Four useful facts about travelling in WA
- The Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk reaches 40 metres above the ground. Its 600-metre elevated route has ramps and no steps, although the walkway moves as people use it.
- Kalbarri Skywalk looks over the Murchison River gorge from about 100 metres up. A wide concrete path connects accessible parking to the skywalks.
- Perth's CAT buses are free. They can help reduce walking between city stops, but you still need to check the route and the footpath at each end.
- Kings Park has a Changing Places facility at Saw Avenue. It provides facilities beyond those of a standard accessible toilet, with MLAK key access.
On this page
Two current closures to plan around
Geraldton: the foreshore Changing Places facility is closed during playground construction. Beach wheelchairs have moved to storage in front of the Foreshore Jaffle Shack. Contact the City on 08 9956 6600 for current arrangements and an alternative if you need a hoist and adult changing table. See the council notice.
Wadjemup / Rottnest Island: the Henderson Avenue Changing Places facility is closed for works from 20 July until a planned reopening in mid-December 2026. That is a target, not a guarantee. If this facility is essential, confirm a suitable alternative with the island authority before booking a ferry. Standard accessible toilets elsewhere on the island do not replace a hoist and adult changing table. Read the island's current accessibility notice.
Start with the parts of the trip you cannot change
Book around your essential needs first. A room with the right bathroom may be harder to secure than an attraction ticket. A wheelchair-accessible vehicle may need a booking well before an ordinary taxi would.
Write a short travel profile with the information providers need: mobility-aid dimensions and weight, whether you remain seated during travel, transfer requirements, bathroom layout, communication preference and any assistance you want. You can describe a practical need without sharing a diagnosis.
Decide how much travel and activity is comfortable in one day. A shorter outing near a dependable toilet or rest space may give you more freedom than a long day with several uncertain stops. Leave spare time for meals, charging, transfers and changes of plan.
A booking message you can copy
Hello. I am considering a booking for [dates] for [number of people]. Before I pay, could you confirm the following for the exact room, vehicle or activity I would receive?
- Is there a step-free route from the arrival point to the entrance, room, bathroom and main activity? Please describe any slope, threshold, gravel or sand.
- What are the clear doorway widths and the space beside the bed and toilet? Recent photographs with measurements would help.
- My mobility aid measures [length, width, height] and weighs [weight]. With me seated, the combined weight is [weight]. Can the ramp, lift and vehicle accommodate it?
- Can I remain in my wheelchair, or is a seat transfer required? Who provides any agreed assistance, and at which points?
- Does the bathroom have a roll-in shower, a suitable shower seat and grab rails? Which side of the toilet has transfer space?
- Can I use the door handles, taps, shower controls and call buttons with [my relevant hand or arm requirements]?
- Are there written instructions, captions, hearing support, quiet spaces or lighting adjustments available?
- If I need a hoist, adult changing table, specific mattress or other equipment, can you confirm the model, availability and any hire charge?
- What happens if the promised room, lift, vehicle or equipment is unavailable on arrival?
Keep the answer with your booking. Ask for a specific room allocation or equipment reservation where possible. A general statement that the property is accessible does not answer these questions.
Flying into and around WA
Contact the airline when booking if you need boarding assistance, an aisle chair, help reaching your seat or approval for a mobility aid. Give the airline the aid's size, weight and battery details. Aircraft and routes differ, especially on regional services, so confirmation for one flight does not automatically cover another.
Ask where assistance begins and ends. The route from a vehicle to check-in, from baggage reclaim to a taxi, and any personal transfer may need separate arrangements. Perth Airport advises passengers to arrange airline assistance and does not promise staff assistance for all these parts of the journey.
Carry the instructions needed to make your device safe for handling, and identify any removable parts. Discuss essential equipment, charging and any equipment hire at your destination before travelling. Allow enough connection time for assistance and transfers rather than choosing the shortest advertised connection.
Perth Airport's accessibility pages explain terminal facilities, airline assistance and hidden-disability support. The voluntary Sunflower programme can indicate that you may need more time or understanding. It does not book an escort, replace airline assistance or remove security requirements. Request support materials well before your trip.
Check which terminal your flight uses and the complete route to your train, bus, taxi or hire car. Do not assume one airport railway station is equally convenient for every terminal.
Using public transport in Perth
Transperth operates metropolitan trains, buses and river ferries. Check the journey, station facilities and service disruptions together. A low-floor bus still needs a suitable boarding location, and a station lift may be essential to your route.
Trains and station assistance
Transperth identifies stations by their independent or assisted access arrangements. For help boarding or alighting, its published station-assistance number is 1800 800 022; call at least one hour before arrival. Check the train accessibility information for your journey and confirm both ends, including any interchange.
Mobility-aid limits
The following are key Transperth limits, not a complete suitability assessment. Read its mobility-aid requirements for manoeuvrability and other conditions.
| Requirement | Published limit |
|---|---|
| Allocated space | 1,300 mm long by 800 mm wide |
| Mobility-aid width | No more than 750 mm |
| Height | No more than 1,600 mm |
| Ramp load | Under 300 kg, including the user and any assistant on the ramp |
The width of the allocated space is not the permitted width of the device. Do not apply these metropolitan limits to an airline, taxi, tour boat or Transwa service.
