While staying on the NSW south coast I spotted an Instagram post showing a little girl walking down a path to the beach. As soon as I saw that picture of Nelsons Beach I was determined to take a look in person. We’ve previously enjoyed time at Greenfield Beach and Green Patch Beach while staying in Jervis Bay but we are always keen to try a new spot. Nelsons Beach certainly has more to offer than the easy access path, it has many facilities that make it a great accessible location in Jervis Bay.
Nelsons Beach, Jervis Bay
Jervis Bay boasts a lovely selection of white sandy beaches. Visitors are in fact spoilt for choice but as always, we are interested in finding the most accessible options. We travel with Braeden’s beach wheelchair so we love nothing more than taking him exploring. Variety is the spice of life and the beach wheelchair gives us freedom. Nelsons Beach is a stunning stretch of coastline and the level pathway to the beach makes access easy for those with a beach wheelchair.
I was thrilled to see this pathway and observation area making a visit to the beach so much easier and accessible to people with varying needs including an older gentleman with his walking frame. When chatting to he and his wife they told us he accompanies his wife to the beach as she likes to swim, but he isn’t a fan of the sand. From the observation area he can enjoy the beach while sitting on his walking frame’s seat.
In the short time we were getting our own gear organised we also saw a young family using the pathway to access the beach with their pram and beach trolley. They declared the pathway “the best thing they’ve done” (meaning the local council) because it’s made such a difference to their beach days.
Shoalhaven Council has done a wonderful job of providing a range of facilities to make this the perfect spot to picnic for the day. A picnic table with space for a wheelchair user to sit alongside family and friends is set back from the beach.
A level pathway leads from the beach to another picnic area (around 250 metres away) where there is a playground and Changing Places facility.
The Changing Places bathroom requires a MLAK key to enter but is equipped with an adult-size change table and hoist (BYO sling).
The playground includes a wheelchair carousel with seating.
A basket swing is also located within the playground.
Various swings sit side-by-side including another basket swing, a bucket swing which is connected to one of the swings for assisted play.
And there’s a Liberty Swing (wheelchair accessible swing).
Accessible parking is conveniently located in front of the playground and Changing Places bathroom.
Clear signage assists visitors in navigating their way to the accessible beach entrance. I wish other councils would provide similar signage to make it easier to find the most accessible route.
We visited Nelsons Beach twice during our stay and loved swimming in the clear water and having such an expansive beach to explore with Braeden and his beach wheelchair. Amelia also appreciated the fact there was some natural shade from the trees in a few spots on the beach so she could sit on her towel and read a book.
If you are visiting the NSW south coast and looking for an accessible beach to use your own beach wheelchair, we think you should put Nelsons Beach on your list. Braeden’s smile says it all really.
Shoalhaven Council has 10 beach wheelchairs free to loan at various beaches on the south coast. Check the council website for more details.
Other activities we recommend in the area include a dolphin or whale watching trip on the accessible Jervis Bay Wild, a visit to Livvi’s Place accessible playground at Mollymook and one of our faves, a trip to Bendalong to see the Stingrays.
