A note on language: At Mable, we use ‘identity-first’ language when referring to autism and autistic people. We’ve made this decision based on feedback from our community. We understand different people have different preferences, and we recognise and respect every individual’s right to choose how their identity is described.
Keen to plan a fun day out with your child? This guide showcases some great inclusive activities around Australia for children of all ages and abilities. You can enjoy them with family and friends, or with an independent support worker on Mable who can provide extra help along the way.
Australia-wide activities
Livvi's Place inclusive playgrounds
Address: Various locations across Australia
Opening hours: Daylight hours
Livvi’s Place is an Australia-wide network of inclusive playgrounds developed by the Touched by Olivia Foundation. The foundation partners with local councils, governments and community organisations to build playgrounds that are 100% accessible.
Each play space is a little bit different to the next, but most have:
- Full fencing
- Rubber softfall, wide pathways and play equipment suitable for wheelchairs and mobility aids
- Sensory and inclusive spaces like sandpits, accessible swings and musical instruments
- Shaded seating, BBQ facilities and toilets.
Activities in New South Wales
Taronga Zoo
Address: Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman NSW 2088
Opening hours: 9.30am-5pm every day
Phone number: 02 9969 2777
Email: tz@zoo.nsw.gov.au
Support on arrival: At the information desk (map 6L)
For a great day out that combines fun, learning and fresh air, Taronga Zoo is a popular choice. It has many accessible features and quieter areas throughout the grounds. This helps make the zoo a more inclusive experience for autistic children and children with different support needs.
Features include:
- Accessible toilets and parking with ramp access
- Free accessible shuttle bus from the Taronga
- Ferry Wharf
- Free entry for Companion Card holders
- Adult change room
- Mobility scooter and wheelchair hire
- Interactive and hands-on activities, especially suited to kids with vision impairment.
For children with accessibility needs:
- The accessibility map and accessibility toolkit can help you plan a smooth day out at the zoo.
- Support animals are welcome but you need to fill out a form at least two days before you visit, and there are some areas of the zoo that you cannot visit (see this map).
For autistic children, the zoo:
- Has created a visual story with Autism Spectrum Australia.
- Encourages children to bring items that help them feel more comfortable in sensory areas and playgrounds, like headphones or sunglasses.
- Suggests purchasing tickets online to avoid waiting in lines.
Rainbow Club Sydney
Address: Various locations across Greater Sydney
Opening hours: Vary by club location
The Rainbow Club is a helpful place to start if your child would benefit from swimming lessons in a smaller supportive environment. With locations across the city and greater NSW, the swimming program focuses on building water confidence and helping children and young adults with disability to feel included and connected.
The Rainbow Club has:
- Two swim programs for those with different support needs – Swim the Rainbow and Rain Moves
- Lessons tailored to each child’s needs
- Specially trained teachers.
Activities in Victoria
Melbourne Museum
Address: 11 Nicholson St, Carlton Vic 3053
Opening hours: Every day from 10 am–5 pm
Phone number: 13 11 02
At Melbourne Museum, a day out can be both exciting and manageable. There is plenty to discover, along with accessible features and quieter areas for autistic children.
The museum offers:
- Accessible toilets, parking, entrance and lifts
- Assistive listening
- Wheelchair and mobility scooter hire
- Interactive and hands-on activities, especially suited to kids with vision impairment
- Free entry for Companion Card holders
- Sensory map (showing you high and low sensory areas to help you plan your visit)
- Low sensory sessions (1st Saturday each month except for school holidays)
- Visual stories.
Myuna Farm
Address: 182 Kidds Road, Doveton VIC 3177
Opening hours: 10 am–4 pm daily
Phone number: 03 9709 9944
Myuna Farm is a lovely option for those who want to enjoy the outdoors with some hands-on activity. Children can meet farm animals, enjoy pony rides and spend time in a setting that many families find calm, open and easy to enjoy at their own pace. Visiting with a support worker can be especially helpful if your child is unsure about meeting the animals or needs extra assistance in moving comfortably around the farm.
The farm has:
- Animal feeding and farm animal encounters
- Pony rides
- Train rides
- A playground
- A café close to the play area
- Wheelchair accessibility.
