Accessible Beaches Initiative

A person with a disability being pushed along the sand in a beach wheelchair. Everyone is smiling.

In partnership with Life Saving Victoria and a number of local Life Saving Clubs, we’re delivering Accessible Beaches initiatives at four locations along the Great Ocean Road this year.

During peak season we are providing beach and river access matting, beach wheelchairs (bookings required), accessible parking and toilets at locations across Fishermans Beach in Torquay, Anglesea Riverbank, Point Roadknight, Lorne Beach and Apollo Bay. As of 22 January 2023, the matting at Fishermans Beach is being impacted by erosion and we ask the public to exercise caution in the area. 

Access matting will be installed from early January to mid-April 2024 at each location. 

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The wheelchairs will be available for free hire in 1.5 hour slots, longer time slots may be available on request.

Fishermans Beach in Torquay is not a patrolled beach therefore it is not recommended to swim at this location, the beach wheelchair is ideal for enjoying the beach at Fishermans Beach. 

For swimming and entry to the water we recommend visiting Lorne during patrol times.  Patrol times and locations can be found at the Beachsafe website.

Bookings are required and must be made two business days prior by emailing info@greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au. Please be aware that the beach wheelchair doesn’t fit into disabled toilets due to extra wide wheels.

A Liberty Swing is also available at the Torquay Foreshore Play Park. 

Please note:

To ensure the matting is not washed away or damaged by storms, we are unable to extend the matting below the high tide line.

A member of our team checks the placement of all beach access matting twice weekly and after storms. During strong winds, large amounts of sand can deposit during a couple of hours, and while we endeavour to do our best to ensure the matting remains accessible to all, during these times it is not always possible to keep the matting clear of loose wind-blown sand.

For urgent maintenance issues such as inaccessible access matting, we ask the community to please call us on 1300 736 533 to report any issues.

For further details on each of the Accessible Beaches initiatives, please see below.

Fishermans Beach, Torquay

48 The Esplanade, Torquay Victoria 3228

Facilities
Anglesea Riverbank

Four Kings Carpark opposite 137-139 Great Ocean Road Anglesea Victoria

Anglesea river matting
Facilities
  • Beach (riverside) Access Matting
  • Riverside Access Matting is located in a quiet space suitable for those that may experience sensory overload at busy locations
  • Disabled Parking
  • Disabled Toilet
  • Changing Place (MLAC key required)
  • Beach Wheelchair: bookings essential YMCA Anglesea Recreation Camp 1535 
Point Roadknight, Anglesea

Anglesea Motor Yacht Club, Melba Parade, Anglesea VIC 3230

Pt Roadnight beach matting
Facilities
  • Beach Access Matting
  • Disabled Parking
Lorne Surf Life Saving Club

Mountjoy Parade, Lorne VIC 3232

Facilities
Apollo Bay Surf Life Saving Club

50 Great Ocean Rd, Apollo Bay VIC 3233

Facilities
  • Beach Access Matting
  • Disabled Parking
  • Disabled Toilet Available