Wheelchair friendly places

There are a number of accessible playgrounds within our local government area that aim to provide children of all ages and abilities a play space that promotes social interaction.

These play spaces reduce the barriers experienced by people with special needs. The accessible playgrounds are located at:

• Bain Park, Wauchope
• Lasiandra Park, Wauchope
• Westport Park (Livvi's Place), Port Macquarie
• Liberty Swing at Town Beach playground, Port Macquarie *MLAK key required for access to Liberty Swing (key available from cafe during their business hours)
• Lake Cathie Reserve Playground
• Blair Reserve

*Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is committed to using the 'Everyone Can Play' model for all future playground upgrades to create inclusive playspaces for all.

The Sandcruiser beach wheelchair gives people in a wheelchair who can't cross the sand, access to the water. It has large tyres so it can be pushed along the sand easily with assistance of one or two carers.

The beach wheelchair is free to use and is available at times when lifeguards or lifesavers are on duty on our beaches.

To book a beach wheelchair, approach the friendly lifeguards or lifesavers on duty. For lifeguard patrol times, visit our patrolled beaches page.

Locations with access to a beach wheelchair include: Town Beach, Flynns Beach, Rainbow Beach and North Haven Beach.

Our wheelchair friendly fishing platform at Lake Cathie has handrails and a low guard rail along the water side to allow ease of casting. 

You’ll find it on the southern side of Lake Cathie Foreshore, near the Aqua Crescent car park. 

Our Changing Places toilet is located in the Short Street Plaza car park. It includes:

• Three wheelchair friendly toilets
• Overhead gantry hoist (bring your own sling)
• Height adjustable adult change table

The toilet block is open 24/7 but you’ll need a Master Locksmith Access Key (MLAK) to access the Changing Places toilet.

If you see a Access Friendly logo at a business, you’ll know that our Access Committee members have given the premises a test drive and found it to be disability friendly. You’ll spot the logo at the following access-friendly businesses:

Cafes / Restaurants

• Bonny Hills Garden Centre and Café, Bonny Hills (accessible toilet)
• Café Abundance, Sancrox (accessible toilet)
• CWA Tea Rooms, Port Macquarie (accessible toilet, 2 accessible car spaces)
• McDonalds, Bay Street Plaza, Port Macquarie (accessible toilet, 2 accessible car spaces)
• Pipeworks Cafe, Bay Street Plaza, Port Macquarie (accessible toilet, 2 accessible car spaces)
• Sandbar Café, North Haven 
• Town Green Inn, Port Macquarie (accessible toilet)

Retail Shops

• Hastings Co-op Mitre 10, Wauchope 
• Hastings Co-op IGA, Timbertown (1 accessible car space)
• Hastings Co-op IGA, Wauchope (2 accessible car spaces)
• Hastings Co-op Department Store, Wauchope (1 accessible car space on street)
• Hastings Co-op Supa IGA Plus Liquor, Timbertown  
• Officeworks, Port Macquarie (accessible toilet, 1 accessible car space)
• Pillowtalk, Bay Street Plaza, Port Macquarie (2 accessible car parks)
• Rivers, Bay Street Plaza, Port Macquarie (accessible change room, 2 accessible car spaces)
• Tahlee-Jas Lingerie and Sleepwear, Bay Street Plaza Port Macquarie (accessible change room, 2 accessible car spaces)
• Taking Shape, Horton Street, Port Macquarie

Pharmacies / Chemists

• Plunketts TerryWhite Chemmart, Gordon Street, Port Macquarie
• Priceline Pharmacy, Horton Street, Port Macquarie
• Timbertown Pharmacy, Wauchope

Service Stations

• Hastings Co-op Lasiandra Service Station, Wauchope

Accommodation

• Mantra Quayside, Port Macquarie (accessible rooms and car space)
• Mercure Centro, Port Macquarie (accessible rooms and car space)
• South Pacific Apartments, Port Macquarie (accessible rooms and car space)

Destinations

• Charles Sturt University, Port Macquarie (accessible toilets and shower)
• Historic Roto House, Port Macquarie (accessible toilet)