Best Accessible Parks near SDA Housing Melbourne (Southbank)

Melbourne is home to some of the most beautiful and significant parks in Australia; and the south side of the city is particularly blessed with green spaces. Amongst the bustling arts and culture scene that this area is renowned for, are vast expanses of nature’s wonder on full display.

What’s even better about the parks in this area is that they share a common emphasis on inclusive and accessible areas that cater to a wide range of abilities and needs, with some notable standouts like Albert Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Wheelchair friendly pathways, disabled parking and accessible toilet facilities feature at all of these areas, to help you get your nature fix with a minimum of travel time from Liverty’s Botanic SDA Housing Melbourne property.

Visiting a park can be difficult for people living with a disability, but Victoria’s parks have a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities experience the parklands, including (at select parks) all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, facilities, accommodation and accessibility information and programs.

Albert Park

A little over 30 minutes’ walk from Liverty’s Botanic SDA Housing Melbourne property to the edge of the parklands, Albert Park has world class accessibility features to add to its sensational mix of gardens, water, playgrounds and sporting facilities.

This park and its surrounds is an excellent example of inclusive planning, with a plethora of all abilities activities and facilities all centered around the picturesque lake.

The lake itself is surrounded by a paved walking path, that stretches for about 5km around and offers amazing views of the parklands, birdlife and the city skyline.

There are nine picnic areas dotted around the park for relaxing time with family & friends, each equipped with facilities including including BBQ’s, playgrounds and shelters.

The iconic lake is home to many events, from fun runs, cycling, pet meetups and of course every F1 fan knows it’s the home of the Australian Grand Prix.

Sports lovers of all stripes, whether as a participant or spectator, are well catered for, with water sports aplenty on the lake itself and nearby facilities including the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre and Powerhouse. Sailing, rowing, boating and paddle boats are all options on the water, or they even have a Model Yacht Club to enjoy the thrills of big yacht racing without getting wet!

The Boatshed has a dedicated all abilities sailing program, ‘Sailability’ that can help you learn (or revive) your sailing skills, with options to sail solo, with a support worker or with a friend!  The boats used are designed for all ability sailing, and C-Crane and slings are available for any participants that require assistance getting in and out of boats. Find out more about Sailability here .

Taking it indoors, the nearby Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre (MSAC) is home to a multitude of sports and associated activities, with facilities including indoor and outdoor pools, hydrotherapy, yoga, pilates, gym, basketball, table tennis, hocket, netball, badminton, netball, squash and more!

There’s also the Albert Park Golf club nearby, providing a championship level golf course including mini golf.

Back on the lake, fishing enthusiasts are also well catered for, with Rainbow Trout and Golden Perch populating the lake and both species are suitable for consumption.

The lake is also home to 20 sporting fields hosting a diverse range of sports including athletics, Australian rules football, baseball, cricket, frisbee, Gaelic football, hockey, rugby union, soccer, tennis, and touch football – and more. Teams and clubs here have offerings to cater to all ages, genders, and abilities, and suited to individuals, social sportspeople as well as competitive teams.

Albert Park’s website contains a bevy of useful information including videos to help you plan a stress-free day out at one of Melbourne’s premier attractions.

For pet lovers, there are both off and on-lead areas to enjoy a day out with your pooch.

Also within short distance of the lake is the renowned Lord Somers camp & Powerhouse, offering volunteering programs, rowing lessons and community hall with specialised programs aimed at people living with a disability.

Alexandra Gardens

Part of the Domain Parklands, Alexandra Gardens is located in an area beside the Yarra River and includes sites like the historic rowing boathouses facing the river.

Located within 15-20 minutes’ walk of Liverty’s Botanic SDA Housing Melbourne property , the gardens can be seen from the iconic Princes Bridge and include the significant Birrarung area, part of a network of swamps and lagoons linked to course of the river.

Alexandra Gardens is a lovely spot to visit for a nature fix, with palms, ornamental shrubs, rockeries and tree-lined paths accompanying your journey and joining the Capital City Trail but is also the site of many of Melbourne’s most loved events like Moomba, New Year’s Eve festivities and Midsumma Festival.

The facilities include disabled access toilets, a kiosk, BBQ’s drinking fountains, seats and accessible paths, making it an attractive option for a day out.

Kings Domain

Kings Domain is just across the road from Liverty’s Botanic SDA Housing Melbourne property and provides stunning views from within the apartments.  It includes the Shrine of Remembrance Reserve, the parklands around the Sidney Myer Music Bowl and the area south of the Royal Botanic Gardens facing Domain Road.

Featuring the iconic Shrine of Remembrance and the Eternal Flame, these parklands are steeped in both history and beauty. King’s Domain also includes The Tan track, the love of many fitness lovers and walkers alike.

Kings Domain has great historical importance, both to First Nations communities and the early settlement of Melbourne. First cleared of trees in the early years of Victoria’s colonial history, it was designated as parkland in the 1840s and has been further developed since. It is marked by huge trees, shrubs, annual floral displays, ponds, memorials and statues.

