Accessible transport and parking

Whether you’re walking, in a wheelchair or scooter, pushing a pram or riding a bicycle, our township access maps:

• highlight accessible features
• show the most accessible pedestrian routes
• provide useful information on public transport, town features and more

Township access maps are available for the townships of Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne, Aireys Inlet and Winchelsea.

View the access maps online

Accessible beaches

Beach wheelchairs, matting, and a mobile hoist are available at a number of locations in the Surf Coast Shire, to help more people enjoy our beautiful beaches.

Learn more about accessible beaches

Accessible parks and trails

Surf Coast Shire has a number of accessible trails so that everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of our Shire.

Council also has a TrailRider all-terrain wheelchair for hire for those who want to explore more rugged trails. Use of the TrailRider is free, see below for booking information.

Learn more about accessible trails and the TrailRider

Accessible public transport

Some V/Line & McHarry’s bus services in the Surf Coast are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair accessible services require reservations at least 24 hours in advance.  For bookings and more information, including size and weight restrictions, contact V/Line or McHarry’s.

There are a number of services and supports to enable everyone to feel more confident in using public transport. For information about accessible transport in Melbourne and Victoria, visit the PTV website.

Travellers Aid

Travellers Aid provide a range of services to support participation in public transport including connection assistance, mobility equipment hire, and volunteer companions. They operate from four service sites at Southern Cross and Flinders Street Stations in Melbourne and Ballarat and Seymour Railway Stations in regional Victoria.

Find out more via the Travellers Aid website.

Accessible taxis

Geelong Taxi Network has a Special Services team and a fleet of cabs dedicated to providing transportation services in Geelong and the surrounding Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast regions for people with disability including NDIS participants and those requiring wheelchair transport. All passengers with disability are allocated a Gold Care driver who has undergone extensive training to meet passengers’ needs. For more information visit the Geelong Taxis website

Public transport fares & concessions

A number of concessions are available to assist Senior Victorians and people with accessibility needs. For more information, see the Public Transport Victoria website: free travel passes or concession fares.

Multi Purpose Taxi Program

The Multi Purpose Taxi Program provides a 50% discount on taxi fares (up to $60 per trip) for eligible people. The program aims to improve the accessibility of transport services for Victorians with a severe or permanent disability that significantly restricts their mobility and prevents them from independently accessing public transport.

Find a recharge point for your electric wheelchair or scooter via the Surf Coast Access Maps webpage.

Did you know RACV offers emergency roadside assistance for scooters and wheelchairs? Call 13 19 55 for details. You can also check with other breakdown service companies.

There are different types of permits which allow you to park in accessible parking bays and/or park in regular bays for double the usual time.

Australian Disability Parking (ADP) Permits for individuals 

An ADP permit can be used Australia-wide, and allows the permit holder to: 

• park a vehicle in an accessible parking bay for the time displayed on the sign, or 
• park in a standard parking bay for double the time displayed on the parking sign. 

Double Time (DT) permits for individuals 

A DT permit allows the permit holder, as the driver or passenger, to park in a standard parking bay for double the time on the parking sign. 

DT permits are unique to Victoria and aren’t recognised interstate. 

Australian Disability Parking (ADP) Permits for organisations 

Organisations may be eligible for an ADP permit if it provides transport services for people with significant mobility or cognitive, behavioural or neurological impairments. 

For more information, please see the Vic Roads website, or contact our Customer Service team on (03) 5261 0600.

If you want to apply for a permit, please see our Parking and Traffic page.