City of Busselton – Dunsborough Beach Wheelchair
City of Busselton – Dunsborough Beach Wheelchair
Monday to Sunday (7 days): 9am - 5pm
Chair located at the Quindalup Boat Ramp, Dunsborough but hire pack must be booked/picked up prior at the Busselton Visitor Centre, 17 Foreshore Pde, Busselton
Speak to a local expert
A day at the beach is a quintessential part of Australian culture.
The City of Busselton provide free hire of specialty off-road wheelchairs in both Dunsborough and Busselton, designed to travel over sand and in to the water, to ensure access and inclusion for all beachgoers.
The ‘Sandcruiser ®’ has been designed to be used on dry sand and wet sand at the water’s edge. The Dunsborough Beach Wheelchair is located conveniently at the Quindalup Boat Ramp and Volunteer Marine Rescue. This location provides ACROD parking bay, easy access to the shoreline and wheelchair accessible toilets.
Complimentary hire must be pre-organised via the Busselton Visitor Centre. Bookings are highly recommended to avoid disappointment.
The beach wheelchair is stable in water levels up to the centre of the tyres, in still water conditions. Beyond this point two (2) carers are required, as per the Disabled Surfers Association of Australia recommendations.
The ‘chair’ has balloon tyres which do tend to float, depending on weight being carried & will become unstable once the chair and its passenger becomes buoyant. In particularly dry soft sand it is often easier to pull the chair backwards rather than push it forwards – if there are 2 carers, in that case, take hold of either end of the horizontal braking bar. Always use the safety belt when using the chair on dry land. When in shallow water, the use of the safety belt is optional, depending on the passenger’s known predisposition for having seizures – in which case, leave the belt on. Ensure the parking brake is securely locked down when the Sandcruiser ® is parked, and park on as level a surface as you can find. The maximum weight of the intended user is 120kg
Who can use the beach wheelchair?
The ‘chair’ has balloon tyres which do tend to float, depending on weight being carried & will become unstable once the chair and its passenger becomes buoyant. In particularly dry soft sand it is often easier to pull the chair backwards rather than push it forwards – if there are 2 carers, in that case, take hold of either end of the horizontal braking bar. Always use the safety belt when using the chair on dry land. When in shallow water, the use of the safety belt is optional, depending on the passenger’s known predisposition for having seizures – in which case, leave the belt on. Ensure the parking brake is securely locked down when the Sandcruiser ® is parked, and park on as level a surface as you can find. The maximum weight of the intended user is 120kg
Consultation with a health professional should occur prior to use of the beach wheelchair if a person
has balance or sitting difficulties or is prone to pressure sores or pain conditions. Persons or carers
must take into consideration any specific issues relating to the persons disability, which may affect
the use of the beach wheelchair.
Conditions of Hire
Person hiring the beach wheelchair must provide photo identification (which is retained with
booking details).
Length of Hire
Bookings are for half-day use only (am or pm).
Note: a person may book for pm on one day and am on the next day.
Transportation
The beach wheelchair can be transported for use within the City of Busselton local government area only.
Booking Procedure
1. Bookings are to be made through the Busselton Visitor Centre
2. Please provide driver’s license or other photo identification card when making the booking
(the card will be returned when the beach wheelchair is returned).
3. Read and complete the Hire Agreement form.
4. Receive and read a copy of Guideline for Use.
5. You will then be provided with a map of the chair's storage location with access key.
6. Check that the beach wheelchair is in good working order prior to use.