Accessible features include picnic facilities, drinking fountains, accessible public toilets and designated walking paths.

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

This famed destination is a key element of Melbourne life and with good reason. For nigh on 180 years, the gardens have been loved by locals and visitors alike not only for their undisputed beauty, but also for the important education, conservation, science and horticultural work centred in its 38 hectares.

A convenient 15-20 minute walk from Liverty’s Botanic SDA Housing Melbourne property, the heritage-listed Royal Botanic Gardens are located on the fringe of Melbourne’s CBD and arts district, including The Shrine of Remembrance, The Arts Centre, The National Gallery of Victoria plus Southbank’s shopping and culinary culture.

Attracting nearly two million visitors each year, the gardens offer stunning views, peaceful lakes and one of the most diverse plant collections you’re ever likely to encounter.

Best of all, the Royal Botanic Gardens has excellent facilities for visitors living with a disability, from the accessible parking, paths and toilets to wheelchair hire, electric scooters, companion services and minibus tours. The garden’s website has a bevy of information for planning your visit, including an access key tool that provides detailed information including path gradients.

More than 50,000 individual plants, representing 8,500 species of native and non-native vegetation from around the world, including rare and threatened species call the gardens home. Highlights include the Sensory Garden, the Arid Garden and the Children’s Garden.

Naturally the space has also become a sanctuary for native wildlife. Royal Botanic Gardens is full of birdlife, including coots, cormorants, spinebills, swans, bellbirds, kookaburras, and cockatoos. If you’re lucky you might also get to catch a glimpse of some local mammals and marsupials, too.

As well as the natural beauty, the Botanical Gardens also house plenty of other activities to fill your day, including cafés and restaurants, an Aboriginal Heritage Walk, a punt ride on the Ornamental lake, or the explorer bus ride – a guided tour with live commentary in the comfort of an open-air minibus.

The Melbourne Observatory is also situated in the gardens, offering visitors the chance to experience the night sky through the two iconic telescopes housed in the Observatory itself, or take a telescope lesson on the Observatory Viewing Lawn.

The gardens are also home to the oldest scientific institution in Victoria, the National Herbarium of Victoria. This building hosts the largest herbarium collection in Oceania, comprising 1.562 million dried plant, algae and fungi specimens.

Other attractions include Guilfoyle’s Volcano, the Tropical Glasshouse, Plant Craft Cottage.

In the summer months, the Botanical Gardens are awash with culture, from outdoor cinema screenings, theatre performances and art exhibitions set against the fabulous scenery.

Reconnect with nature, learn new things and relax in one of Melbourne’s most beautiful spots and rest assured that the world class accessibility feature and provisions will make your visit an enjoyable one.

Fitzroy Gardens

One of Melbourne’s most historic and beautiful gardens, Fitzroy Gardens is located in East Melbourne, about 40 minutes walk from Liverty’s Botanic SDA Housing Melbourne property.

Accessible paths lined with Elm trees feature throughout, lead you through a variety of flowers and ornamental shrubs and trees, expansive lawns and historically significant buildings, including Cook’s Cottage, Band Pavilion, Sinclair’s Cottage, the Rotunda, The Lodge, Conservatory and the Electricity Substation.

There are sculptures and water features throughout the gardens, complimenting the seasonal changes of color from the abundant plant life.

Stop for a coffee and cake at the café, then head to the Model Tudor Village, Olga Cohn’s Magical Fairies’ Tree or the animal and mystical creature themed playground.

Other key facilities include accessible toilets, seats and drinking fountains.

Situated at the edge of the city, the gardens are easily accessible by public transport and provide a great starting point for a day in the CBD or on the way to Melbourne’s sporting mecca, the MCG (with its own wonderful garden surrounds).

Fawkner Park

Situated about 35 minutes’ walk from our Liverty’s Botanic SDA Housing Melbourne property, Fawkner Park is steeped in history, retaining much of its original design from 1875.

The 41 hectares was named after Melbourne’s co-founder, John Pascoe Fawkner and was a camping ground for local Aboriginal groups, and it continues to be an important place for current Traditional Custodians.

The park’s accessible pathways are lined with Moreton Bay figs, elms, poplars and oaks that lead through Art Deco sporting pavilions, sports fields and nature displays.

In addition to accessible paths, Fawkner Park also includes accessible toilets, seating, drinking fountains and a community centre.

This park has a big sporting history – almost every popular sporting activity has been held here at some point. Cricket, softball, touch football, AFL, rugby, soccer and even quidditch are currently enjoyed in the parklands and spectators can make use of the free on-site barbecues and picnic areas.

Fawkner Park also includes three different children’s playgrounds, a sensory garden, areas for dogs, the Fawkner Park Tennis Centre, basketball facilities and a nearby café. Located close to Albert Park and a short journey to the shopping delights of South Yarra, including Chapel St, a visit to this historic space is a great part of any day exploring Melbourne.

References & image credits to the respective parks’ websites