ACCESSIBILITY

Ensure everyone’s experience is as enjoyable as possible

ACCESSIBILITY

We aim to ensure everyone’s experience is as enjoyable as possible. We are committed to providing suitable access for all our guests, whatever their individual needs. In this statement, we aim to accurately describe our facilities and services to give you the confidence to book the right tour experience to suit your specific requirements.

PARKING & PICK-UP

Southern Cross offer pick up from Central Gold Coast hotels and apartment complexes. Pickup is also available from selected train stations and other public areas. Please contact us via phone or email to confirm your nearest meeting point.

VEHICLE ACCESSIBILITY

Our vehicles are 16 seater Mercedes 4WD’s. These vehicles are higher than a normal vehicle but a fold down access step and grab bars are installed to assist entry into vehicle. Our vehicles do not have large storage areas, so mobility scooters, wheel chairs and full size prams cannot be stored. Canes, walking sticks, crutches and small umbrella strollers can be carried in the vehicle. Some small walking frames and collapsible wheel chairs may be possible so please contact us to discuss.

EYESIGHT

Guide dogs are welcome! Please let us know at the time of booking if you will be bringing your guide dog.

Our tours are fully guided and our experienced tour guides can offer additional assistance if requested, from an arm to hold during a walk to additional commentary explaining the scenery.

We had a traveler from Brazil who is blind join the full day tour and thoroughly enjoy the experience. Alex traveled with his cane and took a little additional assistance from his guide for the day, Darran. Darran also learnt a lot from the experience about how to share the tour highlights in other ways.

HEARING

Tour commentary is provided throughout the day in our vehicles via a PA system with speakers located at various locations. We are currently looking into Hearing Loop to enhance the experience for our guests using hearing aids. This is not available yet but please check back with us before travelling if this would be useful for you.

If lip reading would assist during the walks and information given outside the vehicles, please do let us know in advance or your tour guide on the day so they can ensure you are able to see them during these times.

CARERS CARD

Southern Cross offer a 25% discount to holders of the Carer and Companion Cards when joining their companion on a tour.

TOUR SPECIFIC ACCESSIBILITY

Dependent on tours there are different standards of rainforest walks on our tours. Please see below each walk broken down to explain tracks better.

Restrooms are located at all stops on the tour except the 4WD trail. The longest period between restrooms is approx. 1.25 hours in the morning dependent on your hotel location pick up. Guides will advise location on arrival and before departure.

Joalah Section – Curtis Falls Walk

Duration: 45 min to 1 hour. Walk normally takes 30 minutes but slowed down to leisurely stroll while guide explains flora and fauna.

Distance: 1.1 kilometers return

Grading:* Grade 3

Notes: Rough surface. 150 stairs over the course of the walk. Not suitable for wheel chair or pram. The walk to the waterfall and back takes the same path. If at any point guests find the walk too difficult or do not wish to walk the entire distance they can stop and wait for the group to return. There are a few spots to take a seat.

Lamington National Park Canopy Treetop Walk

Duration: approx. 30 minutes

Distance: 900 meters

Grading:* Grade 2

Notes: The entire walk is either timber board walk or 9 sections of timber suspended bridge. The walk is suitable for prams and walkers. The walk takes the same path out and back along the board walk. If at any point guests find the walk too difficult or do not wish to walk the entire distance they can stop and wait for the group to return or make their way back to the starting point.

Natural Bridge Circuit

Duration: approx. 1 hour

Distance: 1 kilometer

Grading:* Grade 2

Notes: Paved surface. 150 stairs over the course of the walk. An easier alternative route can be taken to the waterfall but is susceptible to weather and access can be blocked. If you have concerns please contact us via email or phone 24 hours prior to tour to discuss.

Purling Brook Falls Lookouts

Duration: 25 minutes

Distance: 500 meters

Grading:* Grade 3

Notes: We will not be doing the full circuit but walking to two lookout points. There are several steps but the path is paved. Grading of 3 is specific to the whole 2 hour circuit.

Best Of All Lookout

Duration: 30 minutes

Distance: 600 meters

Grading:* Grade 2

Notes: Sealed track with a few short and steep inclines. Fine for Pram and walkers. 2 steps onto viewing platform.

Canyon Lookout

Duration: 10 minutes

Distance: 100 meters

Grading:* Grade 1

Notes: Viewing 3 waterfalls at this location only involves a short walk from carpark to view point.

* KEY TO TRACK STANDARDS

Class 1/Grade 1 Track (Australian Standards):

Wheelchair-accessible track with handrails at lookout.

Class 2/Grade 2 Track (Australian Standards):

Easy level track, suitable for all fitness levels—no previous bushwalking experience necessary.
All junctions sign-posted and may include interpretive signs.

Class 3/Grade 3 Track (Australian Standards):

Distinct tracks with junctions sign-posted, rough track surfaces with some exposed roots and rocks.
Variable in width; muddy sections, steep grades and steps may be encountered.
May be partially overgrown; hazards such as fallen trees and rockfalls may be present.
Caution needed at creek crossings, cliff edges and naturally occurring lookouts.
Reasonable level of fitness required and ankle-supporting footwear recommended.

Class 4/Grade 4 Track (Australian Standards):

Distinct tracks with junctions sign-posted, rough track surfaces with some exposed roots and rocks.
Variable in width; muddy sections, steep grades and steps may be encountered.
May be extensively overgrown; hazards such as fallen trees and rockfalls likely to be present.
Caution needed at creek crossings, cliff edges and naturally occurring lookouts.
Moderate fitness level with previous experience and ankle-supporting footwear strongly recommended.