Quest Bendigo Central - Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung country - Bendigo, Vic ~ Accessibility Review
When a cosy HOMESTAY visiting family
is no longer ACCESSIBLE.
We've finally found a place where I, in my wheelchair can stay, to visit family in central regional Victoria. The Quest Bendigo Central has become my new overnight go-to so I won’t miss out on family events again because I have nowhere to sleep.
Our extended family have always lived in various regional and urban areas of Victoria, NSW and Queensland. Reciprocal visits were never a problem for me until over a decade ago when I began to feel the effects of LGMD. Despite the familial generosity and caring I have received while trying to accommodate my ever-changing accessibility needs my neuromuscular disability has reached such a profound state that workarounds no longer work for me.
Quest Bendigo Central now install bed risers on request which means that I can comfortably transfer from chair to bed every time.
WEBSITE | BOOKING:
Accessible Accommodation or Quest Bendigo Central my experience of booking these apartments is directly through Quest, however, I have booked previous accommodations as you may have seen in other travel accessibility reviews through Accessible Accommodation.
WHAT WORKED:
An accessible one-bedroom apartment is one of the accommodation options.
The main page also invites further communication regarding accessibility needs.
There is an option to make requests and the staff are also very approachable and helpful via phone.
Quest Bendigo Central is also listed on the Accessible Accommodation website. Booking through Accessible Accommodation will further ensure that you get the room and the accessibility that you require.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK
There are no comprehensive detailed images of each of the rooms, importantly the bathroom.
No room and door width measurements.
However the Accessible Accommodation website hosts further photos and you can also book through Accessible Accommodation.
ACCESS TO VENUE | PARKING:
Excellent access from the private car park with two designated accessible parking bays allocated, one being right next to the door going into the ground floor apartments.
WHAT’S INSIDE:
WHAT WORKED:
Bedroom – 1m from wall to bed easily created by pushing the bed/s closer to the window which the staff were happy to accommodate.
Australian standards approved bed risers provided by Quest Bendigo Central
Bathroom —under basin clearance 600 mm
Bathroom door 780mm - a bit squeezy with a hoist but achievable with care.
Bathroom dimensions 2.30m x 2.5m inc. 2m being the shower/toilet width.
Front door 840mm
Bedroom door 740mm
The main door into the hallway and the hallway are a wheelchair-friendly width.
The heating worked very well on a cold Bendigo weekend.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK :
The outdoor balcony is about 1m deep and has a slight lip from the door track, making it difficult for some mobility devices.
SUMMARY:
Thanks to progressive and equitably thinking accommodation providers such as the Quest Apartment Hotels Group and their partnership with Accessible Accommodation ( who also now provide staff training on inclusive service ) more people are able to access weekends away and holiday times with so much less stress regardless of the level of their disability.
IMPORTANT FOOTNOTE:
I look at the ways in which businesses present an overall inclusive experience for their patrons. 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. I do not comment on food (except sometimes if it’s super fab I might not be able to help myself) as you can have the joy of making up your own mind on that. Finally and importantly, I advise you to research to suit your needs, but I hope this is a good start.
Happy accessible living and playing!
