National Aboretum Canberra (Ngunnawal Country)- Accessibility Review
I enjoyed the first day of my visit to our Nation’s Capital, wheeling around Canberra's more recent attraction - the National Arboretum - 250 hectares of around 100 types of tree vegetation from all around the world arranged and planned so beautifully.
The last catastrophic bushfires of 2001 and 2003 left a small patch of Himalayan Cedars previously grown for commercial purposes. These have remained and new forests have now been created for research, education and awe-inspiring beauty. The first Arboretum tree planting was the Sydney Camden White Gum, this and subsequent groupings have been determined by plants of either national significance, conservation reasons or scientific purposes.
Set on the side of a hill in Weston Creek these forests and the surrounding backdrop of Lake Burley Griffin can be viewed from paved or finely compacted gravel paths.
The Bonsai Collection is such a magical setting and just outside the architecturally exquisite Village Centre where we had a lovely light lunch and coffee overlooking the stunning beauty of the fledgling but remarkable forest plantings.
From the many vantage points of the Arboretum can be seen a large sculpted statement “ Wide Brown Land” that sits majestically on high; an artistic ode to Dorothea Mackellar’s famous poem My Country.
Website and Booking
This is one website that has great information on accessibility with mention of the carparks available on the ‘getting here’ tab to the specific Disability Access tab that advises the surfaces of the paths and walkways. The Arboretum have 3 wheelchairs available for hire as well as a lovely and functional accessible toilet in the main area called the Village Centre - although this isn’t mentioned in the website funnily enough.
Parking
Car parking is easy with 11 disabled carparks up near the entrance and 3 more outside the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion Function Centre.
Dining and Entertainment
The arboretum sports the private function centre named after former first lady Margaret Whitlam. This must be booked in advance but for general eateries there is a cafe and restaurant within the Town Centre.
If you’re there with small children grab a coffee and step outside to a fully fenced and modern playground with many types of wonderful equipment including fantastically accessible swings and other items. The children’s wonderland also boasts a fine and large accessible toilet facility within the confines.
Toilet facilities
Situated in the Village Centre the toilet is modern and functional, though disappointingly for a new building, without a ceiling hoist or electronic opening doors it does have the required grab rails and under sink roll in.
The children’s accessible bathroom in the playground is also large and functional and very welcome to the area I’m sure - although no ceiling hoist once again.
Summary
I do love a good tree or two and found the whole experience really special and beautiful. My wheel chairing around was not a barrier to anywhere that I found except one small picnic area in the Himalayan Forest.
I thoroughly recommend the National Arboretum to anyone visiting and 6 kms away from the City centre it’s a great place to drop into for a wander and a coffee as a local too.
Happy accessible travelling,