Buses, CAT services and ferries
Transperth buses have low-floor access features, but check the actual stop and the route between it and your destination. Wheelchair spaces are limited and shared with other priority uses. Allow flexibility if a service is full.
The free CAT network is useful for short city journeys. Check temporary diversions. The public river ferry links Elizabeth Quay and Mends Street in South Perth; confirm current boarding arrangements and any assistance for your mobility aid before relying on it.
For hearing or vision support, check available help points, hearing loops, communication cards and alternative-format information through Transperth disability assistance. Fare concessions have their own eligibility rules; holding an overseas disability card does not automatically establish eligibility.
Regional trains, coaches, taxis and hire cars
Transwa is a separate service from Transperth. It asks passengers with wheelchair or mobility requirements to book at least 48 hours ahead. Call 1300 662 205 and discuss the exact service, boarding aid, dimensions, seat transfer and toilet arrangements. Confirm the boarding and arrival stops too. Read Transwa accessibility information before paying.
For a taxi, say whether you need to travel while seated in your wheelchair. Give the chair dimensions and combined weight, and request the appropriate restraint and ramp or lift arrangement. A large passenger van is not necessarily a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. Book the return journey as well, particularly outside Perth or after an evening event.
For a hire car, confirm any hand controls or other adaptations with the supplier for the exact vehicle. Ask about fitting, familiarisation, luggage space and collection arrangements. Reserve equipment and transport before making non-refundable accommodation bookings that depend on them.
Rooms, bathrooms and equipment
Ask for recent photographs and measurements of the specific room, including the approach from parking or reception. Useful details include bed height, clearance for a mobile hoist, space on your preferred transfer side, shower entry, toilet rails and the route to dining areas.
If you have limited grip or arm movement, door weight, lever handles, tap controls, card readers and the position of light switches can be as important as doorway width. Ask how you would call for help from bed or the bathroom. For hearing access, ask about visual alarms and communication at reception. For vision access, ask about lighting, contrast and a clear route without unexpected obstacles.
If you need a quiet room, describe what matters: distance from lifts or bars, ability to adjust lighting, a refrigerator for food, or a place to rest during the day. A quiet-room request is not a guarantee of soundproofing.
Book hoists, shower chairs and other equipment directly with a supplier or through accommodation that confirms the arrangement in writing. Check delivery and collection times, compatibility, cleaning, charging and who helps if something fails. A property listing does not guarantee that hire equipment is on site.
Toilets, Changing Places and MLAK keys
Use the National Public Toilet Map and Changing Places directory when building your route. A standard accessible toilet generally does not include the adult changing table, hoist and space offered by a Changing Places facility.
Check opening hours, current operation, key access and the route from parking. If you use a hoist, confirm sling compatibility and bring the required sling. Do not assume staff provide personal care or transfer assistance. Arrange the support you need.
Some facilities use an MLAK, a restricted-access key. Check eligibility and ordering with the Master Locksmiths Association, or ask the venue about local key access. A borrowed key may only be available while the office or café holding it is open.
Pin a backup toilet or changing facility where possible. The Geraldton and Rottnest closures above show why an older directory entry is not enough for an essential stop.
Places to consider for your itinerary
These are starting points with published access information. They are not a promise that every path, tour or facility at the destination will suit every visitor.
| Place | What is useful | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Kings Park, Perth | Developed areas have hard paths; wheelchair loans can be arranged through the visitor information centre; Saw Avenue has Changing Places | Gradients on your route, loan availability and key access |
| WA Museum Boola Bardip, Perth | Sensory information and resources, with selected quiet-morning sessions | Session dates, tickets, captions, hearing support or an Auslan booking |
| Valley of the Giants, near Walpole | Step-free, 600-metre Tree Top Walk; part of the Ancient Empire ground trail is accessible | Walkway movement, mobility-aid suitability and current conditions |
| Kalbarri Skywalk | About 180 metres of wide concrete path from accessible parking; accessible toilets are listed | Heat, shade, walking distance and current park notices |
| The Gap and Natural Bridge, Albany | Developed viewing areas with accessible paths and platforms | Wind, spray, surface preferences, toilets and any works |
| Geraldton | Museum access information and council beach access equipment | Changing Places closure, mat position and chair collection |
| Wadjemup / Rottnest Island | Selected ferry services, island transport and equipment options | Exact vessel, departure jetty, transfers and the Changing Places closure |
| Town Beach Jetty, Broome | A developed jetty for coastal views, with council access information | Weather, parking route, toilets and any equipment booking |
Forests and high viewpoints
The Tree Top Walk is a paid attraction. At the time of checking, standard adult entry was A$21; check other ticket categories and Companion Card arrangements with the operator. A WA park pass does not include the walk. Of the 650-metre Ancient Empire ground trail, about 500 metres is accessible; the remaining section has steps. Ask which route to take.
