We are implementing a range of initiatives to improve access to beaches.
The City is working with a number of local surf life saving clubs (SLSC) and community organisations such as Volunteering Gold Coast, to make our beaches more accessible and inclusive.
Below is the list of locations for beach access equipment. Please contact the relevant surf life saving club or community group for more information or to book.
Hippocampe and Mobi beach wheelchair
Beach matting and two types of beach wheelchairs are available for use at Burleigh beach: the Hippocampe and the Mobi beach wheelchair (both pictured below).
Please contact the club to check if beach wheelchairs are available during the non-patrol season.
For more information, including bookings, visit the Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park SLSC website, phone 07 5535 2419 or email admin@burleighslsc.com.au.
There is a Changing Places toilet facility (with height adjustable change bench, ceiling tracking hoist, shower, widened doorway (over 1m), and space inside for a beach wheelchair), located next to the Nook Espresso, approximately 150 metres South of the Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park SLSC.
This toilet facility can only be accessed by using a Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK). The SLSC has a key available for loan, or to find out about eligibility, or apply for your own key see our Changing Places page.
Please bring your own sling to use the Changing Places toilet facility.
Gold Coast Recreation and Sport Inc.
Gold Coast Recreation and Sport Inc. has Hippocampe and Sandcruiser beach wheelchairs available free of charge, for use anywhere in the city. Chairs can be booked for several days at a time. Collection is from the organisation's premises in Southport.
For more information or to book, visit the Gold Coast Recreation and Sport website, or phone 07 5531 3312 from Monday to Friday, between 8am and 4pm.
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Hippocampe beach wheelchair
GiveAbility has two Hippocampe beach wheelchairs available for free community use. Back and seat supports are also available for use with these chairs.
For more information or to book, please visit the GiveAbility website, email jane.standen@grtfoundation.org or phone 0438 701 201.
A Sandcruiser beach wheelchair is available for use at Kurrawa beach, Broadbeach.
Please contact the club to check if the beach wheelchair is available during the non-patrol season.
For more information, visit the Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club website, phone 07 5527 5660 or email info@kurrawasurf.com.au.
There is an accessible change room / toilet (with height adjustable change bench and ceiling tracking hoist), located in the All Abilities playground, approximately 100 metres South of the Kurrawa SLSC.
The room can only be accessed by using a Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK). The Kurrawa SLSC has a key available for loan, or to find out about eligibility, or apply for your own key see our Changing Places page. Please bring your own sling to use the change facility.
The City is building a new Changing Places facility at this location in 2020. It will be near the existing change facility and toilet block and is due for completion in late 2020.
Sandcruiser beach wheelchair
Beach matting and beach wheelchairs will be available at this location soon.
Beach matting and a WaterWheels beach wheelchair are available at Nobby beach.
Please contact the club to check if beach wheelchairs are available during the non-patrol season.
For more information, including bookings, visit the Nobby's Beach Surf Life Saving Club website, phone 07 5526 1117 or email office@nobbysbeachslsc.com.
Local resident surfing in the Hippocampe
wheelchair at North Burleigh.
A Hippocampe beach wheelchair is available at North Burleigh beach.
Please contact the club to check if the beach wheelchair is available during the non-patrol season.
For more information, including bookings, visit the North Burleigh SLSC website, phone 07 5576 5403 or email admin@northburleighslsc.com.au.
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Hippocampe beach wheelchair
Beach matting, a WaterWheels and a Hippocampe beach wheelchair are available at the Pacific Surf Life Saving Club.
Please contact the club to check if beach wheelchairs are available during the non-patrol season.
For more information, including bookings, visit the Pacific Surf Life Saving Club website, phone 07 5535 0350 or email office@pacificslsc.com.
Permanent beach matting
Permanent beach matting is located near the swimming enclosure at Southport Broadwater Parklands. The matting connects with the main pathway.
Please note that the matting at this location, may not reach the hard sand – depending on the tide.
The matting is available for use anytime.
There is a Changing Places toilet facility in the parklands (with height adjustable change bench, ceiling tracking hoist, shower, wide enough door, and space inside for a beach wheelchair), approximately 150 metres north of the Rockpools (across from Cafe Catalina/the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre).
Please bring your own sling to use the Changing Places toilet facility.
This toilet can only be accessed by using a Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK). To find out about eligibility and apply for a key see our Changing Places page.
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Shade sail beach mat at Broadwater Parklands
Beach matting at Broadwater Parklands
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Pontoon walkway at Broadwater Parklands
Floating pontoon and walkway
There is a floating pontoon and walkway in the parklands, which has been designed to provide access for everyone.
Note: the exact gradient of the walkway is subject to the tide.
For more information about the parklands, visit our Southport Broadwater Parklands page or phone 1300 465 326.
WaterWheels beach wheelchair
A Water Wheels beach wheelchair and two Hippocampe beach wheelchairs (adult and child size), and a new self-propelled beach wheelchair are available from Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club. Beach matting is rolled out every Sunday during patrol season.
Volunteers may be available to assist you at this location. See the Volunteering Gold Coast Accessible Summer Volunteers tab at the end of this list for more information.
For more information, including bookings for the beach wheelchairs, visit the Surfers Paradise SLSC website, phone 07 5531 5966 or email admin@surfersparadiseslsc.com.au.
Access mat Neptune Royal LSC
Two WaterWheels beach wheelchairs are available at Tallebudgera Creek, Palm Beach. Beach matting is rolled out every Saturday during patrol season.
Volunteers may be available to assist you at this location. See the Volunteering Gold Coast Accessible Summer Volunteers tab at the end of this list for more information.
For more information, including bookings, visit the Neptune Royal LSC website, phone 07 5535 7264 or email secretary@neptunerlsc.com.au.
Volunteering Gold Coast, Accessible Summer Volunteers are available to provide assistance and support at a number of Gold Coast SLSCs. For more information on locations supported by Accessible Summer Volunteers, or to become a volunteer, visit Volunteering Gold Coast website.
All Gold Coast Surf Life Saving Clubs are encouraged to join the City’s Beach Access Program. Participation is free and can provide benefits to your club and the community. For more information, and to apply, please see the Beach Access Program Expression of Interest form at the bottom of this page. To discuss your application, or the program, please contact the Disability Access and Inclusion Officer on 07 5581 6797 or email inclusion@goldcoast.qld.gov.au.
We have installed two accessible changing rooms with fixed-height benches, grab rails, coat hooks, wide entry doors, and plenty of circulation space to accommodate beach wheelchairs.
Master Locksmiths Access Keys are not required to access these changing rooms.
Below is accessibility information for specific locations along our oceanway. Information about parking, seating, toilets and viewing platforms is included. Click on the specific locations listed below to find out more.
The Gold Coast Disabled Surfers Association holds ‘Let’s go surfing’ days at Currumbin. For dates and locations visit the Disabled Surfers Association of Australia website.
