Best accessible beaches on the Surf Coast and Bellarine

1. Anglesea

With rocky cliffs, a gorgeous sandy beach and river, Anglesa is a great place for a quick dip or good old-fashioned day at the beach. It's also one of the most accessible beaches on the Surf Coast/Great Ocean Road with great facilities to ensure everyone can enjoy some salt water therapy.

Accessibility features:

• Access matting down to the beach (Located riverside of the Four Kinds Carpark).

• Changing Places facility available with full size change tables and hoists. It's at the Four Kings Carpark next to the toilet block (8 Great Ocean Rd). The facility is open 24 hours and can be accessed with your own MLAK key.

• Free hire of Beach Wheelchairs (Sandcruiser, Aussie Beach and Hippocampe models) available all-year-round from the YMCA Anglesea Recreation Camp: 1535 Great Ocean Road. Call (Mon-Fri) 03 5263 1512 or email: [email protected]

2. Fisherman's Beach, Torquay

This beach is the perfect spot to hangout and relax. The water is generally calm and it has a nice chilled-out vibe and popular beachside cafe (where salty dogs are also welcome).

Accessibility features:

• 40m of beach access matting (from November to Easter)

• Disabled parking

• Disabled toilet

• Free hire of Sandcruiser Beach Wheelchair available at Go Ride A Wave 1/15 Bell St, Torquay. Bookings are essential. Make a booking.

• Torquay Foreshore Play Park is also nearby and includes a Liberty Swing (for both children and adults using wheelchairs). For a key and access email: [email protected]).

3. Lorne

When it comes to holiday-destination seaside towns, you can't go past Lorne. Along with a buzzy shopping strip (with plenty of cafes and restaurants) and a pier where you can watch fishermen cast a line, the main beach is picture-perfect for a swim on a hot sunny day.

Accessibility features:

• Mobi-Chair Beach Wheelchair available for free hire from the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) from 4 January - Easter, 8am - 2pm. Located adjacent to Lorne Surf Lifesaving Club. Hoist available on site, but bring your own sling. Bookings essential at least two business days prior to use. Call 1300 736 533 or email [email protected]

• 40 metres of beach access matting adjacent to Lorne Surf Lifesaving Club (4 January to Easter).

• Disabled parking

• Disabled toilet

4. Ocean Grove

Remember the TV show Seachange? That was filmed in Barwon Heads, just across the bridge from Ocean Grove, which also featured on occasion. This beach offers plenty of fun for the whole family and is also the location for Disabled Surfers Association Ocean Grove events.

Accessibility features:

• Disabled toilets and changing amenities

• Wheelchair ramp access from the car park all the way to the sand

• Free hire of specialised Beach Wheelchairs (to suit adults and children). Bookings essential. Contact Go Ride A Wave on 1300 132 441.