Welcome to the Accessible Beach Program, brought to you by Redland City Council, in partnership with Surf Life Saving Queensland.
Using specialised beach mats, a user-friendly WaterWheels™ beach chair, and Surf Life Saving Queensland Lifeguard supervision, we now offer disabled beach access at Wellington Point Recreation Reserve. With this new accessibility, people with a disability can now enjoy swimming at Wellington Point Recreation Reserve beach, one of our most loved beaches on the Redland Coast. Please read all the information below, bookings are essential.
Service Availability
The Accessible Beach Program is available during the summer lifesaving season which operates from September to April. The program will be made available during school holidays (excluding Winter School Holidays). Outside of school holidays, the program will operate on weekends and public holidays.
Lifesaving Season (September-April): Saturday-Sunday & Public Holidays 10am-4pm
QLD September school holidays: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm
QLD Christmas school holidays: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
QLD Easter school holidays: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm
(Queensland school holiday's and term dates)
Time Restrictions
The WaterWheels™ beach chair can be booked for a maximum of one hour.
No Charge
This is a free service and there are no age or ability restrictions. However, the WaterWheels™ beach chair can only accommodate 115kg. Please be advised that carers are responsible for the user at all times during the session. An individual's carer must always accompany them when using this service.
User Safety and Service Dependability
Carers are responsible for getting users in and out of the beach wheelchair and must accompany the user whilst in the water. While Surf Life Saving Queensland Lifeguards are responsible for setting up the equipment and ensuring the service is ready for use, they will refuse service if a carer doesn't enter the water with the user. Lifeguards are unable to assist with transfer to and from the beach wheelchair so carers must ensure they can lift the user or arrange for multiple carers to assist.
How to Book
Booking the matting and beach wheelchair is easy, simply book online. Remember to check tide times prior to booking.
⚠️ This service may vary due to weather, tides, and beach conditions. Carers are responsible for checking weather and tide times prior to booking.
Where to Park
There are eight disabled parking spaces nearby. However, these are subject to availability during peak periods.
More Amenities at Wellington Point Recreation Reserve
Wellington Point Recreation Reserve is not just about the beach program. The location offers additional amenities, such as an accessible beach shower, standard accessible toilets, eight disabled parking spaces across the site, and additional toilet facilities near the cafes. These facilities include a change room.
Discover Wellington Point
Wellington Point is an exceptional destination surrounded by the coast on three sides. It's ideal for picnics and boating. The park is extremely spacious and has a wide, flat path that winds through it, making it easily accessible for wheelchair users. A superb view and a fantastic menu can be found at the nearby cafes.
Who to Contact
Should you require more information about the Accessible Beach Program please contact Surf Life Saving Queesland - lifeguard@lifesaving.com.au
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Redlands Coast Accessible Beach Program is an initiative by Redland City Council in partnership with Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) to make our beaches accessible to people with disabilities. It provides access to beach matting and specialised wheelchair for swimming in the ocean.
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WaterWheels™ is a three-wheeled buggy that is designed such that the user remains in a reclined position in an ergonomic chair. The WaterWheels™ seat has 3 positions, one to transition the user to the chair and two to recline the chair further as needed.
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The program is available at Wellington Point Recreation Reserve during the summer lifesaving season (September-April), on weekends and public holidays. And during Queensland School holidays (excluding Winter school holidays).
Life Saving Season - Saturday: Sunday & Public Holidays (10am-4pm)
QLD September school holidays: Monday-Friday (10am-4pm)
QLD Christmas school holidays: Monday-Friday (9am-5pm)
QLD Easter school holidays: Monday-Friday (10am-4pm) -
The program exclusively caters to wheelchair users, with no age restrictions. The WaterWheels™ beach chair, designed to accommodate a maximum weight of 115kg, ensures that individuals with mobility challenges can fully enjoy the program.
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The availability of a single beach wheelchair is a result of initial program implementation and resource allocation. Redland City Council is committed to making our beaches accessible to as much of the community as possible, and the program is still in its pilot phase. To ensure safety and proper management, the decision was made to start with one beach wheelchair.
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Yes, the program's goal is to expand and provide access to more beach wheelchairs in the future. The Council is actively exploring possibilities to increase the number of beach wheelchairs to accommodate a broader range of participants. Provision of this service requires that site characteristics are suitable and appropriate infrastructure, and a service provider is available at each site. Other sites across Redlands will be assessed further and prioritised as part of the Foreshore Access Plan project.
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Given the limited availability of the beach wheelchair, it's advisable to book your spot in advance. However, please understand that during the pilot phase, demand may exceed supply, and we appreciate your understanding as we work to improve the program's capacity.
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You can book online. Bookings are mandatory and subject to weather and tides.
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No, the service is entirely free of charge.
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While Surf Life Saving Queensland Lifeguards will ensure that the equipment is ready for use, carers are responsible for the safety and well-being of the users. Carers are repsonsible for the transfer of users in and out of the beach wheelchair and they must enter the water with the user. If a carer is unable to accompany the user whilst they are in the water, Surf Life Saving Queensland will refuse service.
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Service provision may vary depending on weather, tides, and beach conditions. Safety is a top priority, and adjustments may be necessary to ensure your well-being.
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Yes, Wellington Point Recreation Reserve offers several amenities, including a beach wheelchair, accessible beach shower, standard accessible toilets, disabled parking spaces, and other facilities near the cafes which include change rooms.
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Please contact Surf Life Saving Queensland - lifeguard@lifesaving.com.au.