A guide for the disabled to the facilities around Nelson Bay, Port Stephens, Australia.

FREE MAP, to download go to the bottom of the page. Otherwise read the text version which follows.

Mobility restriction?
This guide will help you find appropriate accommodation, shopping and medical facilities as well as suggestions for short easy walks, fishing, swimming, sight-seeing, lookouts and adventures.

Information for people who use a wheelchair for mobility

Accessible Public Toilets.
MLAK: Master Locksmiths Association Key is available from any MLA locksmith for approximately $10 providing a doctor's certificate is provided re the disability.
Nelson Bay CBD
The parking station in Donald Street near Yaccaba corner, wheelchair access toilet. Key: MLAK
Nelson Bay Cinema (entry via Stockton St. or from the ramp at the rear of the theatre parking lot) Key: No key required
Nelson Towers complex. Entry from Magnus St or from the ramps in Victoria Pde. Key available from shops.
d'Albora Marinas, near the car park in Teramby Rd. Key available from shops, ground floor only access.

Accessible toilets for customers only:
Hunter Imaging Group X-ray centre in Stockton St.
Centrelink in Yaccaba St. Ask at the counter. The standard toilets are in the public area but the wheelchair toilet is behind the counter.
The Ngioka Horticulture and Therapy Centre, Little Beach.

Public MLAK Accessible toilets:
Nelson Bay Beach near the booking centre (to be completed 2000)
Little Beach, Dixon St.
Corlette - on the beach near corner of Foreshore Drive and Sandy Point Rd.
Anna Bay Shops.
Fingal Bay Rugby Club.
Bagnalls Beach.

Pubs, clubs, restaurants, other places with accessible toilets.
Fingal Bay Bowls, Sports and Recreation Club, Nelson Bay RSL, Nelson Bay Bowling Club, Shoal Bay Country Club, Soldiers Point Bowling Club, Inner Light House cafe Little Beach, CC's Cafe Little Beach, Salamander Bay Shopping Centre, Public Library at Salamander Centre Salamander, Neighbourhood Centre, McDonalds Restaurant Salamander Centre.
Medical and Health Centres
Nelson Bay Polyclinic, Trevally St. Nelson Bay
Nelson Bay Community Health Centre (and Public Dental Clinic), Kerrigan St, Nelson Bay.
Salamander Medical Centre, Salamander Centre.
Port Stephens Medical Centre, Keel St., Salamander.
Shoal Bay Medical Centre, Government Rd., Shoal Bay.

Accommodation for people with a disability.
The Anchorage Resort, Corlette Pt Rd, Corlette, 4984 2555
Salamander Shores, 147 Soldiers Pt Rd, Soldiers Pt. 4982 7210.
Workers Club Holiday Resort 48 Marine Dr, Fingal Bay, 811533
Aloha Villa Motel, Shoal Bay Road Nelson Bay, 4981 2523
Leilani Court Motel, Gowrie Avenue Nelson Bay, 4981 3304
Marina Resort, 33 Magnus Street Nelson Bay, 4981 4400
Nelson Lodge Motel, 1 Government Rd Nelson Bay, 4981 1075.
Shoal Bay Motel 59-61 Shoal Bay Rd.4981 1744.
Lemon Tree Passage Motel 47 Meredith Av LTP 4982 3300.
Nelson Towers Motel, 71A Victoria Pde Nelson Bay, 4984 1000.
Bardots Nude Village Resort 288 Gan Gan Rd Anna Bay 4982 2000.
Halifax Caravan Park, Dixon Street Nelson Bay (has modified toilet/bathroom block but no special accommodation), 4981 1522.
Fingal Bay Holiday Park, Marine Dr, Fingal Bay (has modified toilet/bathroom block but no special accommodation) 4981 1473.
Shoal Bay Holiday Park fully accessible cabin, modified toilet/bathroom block, ramp access to 2 cabins 4981 1427.
One Mile Beach Holiday Park has one accessible cabin 4982 1112.
Croft Haven B&B 202 Salamander Way Nelson Bay 4984 1799.
Bays Holiday Park 23 Port Stephens Dr. Anna Bay, accessible cabin and park facilities 4982 1438.
Kookaburra Cottage Farm Stay 71 Nelson Bay Rd. Bobs Farm 4982 6379.
O'Carrolyn's 36 Eucalyptus Dr. One Mile Beach fully accessible cabins in a bushland setting 4982 2801.
Eating Places:
Any of the above which include a bistro or restaurant may be considered accessible. Motels may have meals for guests only.
Within the Nelson Bay CBD there are a few cafes and restaurants on ground level, including sidewalk cafes.
The Inner Light at Little Beach has a wheelchair ramp and toilet, but a step into the cafe.

General Information:
Borrowing a wheelchair:
Salamander Shopping Centre has a wheelchair which can be borrowed for shopping. Available from the Centre Office,
4982 0066.
The Nelson Bay Community Health Centre has wheelchairs and other equipment available for loan to holiday makers.
Doctor, Dentist, Optometrist, Chemist: Accessible services are available at the Salamander Shopping Centre.
All of the Medical Centres are wheelchair accessible.

