SYDNEY – ACCESSIBLE ACCOMMODATION

Sydney’s my hometown so you’ll have to excuse me for being biased but I think it’s a fabulous city. I love nothing more than wandering around the harbour, visiting the Botanic Gardens, or having dinner watching the sun set behind the Harbour Bridge. Sydney has great access with wheelchair accessible public transport and plenty of level areas to explore. There are many options for accommodation and I hope to continue to add to this blog over time. In the meantime here’s fifteen suggestions for Sydney and surrounds.

RADISSON BLU

A central location when staying in a city like Sydney is beneficial and choosing somewhere with level access is a bonus when travelling with a wheelchair. Radisson Blu is situated about half-way between Circular Quay (think access to ferries, the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House) and the main shopping district of Pitt Street Mall. We found it was an easy 10 minute stroll to either of these areas of the city.

Read more about the accessible and non-accessible rooms we stayed in here.

FOUR SEASONS

The location of the Four Seasons Sydney hotel is ideal for wheelchair users or people with mobility restrictions with accessible transport just across the road. Circular Quay can be seen from the Hotel’s entrance and from this area guests can access Circular Quay railway station, accessible ferries and an accessible bus service. It’s a level walk to many of Sydney’s popular attractions including the Sydney Opera House, The Rocks and the CBD. The hotel also has accessible rooms with features that make for a wonderful stay in the heart of Sydney.

You can see more photos and read further about our stay here.

SYDNEY HARBOUR YHA

The Sydney Harbour YHA is no ordinary hostel. It’s built amongst the archaeological remnants of early Sydney in the heart of the historic Rocks area, one of Sydney’s most popular tourist attractions. The majority of the hostel is on raised pillars above the archaeological remnants to minimise the impact of the development and to ensure that people can still see the historic items.

It’s great to have a good location and interesting history onsite but clearly we also look for good accessible accommodation. The YHA delivers on that front too. Plus, it has the most amazing terrace with stunning harbour views that everyone can enjoy.

You can read more about our stay and see lots of pictures here.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

When staying in the Circular Quay area why not consider an accessible tour of the Sydney Opera House, or see a performance? Or if you’d like to see the city from great heights, check out Sydney Tower and the accessible Sydney Tower Skywalk which BJ did here.

DARLING HARBOUR – SYDNEY

Darling Harbour is a short ferry ride from Circular Quay or a few stops on the accessible light rail from Central Railway Station. The area is wheelchair accessible with a range of restaurants, attractions and shopping making it a fabulous Sydney base.

HYATT REGENCY SYDNEY

Hyatt Regency Sydney is the luxury hotel Darling Harbour needed. Located in the popular dining and entertainment precinct this recently renovated property (previously Four Points Sheraton) offers 892 guest rooms and 14 accessible rooms, including two styles of accommodation which is wheelchair accessible.

You can read more about this hotel and our stay here.

NOVOTEL DARLING HARBOUR

The location of the Novotel Darling Harbour allows guest easy access to Sydney’s main family friendly attractions and provides a hotel base which is equally family friendly. Although I think the hotel is ideal for families, it provided a fantastic base for my Mum and I when we were looking for an overnight stay for a grown-up girl’s getaway to see a show.

You can see photos of the accessible accommodation and read my review here.

ASTRAL TOWERS AND RESIDENCES

You can read more about the accessible accommodation and hotel here.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

When staying here you should check out Sea Life Sydney, Madame Tussauds, Wild Life Sydney and Australian Maritime Museum.

TARONGA ZOO GLAMPING

Taronga Zoo’s Roar and Snore’s something I had on my wish-list for a long time.  Roar and Snore includes an overnight glamping experience, dinner, a night-time tour of the zoo, hands-on animal experiences and behind the scenes tours. The views of Sydney Harbour are stunning. There’s accessible accommodation and facilities for the overnight stay.

Read more about our night at the zoo here.

COCKATOO ISLAND GLAMPING

Imagine camping with Sydney Harbour as your front yard. You can do just that at Cockatoo Island. Friends of ours did it a few years ago and shared their experience glamping with a wheelchair and walking frame on the island.

Read more about the accommodation and Cockatoo Island here.

MANLY – SYDNEY

If you prefer staying outside of the city but want to be close enough to enjoy its attractions, why not consider accommodation at Manly. Manly offers a laidback vibe with the beach at your doorstep, accessible walks, restaurants and it’s only a ferry ride away from the city.

NOVOTEL MANLY PACIFIC HOTEL

If you live in Sydney and you are looking for a staycation, or live interstate or overseas, Novotel Manly Pacific Hotel is somewhere you should consider when looking for accommodation in Sydney. I get so excited when I can share great accessible accommodation.

You can see more photos and read further about our stay here.

Q-STATION MANLY

Q- Station is 5 minutes drive from Manly and was known as North Head Quarantine Station. This is a historic site, offers fabulous views of Sydney Harbour but you will need a car for access.

You can read about our stay and the different accommodation available here.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY

If you visit or stay in Manly you should look at doing the Manly to Shelly Beach walk. You can read about it here.

COLLAROY BEACH

Sargood on Collaroy is a beachside resort for guests with a spinal cord injury. A place where you have a choice of mattress, a ceiling hoist in your bedroom, height adjustable features, a range of accessible recreational equipment to try and educational opportunities.

You can read more about Sargood on Collaroy here.

PARRAMATTA

The PARKROYAL Parramatta is located about 35 minutes from central Sydney. The hotel offers three styles of accessible accommodation, with the recently opened extension delivering particularly stylish rooms. It’s so refreshing to walk into an accessible room which has a designer, rather than clinical, feel.

You can read my full review here.

BLUE MOUNTAINS

In my opinion, if you visit Sydney you have to do a day trip, but preferably an overnight stay, in the Blue Mountains. It’s one of my favourite places in Australia.

THE FAIRMONT RESORT

I’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve stayed at this hotel. We’ve visited as a family, booked my parents in for special celebrations and had girls’ weekend stays. I love it. The resort has great wheelchair access and accommodation.

You can read my Fairmont Resort review here.

LILIANFELS BLUE MOUNTAINS

If you’re looking for a couples weekend away, Lilianfels might be the pick. It’s luxurious, decadent and has accessible accommodation.

You can read more about Lilianfels’ accommodation and the delicious high tea experiences they offer here.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

The Blue Mountains has many attractions but our family’s favourite is Scenic World where 2 of the 3 rides are wheelchair accessible.

CENTRAL COAST

Only a little over an hour up the coast from Sydney (depending on traffic of course) you can relax beach side at a holiday park with fantastic accessible features including a beach wheelchair to access the water park  and the beach.

My full review and pictures are here.

So that’s a wrap for Sydney and surrounds………………for now. If you know of a good accessible hotel or apartment please pop the name in comments below.

If you are thinking, well that’s great, but I’m headed to Melbourne, we’ve got you covered there too. Read our list of accessible Melbourne hotels here.

And lastly, if you’ve never booked an accessible hotel and you’re wondering what you should ask when making a reservation, you need to read this post here.