There are more opportunities than ever for people of all abilities to experience and enjoy Victoria's spectacular parks and connect with nature.

Parks Victoria's Healthy Parks Healthy People philosophy recognises the importance of accessibility and Parks Victoria is committed to making parks more inclusive to ensure people of all abilities can get out into parks and enjoy the benefits of being close to nature.

Many of Victoria's most popular parks now have all terrain wheelchairs that are suited to sandy surfaces and more rugged walking trails not previously accessible. People with limited mobility can visit the beach at Wilsons Promontory National Park and experience the spectacular views in the Grampians National Park, sections of the Great Ocean Walk, and more. Children with limited mobility can also experience the magic of the Fairy Cave in Buchan Caves Reserve for the first time thanks to a motorised stair climber.

For the more adventurous there are twelve all-terrain TrailRider wheelchairs in various locations to take visitors along tracks and to places they could never have previously visited. There are also eight beach wheelchairs available in five coastal parks allowing children and adults to share the fun of getting onto the beach.

Volunteer sherpas are available to help TrailRider users navigate tracks in the Grampians National Park.

Park access facilities have continued to expand in recent years. Examples are the Children's Playscape at Brimbank Park, an accessible canoe launcher at Kings Billabong Reserve, near Mildura, and new visitor facilities at Toorourrong Reservoir Park.

At Buchan Caves Reserve, a Stairclimber is taking children and light adults with disabilities into the Fairy Cave, and there are now escorted walking programs in a number of parks providing the feels, smells and sounds of nature to the vision impaired.

The design of the new Arthurs Seat Eagle Skylift makes it accessible to visitors of all abilities as is the new Changing Places facility for visitors with severe physical disabilities, also located at Arthurs Seat State Park.

For those who fancy spending a few days at Tidal River or at Cape Conran, additional accommodation equipment is available in all-abilities cabins, including hoists, electric high-low beds and shower commode chairs.

For those visiting parks with children on the autism spectrum and other disabilities, special online resources have been developed for families planning a visit to Brimbank Park and Serendip Sanctuary.

Imagine dipping your toes in the ocean, seeing breathtaking views across mountain ranges or experiencing the magic of spectacular underground caves with stalagmites and stalactites for the very first time. Parks Victoria's award-winning innovative programs to make parks more accessible to people of all abilities is creating these opportunities and changing people's lives for the better.

Key initiatives of the accessibility program include:

• Twelve TrailRider all terrain wheelchairs available for people to explore Victoria's park trails.
• The world's first motorised TrailRider all terrain wheelchairs are now available at the Grampians, Wilsons Promontory, Yarra Ranges and Mount Dandenong national parks and at the Buchan Caves Reserve.
• Trained volunteers from the Sherpa Volunteer program are available in the Grampians National Park to assist visitors with disabilities to explore the many spectacular park trails using the TrailRider chairs.
• Seven child and adult beach wheelchairs available to explore Victoria's coastal parks.
• The new Arthurs Seat Eagle Skylift features award winning toilet block facilities including a changing places facility that allows people with severe disabilities and their carers to go out for a full day with the confidence that their needs will be met.
• Accessible park accommodation at Wilsons Promontory National Park and Cape Conran Coastal Park has electric high low beds, personal hoists and other accommodation equipment available to make visitors stay more comfortable.
• There is a beach access ramp at the Sailors Grave Day Visitor Area at Cape Conran Coastal Park.
• Thirty-eight of Victoria's most visited parks now have more comprehensive online park access information provided to help visitors plan their park visit and park activities.
• Brimbank Park Playscape in Keilor has been especially designed to create play areas for children of all abilities, including those in wheelchairs, and their families to connect with nature and to play, explore and socialise in the outdoors.
• A brand new self-contained one-bedroom accessibility cabin has been designed and constructed according to current DDA standards for accessibility at Tidal River in Wilsons Promontory National Park. The cabin offers easy access from the carpark, an accessible kitchen, bathroom and much more.
• Special online resources have been developed for families with children on the autism spectrum and for children with communication difficulties who visit Brimbank park and Serendip Sanctuary. These resources help prepare the child for their park visit by showing them what they will see and experience during their park visit.

For more information about accessibility in Victoria's spectacular parks and waterways visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/visit/improving-park-access-for-all