Accessible recreation
Council recognises that inclusion of people with a disability in all aspects of community life is a human right that also brings many social, cultural and economic benefits for the wider community.
There are many sporting groups, reserves, pools, water play parks and clubs offering accessible recreation options for community members.
Here's a list of accessible options in and around the Yarra Ranges.
Sporting groups and activities
People of all ages and genders are welcome at all of the below groups.
Trails
Trails are a great way to get outside and explore your the natural environment. The following trails are all-abilities friendly.
- Belgrave Rail Trail, Belgrave-to-Ringwood
Track type: sealed
Length: 16km
Rating: easy-moderate
Find out more
- Birdsland Lake Circuit, Tecoma
Track type: gravel
Length: 2.6km
Rating: easy
Find out more
- Brushy Creek Trail, Mooroolbark-to-Ringwood
Track type: sealed
Length: 5.3km
Rating: moderate
Find out more
- Cambridge Road Trail, Mooroolbark
Track type: gravel
Length: 4km
Rating: moderate
- Green Spine Shared Path, Chirnside Park
Track type: sealed
Length: 1km
Rating: easy
Find out more
- Lillydale Lake Circuit, around Lillydale Lake
Track type: gravel
Length: 2.5km
Rating: easy-moderate
- Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail
Track type: gravel
Length: 38km one way (76km loop)
Rating: easy-moderate
Find out more
If you'd like to try more challenging trails, Parks Victoria has a TrailRider all-terrain wheelchair available.
Find out more
Playgrounds
Many of our local playspaces have accessible play equipment for people of all ages.
As we renew and upgrade playspaces in coming years (in line with our Playspace Plan), accessibility is an important consideration.
Below is a list of some of our playspaces with accessible features.
- Castle Hill Reserve
Location: Savanna Drive, Mooroolbark
Sealed paths: yes
Playmatta to swing set: yes
Basket swing: no
Accessible water fountain: yes
Accessible picnic table: yes
Notes: Accessible spinner
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Dixons Creek Recreation Reserve
Location: Melba Highway, Dixons Creek
Sealed paths: no
Playmatta to swing set: no
Basket swing: no
Accessible water fountain: no
Accessible picnic table: yes/no
Notes: Limited access. Not wheelchair friendly. Low structures, shelter with tables, barbecue and toilets on site.
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Jacaranda Reserve
Location: Jacaranda Avenue, Kilsyth
Sealed paths: yes
Playmatta to swing set: yes
Basket swing: yes
Accessible water fountain: yes
Accessible picnic table: no
Notes: Accessible combination unit in the playground.
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Lillydale Lake
Location: Swansea Road, Lilydale
Sealed paths: no (gravel)
Playmatta to swing set: yes
Basket swing: yes (liberty swing)
Accessible water fountain: yes
Accessible picnic table: yes
Notes: All abilities playspace, water play park (operates September-March), public toilets and changing places facility.
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Montrose Recreation Reserve
Location: Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Montrose
Sealed paths: no
Playmatta to swing set: no
Basket swing: yes
Accessible water fountain: yes
Accessible picnic table: yes
Notes: Accessible by ramps, low structures, sensory garden, BBQ facilities and toilet.
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Queens Park
Location: Don Road, Healesville
Sealed paths: yes
Playmatta to swing set: yes (junior swing and combination unit)
Basket swing: yes
Accessible water fountain: yes
Accessible picnic table: yes
Notes: Wheelchair accessible, accessible flying fox, spinner unit.
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Rolling Hills Reserve
Location: Churchill Drive, Mooroolbark
Sealed paths: yes
Playmatta to swing set: yes (wet pour rubber)
Basket swing: no
Accessible water fountain: yes
Accessible picnic table: yes
Notes: Basket swing rocker
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Summerhill Reserve
Location: Summerhill Drive, Mooroolbark
Sealed paths: yes
Playmatta to swing set: yes
Basket swing: yes
Accessible water fountain: yes
Accessible picnic table: yes
Notes:Trampolines, accessible spinner and junior combination unit
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Yarra Glen Adventure Playground
Location: McKenzie Reserve/Anzac Avenue, Yarra Glen
Sealed paths: yes
Playmatta to swing set: yes
Basket swing: yes
Accessible water fountain: yes
Accessible picnic table: yes
Notes: All-abilities playspace (swing and roundabout, ramps and shelter), public toilets and changing places facility. BBQ facilities, half-basketball court, skate park and open grass areas.
Pools and Water Play
Whether you are keeping active for exercise or therapy, or would just like some fun on a hot day, our local pools and water play parks are great places to visit.
Make sure to check your pool's website for opening hours and conditions, and whether bookings are required.
Pools
Our outdoor pools open for the summer season from November-March. Opening dates and hours of operation vary from pool-to-pool.
- Belgrave Outdoor Pool
Accessible toilets: yes
Changing places facility: no
Beach entry program pools: yes
Water play features: no
Ramp to main pool: no
Hoist to main pool: yes
Playground: no
Notes: Outdoor pool only. Pool is heated.
Find out more
- Healesville Outdoor Pool
Accessible toilets: yes
Changing places facility: no
Beach entry program pools: yes
Water play features: no
Ramp to main pool: no
Hoist to main pool: yes
Playground: no
Notes: Outdoor pool only. Pool is not heated.
Find out more
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Kilsyth Centenary Pool
Accessible toilets: yes
Changing places facility: no
Beach entry program pools: no
Water play features: no
Ramp to main pool: no
Hoist to main pool: yes
Playground: no
Notes: Indoor and outdoor pools.
Find out more
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Lilydale Outdoor Pool
Accessible toilets: yes
Changing places facility: yes
Beach entry program pools: ramp
Water play features: no
Ramp to main pool: yes
Hoist to main pool: no
Playground: no
Find out more
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Monbulk Aquatic Centre
Accessible toilets: yes
Changing places facility: yes
Beach entry program pools: yes
Water play features: yes
Ramp to main pool: no
Hoist to main pool: yes
Playground: no
Find out more
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Yarra Centre, Yarra Junction
Accessible toilets: yes
Changing places facility: yes
Beach entry program pools: yes
Water play features: yes
Ramp to main pool: yes
Hoist to main pool: no
Find out more
Water Play parks
Please note that our Water Play Parks operate from September-March.
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Lillydale Lake Water Play
Accessible toilets: yes
Changing places facility: yes
Playground: yes
Notes: No pool
Find out more
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Seville Water Play Park
Accessible toilets: yes
Changing places facility: no
Playground: yes
Notes: No pool
Find out more
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Warburton Water World
Accessible toilets: yes
Changing places facility: no
Playground: yes
Notes: No pool
Find out more
Changing Places
Changing Places facilities provide suitable facilities for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets.
These public toilets include an adult-sized change table, ceiling hoist, a peninsular toilet, privacy screen and additional circulation space to meet the needs of people with complex disabilities and their carers.
We have a number of Changing Places facilities throughout Yarra Ranges, some of which are only accessible with a Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK)
Find a Changing Places facility near you
Find out how to get an MLAK
Starting your own program
Implementing an all abilities program can seem daunting, but there's lots of help out there.
Many organisations provide funding opportunities and advice.
General information
For more information about safe and inclusive sport and recreation, visit these websites:
Please note that this information is current as of 18 November, 2020. If anything needs updating, please use the feedback form at the bottom of this page.