SUMMERLAND PENINSULA

The Bass Coast Shire and Phillip Island Nature Parks have made tremendous efforts to make this destination and its attractions accessible to everyone.

There are several accessible toilets on the island, including at Cape Woolamai Surf Beach, Forrest Caves, Rhyll and Cowes Beach. Changing Places toilets are located at Smiths Beach, Phillip Island Health Hub, Penguin Parade Visitor Centre, Cowes Transit Centre, Wonthaggi's Apex Park, Guide Park and Berninneit Cultural Centre. 

A Mobi-Chair® floating beach wheelchair is available for free loan from Phillip Island Information Centre, Newhaven and Berninneit, Cowes. Woolamai Beach, Cowes Beach and Smiths Beach are accessible via ramp and are beach-wheelchair-friendly. 

Penguin Parade Visitor Centre 

There are four accessible parking bays located about 200 metres from the centre, which is equipped with automatic doors and is fully wheelchair-accessible. The gradient leading to the centre is gentle. There are complimentary wheelchairs available for use, but advance booking is advisable. There is also a complimentary buggy service to the viewing area if needed – ask staff at the ticket turnstiles as you approach the boardwalk.

The boardwalk runs along the length of the beach where many little penguins come to nest. There are wheelchair access viewing areas in the General Viewing, Penguins Premium, Penguins Plus and Underground Viewing areas. There’s a designated wheelchair viewing area right next to a well-frequented penguin path, ensuring wheelchair users get one of the best views available. The Ultimate Adventure Tour, Family Wildlife Tour and Penguin Guided Tour are not accessibility friendly due to uneven terrain and distance from the centre.

The centre is a certified sensory-inclusive site with professionally trained staff. Weighted lap pads and KultureCity sensory inclusive bags are available, equipped with noise-cancelling headphones, fidget tools and verbal cue cards. Some areas of the Penguin Parade can get a little loud, but there are clearly marked Headphone Zones and designated quiet areas in the visitor centre and around the viewing areas. A social story is available from venue.kulturecity.org/venues/penguin-parade. 

Certified assistance animals are welcome, but must remain on leash on designated paths.

An assisted listening service is available in the Theatre, with receivers available at no cost from the ticketing counter.

Discounts are available for holders of Australian pensioner cards, senior’s cards, carer cards and DVA gold cards. The card holder’s companion will be issued with a ticket at no charge to all Phillip Island Nature Parks attractions. The Companion Card is honoured, and equivalent overseas cards are also accepted.

For more information and to request access guides that cover accommodation, attractions, beaches, walks, tracks and trails, parking and a hospitality kit for Deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors, visit www.visitphillipisland.com.au/planning-your-trip/accessibility, email bookings@basscoast.vic.gov.au or call 1300 366 422. A mobility map showing all accessible facilities and gradients of roads on the island is also available from the website or from Phillip Island Information Centre.

The Nobbies

The Nobbies Centre is temporarily closed. Toilet facilities are unavailable until further notice. The nearest accessible toilet is located at the Penguin Parade. The car park and spectacular Nobbies boardwalks are still open.

There are three accessible parking bays in the car park to the right of the Nobbies Centre, located next to the centre and boardwalk entrances. There’s also a convenient drop-off point at the front of the centre, which has ramped access throughout. A wheelchair is available for complimentary loan.

There are two clifftop boardwalks that extend over a 1.2-kilometre loop with magnificent coastal views. One boardwalk is wheelchair-accessible; the other includes stepped access. The accessible boardwalk extends over a 690-metre loop. Both boardwalks are equipped with handrails and have a decline on the way down and an incline on the way back, with gradients that do not exceed 1:12 (PRON: ‘one in 12’). 

The Nobbies blowhole can be very windy all year round. Visitors need to take care and make sure they keep their belongings secure. There are benches with backrests along the boardwalks for visitors to rest, relax and enjoy the views. 

Certified assistance animals are welcome, but must remain on leash on designated paths.