Updated on November 24, 2025
Travelling should be joyful, relaxing, and memorable for everyone, including guests with mobility needs. In this guide, you’ll discover the most mobility-friendly things to do in Townsville and Rockhampton, complete with accessibility reviews, transport hints, itinerary suggestions, and comfort tips to help you get the most out of your holiday.
Accessibility Considerations
Planning an accessible holiday should begin well in advance of your arrival. Townsville and Rockhampton offer excellent facilities; however, it’s advisable to call ahead. Accessibility at attractions may vary depending on the day, the weather, or operating schedules.
1. Check Accessibility Features in Advance
Before visiting an attraction, enquire about:
- Ramp access, lift availability, or step-free routes
- Accessible bathrooms
- Whether surfaces are paved, gravel, or uneven
- Wheelchair-friendly seating
- Accessible parking proximity
- Available mobility aids or complimentary assistance
2. Transport Access in Both Cities
Both cities provide options that support mobility challenges:
- Public buses with low-floor entry
- Taxi services with disability access vehicles
- Clearly marked accessible parking at major attractions.
- Smooth, wide footpaths in tourist zones
- Plenty of shaded rest areas
3. Accessible Accommodation Tips
Look for places that:
- Offer ground-floor rooms or elevators.
- Have roll-in showers
- Provide handrails or sturdy bathroom supports.
- Allow service animals
- Are within a short distance of the attractions you want to visit
Staying near The Strand in Townsville or the Fitzroy River precinct in Rockhampton puts you right by scenic, mobility-friendly spaces.
Accessible Holiday Activities in Townsville
Townsville offers a laid-back atmosphere, ocean views, wildlife, and palm-lined spaces, all accessible to visitors with mobility needs.
1. The Strand Foreshore
One of the city’s biggest highlights, The Strand is a 2.2 km beachfront promenade featuring wide, flat paths, accessible toilets, and a wheelchair-friendly water park.
- Wide, flat, continuous pathway ideal for wheelchairs and walkers
- Multiple accessible toilets along the foreshore
- Access to the beach via beach mats during certain seasons
- A wheelchair-friendly waterpark and lagoon for cooling off
- Accessible parking bays close to major points
- Plenty of seating for rest stops
The Strand is among Queensland’s best spots for a relaxed, inclusive outdoor day for visitors with mobility needs.
If you love scenic views without the challenge of inclines, this section of the Townsville shoreline is perfect.
- Smooth, sealed, level pathways
- Lookouts with ramp access
- Frequent shaded areas and benches
- Beautiful views of Magnetic Island and Castle Hill
Evening strolls here are particularly enjoyable because temperatures are cooler, breezes are stronger, and the foreshore lights make navigation easy.
2. Billabong Sanctuary
Located just south of Townsville, this wildlife haven stands out for its flat paths, accessible facilities, and helpful staff, providing easy encounters with wildlife.
- Most pathways are flat and well-maintained
- Wheelchair-friendly wildlife presentations
- Accessible bathrooms and café seating
- Helpful staff can direct you to the least-difficult routes.
You can get close to native animals, from kangaroos to crocodiles, without having to navigate the difficult terrain.
3. Accessible Reef Experience with Aquascene
If you’re dreaming of a reef or marine adventure, Aquascene offers wheelchair-friendly boat trips with staff assistance and stable, open deck layouts.
- Staff assist with safe boarding.
- Boats designed for stable, accessible movement
- Onboard accessible seating and open deck space
- Calm waters make trips smoother for guests with balance or mobility concerns.
A great option if you love aquatic adventures but worry about accessibility barriers.
4. Soroptimist Park- Rowes Bay
A community favourite, this large coastal park offers wide paths, accessible play and picnic areas, and sweeping ocean views, perfect for restful days.
- Wide paved paths
- Accessible picnic tables
- Accessible playground structures
- Level grassy areas
- Excellent ocean views
Perfect for picnics, family days out, or downtime between more active excursions.
5. Sacred Heart Cathedral
For culture and architecture enthusiasts, this historic cathedral offers accessible entrances, quiet interiors, and ramps, providing a peaceful and mobility-friendly visit.
- Accessible entrance points
- Ramps for easy access
- Quiet environment ideal for travellers who prefer low-sensory activities
This cathedral offers a beautiful respite from outdoor activities, providing a serene and comfortable environment for guests seeking calm.
Accessible Holiday Activities in Rockhampton
Rockhampton is known as the “Beef Capital of Australia.” But it offers more than great food. Enjoy stunning lookouts, riverside attractions, wildlife experiences, and cultural sites, many of which are thoughtfully designed for accessibility.
1. Capricorn Caves
These famous limestone caves feature stable, elevated walkways, well-lit paths, and accessible guided tours, offering immersive underground experiences.
- Stable elevated walkways
- Step-free routes available for specific tours
- Good lighting
- Staff-trained assistance when needed
Not every cave chamber is wheelchair-friendly, you can consider visiting Tantanoola, it’s one of the few wheelchair accessible caves. but the accessible tours offer a rich experience.
2. Mount Archer (Nurim) Boardwalk – Nurim Circuit
This attraction features a 500m flat boardwalk that is wheelchair-accessible, multiple viewing platforms, shaded stops, and interpretive cultural signage.
