Wednesday 11 December 2013

'Reef Magic Cruises' in Cairns

We recently went to Cairns where I wanted to do a Reef Cruise.  I though it would be easy to organize, however our Travel Agent could only find one in Port Douglas.  This sounded great, except the free bus service was not available to us as they were not wheelchair accessible.  The only other option was a taxi which was priced at $100 each way.  I put the kibosh on that and my Travel Agent (Di from Flightcentre Booval) kept searching.  Eventually she found 'Reef Magic' which left from the harbour in Cairns.  Sully needed assistance on the steep ramp and also assistance onto the seat which was attached to the stairs to take us to the lower floor of the boat.  We needed to be there as the accessible toilet was on that floor.  However nothing was too hard for the staff and we set off out to the Reef.  Once we got there, my husband was helped onto the Ramp to watch all the activities of the day.  I wanted him to go snorkelling (and was told that staff would assist him with that), however I am sure he still has nightmares about the time I got him into the Thermal Pools in Iceland where he nearly drowned.....so he declined the offer.

Overall it was a fabulous day...the sun was shining, the food was great, the ship was accessible and the staff was fantastic.  Thanks for a great day and I would not hesitate in recommending it.

Saturday 9 November 2013

Kuranda Skyrail and the wheelchair




So after our journey up the mountain on the Train, we elected to take the Skyrail back down.  The carriages can fit 6 people in them.  However the wheelchair is placed in between the two rows of seats and you could probably only fit a couple of people in from there.  The staff were great and very attentive and as you can see by the photos, managed to get the wheelchair (and Sully) in and out without too much trouble.  We were collected by a taxi at the bottom and returned to our Motel (again in the price of the ticket).  Again it was well worth the effort.

Kuranda Scenic Railway and wheelchair accessibility.







On a recent trip to Cairns, we caught the train to Kuranda.  Although there is a bus that collects travellers from various motels, this was not wheelchair accessible.  However, Kuranda Rail ordered a wheelchair accessible taxi (included in our train ticket) and it arrived on time and drove us to Freshwater Station.  We boarded the train there and found that there is a carriage reserved for customers that need assistance. As you can see in the picture, a platform is winched from the station to the carriage.  There are seats available in this carriage, and Sully transferred to one and the wheelchair was strapped down by a staff member.  In the carriage, there was a wheelchair accessible toilet, which was well appointed and easy to access.  The train ride was terrific and certainly worth the effort.  At the Rail Station, there is lift access to the road going up to Kuranda.  The road was quite steep, but Sully managed it.  We had lunch at a lovely restaurant (really we were spoiled for choice) and most of the shops were accessible.  However the steepness may stop some people, but if you could just make the train journey, there was a lovely cafĂ© at the station, and this would be a lovely place to have a break before the journey back.  There was also well appointed accessible toilets at the station. www.ksr.com.au

Monday 14 October 2013

The Corner Store, Toowong

Recently had breakfast a couple of times at The Corner Store, Toowong.  http://www.cornerstorecafe.com/  The first time we went there, we managed to book even though we only had four and the minimum for a booking is five.  My niece said that we had a wheelchair and they let us book, as some of there areas are not accessible.  However we got there, and someone else in a wheelchair had been given our spot (guess all people in wheelchairs are treated equally).  Anyway they managed to fit us in. 
Then we went there again recently with a group of six, so booking was not a problem.  There is no wheelchair parking but we have parked both times in Quinn Street, which is fairly quite and my husband has managed to get out of the car without too many problems.  There menu is great and the coffee is fantastic.  All in all, well worth the visit.

Friday 21 June 2013

Ahmets Restaurant at South Bank

We went to this restaurant prior to going to a show at QPAC.  We sat outside, but after I went for a bit of a looksee, it would have been easy to also access the inside of the restaurant.  There are also toilets beside the restaurant, and they have a disabled loo.  The food was great, a much better price than our last outing at Southbank - 4 scallops for $24.....

Thursday 20 June 2013

Ahmet's Turkish Restaurant on Urbanspoon

Have Wheelchair Can Travel: Ahmet's Restaurant at South Bank: We needed a meal at Southbank prior to a show at QPAC and, after the fiasco of the last one, we wanted a decent amount of food on our plates...

Sunday 9 June 2013

Suncorp Stadium and the wheelchair

Just finished another season going to Reds games at Suncorp.  The stadium has wheelchair access down to a fine art.  You need to ring the Stadium and advise when you will be there. As we were there with Season passes, we only had to ring once and they noted us down for all the games.  They take your name, registration number and disabled sticker number.  Turn down the street beside the stadium and you drive to the first checkpoint.  They then direct you to the next checkpoint, where you are allotted a parking space.  These spaces are close to the lifts and access to the stadium.  Wheelchair seating is well set up, we sat behind the goal posts at the Milton Road end.  Disabled toilets are just behind this so they are easy to access.  All in all, a great experience. 

