Accessibility
Information for Accessibility & Additional Needs
We understand that every person looking for accessibility information has different needs, so we have aimed to include as much information on this page as possible.
If you can’t find what you were looking for, please contact us via email or phone and we will do our best to help.
A short overview
The entire Wildlife Wonders experience has no steps and is suitable for most sturdy wheelchairs or prams.
We also provide everyone with an audio headset to hear your Nature Guide, as well as loan binoculars.
Your Nature Guide will invite you to engage all your senses as you move through the Sanctuary, to ensure a memorable experience for all.
Read on for a detailed overview of accessibility information, or you can jump to a section using the links below.
If you’d prefer to talk to someone over the phone or in writing, please feel free to call our friendly front desk team on (03) 7046 1664, or email at info@wildlifewonders.org.au We can help with any questions about this information, or if you can’t find the information you’re looking for, we can try our best to find out for you.
Car parking
There are 2 accessible car parking spaces located at Wildlife Wonders in the main car park at the entrance.
2 accessibility car parking spaces in the Wildlife Wonders car park
Getting from the car park to the front entrance
A flat, compacted gravel path will take you from the carpark to the entrance. There is only a slight incline up the curb as seen in the photo below. The front entrance doorway is flat ground. With one door open, the width is 93cm. Both doors can be opened and the doorway becomes 1.86m wide. Before you enter the Visitor Centre, around the outdoor cafe seating area there is a power point. You are welcome to use this power point to charge any electrical devices or forms of transport.
The compacted gravel pedestrian path from the car park to the Wildlife Wonders entrance.
The flat path from the carpark leading to the entrance.
Front entrance with both doors open is 1.86m wide.
Video showing the route from accessible car parking spaces to the Wildlife Wonders Visitor Centre front entrance.
Inside the Visitor Centre
The building you first enter into is known as our Visitor Centre. This is single level and houses our front desk, accessible toilet facilities, the cafe, indoor cafe seating and the gift shop. All tours depart from, and return to this Visitor Centre.
The counter height at the front desk is 90cm. The higher part of the front counter (as seen in the photo) is 1.15m high.
The lower height of the front desk is 90cm. The higher section is 1.15 metres high.
Wildlife Wonders gift shop view from the front entrance.
Accessible bathroom entrance doorway.
Accessible bathroom hallway and toilet entrance
Emu Cafe
Our Emu Cafe is situated inside the front entrance, past the front desk. There is plenty of space with wheelchair friendly seating options both indoors and outdoors at the front.
The counter height to order your food and drinks is 1.15 metres high.
The top of the glass food and drinks cabinet is 1.2 metres high. There are also jars on the top with biscuits etc. Our cafe team will always be happy to talk you through what’s on offer.
You can also place orders from your phone via QR codes at every cafe table.
You can see more information and our latest menus on our website.
The outdoor seating area for the cafe at the front of the building with easily movable stools or chairs. This part of the cafe is also pet friendly.
The indoor seating area for the cafe with easily movable stools to make space for wheelchairs or other mobility aids.
Counter height to order food and drinks is 1.15 metres and the top of food and drinks cabinet is 1.2 metres high.
The Gift & Book Shop
Our gift shop has shelves on the walls displaying local art, crafts and wildlife related gifts. There is a large table in the middle with a huge range of wildlife and nature books. Our friendly team at the front desk closeby will be happy to help you look at anything if you need a hand with anything on the higher shelves.
The gift shop with shelves of wildlife and nature gifts plus 2 tables of nature books.
Wildlife Wonders gift shop view from the front entrance.
Tour path information
The Wildlife Wonders tour follows a 1.4 km winding path composed of compacted ground, boardwalk and gravel. The trail has a gentle gradient.
The maximum gradient is 1:16 and the path in this section is made from compacted gravel, with most of the trail gradient being 1:20.
The path has a 2.1 classification under the Parks Victoria Track and Trail Grading System.
(Grade 2.1: Gentle slopes only, with some sections that may exceed 1:14 gradient, modified surfaces, suitable for wheelchair users with some assistance.)
There are compacted ground and gravel path sections on the tour.
There is a handrail along some sections of the tour path.
Some of the tour path is made with wooden slats.
This video shows the entire tour path from the beginning of the tour to the middle point of the tour when you reach the Research Base.
Compacted ground and gavel path leading to the Research Base (which is reached in about the middle of a tour). Only the ground level is accessed during a tour.
This video shows the tour path as you leave the Research Base and finish your tour, returning back to the Visitor Centre.
The experience inside – what to expect
Wildlife Wonders is a wildlife sanctuary and therefore it is mostly a quiet place with birds and frog song.
Inside the Visitor Centre is our cafe and gift shop you may hear people chatting to each other, our front desk team talking to people at the counter or on the phone, coffees being made or dishes being served or collected. There are background sounds playing softly in this area including birdsong and koala calls. Large windows mean the lighting in the Visitor Centre is moderately bright.
If your visit is during the school holidays, there may be more kids around who can sometimes be a little noisier. We also hold regular activities for young kids on Thursday and Saturday mornings around 10.30am (and sometimes extra activities in the school holidays), so there may be a number of young children around at these times. You can check out events running on our website.
Social Story (or Social Script)
Our wonderful Educator Program Coordinator has created this Social Story to assist anyone with additional needs who may benefit from preparing or understanding more about what they may experience before they get here. This document is a PDF. A hard copy of this Social Story is also available at the front desk at Wildlife Wonders.
A step-by-step experience of the tour – what you may hear and see
We have written out a step-by-step guide covering some of what you may experience when you arrive and enter Wildlife Wonders and also when going on a tour. This document is a PDF.
The photos and video below help show some of the areas mentioned in this document.
This is what the Forest Room will look like when you enter.
Forest Room with the lights off for the 2 minute video. It is not quite as dark as this photo portrays.
The Forest Room at the end of the video before the start of the tour. The blind lifts to reveal the side doors you will exit through to the start of the tour path.
Entry doorway with ramp into the Research Base
Exit doorway with ramp from the Research Base
Assistance animals
Dogs and other assistance animals are most welcome in our outdoor cafe space. We provide water bowls and there are toileting areas nearby. Registered assistance animals are also permitted inside the Visitor Centre.
For the safety of the wildlife and your assistance animal, assistance animals are not permitted within the Sanctuary. However, we are able to provide a safe environment for assistance animals while their owner is on a tour (please advise us in advance if you will require this).
For more information on Assistance Dog access areas, please view our map.
Accessible accommodation nearby
The Accessible Deluxe Twin Room at Seaview Motel and Apartments has been reviewed highly by wheelchair users and is only 5kms from Wildlife Wonders, or a 7 minute drive. This room includes a wider entrance door, lowered kitchen bench tops, grab bars in the bathroom and a private patio and garden.
Get in touch with the Seaview team directly for more information or to book.
Wheelchair friendly bedroom at Seaview Motel and Apartments in Apollo Bay
Wheelchair friendly kitchenette at Seaview Motel and Apartments in Apollo Bay
Need some more information?
If you have any more questions before your visit, or if you want to discuss any specific needs we can assist you with, we encourage you to call ahead on (03) 7046 1664 to ensure you get the most out of your experience, or you can email us at info@wildlifewonders.org.au