At Kalbarri Skywalk, plan around heat and the time outside. The skywalk's access does not mean that Nature's Window or the gorge trails have the same access. National park entry charges apply; a valid eligible park pass covers entry, with no separate skywalk admission ticket.
For The Gap and Natural Bridge, check current notices before driving out. Exposure to wind, noise and the height of the platforms may matter even when a path is step-free. Stay within the developed visitor areas.
Museums, hearing and sensory access
Boola Bardip's inclusion information describes resources and ways to request assistance. Quiet mornings run on selected dates, not every morning. Auslan is Australian Sign Language; an Auslan event is not automatically interpreted into another sign language. Ask what communication support is available for your visit.
Rottnest ferries and the island
Choose the operator and departure jetty together. Accessibility differs between vessels and departure points. Rottnest Express lists wheelchair access on certain North Fremantle services, while its Perth city and B Shed services are listed as not wheelchair accessible. Other operators have different arrangements. SeaLink's booking conditions require advance notice for wheelchair or mobility-scooter travel. Confirm directly before paying.
Ask whether you remain in your chair, whether a transfer is needed, and whether you can use the onboard toilet. Book island buses or specialist equipment separately if needed. Limited walk-up equipment is not a dependable substitute for a confirmed reservation. Check the island authority's accessibility information and the closure notice above.
Beach access needs a separate check
Beach matting may stop before the water and can move or be removed with tides, storms or maintenance. A beach wheelchair may need an assistant, may require a transfer, and may not be designed for use in the water. Ask about the actual chair and the conditions on your chosen day.
Geraldton's council lists matting at Town Beach opposite the yacht club and at Champion Beach near the Rubik's Cube toilets. Confirm its relocated wheelchair collection arrangements. In Broome, use the council's access information to arrange equipment and suitable locations. Equipment for a water playground is not the same as a chair for entering the sea.
A jetty or waterfront path can be a good coastal outing without a swim. Follow local water-safety advice; the presence of access equipment is not confirmation that swimming is suitable.
Parking permits, Companion Cards and costs
WA recognises Australian interstate disability parking permits. The ACROD visitor rules also allow an overseas permit displaying the International Symbol of Access to be used for up to three months. Check the current conditions and contact ACROD if your permit does not meet them or your stay is longer. Parking charges and time rules still depend on the location.
At participating venues, a Companion Card can cover a companion ticket when the cardholder needs attendant care. It is not a general free-entry card for the traveller. Confirm acceptance and the booking process with each venue; do not assume an overseas disability card is equivalent. See WA Companion Card.
Budget separately for transport, equipment hire, delivery, support and activities. Ask for a complete quotation. Avoid assuming that an accessible room costs more, or that equipment and personal assistance are included in the room price.
Three days in Perth at a manageable pace
- Arrival and a local outing: check the room and equipment while staff are available, then choose a short meal or waterfront trip close to your accommodation.
- Kings Park: arrange transport to your chosen entrance and select a route that suits your distance, slope and toilet requirements. Leave the afternoon open for rest or another short outing.
- Museum or river: book a suitable museum session, or plan a ferry outing after checking both jetties and the return journey. Choose one main activity if travel and transfers take a lot of energy.
For a regional trip, add nights in one place before adding more driving days. Confirm accommodation, vehicle and essential facilities first, then build sightseeing around them.
Remote travel and emergency communication
Regional distances are long, and equipment repairs or a replacement vehicle may be far away. Save booking confirmations, route information and useful contacts offline. Plan charging, rest stops and a backup if a key facility is closed. Check Main Roads and Emergency WA before departure and as conditions change.
For a life-threatening emergency, call 000 where a phone connection is available. 106 is a TTY emergency service, not an SMS number. If you use the National Relay Service, familiarise yourself with its emergency-call options before travelling. Do not rely on ordinary mobile coverage in remote areas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Western Australia suitable for wheelchair travel?
Many trips are possible, especially with confirmed accommodation and transport. Suitability depends on your chair, transfer needs and the exact route. Check the complete journey rather than a single attraction's access label.
Can I travel without a car?
Perth offers the most practical public-transport options. Some regional trips work with Transwa and booked local transfers, but services and suitable vehicles are more limited. Confirm return travel before leaving your base.
Does an accessible toilet have a hoist?
Usually not. Look for a Changing Places facility and confirm the equipment, key access and opening status.
Can staff help with personal transfers?
Only rely on assistance that the provider has explicitly agreed to supply. Transport boarding assistance and personal care are different services. Arrange your own support where required.
Can I bring an assistance animal?
Ask the airline, transport operator, accommodation and any park or island authority about the documentation and booking arrangements for your animal. Pet rules and assistance-animal arrangements are different; do not rely on a pet-friendly filter.
What if information is missing?
Ask for photographs, measurements and a written answer from someone who knows the actual site. If a critical need remains unconfirmed, choose a plan that does not depend on that facility.