Accessible Things to Do in Western Sydney

This is the short list. Each entry says what the place has, what we have checked, and links to the guide with the detail. Distances are from Glendenning, where our supported independent living home is, and everything here is within about fifteen minutes by car.

Is Sydney Zoo wheelchair accessible?

About five kilometres away, on the Great Western Highway. The zoo says the whole site is flat, there are no stairs anywhere, paths are wide, and every public area and exhibit can be reached in a wheelchair or on a mobility scooter. The zoo is open 9am to 4pm every day.

From the information desk at the entrance, subject to availability and with photo ID: wheelchairs are free with a $50 refundable deposit, electric mobility scooters are $20 a day with an $80 deposit (135 kilogram limit), and noise cancelling headphones are free with a $50 deposit. Book any of these ahead on 02 7202 2560, because they run out on busy days. A companion or carer gets in free with the participant's ticket or membership on presentation of a Companion Card at the ticket desk. Certified assistance dogs are welcome with at least seven days notice by phone or email. The zoo is a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower member, and runs an Accessible Zookeeper for a Day program: a half day, small group experience with a dedicated guide and animal encounters, where a support person can join. The zoo does not publish sensory sessions, so pick a weekday morning if crowds are a problem. All of this is from the zoo's own accessibility page.

Can you get around Featherdale in a wheelchair?

About three kilometres. Smaller and closer than the zoo, with koalas you can stand next to. Wide paths, with some gravel sections that are harder in a manual chair. Only a few wheelchairs to hire, and you must book. Verified from Featherdale's visitor information.

Which parks near Blacktown are built for all abilities?

Nurragingy Reserve in Doonside, about two kilometres, has gardens, lakes, picnic areas and Blacktown City's largest inclusive playspace, Wawai Ngurra, with an elevated walkway anyone can use, quiet places and a Changing Places toilet. Livvi's Place Elara at Marsden Park, about five and a half kilometres, is a fenced all-abilities playground with water play and accessible parking. Bungarribee Park, the Western Sydney Parklands playground next to the zoo, has a 14 metre climbing tower, a flying fox, water play, free barbecues and accessible toilets at both car parks, though no adult change facility. Nurragingy also has the area's only Liberty Swing, a swing you ride in your own wheelchair, which needs an MLAK key. Full detail in the parks and playgrounds guide.

Where are the quiet hours and calm places?

Westfield Mt Druitt turns the lights and music down every Tuesday from 10.30am to 11.30am and lends sensory headphones. Coles runs Quiet Hour on weekday mornings. HOYTS Blacktown and Mt Druitt list sensory friendly screenings. Max Webber Library has quiet rooms you can book. Times, sources and the check date are in the sensory-friendly guide.

Where can we change an adult on a day out?

For many families this is the thing that decides whether a day out happens. Westpoint Blacktown has two Changing Places toilets, the Wawai Ngurra playspace has one, and there are eighteen within thirty kilometres. Most 24 hour ones need an MLAK key. Where they are and how to get the key: the Changing Places guide.

Where can we eat with a wheelchair?

The food courts at Westpoint and Westfield Mt Druitt are level, have lifts and accessible toilets. Rooty Hill RSL lists disabled access. The zoo's cafes are on a step free site. What each one confirms, and what we have not checked yet, is in the restaurants and cafes guide.

Can we get there by train or bus?

Rooty Hill and Mount Druitt stations are both on the Western line and both have lifts, boarding ramps, accessible toilets and accessible parking, according to Transport for NSW. Rooty Hill station is being upgraded under the Transport Access Program, so check for changes. Buses from Mount Druitt station run to Sydney Zoo and Featherdale; check the route on transportnsw.info for a low floor bus.

What is the Companion Card and where does it work?

The NSW Companion Card is a free card from the NSW Government that lets a cardholder's support person into participating venues and events at no charge. The person with disability pays for their own ticket; the companion's ticket is free. Near Blacktown it works at Sydney Zoo (one companion or carer free with a ticket or membership) and Featherdale (up to two support workers or companions free). Many cinemas, pools and event venues are affiliates too; the NSW Government site has the list, and it is worth checking a venue is on it before you book rather than finding out at the counter.

Who qualifies: a person with a significant and permanent disability who cannot take part in most community activities without attendant care, and who will need that level of support for life. Being an NDIS participant does not automatically meet the test. You apply through Service NSW, online or by post, with a health professional declaration, recent reports and a passport style photo. The NSW Government currently quotes waits of up to 18 weeks, so apply early rather than the month before a planned outing. Support coordinators can help with the form, and the reports you already have for the NDIS are usually the ones the application asks for.

Is there an accessible pool?

Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope, on the corner of Sentry Drive and Stanhope Parkway, is Council's largest aquatic centre, about ten kilometres from Glendenning. It has an indoor 25 metre pool with ramp access, a program pool, a wave pool, a spa, steam room and sauna, a gym and group classes including aqua. Open Monday to Friday 5.30am to 9pm and weekends 8am to 5pm, with later weekend closing in summer.

What we have not verified: whether there is a pool hoist, an accessible change room with a hoist or change bench, and the program pool temperature. Ring the centre on 02 9421 2600 and ask those three questions before a first visit, and tell us the answers so we can add them. The Dennis Johnson Library is in the same building if someone in the group would rather sit somewhere quiet.

Is there anything that helps with a hidden disability?

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard. Wearing it tells trained staff that you may need more time or help without having to explain why. It is recognised on Sydney Trains and Sydney Metro, at Westfield Mt Druitt and at Sydney Zoo, and it is free: collect one from staff at Blacktown station or the Westfield Mt Druitt concierge, or email sunflower@transport.nsw.gov.au and Transport for NSW will post one. More in the sensory-friendly guide.

How do we decide what goes on this page?

A place is listed if an official source, the venue's own page, or someone from Vivid has confirmed what it says here. Each linked guide names its sources and shows the date of the last check. If you know a place we have missed, tell us.

Where this information comes from

Every fact above was checked against one of these on the date shown at the top of the page. If something has changed, tell us and we will fix it.

• Sydney Zoo: accessibility
• Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park
• Blacktown City Council: Wawai Ngurra inclusive adventure playspace
• Westfield Mt Druitt: accessibility
• Changing Places national register
• Transport for NSW: Rooty Hill Station
• Transport for NSW: Mount Druitt Station
• NSW Government: Companion Card
• Service NSW: apply for a Companion Card
• Transport for NSW: Sunflower lanyard
• Greater Sydney Parklands: Bungarribee playground
• Blacktown Key Venues: Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope

Questions about accessible things to do