View the Accessible Beaches Central Coast brochure online or pick up a printed copy from Council's customer service centres at Gosford or Wyong, or one of our libraries.

With an abundance of beautiful waterways on the Central Coast, heading to the beach is a way of life for many locals and a major drawcard for tourists.  

Our community told us during the development of our Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) that they want accessibility information on natural open space destinations, so that outings can be planned ahead.  

We  developed our Accessible Beach guide so that people living with a disability and access challenges, can easily plan and enjoy a trip to one of our Central Coast beaches.

The guide profiles 10 Central Coast beaches and includes information on accessibility features, such as beach matting, free beach wheelchair hire, continuous pathways, nearby public transport points and accessible toilets, in an accessible format with images, icons and pin point map.

Beaches featured:
•    Patonga Beach
•    Pearl Beach
•    Umina Beach
•    Ocean Beach
•    Terrigal Beach
•    Avoca Beach
•    The Entrance Ocean Baths
•    Toowoon Bay
•    Canton Beach.

The accessible beaches brochure is a delivered action from the DIAP, and was designed in consultation with the Access and Inclusion Reference Group. 

To book a beach wheelchair and for more information on Central Coast accessible destinations, go to our Accessibility and Inclusion page. 

FAQs:

How were the beaches selected for inclusion in the Accessible Beaches guide? 

The beaches included in the Accessible Beaches guide have several accessible features that our community said were important to enable people with disabilities to access beaches and waterways.

Important features for beach accessibility:
•    Relatively flat sand (which is also a consideration for beach matting suitability)
•    Allows for a beach wheelchair or other mobility equipment to be pushed across the sand, to reach the shoreline and return 
•    Erosion level is low to moderate
•    A reasonable level of connectivity to enable travel down to the shoreline 
•    Accessible toilets and parking nearby

This brochure was designed in consultation with the Access and Inclusion Reference Group and with relevant Council departments that manage beach safety and maintenance of beach infrastructure.

How does Council select which beaches have beach matting installed?

The use of beach matting is subject to public safety considerations and the beach slope (gradient). These can be affected by changing weather conditions and tidal activity. Prior to each beach season, Council conducts site visits to assess and prioritise which beaches are safe and suitable for installation of beach matting.

Beach matting for the 2024-2025 beach patrol season is installed at Ocean Beach, Umina Beach, Terrigal Beach and Toowoon Bay.

These beaches have primarily been chosen because erosion is low to moderate and they are relatively flat.

Why are there beach wheelchairs available at more beaches than there is matting?

Beach matting is not suitable for all beaches as each beach has different suitability considerations. Beach wheelchairs allow greater flexibility for people to access the beach and shoreline with the assistance of a support person.  Council may restrict access or use of beach wheelchairs at times, due to the constant changing coastal environment or for  general public safety.  

How do I hire a beach wheelchair?
Council has three (3) models of beach wheelchairs available for free hire for residents and visitors  To read more and book ahead, go to our accessibility and inclusion web page. 

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