September school holidays are here and I am heading overseas very soon.  Over the next month this blog will be taking a little slow down whilst I spend some time with my family.  The next few blogs are written with holidays in mind!

Cockatoo Island is a UNESCO world-heritage listed island just a short ferry ride from Sydney.  It is actually a short ferry ride from my house and is one of those places that I have been meaning to visit for years!  Miss 8 and I recently went to Cockatoo Island and had a great day exploring! It is a perfect place to explore these school holidays.

Cockatoo Island has played a significant part in NSW history including a prison for convicts, an important ship building dock and a reform school for girls.  It is now a fantastic museum as well as a venue for various special events throughout the year.  It is well worth checking theCockatoo Island events calendar  to see what is on when you visit. 

Cost? 
Free entry to the island.

Features
Exploring Cockatoo Island is easy on your own using a self-guided tour or audio tour ($5) from the visitor's centre. You may prefer to join an organised tour.  Most of the island is accessible for wheelchair users and those with mobility difficulties.  However, there are some steep sections from the lower island to the upper island.  As former industrial site some building are not accessible in the doorways and some surfaces are uneven.   There are wheelchair accessible toilets on the island. 

Besides the stunning view in every direction you look, there are so many things to see on the island.  There are massive warehouse buildings, the old dock, tunnels, prison cells, cranes, historical homes and much more. 

Kids are well catered for on the island with a "convict clues challenge" and a "ship shape challenge".  Kids are given a booklet and are asked to collect clues from around the island.  The booklets are suitable for children aged 7-12 years old.  What a wonderful way to read and learn about the history of the island.  Miss 8 enjoyed listening to the audio tour, however, parents should be mindful of the island's sordid past and perhaps listen to the audio segments before letting your kids listen to it.  I unexpectantly had to explain "prostitution" that day! Educational resources are also available for school groups.

In recent years Cockatoo Island has become known as the perfect "glamping" experience.  Glamping allows access to the island with a tent, camp beds, linen, towels, sun lounges, lanterns and a cool box provided.  There is a communal toilet/shower block as well as a communal cooking area.  There is a wheelchair accessible toilet and shower and the campground is flat.  The tents are mounted on top of a timber platform which is a small step off the ground.  Therefore the "glamping experience" is not fully accessible, however the small step may be managed by some wheelchair users or those who have a carer to help.  Fees apply and further information may be foundhere.

For those who prefer not to camp, the island also offers access to heritage houses and apartments for rent. The heritage houses were once home to Cockatoo Island's medical officer and engineering manager. The heritage house and apartments are beautiful appointed with views of Sydney Harbour.  They are fully self-contained, however, they are unfortunately not wheelchair accessible due to their location on the upper plateau of the island and the heritage nature of the buildings themselves.

There are a few options for food on the island, however we found the "weekday" menu quite limited.  It would be a much better idea to bring a picnic and enjoy the beautiful view of Sydney from any vantage point on the island. There are public barbeques available for use as well.

Cockatoo Island is a wonderful place to visit.  As most of the island is accessible, your children might like to bring their scooters along to cover the distance of the island. 

Have you visited Cockatoo Island? 

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There were two things that spurred me to write this post.  The first was a virtual conversation with Julie from "Have Wheelchair Will Travel" where we talking about wheelchair access to a "pop up event" in Sydney.  Sometimes a location may state "wheelchair accessible" and yet still have steps.  I am always conscious of wheelchair accessibility whenever I am out and about in Sydney or elsewhere.  This has always been an area of interest for me and if I had not specialised in Paediatrics, I think I would have gone down the path of home modifications and accessibility.  In previous jobs, I have loved helping families to find ways to make their homes more accessible.

The second was a conversation with a friend about a bush-walking {or hiking if you are in the Northern Hemisphere} track that was within 20 minutes of where I have lived most of my life that I just didn't know about. I was curious and excited to discover a local oasis!