We Rock the Spectrum
Address: 12 Keira Street, Clyde North VIC 3978
Opening hours: Check their Facebook page for session times
Phone number: 03 7065 6444
Located in the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne, We Rock the Spectrum is a purpose-built gym for children of all abilities. It is especially suited to autistic children and those with other sensory needs. They offer small group sessions, a calming room and equipment designed to support play and sensory exploration.
Note: a parent, guardian, carer or support worker must attend sessions with the child.
The venue offers:
- Small group numbers
- A calming room
- Sensory play
- Suspended swings and other therapy-style equipment
- Arts and crafts
- Social groups.
Activities in Queensland
Play Matters
Playgroup Matters offers families of autistic children and those with disability numerous playgroup options. For example:
- PlayConnect+
These playgroups and music groups are for children aged 0-8 with disabilities, developmental concerns or sensory needs. They offer a safe environment for children to explore and socialise. - MyTime
These are support groups for parents of children with disabilities or high-care needs, offering the chance to connect and share experiences as your children play.
EquusTerra
Address: 40 Medway Street, Rocklea QLD 4106
Opening hours: By appointment
Phone number: 0402 961 428
EquusTerra is an interesting option for children who enjoy animals and movement in a quieter space. The centre specialises in teaching autistic children, those with anxiety and additional support needs to learn to ride a horse. It can be a gentle way to build confidence, connection and comfort in a supportive setting.
The venue offers:
- Horse-based sessions (riding, learning how to groom etc.)
- A smaller, more personalised environment.
South Australia
Event Cinemas Marion
Address: Westfield Marion, 297 Diagonal Road, Oaklands Park SA 5046
Event Cinemas Marion gives families the chance to enjoy a movie on the big screen in a more relaxed setting. They run sensory screenings which are great for autistic people and those with sensory needs. These sessions are usually scheduled as the first session of the day.
The cinema has:
- Dimmed lights
- Lower movie volume
- Space for children to move around or make noise during the session.
Lolly Jar Circus
Address: North Adelaide and Elizabeth East, SA
Opening hours: Weekly classes during school terms; session times vary
Contact: Lolly Jar Circus website
Lolly Jar Circus is believed to be South Australia’s only fully inclusive circus school. It’s for children and young people with disabilities and as children with sensory needs.
The program offers:
- Weekly circus classes during school terms
- Trainers with experience in disability, different learning styles and sensory needs
- A supportive environment
- A break space with noise-reducing headphones and fidget toys.
Western Australia
Little Land Sensory Sessions
Address: 76 Erindale Road, Balcatta WA 6021
Opening hours: See website for sessions
Phone number: 0424 596 377
Little Land is a creative space that suits children who enjoy imaginative play and learning through role play. They have low sensory sessions developed in consultation with the Autism Association of Western Australia.
The venue offers:
- A space designed for imaginative, self-directed play
- A role-play mini town with everyday play settings
- Small sessions (up to 15 children)
- Trained support staff.
Scitech
Address: City West Centre, corner Railway & Sutherland St, West Perth WA
Opening hours: 9:30am–4pm daily
Phone number: 08 9215 0700
Scitech is a place for children who love science. It’s hands-on and engaging and has plenty of exhibits to enjoy. They offer low sensory sessions, a visual story for autistic people and accessibility features.
The venue has:
- Wheelchair access
- Accessible toilets
- Free entry for
- Companion Card holders
- Hands-on exhibits, including many operated by large palm push buttons
- Quieter visiting times (usually in the last two hours of the day outside school holidays)
- Low sensory sessions on selected dates.
How an independent support worker on Mable can help
We hope this list of sensory and inclusive activities across Australia is useful. An independent support worker can help make these kinds of activities feel more manageable and enjoyable for the whole family.
Depending on your child’s needs, a support worker can provide one-on-one support before and during the outing, help with routines and transitions, offer reassurance in new environments, and support your child to take part in a way that feels comfortable and safe.
This can be helpful at venues that don’t provide individualised support themselves, giving your child assistance while opening up chances to try new things and build confidence.
Book an independent support worker on Mable today.
