Things to do

Disability-inclusive things to do in Sydney

If you’re looking for adventure or culture, there are plenty of inclusive and accessible activities in our city.

Inclusive Tennis Festival IDPwD 22

Get a sense of Sydney from another angle

At 268m above the city centre, with views stretching out to the ocean on one side and toward the mountains on the other, Sydney Tower Eye SKYWALK is wheelchair accessible – be sure to book.

Prepare for hair-raising fun! Many of Luna Park’s rides and attractions are suitable for people with disability. Assistance animals may accompany riders where possible. Get in touch with Lunar Park prior to your visit if you require more information.

Did you know BridgeClimb offers Auslan guided tours (subject to demand and interpreter availability) and hearing loops are installed on the bridge? People with low vision are also well looked after, with continuous handrails throughout the climb. Plus, there's a lift to the Sydney Harbour Bridge walkway.

Jade ‘Red’ Wheatley, pro-adaptive surfer, and organiser of Walk for Waves at the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Image: BridgeClimb
Jade ‘Red’ Wheatley, pro-adaptive surfer, and organiser of Walk for Waves at the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Image: BridgeClimb

Check out a live performance

Sydney’s top venues are programmed with inclusion in mind.

  • Sydney Opera House runs accessible tours and offers Auslan interpreting, low vision access, relaxed performances, closed captioning and audio descriptions on select performances. There are workshops and performances created especially for people with disability such as audio-described tours of Vivid LIVE and Sydney New Year’s Eve. The Opera House has several accessible toilets including a Changing Places facility, located in the corridor next to the Box Office.
  • Sydney Theatre Company offers hearing enhancement systems in all theatres, captioned and Auslan interpreted performances, accessible parking and wheelchair seats.
  • On the other side of the bridge, Ensemble Theatre partners with Vision Australia to provide an audio description service at designated performances for people who are blind or have low vision, tactile backstage tours before their audio described performances. It offers a hearing loop and also has wheelchair seating and level access.
  • City Recital Hall offers a hearing loop for performances, and accessible seating. Access is at street level and accessible toilets are located on each floor.
  • The International Convention Centre has step-free access to every conference, exhibition and entertainment venue. A limited number of wheelchairs are available for hire free of charge. They also have a Changing Places facility located on level 2 of the exhibition centre.

Vivid audio described viewing for people who are blind or have low vision. Image: Dan Boud/Sydney Opera House
Vivid audio described viewing for people who are blind or have low vision. Image: Dan Boud/Sydney Opera House

Many of Sydney’s live music venues are wheelchair accessible and offer low-vision access. We’re also proud to support Gig Buddies, a program pairing people with learning disability with volunteers who take them to shows around the city.

Explore parks and gardens

Many local and major parks cater for people with mobility issues.

  • Explore the rose garden or soak up the sun on the Bennelong Lawn in the Royal Botanic Garden. The garden has 3 accessible toilets and 8 accessible entrances.
  • Escape to a secret garden in Darling Harbour. The lower level of the Chinese Garden of Friendship is accessible to wheelchairs and prams. The Chinese Garden has 1 accessible toilet.
  • Take advantage of Sydney Park's playground, designed for children and parents, including children who are blind or have low vision and children who are deaf or hard of hearing and anyone who uses a wheelchair. It includes a diverse range of equipment that can stimulate kids’ senses of touch, hearing and sight.
  • Pirrama Park has an accessible spinner so kids who use wheelchairs don’t miss out!

Get active with disability-inclusive sports

There are heaps of disability-inclusive sports happening in Sydney, from adaptive tennis to basketball and gentle exercise like this accessible yoga class.

Check out What’s On for inclusive sports and activities.

Adaptive tennis is a weekly group tennis session for players of all ages and levels of ability at Alexandria Park
Adaptive tennis is a weekly group tennis session for players of all ages and levels of ability at Alexandria Park

Indulge in world-class art and culture

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) offers free access support to reduce barriers to all its programs and events. It runs regular Auslan tours, and online and in-person audio-described online tours of its collections. The Bella program offers free opportunities for adults, young people and children with physical, intellectual, and sensory access requirements to experience the gallery and engage in creative activities. The MCA also runs a regular 6 week Art and Dementia program to create new connections and life-enriching experiences through contemporary art for people living with dementia and their support networks. Visit the Sydney Modern Project - the Art Gallery’s latest expansion.

Home of the annual Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize exhibitions, the Art Gallery of NSW is wheelchair accessible and has 4 free dedicated accessible parking spots. Carers receive free entry to ticketed exhibitions, and an audio-induction loop is available in the Domain Theatre and Centenary Auditorium. Auslan interpreters can be provided for tours when booked.

The Australian Museum provides access to all areas of the museum for people in wheelchairs and mobility scooters. It runs a series of Early Birds Access Mornings to provide a reduced-sensory, relaxed and supportive environment for visitors on the autism spectrum or people who have other access requirements. Wheelchair accessible toilets are located on all public gallery floors and there’s a Changing Places adult facility located on level 2.

The Australian National Maritime Museum has lift or ramp access to all exhibition spaces within the main building, and to wharves and the viewing platform outside the museum. Accessible toilets are available on the museum lower level and in the ground level entry foyer, and 2 accessible carparking spaces are located near the front entry and can be pre-booked. Audio-induction loops are available in the theatre, main ticket areas and museum meeting rooms. Interactive displays are located throughout the museum. Carers are offered free access to everything available in the museum.

Engage with the workings of the parliament at the NSW Parliament House. It has fitted hearing loops in most rooms. There is access for people in wheelchairs and guide dogs are welcome. It also has a Changing Places facility.

The State Library of NSW has a continuous program of free and low cost events, exhibitions and workshops open to everyone.

Participant in the 2016 Bella Room Commission, The Koala Room, 2016, Kathy Temin, commissioned by the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia for the Jackson Bella Room, 2016, image courtesy and © the artist. Photograph: Daniel Boud
Participant in the 2016 Bella Room Commission, The Koala Room, 2016, Kathy Temin, commissioned by the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia for the Jackson Bella Room, 2016, image courtesy and © the artist. Photograph: Daniel Boud

Celebrate in a big way

Sydney’s major events are designed with inclusion in mind.

Christmas concerts are for everyone – accessible features include subtitling on stage, hearing loop, Auslan interpretation and accessible toilets. Listen to the audio description while you visit the Martin Place Christmas tree.

Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks offer accessible vantage points and audio descriptions of the fireworks displays. Auslan interpretations are projected on the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons.

Vivid offers audio descriptions of all installations each year.

Vivid offers audio descriptions for people who are blind or have low vision. Image: Destination NSW
Vivid offers audio descriptions for people who are blind or have low vision. Image: Destination NSW

Sydney prides itself on accessibility and inclusion

Please contact individual organisations before you visit, for information around accessible public transport, accessible parking, and any other accessibility requests

Published 25 August 2016, updated 15 November 2023