Hello, fellow travellers! Sam here, and I’ve officially traded the Top End for the rugged landscapes and turquoise coastlines of Western Australia. If you followed my journey from Darwin, you know my goal is to verify the accessibility of Australia’s most iconic destinations, and the Kimberley and Coral Coast in WA offer some of the biggest challenges and rewards yet!
The biggest takeaway from this leg of the journey so far? The accessible gems in regional WA are absolutely worth the effort, but you must plan for the logistics of remote travel. For most of these bucket-list adventures, a self-drive vehicle is essential.
Here’s a snapshot of my adventures rolling through the vast, beautiful, and sometimes tricky terrain of regional WA.
1. The Wild North
Kununurra: Taking to the Skies over the Bungle Bungles
Seeing the beehive domes of the Bungle Bungles is a non-negotiable WA experience. While the flight itself is spectacular, it’s not wheelchair accessible, but they have taken people with physical disabilities if they can self-transfer to a seat.
- Bungle Bungles Flight: The team at Kimberley Air Tours have a deep commitment to inclusivity and have previously accommodated clients with physical disabilities.
- Access Detail: A self-transfer into the aircraft seat is required.
- AccessibleOz Value: We work directly with the flight company to coordinate your transfer, ensuring staff are prepared and your experience is smooth.
Kununurra: Cruising Lake Argyle
A truly magnificent stop in the East Kimberley is Lake Argyle, Australia’s largest freshwater lake. We opted for the famed Lake Argyle Cruises sunset experience, which offers beautiful views, abundant wildlife, and even a refreshing swim with complimentary beverages and pool noodles.
The key access takeaway here is crucial: While the boat does have a ramp that goes straight onto the deck, it features small speed bumps and, most importantly, there is no room to put a wheelchair once inside. This means the cruise is regretfully only suitable for travellers with minor mobility issues who can walk a short distance and stand or sit on the regular seating.
Getting to the lake can be managed by one of the transfer buses, which can lower down, but as with most destinations this remote, self-drive is often the most reliable option for independent access.
See more photos of this tour on our socials, click here to follow!
Broome: Horizontal Falls, Beachfront Comfort and Cultured Pearls
Broome is a classic destination, but its accessibility is a mixed bag. I found that tours advertised as “accessible” on their websites were often misleading, which underscores the importance of our real-time verification!
The Air Kimberley Buccaneer Explorer
The Buccaneer Explorer is an excellent option for travellers seeking a highly accessible Horizontal Falls experience. As a scenic flight that overflies the Falls and includes a landing at a community airfield, it avoids the physically demanding elements of boat transfers and high-speed water-based activities typically associated with getting close to the Falls.
While the tour is generally considered more accessible than boat trips, please note that participants must be able to comfortably board and alight the light aircraft using standard aircraft stairs. This scenic flight bypasses the need for the often-unsuitable floating pontoons or powerboat rides, making it a comfortable way to experience the Kimberley’s majesty.
Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm
As part of the Horizonal Tour, I visited the historic Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm. This location offers a remote, authentic adventure that is surprisingly well-equipped for visitors with mobility needs.
- Farm Access: The majority of the pearl farm grounds and the main Pearler’s Village area are wheelchair accessible (WA).
- Amenities Detail: Accessible (WA) toilets are available on-site, a crucial detail for remote locations.
- Important Note: The resort pool is not wheelchair accessible. This is a vital piece of information for travellers who rely on a hoist or ramp for water entry.
- AccessibleOz Value: Whether you fly in or self-drive, we coordinate your remote stay to ensure your accommodation is secured in their accessible safari tents and that you have all the up-to-date access information, including the pool status.
Accommodation and Town Access
- Bali Hai Resort: A beautiful and welcoming place to stay. Crucially, the owner is also a wheelchair user, which is reflected in the resort’s design and their influence on broader town planning. This local advocacy is key to better accessibility!
- Cable Beach Resort: Another excellent option for comfortable, accessible stays near the iconic Cable Beach.
- We want to be transparent: My experience on an advertised bus tour was unfortunately less accessible than expected. However, the good news is that the Broome town area, in general, offers a high degree of wheelchair accessibility (WA).
Remember, you will always find more photos on our socials! Click here!
2. The Coral Coast’s Accessible Wonders
Moving south, the experiences are defined by the incredible marine life and stunning coastal gorges.
Ningaloo: Swimming with Gentle Giants
Swimming with Whale Sharks is a true bucket-list item. Like the scenic flight, this is an adventure activity that requires a level of physical capacity but offers flexibility for other needs.
- Whale Shark Swim: Not wheelchair accessible.
- Inclusivity Detail: The operator has successfully accommodated clients with autism, mobility issues, and intellectual disabilities. There are internal cabins that can be utilised for quiet time and the crew use miniature figurines to help explain the activity and procedure which is fantastic!
- AccessibleOz Value: We are currently planning an itinerary for a client with autism to experience this. Our expertise goes beyond ramps—we plan for sensory needs, support requirements, and the specific assistance needed to get you into the water safely.
Kalbarri: The Accessible View that Stole My Heart
The Kalbarri Skywalk is a monumental win for accessible tourism in WA. The two cantilevered platforms extend over the Murchison River Gorge, offering breathtaking views that are fully accessible (WA). This is a must-see.
Monkey Mia: Dolphins, Hoists, and Accessible Cruises
Monkey Mia proved to be an unexpected oasis of accessibility, thanks in large part to the fantastic facilities at RAC Monkey Mia Resort:
- Accommodation: The resort features a superb two-bedroom accessible cabin and three accessible hotel rooms. The cabins are excellent for families or larger support groups.
- Resort Amenities: A major highlight is the pool, which includes a hoist for easy water access, and accessible pathways throughout the entire resort grounds.
- Dolphin Experience: Watching the iconic wild dolphins is made accessible with a ramp down to the beach and a wheelchair mat right to the shore.
- Perfect Nature Cruises: Their boat is impressively accessible, featuring ramps on both sides of the boat and a fully wheelchair-accessible toilet. This makes enjoying the calm waters truly stress-free.
Don’t miss a single view! We’re constantly sharing new accessible inspiration and trip videos on our pages. Follow us!
3. The Southern Stretch: Pinnacles & Perth Awaits
Nambung NP: Sunset & Stargazing
Experiencing the Pinnacles Desert at sunset and staying for the stargazing is magical.
- Pinnacles Sunset & Stargazing: This is offered as a self-drive tour, where you follow the main tour bus into the park after hours.
- Access Detail: While you need your own vehicle, some parts of the viewing area are wheelchair accessible. This is a great, flexible option for independent travellers.
The journey continues daily on our social media channels! For fresh posts, extra photos, and video reels, follow AccessibleOz today.
Next Stop: Mandurah and Perth!
My regional adventures are wrapped up for now, and I’m setting up base in Mandurah and Perth until November 13th. I have six tours and three hotel inspections planned, stay tuned for the next update on urban accessibility, including accessible transport and hotel reviews!
✈️ Ready to Book Your Accessible WA Adventure?
Navigating the nuances of remote travel, from verifying self-transfer requirements to finding a pool hoist or the one truly accessible tour can be daunting. That’s why AccessibleOz exists!
Let us take the complexity out of planning:
- Verified Access: We use Sam’s on-the-ground notes to ensure your itinerary is genuinely accessible.
- Logistics Coordination: We handle communications with operators (like the flight and whale shark companies) to arrange all necessary support.
- Tailored Itineraries: We can incorporate accessibility needs beyond mobility (like the client with autism interested in the Whale Shark swim).
Click here to contact the AccessibleOz team and start planning your Western Australian holiday today!