ACCESSIBLE CAR HIRE SUNSHINE COAST – WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE SUNSHINE COAST

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Last year I was lucky enough to visit the Sunshine Coast and even though it was a trip without the family, I kept my eye out for information which may be helpful to our Have Wheelchair Will Travel community.

I found two great accessible accommodation options, including The Sofitel Noosa and Aggie’s Oasis, but I know from our personal experience, suitable car hire is a major consideration when flying to a destination. Therefore, I was pleased to meet Donna from Nationwide Mobility Vehicles, an accessible car rental service on the Sunshine Coast.

Donna & Jack, the owners of Nationwide Mobility Vehicles, have a greater understanding than most about what it means to an individual or family to have the right equipment when they travel. Having seen first-hand the difficulties for their nephew who was a paraplegic, and years later Donna’s father whose mobility was affected by a stroke, the couple knew there was a need for accessible van hire. They want to make sure people visiting the Sunshine Coast have the freedom and independence to enjoy their holiday by providing a range of hire vehicles.

THE ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES FOR HIRE

Nationwide have a range of accessible vehicles available to hire, from smaller vehicles more suited to a couple to vans which can accommodate a large family or group.

All of the Nationwide Mobility Vehicles come with 4-point Mobility tie-down systems and seat belts. Every mobility vehicle for rent is automatic and has air-conditioning.

Here are a few examples of the vehicles available to hire –

Mazda 2 Flashe Cab – Seats 2 + Wheelchair

• Internal height where wheelchair sits 1.4m
• Ramp width 735mm
• Ramp load 300kg

Toyota HiAce

Seats 7 + 2  Manual Wheelchairs or 1 Powerchair

• Internal height where wheelchairs sit 1.55m
• Ramp width 820mm
• Ramp lift – 250kg

Hyundai Imax – Seats 5 + Wheelchair

• Internal height where wheelchair sits 1.4m
• Ramp width 730mm length 1.1m
• Ramp lift – 363kg

Pick up and drop off available at Sunshine Coast Airport.

HIRE

Although we focus on travel, there are many reasons people hire a vehicle from Nationwide including a need for alternative transport after recovering from an operation, needing a vehicle when their own accessible car is out of action and one that I personally found interesting, as part of an NDIS plan.

A 3 month rental of an accessible vehicle through Nationwide was possible for one Queensland family because Nationwide is a registered NDIS provider. The hire was fully funded by the NDIS under the Assist-Transport section. For someone who isn’t in the position to purchase a vehicle, or needing one on a temporary basis, this could make a great improvement to life day-to-day.

Meeting Donna I was immediately impressed with her knowledge and understanding of the needs of people with a disability. It’s also a bonus that Jack is a mechanic, meaning all the cars are kept in tip top shape.

If you’re travelling to the Sunshine Coast and need to hire an accessible vehicle make sure you check out Nationwide Mobility Vehicles.

The Sunshine Coast has a fabulous range of accessible experiences including Australia Zoo. Read my review of access at the zoo here.