If you’re seeking venues in Sydney to take an elderly relative for an outing or day-trip, perhaps you might like to consider the five places featured below.

Each venue is wheelchair or pram accessible, features disabled toilets where available, is almost free to enter and is situated less than an hour’s drive from Sydney’s CBD.

• North Head Lookout

At North Head Lookout, you can enjoy the magnificent views across Sydney Harbour and back towards Manly Cove and south, towards South Head. North Head is situated at North Head Scenic Drive, Manly.

There is a one-kilometre gently sloping paved pathway that leads from the car park to the main viewing areas, with information about the local plants and animals along the way.

Artillery batteries were established at North Head to protect Sydney Harbour during the first and second world wars.

The parking area has two dedicated wheelchair accessible parking spaces and parking is ticketed.

• Elizabeth Bay House

Elizabeth Bay House was once “the finest house in the colony, set within a garden of the most remarkable extravagance and fancy.”

Experience how wealthy families lived in the 1830’s, see the servants’ quarters and go down to the cellars under the house.

Elizabeth House is situated at 7 Onslow Avenue in Elizabeth Bay, about 4.5kms east of the Sydney CBD.

There is one designated accessible parking space outside the southeast corner of the property. For people in wheelchairs or with limited mobility, the back gate can be opened, which has level access into the house from the road. Please call prior to arrange on tel: + 612 9356 3022.

The nearest reliable parking is the Kings Cross car park, approximately 500 metres from the house. Concession entry is $8 and adult entry is $12.

You can explore the house on your own or ask the friendly staff for a guided tour, but please call before to make sure a guided tour is available at the time you plan to arrive. Tours take around 45 minutes.

• Chowder Bay

Chowder Bay is located on the southern side of Middle Head peninsula and is nestled between the harbour and a steep backdrop of natural bushland. You can enjoy an afternoon on the beach, explore the historic buildings or dine at the lovely waterside cafes and restaurants.

In the early 1890’s, this complex of buildings was built for the Submarine Miners’ Corps, who were responsible for laying and maintaining the mines that spanned Sydney Habour. The mines were to be detonated if an enemy ship entered the harbour. The Gunners Barracks was the last military building in Sydney to be constructed entirely of stone.

Chowder Bay is situated on Chowder Bay Road in Mosman. Admission is free and is open daily. The Headland Park is always accessible, but the walking tracks are only open from sunrise to sunset.

Headland Park in Mosman straddles the ridgeline along Middle Head Peninsula. The park stretches from Balmoral Beach to Chowder Bay.  The park has been opened to the public following the restoration of buildings and rehabilitation of the landscape.

• Cumberland State Forest

Cumberland State Forest is Australia’s only state forest. It’s hidden off Castle Hill Road in the Hills District and is a picturesque environment. It contains 40 hectares of native forest and was dedicated as a State Forest in 1939. One third of the land was planted as an arboretum while the remainder was allowed to regenerate naturally.

You can enjoy a picnic or barbecue and discover the surprising diversity of wildlife in the forest on a sensory walk. A sensory wheelchair accessible walking trail is nearby, looping 350 metres on easy grade track, featuring information signs every 20 metres.

Nearby to the picnic areas are accessible parking and toilets. A cafe within the Forest Visitor Centre is perfect if you don’t bring your lunch, or you are just after a tea or coffee. Entry is free.

• Auburn Botanic Gardens

The Auburn Botanic Gardens feature a stunning range of horticultural and fauna attractions and substantial picnic grounds, situated in Western Sydney, located 20kms west of Sydney’s CBD.

In August each year, the gardens are home to Cumberland Council’s Cherry Blossom Festival.

Key features of the gardens include:

• Japanese Garden with playground
• Fauna Reserve and Aviary – which has elevated boardwalks, making it easier to see the animals below. Native animals such as the Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Red-Necked Wallabies, Emus and Wombats can be seen.
• Native Rainforest Garden
• Scented Garden – the gardens stimulate the senses with colours, the smell of flowers and even the different textures of the plants within the gardens.
• Sunken Rose Garden
• Amphitheatre

A community picnic area features communal BBQs, that are free for everyone to use. There is a lake with ducks, geese and koi fish within the Japanese Garden.

The Auburn Botanic Gardens are located on the corner of Chisholm and Chiswick Roads in Auburn. You can drive into the gardens and use the free accessible parking spaces.

Entry is free during on weekdays and $4 for adults (local residents are free) during weekends. Entry for children is free. Opening hours: 9am until 5pm every day and until 6pm on the weekend during daylight savings.

Outside the gardens precinct, there is an Aviary and Arts Centre that displays works of local artists.

Spring and autumn are the best best seasons to attend the gardens as the temperatures are mild and the gardens are exploding with colour.

Thanks to Linda for these other great venues to visit in Sydney:

• “The walk from South Curl Curl (in Sydney’s Northern Beaches) around the coastline towards Freshwater is great for elderly relatives.  It features a flat boardwalk, accessible from the car-park on the headland. Seats are available en-route to sit and admire the view.  There’s a café in the South Curl Curl Surf Club, which is a short walk downhill from the boardwalk, and toilets are situated in the amenities block nearby,” said Linda.
• “A trip up the Parramatta River on the River Ferry is also an excellent outing.  The River Ferry departs Circular Quay, but you can get on at various wharves up and down the Parramatta River.  You can get off at the last stop at Parramatta and have a meal at the restaurant on the wharf,” concluded Linda.

Do you know of any other great places to visit in Sydney with elderly relatives? Please let us know and we’ll add them to our list.

About Oxley Home Care

Oxley Home Care has been providing community aged care services throughout Sydney since 2006.

We provide an extensive range of support from low level to high level and complex personal care. Our services can be funded privately or can be provided through government subsidised funding, including Home Care Packages.

We are passionate about helping you to live independently in your own home and remain active in your community.

For more information, please feel free to call us on 1300 993 591.