Grill'd at Rosalie

Went to Grill'd at Rosalie for Tait's birthday.  Made a booking, checked for Wheelchair Access and headed there for 5pm on Saturday.  The wheelchair parking is at the bottom of the ramp.  The restaurant was very accessible, and there is a disabled toilet that is fairly easy to access.  The burger I had (Moroccan Lamb) with chips was tasty and well priced ($14.95).  A great night out...

Wednesday 3 April 2013

Dugandan Pub at Boonah

We decided to go to the Dugandan Pub www.dugandanhotel.com.au at Boonah on Easter Monday.  There had been a supplement in the QT and this place was advertised as having wheelchair access.  I booked for 6 (although 2 of our friends could not make it), but after asking about wheelchair toilets, found that they didn't have them.  My husband has found a website that is all about public toilets, Australia wide, and found some at the Information Centre at Boonah.  So we drove down there, and used those loos on the way to the Pub (they were clean and workable).  The Pub is a lovely old Pub, although they clearly did not expect the amount of custom that they got that day.  The meals were slow (and 2 of our meals were taken by someone else - so Judy and I had to wait for a looooooong time for their replacements - while the thief quite happily enjoyed our reef and beef, which were they last available for the day).  Apart from that problem (not a problem of pub staff), it was a lovely day for a drive in the country and a pleasant meal at a Pub with a lot of history.  We accessed the Public loos on the way home and, although it can be a pain to stop more than once, sometimes you just have to do what you have to do!!

The Playhouse Theatre at QPAC

We purchased tickets to see 'Over the Rainbow' at the Playhouse Theatre.  There are two lifts that go from the footpath to all floors of the Theatre, and although on lift was not working, we were able to access the other one.  We got terrific seats on the top floor and were well looked after.  One thing they do well is help people with disabilities.  They actually great you by name, and stop by a couple of times to see if you need help.  We rarely need help, but it would be comforting for people who do need some assistance.  All in all, a pleasant outing - although we have come to expect this.

Wednesday 20 March 2013

An update on Holland America

Holland America came back with a discount ($600)  on our next cruise.  But they still say they cannot guarantee joint discussion on any further problems.  I find that they deal with problems by ignoring them, which I have heard other people also mention.  We have booked another cruise, this one has no tender ports.....so hopefully it will all go smoothly.

An update on Champs at Southbank

After such a pleasant experience eating breakfast at this establishment, we decided to have tea there prior to a show at QPAC.  Ordered something quick, as time was limited.  We didn't have to worry about wasting time eating anything they served.......scallops consisted of 4 scallops on a large plate and the crab sandwich was two fingers of bread, which if put together, would not make a whole sandwich.  Sounds OK you say.....well the scallops were $24 and the sandwiches were $20.  Add a glass of wine ($10) and a beer ($10) and a plate of potatoes ($12) and it was an expensive and unfufilling meal........still recommend them for breakfast, but like something with a bit more substance for tea.

Brother's Leagues Club Ipswich

Went to Brother's Leagues Club, Ipswich, for St Paddies Day Celebrations.  Although there are several wheelchair parks, they are hard to get....guess there are lots of oldies visiting on most days.  However there are plenty of parks in the bottom carpark which can be used by wheelchair users, it is just a bit of a ways from the front door.  However the club is fully accessible.  The even have a lift to the top floor.  Anyway we had an enjoyable afternoon, listening to 'The Life of Reilly' singing Irish ditties and enjoying a drink or two with some of my friends from Rosewood Craft Group.  Would recommend the club for an outing....easy access and lovely ambience.

Wednesday 16 January 2013

Champ Kitchen and Bar, Southbank

After a night at Southbank Rydges and a trip to see 'The Mousetrap', we decided to go to Champs for breakfast.  We had walked past this place a few times and kept meaning to try it, when Sully suggested we try it for breakfast.  It is located at the bottom of the new ABC building and the decor is what only can be described as rustic.  The waitress later informed us that the walls were made from wood taken from a house at West End that had suffered flood damage, and the lamp shades were made from barbed wire.  But don't let my description put you off, it has a very pleasant view to the hibuscus covered arbour, and even though it was very hot that morning, the air conditioning was walking nicely. 

This place is wheelchair accessible, and the waitress did not flinch when asked where we could sit.  A plant was moved and we were given a table at the front of the restaurant.  There was an extensive menu with very reasonable prices.  Sully had thrice fried beans with eggs and turkish bread and I had eggs and bacon with hollandaise sauce on turkish bread.  We both had coffee and I also had a fruit shake, which was made on ice, and was very much appreciated.  The meal cost $43.00 which was more than value for money.champkitchenandbar.com.au

In fact, when we went back to pay our hotel account, they tried to charge us $55 each for a buffet breakfast - making our little walk even more pleasant.

Southbank Rydges has three wheelchair accessible rooms that are very well set up.  Even the verandah has a built up floor so that it was easily accessible.  The only flaw was that the bed was very high and someone with issues when transferring, would of had a problem.http://www.rydges.com/southbank