i caught up with two friends recently who are doing some bloody good things for accessible travel. skye, whose website is access actually and nicole, who you can find at chair went there on insta.
i try to help people feel confident enough to travel on their own. these two incredible women are sharing information that helps people with disabilities work out where they can go and what to expect when they get there. information that can make the difference between booking a trip and deciding it all feels too hard. and that helps their families and friends plan too.
one of them told me that after a podcast episode, she was accused of toxic positivity.
i haven’t stopped thinking about it.
how do you look at someone who has overcome so much in her life, who is doing something useful with her experience and knowledge and decide you want to knock her down?
i look at these women and think, how incredible is this. someone might come across their work and finally find an answer they’ve been searching for. something that helps them feel like they can do it. they might see a place they’d assumed was out of reach and think, actually, i could go there.
this conversation left me wondering how much energy people spend picking others apart when they could be paying attention to what they’re contributing.
i share places because i love them. i’ll tell you about a beautiful lunch or somewhere worth going on your own because i want you to have that experience too. these women are adding information i might never have thought to ask for. information someone else actually needs before they can even consider going.
i can decide pretty quickly that i fancy a weekend away and start looking at where i’d like to eat. someone else may need to establish whether they can get into the restaurant at all. a photograph of the courtyard doesn’t answer that question.
so have a look at access actually and follow nicole at @chair_went_there. their work deserves to be seen.
and because this conversation made me think about the information i share too, here’s a starting point for a couple of nights in orange.
48 hours in orange
a relaxed weekend with good coffee and time to browse, followed by a long lunch. everyone’s access needs are different, so confirm the details that matter to you before booking. jumbled and union bank’s courtyard still need direct access confirmation.
for a different kind of weekend, i've also shared how i'd spend three days in orange. that's a general itinerary rather than an accessibility-checked guide, so make sure you confirm the details that matter to you.
before you go: the train from sydney
book a suitable NSW TrainLink service from central to orange. check the journey details as some options include coaches or changes.
if you need a wheelchair space or boarding assistance, contact NSW TrainLink on 13 22 32, ideally at least 48 hours before travelling. confirm your mobility aid requirements and the onboard toilet arrangements for your service.
arrange your transport between the station and quest before arriving, including a wheelchair accessible vehicle if you need one.
friday afternoon: check into quest orange
Quest Orange, 132 kite street
settle into your apartment and give yourself an easy first evening.
quest has designated accessible apartments with features including step free access, roll in showers and grab rails. book the accessible room type and confirm that the layout suits your needs. discuss any hoist or equipment requirements before booking.
keep dinner flexible around your arrival. having an apartment kitchen means staying in is an option too.
saturday morning: coffee at byng street
byng street local store, 47 byng street
start with coffee and breakfast. there’s no need to rush straight into being a tourist.
byng street lists a step free main entrance and a wheelchair accessible toilet. ask for a table with the clearance and seating arrangement you need.
late morning: a browse at jumbled
jumbled at the sonic, 33–35 sale street
this is where “i’m just having a look” may become a fairly loose commitment.
check access with the team before visiting, including the entrance and space to move around the store.
call 02 6361 4447 or email [email protected]. saturday opening hours are listed as 10am to 4pm.
lunchtime: union bank courtyard
Union Bank, 84 byng street, entrance on sale street
make this the long lunch. order something lovely and leave yourself enough time to enjoy being there.
confirm the step free route into the courtyard, the ground surface and access to the toilet directly with the venue.
email [email protected] or call 02 6311 1770. request courtyard seating and discuss a suitable indoor alternative as outdoor tables cannot be guaranteed.
saturday afternoon: orange regional gallery
Orange Regional Gallery, 149 byng street
spend some time with the current exhibitions before heading back to quest.
the gallery lists automatic doors and accessible toilets. opening hours are 10am to 4pm daily, except christmas day, boxing day and good friday.
if lunch becomes the whole afternoon, save the gallery for sunday morning. quite a reasonable outcome, really.
sunday: a slow finish
have breakfast, then visit the gallery at 10am if you saved it for today.
coordinate checkout and luggage storage with quest around your return train. arrange your station transfer ahead of time and allow enough time for boarding assistance.
the exact length of the weekend will depend on the services that suit your needs.
access details are based on published information. the routes between venues haven’t been assessed in person.