Taxi:
A special purpose taxi is available daily Monday to Friday, and Friday and Saturday evenings. Advance bookings are recommended, phone 49811 210

Things to see, do or visit:
Bowling: The Soldiers Point Bowling Club is wheelchair accessible.
Soldiers Point Boat Ramp, views of Middle Island, One Tree Island, sailboats, moored boats, pelicans and dolphins. Large level area. Bitumen, concrete surface.
Cruise Boats: A wheelchair may be wheeled onto the Tamboi Queen if prior notice is given. Phone 4981 1959.
Scuba diving from Pro Dive Nelson Bay, 4981 4331.
Nelson Bay Twin Cinema is wheelchair accessible. Cinema Mall Stockton St. phone 4981 2320.

Fishing
One of the best places to fish in Port Stephens is from the Trawler Jetty in Nelson Bay Harbour. It is possible, though not easy, to get a wheelchair on to the floating berths, (easiest at high tide). No matter how strong the wind blows this jetty is calm and safe and actually produces good fish. Large Flathead lie under the trawlers. They are overfed and lazy, lying on the bottom with their mouths open for the constant stream of food that falls from the trawlers. Arrive with a landing net and a couple of handlines. A rod is optional as there is no safe way of leaving it unattended. Be prepared to move away if a boat needs to tie up. First catch a live Yellowtail by baiting an unweighted No 10 hook or using a commercially made bait jig. The live Yellowtail should then be hooked behind the head, above the backbone and returned to the water, using a 7/0 hook on at least a 15kg nylon trace and a 7kg line. The Yellowtail does the work and while waiting you can amuse yourself by catching Bream and all the other species that live about the jetty. Ultimately a 4kg Flathead will take the bait and try to free itself on the trawler trash and shopping trolleys on the bottom. Once on the surface a strong landing net is essential. There are no safety fences or handrails so it would be easy to fall in.
The heavy duty wharf next to the Fisherman's Co-Op is a good place to fish for Bream, Flathead and Blackfish.
There is wheelchair access to the eastern breakwater at The Anchorage, Corlette. The rockwall is topped by a narrow gravel path from which you can fish. A fishing rod of at least 2 metres is necessary to clear the rocks, the whole process being much easier when the wind is blowing from the south or the west. Bream and Flathead can be caught. Local fishing restrictions apply so check the signs.
Cromarty Jetty off Pearson Park, Soldiers Point is a great possibility. Pearson Park adjoins Cromarty Road, and 50 metres of firm grassy surface will have to be crossed to reach the jetty. The last few metres are over soft sand. The jetty itself is of timber construction and will take you 100 metres into Cromarty Bay. You can fish from a number of spots for Bream, Whiting, Flathead and Squid.
Salamander Jetty off Seaview Cr. has good access. Garfish and Squid may be caught in calm weather. There is a chance of catching Flathead, Tailor, Bream and Whiting. Can be fished day or night.
Stockton Beach is 32km of sandy wilderness, perfect for four-wheel driving, fishing, sight seeing and kite flying. A four-wheel drive vehicle is necessary as is a "Beach Vehicle Permit" (available at many outlets locally). Some features are the aboriginal shell middens (every few hundred metres), the amazing abundance of pippis (under the sand at low tide), the "Tin City" (about 12km down from Birubi Point), the wreck of the Sygna (about 23km down), and the ravens, gulls, terns, oystercatchers and sandpipers.
Beach and sand dune driving require some specialised skill and knowledge. Your vehicle's equipment ought to include a snatch-em strap, a long-handled spade, a tyre pressure gauge and an air pump to re-inflate tyres. People with a disability are advised to travel in convoy with others who are prepared to assist them out of a bog, or travel as a passenger.
Graham Sansom of "Horizon Safaris" will take you down the beach in his specially adapted vehicle. This vehicle has no special facilities for people with a disability and is about as easy to get in and out of as the average four-wheel drive vehicle, phone 018 681600. A number of other companies offer trips down the beach, check at the Visitors' Centre

BEACH ACCESS
The Following beaches are for "disabled permit" use. Bagnalls, Shelley, Fingal, One Mile and Stockton beaches. If you have a registered four wheel drive vehicle or any other motorised appliance that may allow you access along the above sandy beaches you can check with Port Stephens Council on 4980 0255 for the local regulations.

Useful Contacts.
Para Quad Association, Newcastle, 4969 6388. Practical advice and help for persons who use a wheelchair for mobility.
Tomaree Neighbourhood Centre, 49846220, contacts.
Tomaree Carers Group, 4943 6077.
Home care service Nelson Bay, 4981 4991.
Home and Community Care, 4987 6843. Information on the services available for persons with a disability.
NSW Sports Council for the Disabled, 4929 1605. Enjoyable encounters and sporting activities for persons with a disability.
The Community Transport Group, 4981 2953. Use of a wheelchair-modified mini bus.
Community Health Centre, 4981 2222. Health services, support groups, wheelchair and walking aids hire.
Riding for the Disabled, 4982 1461, 4987 1402.
Nelson Bay Voluntary Carers Group, 4981 3592.
Ngioka Centre 4984 3487. Horticulture Therapy, Sensory Trail and useful contacts.
Port Stephens Respite Care, 4983 1786.
Tomaree Nursing Service, 49814404 Mobile 0439814404 (24hrs a day)

The above text has been extracted from my map "Easy Adventures". The map is two-sided and measures 700 X 500mm. It is in PDF format (Adobe Acrobat). Click here to get one side of the map,360kb. For the other side click here, 852kb. You can do what you like with these files, send them to others, host them on your web site etc.

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