Accessible Recreation

We're working hard to bring you more accessible recreation options on the Peninsula.

Playground communication boards

A series of communication boards for people with alternative or additional communication needs are at these three playgrounds:

  • Civic Reserve, Mornington.
  • Rosebud Foreshore.
  • Pelican Park, Hastings.
  • George Bishop Reserve, Dromana.

The communication boards display symbols and Auslan alphabet signs so people can gesture, point to, or scan through the symbols to communicate. They give all children and adults who visit our playgrounds a new avenue to connect with each other.

You can download and print a copy of the boards to use at home or on the move around the playgrounds:

For more information on how the boards can be beneficial for everyone please check out this handy video by local speech pathologist Carmen Roche who co-designed the boards:

This project was developed with our Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) as part of our commitment to improve accessibility and inclusion.

Accessible beaches

Beach matting locations 

The beach matting provides a stable and safe pathway over the sand, allowing individuals with mobility impairments, families with strollers, and elderly visitors to enjoy the beach with greater ease.

Available all day every day between November and May

Mount Martha beach (Mount Martha Lifesaving Club)

Rye front beach (next to the pier) 

Mothers beach, Mornington

Rosebud beach (next to the jetty) 

Sorrento front beach (next to The Baths restaurant)

Please be aware the matting will not always meet the water's edge, during low tides.

If you have any feedback about beach matting at these locations, please contact access@mornpen.vic.gov.au

Report a beach matting problem

All-terrain and beach wheelchairs

Mount Martha Lifesaving Club - Two  MobiChairs available for use between the flags during patrol (weekends 12-5pm).  

Point Leo Surf Life-Saving Club - a Sandcruiser beach wheelchair can be booked for free from the Point Leo Surf Life-Saving Club.

Coolart Wetlands and Homestead has a Hippocampe chair which can be hired from the Visitor Centre.

Camp Manyung (YMCA), Mount Eliza has on offer three Hippocampe chairs for loan to disability agencies on the Mornington Peninsula.

Point Nepean - Parks Victoria has an All-terrain wheelchair at the Point Nepean Information Centre. Best suited to compact sand, lawns and pathways. 

Liberty swings

Liberty Swings are swings that people in wheelchairs can use.

Liberty Swings are available at the following locations on the Mornington Peninsula:

  • Hastings Foreshore playground on Marine Parade, Hastings
  • Lawson Park playground on Leon Avenue, Rosebud

You will need a Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK) to use the swings. For information about how to get your own key visit our MLAK webpage online

MLAKs can also be borrowed from:

A key safe box next to the swing at Lawson Park - please contact us for the code

Accessible and inclusive events

Often people with disabilities won't go to an event or venue unless they know what to expect in terms of access. Having information on your website - such as site maps, information about parking, toilets, ground surface or Auslan for example - is a great start.

We also strongly recommend you include an optional question about access needs on your event registration form, and if you're not sure how to respond to any requests, you can get in touch with us at access@mornpen.vic.gov.au for help. 

We've developed a checklist to help you plan a welcoming and inclusive for all. Make sure you consider these things EARLY in the planning stages rather than leaving them to the last minute. Following these steps will actually result in a better experience for EVERYONE.

Download: Inclusive and Accessible Event Checklist.pdf(PDF, 290KB)

Sailability

Sailability is a sailing program that offers an additional level of support, volunteers, and equipment to assist people of all abilities to get into sailing. About Sailability Victoria

Sailability programs are available at the following Mornington Peninsula yacht clubs over the summer months:

Hastings Yacht Club - Sailability

Mornington Yacht Club - Sailability

Blairgowrie Yacht Club - Sailability

Hansa C Crane Accessibility Hoist

Hansa C Crane Accessibility Hoist

The Hastings Boat Ramp now offers the Hansa C Crane hoist on its floating pontoon at Marine Parade, Hastings VIC 3915.
This equipment is specially designed to ensure safe and dignified transfers for sailors with disabilities, supporting an inclusive and welcoming boating environment for all.

This accessible hoist enables easy boarding and disembarking, allowing everyone to enjoy Western Port’s boating facilities. For up-to-date information, including a live view of the ramp and current weather conditions, please check the available live feed and weather resources.
Western Port - Hastings Ramp, Western Port| Maritime Safety Boating Victoria

Community members can arrange free hire of the Hansa C Crane by contacting the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council via email at access@mornpen.vic.gov.au or by calling 03 5950 1900. The hoist is available at no charge, providing safe and independent access for sailors with disabilities at this popular boating site.

Below is the demonstration video:

 

Hastings Floating Pontoon Features

The state-of-the-art floating pontoon at Hastings Boat Ramp has been upgraded to maximize access, safety, and usability for all visitors.

  • The pontoon features a wide, durable non-slip decking surface and an extended gangway, ensuring safer and smoother transitions from land to water—even during changing tides.

  • All-abilities access is supported by the installation of the accessible hoist, making boarding and disembarking easier for people with mobility needs.

  • A gradient indicator helps users understand tidal conditions and enhances safe pontoon access.

  • The increased size provides ample space for tying up vessels and significantly reduces congestion at peak times.

  • A new connecting walkway streamlines movement between ramp lanes and the pontoon for added convenience.

  • Ongoing refurbishment of the northern pontoon will deliver further safety and convenience improvements for all users.

  • Accessible parking is available close by for additional community support.

These upgraded features make Hastings Boat Ramp a premier choice for launching into Western Port, offering modernized infrastructure in a truly inclusive and user-friendly setting for the entire community.

Fenced Sport Reserves and Playgrounds

Sport Reserves

All Mornington Peninsula Shire AFL sport reserves—except for Portsea—are fully fenced for safety and accessibility. Entrance and pedestrian gates always remain unlocked, enabling inclusive public usage and ease of entry. Please note, some fencing may have narrow gaps, especially near coaches' boxes; typically, children may pass through these gaps but adults cannot.

For a complete list and map of sport reserve locations, visit Sports Reserves Mornington Peninsula Shire

Supervision by an adult, guardian, or therapist is required at all times, and suitability should be assessed based on the child's needs.

Playgrounds

Some playgrounds across the Shire feature perimeter fencing, but the style and effectiveness of fencing vary—from pool-style fencing to farm-style post-and-wire options—and may or may not include lockable gates. These fences are designed to help slow or retain children who may attempt to abscond but are not intended to be secure containment environments.

Supervising adults must assess each playground and its fencing to ensure suitability for each child. The Shire does not take responsibility for incidents resulting from children exiting playground areas.

Playgrounds with perimeter fencing include:

  • Rye Foreshore Reserve, Point Nepean Road RYE, 3941
  • Hillview Community Reserve, 191 Boundary Road DROMANA, 3936
  • Civic Reserve Playground, Frankston-Flinders Road BALNARRING, 3926
  • Roger Penman Reserve, Wilson Road BLAIRGOWRIE, 3942
  • St Andrews Recreation Reserve, Bass Meadows Boulevard ST ANDREWS BEACH, 3941
  • Goolgowi Bushland Reserve, Yambil Avenue ROSEBUD, 3939
  • Lawson Park, Leon Avenue ROSEBUD, 3939
  • Harrap Road Reserve, Harrap Road MORNINGTON, 3931
  • Villawood Drive Reserve, Villawood Drive HASTINGS, 3915

Important Safety Reminder

Supervision remains the responsibility of parents, guardians, or supervising therapists at all times. Always assess the suitability of play spaces and fencing based on the individual child's needs and the capacity of supervising adults.

Related Information

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