The wet and cold weather forecast for the coming week has me thinking of accessible indoor activities in and around Sydney. While we are still cautious about indoor activities, restricted visitor numbers do assist with crowds, so I thought I’d put together a list of our suggestions for accessible indoor activities in Sydney. These are places BJ enjoys and regularly visits either with us or with his support workers.
ACCESSIBLE INDOOR ACTIVITIES IN & AROUND SYDNEY
In Sydney we are so fortunate to have a variety of indoor activities for all ages. Families in particular are spoilt for choice. Here are our suggestions for wheelchair accessible activities in and around Sydney.
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
If you like modern art, then the Museum of Contemporary Art is for you. We particularly love the inclusive programs offered by the MCA allowing people of all abilities to participate.
Currently the Bella Plus Connect program which BJ has participated in is not operating due to COVID but we highly recommend it when restrictions are lifted. You can read about the Bella Plus Connect program and general access at the Museum of Contemporary Art in our review.
Exhibitions and art is ever changing so it’s always a good time to visit the MCA and with stellar harbour views from the rooftop cafe, make sure you also have time for a cuppa or lunch.
COVID TIP – The MCA is open and bookings are not required.
SEA LIFE SYDNEY
As a Merlin Pass holder BJ enjoys many visits to Sea Life Sydney each year. He often combines a visit to Sea Life Sydney with Madam Tussauds.
Kids will love trying to find Nemo and everyone will be mesmerised by the size of the sharks and sting rays as they glide above you in the underwater tunnels. Sea Life Sydney offers good wheelchair access with ramps linking the various levels. Pushing back up the ramps does give you a good workout though!
You can read our review of Sea Life Aquarium and learn more about the access here.
COVID TIP – Bookings are essential and are working on a time-slot system.
WILDLIFE SYDNEY ZOO
Australia’s most iconic wildlife can be found at WildLife Sydney Zoo. Wander through the tropical butterfly house and enjoy seeing some of our most dangerous reptiles from behind the safety of glass. Spot a koala, wombat or wallaby, all within a wheelchair accessible and manageable area.
Ramp access is available throughout.
COVID TIP – Bookings recommended. You can read more on the WildLife Sydney Zoo website.
MADAME TUSSAUDS
BJ is a regular at Madame Tussauds and has always loved the photo opportunities it offers with the famous and infamous wax celebrity figures.
You can see which celebrities he likes and what he gets up to in our review on Madam Tussauds.
COVID TIP – Where possible the venue requests bookings are made online, however there are no previsions for Companion Card holders for online bookings.
AUSTRALIAN MARITIME MUSEUM
Located in Darling Harbour, the Australian Maritime Museum always has engaging exhibitions but BJ particularly loves the Action Stations area. Wheelchair accessibility and facilities are excellent throughout.
Read all about the Maritime Museum and BJ’s favourite section, Action Stations in our review.
COVID TIP – session times are being offered and bookings are essential due to limited numbers. As there are no provisions for Companion Card holders online, we were told to arrive and we would be accommodated.
MUSEUMS DISCOVERY CENTRE
The Museum Discovery Centre is a small and often overlooked museum in Castle Hill in Sydney’s North West. It is rumoured to be the museum which takes the overflow of treasures the Powerhouse Museum cannot accommodate. An hour or so is probably all that is needed to explore this small museum which is affiliated with the Powerhouse Museum in Pyrmont. It houses a collection of Sydney Olympic memorabilia, vehicles and other treasures.
COVID TIP – Entry is free but timed bookings need to be booked online. You can check their website for further details.
MUSEUM OF FIRE
The Museum of Fire is an attraction that I feel often gets overlooked, and yet it holds a wealth of history. Kids just love the range of fire engines on display and the interactive Junior Firefighter Zone is always a hit. We love that the Museum of Fire is such a great accessible Sydney attraction.
The reason I love the Museum of Fire, particularly in these COVID times, is the space and size of the venue. It makes social distancing easy.
Read our tips in our Museum of Fire review.
COVID TIP – Bookings are required due to limited numbers.
SHINE SHED NORTH WEST SYDNEY
Shine Shed North West Sydney opened on the 4th of July 2020 and will no doubt become a popular venue for families with a child living with disability, teens and even adults with a disability. The indoor sensory gym has been designed to cater to all abilities. And it’s indoors.
Bookings are essential.
See our photos and read our Shine Shed North West review to learn more.
SHINE SHED – CAMPBELLTOWN
Shine Shed Campbelltown is the indoor play centre which Shine Shed North West has been modelled on. It has a range of equipment for all abilities and both it and Shine Shed North West has strict COVID cleaning and protocols in place.
We reviewed Shine Shed Campbelltown last year and share all the information here.
EARLY START DISCOVERY SPACE WOLLONGONG
Early Start Discovery Space is currently only open to members (people can become members at a discounted rate at the moment) but I’m adding it to this list because it provides such an awesome day out for families. Early Start Discover Space offers guests the opportunity to role play, use their creativity and problem solving skills with education behind every activity corner.
My friend Sue, who is an occupational therapist, visited with her three children and shared her thoughts on access and the highlights in a review which you can read here.
We’re always keen to hear of other accessible activities so please share any you rate worth a mention with us either in comments here or over on Facebook.