Accessibility Notes {thanks OT mommy} will become a regular feature of Your Kids OT and will include my real experience with my "OT eye" when visiting places in Sydney and beyond. Accessibility Notes will include information about wheelchair access such as lifts, ramps, inclines, steps,  (which are applicable to prams and the elderly as well), disabled parking spots and disabled access toilets (which often house change tables). Information provided will be based on personal experience and will be accurate at time of printing. At this stage, Accessibility Notes will be limited to physical accessibility.

Features
Lake Parramatta Reserve is a 60 hectare bushland and parkland reserve. The lake was Parramatta's water supply
until 1909, and the original function of the reserve was to protect its water quality. There is a dam wall located on the western side of the lake which was built in the 1850s. There are shelter caves, tree scares, hand stencils can be found in the reserve and are evidence of regular usage and occupation by the aboriginal Burramattagal clan. 

The parkland reserve includes a children's playground, cafe overlooking the lake, BBQs, sheltered tables, a designated swimming area, three walking trails, non-motorised boating facilities and free parking.

The car park is spread out over several sections.  There is a section beside the lake and then along a service road to the children's playground and just beyond.  I was pleased to see disability parking spots located beside the lake (2 parking spots), besides the children's playground (2 parking spots) and next to the toilet block (2 drop off disability parking spots).

The children's playground includes several animal sculptures, a climbing frame, slide, monkey bars, swings and a wheelchair "Liberty" swing. There are some sensory features including music making and a scavenger hunt to find various shapes.  The playground is not fenced.  

The toilet block is conveniently located across the service road from the children's playground.  There is a disabled access toilet which houses a baby change table.  Nothing to get too excited about here, however there was running water.

The cafe is accessed via stairs from the picnic area near the toilet block or via an accessible footpath from the car park near the lake. There are views of the lake from the cafe. 

From the car park located near the lake, there is a pavement that provides a short even walk around a small section of the lake towards the dam wall.  This is suitable for wheelchairs with slight variations in incline. This walkway provides uninterrupted views of the lake and includes several sheltered picnicking spots. Unfortunately the shelters themselves that lead off the path are not accessible as they are built up on concrete foundations. 

The designated swimming areas can be accessed from the main foot path down an unsealed walkway.  This is not wheelchair accessible.  Whilst the council are doing their best to maintain the water quality, the water did not look inviting for a swim!

There are three bush walking tracks that extend around the lake. Besides the paved section already mentioned, the other tracks are not wheelchair accessible.  The Lake Circuit is approximately 4.2km and takes approximately 2 hours to complete.  The Lake Circuit features uneven rocky paths, creek crossings on logs, inclines and descents, steps and maneuvering over fallen trees and rocks. Mr 5 and Miss 8 yrs enjoyed the bush walk and were able to complete it without adult help.  Younger kids will need help along some of the uneven surfaces and across the water ways. 

In the area around the car park, the noise from surrounding roads can be heard as a constant hum. As you begin to walk further around the lake, this recedes and you feel like you are in a natural oasis far from the suburbs.

The bush land reserve features a variety of fauna and flora as you walk around the lake.  Apparently in surveys undertaken in 1990 and 2001, there were 67 species of native birds, 12 species of reptile, 5 frog species and 13 native species of mammal, plus several exotic species of birds and mammals in the reserve.

Lake Parramatta may be a "hidden gem" for many, however it is well known by locals.  It is a popular spot for birthday parties and weddings.  We will certainly be back to enjoy this reserve again!

If you are looking for more information about accessibility around Sydney. I would highly recommend:
*Have Wheelchair Will Travel
* Sydney for all

I hope you have enjoyed the first "Accessibility Notes" article! I would love to hear your feedback or if you have other "hidden gems" that you think we should explore!


Have you visited Lake Parramatta?

Disclaimer: This article contains opinions and experiences personal to the writer and the writer accepts no responsibility if circumstances change or if others do not encounter the same facilities or features as described.

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