Travelling in Queensland is a feast for the senses, from UNESCO World Heritage wonders to humming city centres. And while Vision Australia estimates there are currently 357,000 people in Australia who are blind or have low vision[1], these eight Queensland experiences show there are no limits to exploring the sensational Sunshine State.
Ramble through the rainforest canopy on the Mamu Tropical Skywalk, Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
Located an hour south of Cairns, Mamu Tropical Skywalk is a ‘sky-high’ and accessible way to experience Queensland’s World Heritage Wet Tropics Rainforest. Visitors are immersed in the sounds and senses of the canopy along a series of boardwalks and platforms. The pathways are wide and flat, while braille signs provide important information about this protected landscape. Visitors can also download the App to listen to commentary about the diverse flora and fauna that call this environment home.
Get wild at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
Walk on the wild side at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures just outside of Cairns, where visitors can enjoy wildlife encounters, from saying hello to a koala to holding a scaly python, feeding a wallaby, meeting a wombat, or touring the crocodile farm. Most of the park has been designed for wheelchair access, and wide pathways make it comfortable for blind and low-vision travellers too. Feel the breeze and hear the splash of crocodiles on a lagoon cruise to spot these prehistoric creatures, with live commentary to narrate the experience and provide educational anecdotes. Companions or carers are welcome, while guide dogs can access select areas of the park (it’s recommended to contact Hartley’s in advance if bringing an assistance animal).
Explore Magnetic Island with Aquascene, Townsville
Jump on board a small boat tour with Aquascene Magnetic Island where the secluded bays, beaches and fringing reef of Magnetic Island become a playground for the senses. For 18 years, locals Steph and Adam Hinks have welcomed travellers of all abilities onto their tour, including many living with low-vision and blindness. As qualified lifeguards and Master Reef Guides, all passengers can be confident in having a safe, comfortable and exciting day with Steph and Adam. Aquascene’s custom designed boat provides plenty of shade and comfort, easy access stairs in and out of the water, and a floating pontoon offers an up–close experience for those who may not be comfortable snorkelling or swimming but wish to feel the flow of the water. Local history and wildlife talks on board include descriptive language and where possible, tactile elements, such as feathers, are passed around to all passengers to enhance the experience.
Splash around in Hervey Bay, Fraser Coast
Each year over 40,000 humpback whales make the annual migration along the Queensland coast from Antarctica to mate and give birth to their calves in the state’s tropical waters. Hervey Bay on the Fraser Coast is arguably Australia’s home of the humpback after being named as the world’s first Whale Heritage Site in 2019 with thousands of whales making a pit stop to rest and play. Travellers and animal lovers with low vision or blindness need not missed out on the thrill of getting up close to these marine giants with boats, like Freedom Whale Watch and Charters’ vessel, being equipped with a high-tech hydrophone so guests onboard can hear the beauty of whale song beneath the surface. Listen to the splash and feel the spray whisp across one’s face as the whales jump, dive and play next to the boat.
Outdoor adventures with Nature Freedom, Brisbane
Nature Freedom is dedicated to creating inclusive and accessible activities in the great outdoors, welcoming people living with disabilities of all kinds – including low vision and blindness – to embrace nature-based adventures around Brisbane, Moreton Bay and the Redlands. Led by the passion of Founder and CEO, Mathew Townsend, who himself lives with disability, Nature Freedom’s small-group private bushwalking and kayaking tours can be adapted for those who are blind or low-vision, as guides describe the surrounds in detail by shape, colour and through using one’s senses. Wider kayaks fit with backrests and canoes with an outrigger also offer improved stability and balance while on the water.
Access art and culture at QAGOMA and QPAC, Brisbane
Art transcends visuals at the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) in Brisbane’s South Bank cultural precinct during dedicated audio-described tours which offer a narrated description of selected artworks, with tactile experiences included where possible. Tours are available for small groups and individuals on weekdays (excluding public holidays) from February to November and must be booked in advance.
Just down the street, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) holds regular audio-described performances for low-vision or blind patrons. Visitors also have access to ListenRF, which uses radio frequency to transmit audio directly from the audio describer to a receiver without amplifying ambient noise for superior speech intelligibility.
Join a sensory walk through the city’s best outdoor spaces, Brisbane
A walk in the park becomes a multi-sensory experience in The River City. Make your way to Brisbane Botanic Gardens at the foot of Mount Coot-tha to visit the Sensory Garden, a dedicated space where visitors are encouraged to smell and touch the variety of plants.
Brisbane’s Roma Street Parkland organises a number of specialised walks that delve into the park’s history and design, including a free sensory walk for visitors who are blind or have low vision. Those who would prefer to explore the park on their own can also access self-guided walks through the art walk and the Parkland Lake.
Get a feel for skydiving at iFLY, Gold Coast
iFLY’s mission is empowering people to soar beyond their own expectations, and the team invites people of all abilities to experience the sensation of skydiving. With centres on the Gold Coast as well as Brisbane, the specially trained flight instructors can adapt the flight experience based on participant’s requirements, so low-vision and blind adventurers can spread their wings and fly.
For more information on accessible Queensland holidays visit queensland.com/foreveryone
