The best parks in Victoria for deaf and hearing-impaired visitors

Tuesday 24 September, 2024

Victoria’s national parks and reserves are home to diverse ecosystems, historical landmarks, and breathtaking landscapes, offering enriching experiences for all visitors. For deaf and hearing-impaired visitors, the beauty of these parks goes beyond sound, encompassing visual, tactile, and other sensory elements that enhance the connection to nature.

In addition to providing a sense of wonder, time spent in natural environments has proven health benefits, including reducing stress, boosting mental well-being, and improving physical health. With accessible features and sensory-rich experiences, these parks invite everyone to enjoy the health benefits of nature in ways that resonate with them.

Here are six of the best parks near Melbourne for deaf and hearing-impaired visitors:

Wilsons Promontory National Park

Wilsons Prom is a great place to connect with the best nature has to offer.

There’s nowhere else in Victoria where someone can feel as close to the end of the world than Wilsons Promontory National Park. The Prom juts out into the icy cool waters of Bass Strait, making it the most southerly tip of the Australian mainland, and also one of the windiest.

Visitors wanting to embrace all that nature offers, from the wind whipping through their hair, enjoying a refreshing dip at one of the many beautiful beaches, or catching a glimpse of some of Victoria’s iconic wildlife, can do so all at once at Wilsons Prom.

The Prom is also well set up to support people with additional needs, with wheelchair-friendly tracks (like the Loo-Errn boardwalk at Tidal River), Trailriders (which can be hired from the visitor centre by calling 03 8427 2122), and interpretive signage strategically placed throughout the park.

Bunyip State Park

Common Heath flowers growing in woodland

Common Heath is Victoria's floral emblem, and can be found in heathland, scrubland, and open forest.

Spring is a great time to see colourful wildflowers in bloom

Spring is a great time to see colourful wildflowers, like this beautiful Flax Lily, in bloom.

During wildflower season (from early September through to October), many of Victoria’s parks and reserves burst with colour. Bunyip State Park is one of these, and being only 90 minutes from Melbourne, makes an easy day trip for people wanting to get out of the city. It’s also one of the few places you can spy the Swamp Bush-pea and the Common Heath, Victoria’s floral emblem.

Many of these beautiful flowers and orchids are incredibly fragile, and one misstep could destroy the precious plants. That’s why it’s always important to not wander off the track where you could trample these flowers, or even introduce soil-borne diseases like phytophthora to otherwise pristine areas.

Dandenong Ranges National Park

Two people hiking through the forest in the Dandenong Ranges.

Petrichor – that’s the scent of rain hitting earth. There aren’t many places in Victoria better than the Dandenong Ranges National Park to experience petrichor, as it combines in the air with the damp fern gullies and the sweet smell of eucalyptus from the towering Mountain Ash trees, creating a beautifully fresh aroma.

Another highlight of the Dandenong Ranges is the William Ricketts Sanctuary, which showcases intricate sculptures with plaques and visual interpretations that allow visitors to understand the cultural significance and stories behind each work of art.

Point Nepean National Park

Two people looking out over Fort Nepean to Port Phillip Bay

Point Nepean National Park offers well-marked trails with interpretive signage, allowing visitors to learn about its historical significance, including its role in Australia's defence.

Scenic lookouts provide breath-taking coastal views, and the Quarantine Station and Fort Nepean sites can be explored independently.

For added accessibility, a shuttle runs from the park entrance to Fort Nepean, while bikes can also be hired at the entrance of the park. There are many visual displays and exhibits for visitors to enjoy, and it’s a peaceful location where nature's beauty can be enjoyed without relying on sound, making it an inclusive experience for all.

Wattle Park

Wattle Park has an all-abilities playscape in the shape of a tram.

For families with children, Wattle Park’s all-abilities playscape and sensory garden make it the perfect place for a day out in nature without venturing too far from home.

The playground features play structures including a double-storey tram fort, play domes, swings, spinners, slides and sensory play, which are wheelchair-accessible with assistance. The adjoining picnic area features shelters, electric barbecues and all-abilities pathways and picnic tables, providing the comforts needed for a great day out at the park. Wattle Park is located in Burwood.

Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

A group of people hiking through boulders in Grampians National Park

The Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, with its rugged sandstone ranges and diverse landscapes, offers a rich variety of textures that appeal to nature lovers. The weathered rock formations, jagged cliffs, and smooth, layered boulders provide a tactile exploration of ancient geology.

Dense forests, soft fern beds, and vibrant wildflowers create a contrasting mix of textures for both the eyes and hands. The cool, cascading waterfalls, rough tree bark, and wind-shaped ridges add to this sensory experience.

Whether hiking, climbing, or simply observing nature, the Grampians offer a vivid, textured environment that immerses visitors in the natural beauty of Victoria.

Trailriders can also be booked from the Brambuk National Park and Cultural Centre by calling 03 8427 2058.

Click here for a list of parks with accessibility information to help individuals and carers make decisions about where they can go and what they can do, as they are the best judge about their own needs and potential challenges for accessing visitor sites, toilets and tracks and trails.