This May, something incredible began. Sam, our newly commissioned Explorer-in-Residence and Lead Accessibility Auditor, packed her caravan, enlisted her dog Charlie as Chief Morale Officer, and rolled out of Brisbane. This wasn’t the start of a holiday; it was the launch of Accessible Frontiers: Charting a More Inclusive Australia.
Over the next 18 months, Sam and Charlie are undertaking a pioneering expedition with one clear, ambitious goal: to build the AOZ Accessibility & Inclusion Index.
This won’t be just a collection of travel stories. It will be Australia’s most comprehensive, data-driven resource for accessible travel, built on a foundation of rigorous, on-the-ground audits. Every hotel, park, tour, and café Sam visits is assessed against our proprietary Standardised Review Scorecard—a detailed checklist covering everything from parking gradients to staff awareness. The result is an objective, comparable score for every location, giving you the power to plan your travels with confidence.
The First Pins on the Map: Queensland
The first leg of the expedition has already seen Sam and Charlie navigate the stunning coast of Queensland. They’ve audited some of the region’s most iconic attractions, gathering the very first data points for the Index. From the historic, wheelchair-friendly carriages of the Kuranda Scenic Railway to the breathtaking, barrier-free canopy views of the Mamu Tropical Skywalk, these initial audits are laying the groundwork for the most powerful accessible travel tool Australia has ever seen.
Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It: Become a Map-Maker
A mission this ambitious cannot be completed alone. We are officially inviting you to become a part of the expedition by joining the “Accessible Frontiers Map-Makers.”
You are the local experts. You know the hidden gems, the truly accessible cafes, the parks with perfect pathways, and the tours that go the extra mile. As Sam prepares to cross into the Northern Territory, we need your knowledge.
Do you have a must-see recommendation for Darwin, the Red Centre, or anywhere else in the NT, WA, SA, VIC, TAS, or NSW?
Share your suggestions in the comments below or on our social channels using #AccessibleFrontiers. If we audit a location you’ve recommended, we’ll credit you as an official Map-Maker in our final review!
This is more than a journey; it’s a movement to create a truly accessible Australia. Follow along right here on the blog and at @AccessibleOz as we put the next pin on the map.
The frontier awaits.