swing, fly, spin, climb, balance and bounce, and it provides a fantastic new and safe location for the community to come together.”

One of the few inclusive play spaces in Australia, the Lot Stafford inclusive play space is based upon the guidelines for inclusive play and it certainly is a good reason to holiday in this pretty location. Click HERE for the location. It is about a 150-metre stroll from Tathra Beach House Apartments, following a paved level path for comfort. You can’t miss it if you are at the Tathra Surf Club.

So, just what defines an inclusive space? To quote the Department of Planning and Environment, “Inclusive playspaces are easy to access, easy to move around, provide a range of play options and challenges, and have appropriate facilities in a comfortable environment. Inclusive Playspaces encourage everyone to stay as long as they choose “.

It is based upon their three principals, which are:

1/ Can I get there? Is it easy to navigate and find?

2/ Can I play? Covers the experience of play. What sort of equipment, types of surfaces is on offer? Are there a variety of challenges to meet a range of abilities?

3/ Can I stay? Where a consideration of safety and no set time limits is taken into account.

To learn more of this brilliant concept being rolled out to 30 locations around NSW, read more HERE.

2/ Free Beach Wheelchair hire

Feel the thrill of the ocean and be a part of the fun with a day at the beach. Tathra Surf Club has a beach access wheelchair available on request, enabling wheelchair-using visitors, or if you have trouble getting in the water to enjoy the surf. The Tathra Surf Lifesaving Club will make the chair available during surf patrol times. I do strongly recommend booking well in advance, as this is a popular activity during peak times. So, when you book your accommodation, do get in touch with them and book the chair. Click HERE for their contact details.

For a great bite to eat nearby, we recommend Tathra Beach Tapas. Wheelchair accessible however the toilets are not accessible. Fortunately, the restaurant is close to our recommended accommodation. Click HERE for more info.

3/ Beautiful accommodation with accessible features

Actually, you are spoilt for choice with two excellent accessible places to stay.

Tathra Beach House Apartments are located directly opposite Tathra’s surf beach.  (It will be so easy to hire the beach chair from across the road!) Modern apartments and villas, set in beautifully landscaped grounds, it is ideally set up for families, or even a group of families. The grounds feature swimming pools, spas, ponds and water features. Ramp access is not available in the pool, however, handrails do make access possible for those with limited mobility. Accessible features include accessible toilet seat, adjustable grab bars, fixed grab bars, on-site disabled parking, shower chair, step-free access and step-free shower.

Our favourite feature is the kitchen layout. So much thought has gone into wheelchair accessibility. To learn more, click HERE to view the property information, including 51 questions and answers. Everyone’s mobility challenges differ. Our FAQ ensures you know exactly what is on offer and how it may suit your unique challenges. The owner Rob White is one of the most engaged and proactive property owners we have at Accessible Accommodation. He will ensure you have a lovely stay.

Another wonderfully accessible place to consider is the Tathra Beachside. This wheelchair accessible accommodation runs parallel to the beach for 500 metres. The best part about this modern accommodation is the wide, concrete, shared cycleway that runs 3km along the road down to Mogareeka. It’s a great place for birdwatching, swimming, surfing, canoeing, boating, fishing. Or, simply enjoying the tranquillity and rhythm of the crashing waves, being so close to the beach. To view the extensive FAQ (Questions and answers) about this accessible accommodation, click HERE.

4/ Whale Watching

Whale watching experience is one of the main reasons to visit Tathra. The locals are so used to Whale sightings, it has become part of everyday life in Tathra during the seasonal period in which they migrate. News travels fast when they are approaching, and the locals can suggest the perfect sighting spots. Chris Sparks (a local wheelchair user) recommends The Headlands close to Tathra Hotel as a great spot for wheelchairs. HERE are the co-ordinates for viewing, parking and accessible toilets. Best of all, in a few months, they are expected to have completed paved paths around the headland for wheelchair use. Best times of the year to watch the whales migrate are May/ June and October/November.

A really useful tip: download the app Wild About Whales, and be a part of the Whale spotting community. The app allows the user to plan your whale watching guide. Find where they are, add your own sightings and share your experience on their social gallery with your own photos. The app also guides you, learning about the different species, and the best current vantage points too. Click HERE for the app info.

Chris also recommends a great restaurant, Fat Tony’s Bar and Grill close by for a bite to eat. Click HERE for details.

5/ An exclusive offer

Rob at Tathra Beach House Apartments has put together an exclusive offer for you. *When you book 7 nights at the complex, two of those nights are free! *The offer is available until 20th September 2019. Click HERE to check out the apartments and get in touch.

There are so many other great activities in Tathra and the surrounding areas, but today, we have focused on the best wheelchair accessible adventures. Enjoy, and do share photos of your experiences on our Facebook page HERE.

Kerry Williams

Co-Founder – Accessible Accommodation