Ingenia Holidays Broulee - Yuin country - NSW~Accessibility Review
Beautiful beach, just out of reach
We arrived to the tantalising sounds of waves on the Broulee Rocks beach behind the dense scrub that separates it from Ingenia Holiday Park.
The somewhat tired yet accessible unit has been modified for those using wheelchairs and requiring mobility assistance.
The official photos show a unit looking much larger and fresher than it is. The private porch is a big plus when the weather is amenable.
WEBSITE | BOOKING:
Ingenia Holidays Broulee - with Accessible Accommodation
WHAT WORKED:
As with all the properties on the Accessible Accommodation website, I was able to research and discover the accessibility elements important to me and book with confidence. The team at Accessible Accommodation responded quickly and efficiently to my additional query clarifying the under-bed clearance.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK:
The pictures that Ingenia Holidays have provided are somewhat misleading as they show a lighter, brighter, larger cabin than is the reality.
ACCESS TO VENUE | PARKING:
An easy drive to the back corner of the holiday park, where we found plenty of space beside the cabin with easy access to the accessibly graded ramp.
WHAT’S INSIDE:
A bathroom of good proportions, and 2 small bedrooms that come off the central kitchen dining area.
WHAT WORKED:
Smooth ramped access to the cottage
Usable door widths of ~780-800mm ( I took measurements and cannot find them now 😬)
Electric bed with head adjustment
WHAT DIDN’T WORK :
The main bedroom is a very tight fit. To have space on either side of the queen bed means less than 1m clearance for the hoist. Fortunately, one side is directly in front of the bedroom door. With careful angling, we could get my body and the legs of the hoist under the bed for transferring. This may not work for everyone.
The bathroom entry was over a 1cm lip which can be difficult and hazardous when navigating in a shower commode. We used one of the threshold ramps that surround the shower base.
The bathroom shelves need to be moved into the kitchen to allow enough space to navigate the bathroom and roll-under basin.
No shower grab rail.
Mop and bucket and threshold ramps around shower base for water run-off prevent easy wheelchair moving around the bathroom.
SUMMARY:
Ingenia Holidays has worked hard to make an inaccessible cabin more inclusive. They have met most of the required standards for accessibility. However, it wasn't a comfortable stay as there were too many adjustments and workarounds to be made for my situation.
About those waves. After finding no wheelchair access to the beach just metres away we drove to the surf lifesaving club behind us for a beautiful view of stunning South Head Beach which does provide beach matting at certain times of the year and has a three-star accessibility rating according to the wonderful resource Accessible Beaches.
IMPORTANT FOOTNOTE:
I look at how accommodation providers present an overall inclusive experience for their guests. While I focus on mobility access, I hope to get ideas from you and others to add observations relating to other disabilities. I take a comprehensive look at everything from initial website experience to staff attitudes. All door measurements are the workable door width, considering the edge of the door or other obstacles intruding into the threshold. Finally, and importantly, I advise you to research to suit your individual needs, and I hope this is a good start.
Happy accessible living and playing!
My reviews are my own and I have not received payment or entered into any contra arrangements with accommodation owners or second-tier providers.