- 500 m of smooth, flat boardwalk
- Wide enough for wheelchairs and mobility aids
- Railing protection for safety
- Multiple viewing platforms
- Shaded rest stops
- Interpretive signage explaining Darumbal cultural stories
It’s a perfect sunset location, offering panoramic views without steep climbs.
3. Rockhampton Zoo and Botanic Gardens
A top family attraction, the Rockhampton Zoo and Botanic Gardens offer step-free pathways, accessible bathrooms, shaded areas, and wide, easy-to-view animal enclosures.
- Step-free pathways throughout most of the garden
- Paved routes and accessible bathrooms
- Zoo enclosures are designed for wide viewing angles.
- Shaded resting areas
Some paths are slightly uneven due to natural landscaping, but most of the experience is smooth and accessible.
4. Wheelchair-Friendly Fishing Attraction – Fitzroy River
The Fitzroy River precinct features accessible fishing platforms with ramps, railings, nearby parking, and picnic areas, providing a stress-free experience by the water.
- Accessible fishing platforms with railings
- Ramp access
- Nearby accessible parking
- BBQ facilities and shaded picnic areas
Even if you’re not a fishing enthusiast, these riverfront spots are perfect for relaxing and watching the water.
5. Rockhampton Museum of Art
This modern facility stands out for its accessible lifts, gallery layouts, quiet spaces, and hearing supports, making art accessible for everyone.
- Lifts are available across all exhibition levels.
- Accessible bathrooms
- Wheelchair-friendly gallery layouts
- Quiet space available
- Hearing loops and visual aids
- Free or low-cost exhibitions
This is one of the region’s best indoor accessibility-friendly activities.
6. Archer Park Rail Museum
For history lovers, this museum has wheelchair-friendly entry, flat walkways, and a calm environment, offering vintage rail travel experiences to all.
- Wheelchair-friendly entry
- Accessible parking
- Ramps and flat walkways inside
- Quiet environment on non-peak days
A calm, cultural activity suitable for guests of all mobility levels.
7. Fitzroy River Cruises
Some river cruises in Rockhampton utilize boats with flat decks, staff-supported boarding, and space for mobility devices, making them ideal for relaxing and sightseeing.
Note: Always call ahead due to different boat schedules.
- Staff-supported boarding
- Flat deck surfaces
- Seating that accommodates mobility devices
Enjoy the riverfront on an accessible cruise without strenuous activity.
8. Dreamtime Cultural Centre
Rockhampton’s premier Indigenous cultural attraction features wide paths, step-free exhibits, and calm open spaces for accessible cultural exploration.
- Wide, accessible paths
- Wheelchair-friendly gardens
- Step-free entry to cultural displays
- Calm, open spaces for sensory comfort
Discover Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage in a respectful and accessible setting.
Transport and Mobility Tips
Getting Around Townsville
- Low-floor buses run along major routes.
- Ride-share and taxi companies have accessible vehicles—book ahead for peak times.
- Accessible parking is available along The Strand, in major parks, and in tourist precincts.
- Foreshore paths allow smooth navigation for most mobility devices.
Getting Around Rockhampton
- Accessible taxis available; pre-booking recommended.
- Many attractions are within a short drive.
- Mount Archer road access leads straight to the elevated, wheelchair-friendly boardwalk.
- The riverfront precinct has numerous accessible car parks and level pathways.
Accessible Eating and Comfortable Relaxation Spots
Townsville
- The Strand cafés with wide pathways and accessible bathrooms
- Shaded picnic tables along the foreshore
- Mobility-friendly waterfront restaurants
Rockhampton
- Riverside restaurants with accessible outdoor seating
- Picnic areas near the river, Mount Archer, and the Botanic Gardens
- Cafés with easy entry and spacious layouts
Accessibility in dining areas is generally good. However, calling ahead ensures a smooth experience.
Safety, Comfort and Well-Being Tips
- Hydrate often (North Queensland heat can be intense).
- Bring the mobility aids you rely on; surfaces are well-designed, but long stretches can still be tiring.
- Apply sunscreen generously; shade helps, but UV protects your skin for longer.
- Plan your activities around the weather; mornings and late afternoons tend to be cooler.
- Carry medical essentials and know the location of the closest pharmacy or medical centre.
- Call ahead for cruises, tours, or activities requiring advance accessibility arrangements.
Townsville and Rockhampton are among the most welcoming and inclusive destinations for travellers with mobility needs. Whether you’re craving beachside relaxation, wildlife encounters, cultural experiences, or scenic lookouts, both cities offer accessible environments designed to help you enjoy every moment without discomfort or uncertainty.
The most important part is planning, checking accessibility features, choosing the right mode of transportation, and selecting activities that match your comfort levels. With thoughtful preparation and the supportive facilities available in both cities, your holiday can be smooth and stress-free.
MORE FROM CDS
Best Accessible Beaches Near Gold Coast and Logan
Top 12 Christmas and Holiday Events Near Ipswich 2025
The Best Cafes and Quiet Spots Near Boronia Heights and Collingwood Park for Visitors
