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OVERVIEW
- Business Overview
- Bookings
- Emergency Management
- Communications
- Other Information
- Guide Dog and Service Animals
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GENERAL
- Pre-arrival, arrival and reception
- Cognitive Impairment Support
- Car Park and Access amenities
- Internal Spaces
- Displays, exhibits, commentary and live performances
- External Paths
- Steps
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TOUR OPERATORS
- Route Planning
- Guides
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FOOD AND DRINK
- Dining Spaces
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EVENTS
- Events
to view the full report.
Overview
General
Tour/Transport
Food & Drink
Events
Business Overview
The business has the following products/services available
Tour/Transport
Food and Drink
Event
Our business caters for the following disability types:
Blind or low vision
Limited mobility
Wheelchairs or mobility scooters
Food allergies or intolerances
Cognitive or people on the Autism Spectrum
Bookings
The business offers the following methods for bookings and enquiries:
Phone
Webportal
Our forms have high contract boxes and submit boxes
Emergency Management
Various locations (walking tour)
The business identifies guests who need additional assistance should an emergency occur by:
Guests are encouraged to advise Hidden Lanes of any accessibility, mobility or support requirements at the time of booking. Guides confirm any relevant assistance needs prior to the tour and remain aware of guests who may require additional support during the experience.
The procedure for assisting guests who need assisted rescue is:
Guides assess the situation, provide reasonable assistance where safe to do so, and contact emergency services if required. For guests requiring additional support, guides assist them to move to a safe location and follow directions provided by emergency services or venue staff where applicable.
Communications
An accessibility guide is available on the website
https://hiddenlanes.com/accessibility
Our business offers the following alternative communication methods
Plain English
Information can be provided by phone, email and in alternative formats on request. Guides are happy to discuss individual accessibility requirements prior to booking.
Other Information
The business accepts the companion card
Guide Dog and Service Animals
The business provides a secure area with shade and water for service animals
The business provides a toilet area for service animals
The business provides the following services for services animals:
Water and comfortable resting places are available.
Pre-arrival, arrival and reception
The business has the following in place to support guests during pre-arrival, arrival and reception
Information and maps are available in written form
A step free map/guide
A familiarisation tour
Advertising material, web sites and social media contain information relating to phone numbers available for non-voice communication e: Text, SMS, email and fax
No facilities are locked in our tours
Additional Information from the business
The following steps are in place to ensure that people with fatigue related to their disability are not disadvantaged by long wait times:
Hidden Lanes operates small-group tours with no extended queues or waiting periods. Guides can adjust the pace where practical and guests are welcome to take breaks or use available seating along the route. Accessibility requirements can also be discussed prior to booking
In addition, the following further information can assist guests
Hidden Lanes welcomes guests with a wide range of accessibility requirements. We encourage guests to contact us before booking to discuss mobility, sensory, cognitive or other support needs so we can provide accurate information and recommend the most suitable experience.
Cognitive Impairment Support
Documents are available in plain English for people with cognitive impairment (This may include instructions, guides, menus and general information)
Quiet periods or early opening times for people on the Autism Spectrum
A space for parents and children on the Autism Spectrum
Car Park and Access amenities
The business has the following Car Park and Access amenities
A drop off zone
Designated disabled parking bays
Level or ramped access from the car park to the entrance
The accessible entrance is clearly signed from the parking bay
The public transport services available are:
Train and parking details are given.
Kerb ramps are in place where a pavement or walkway needs to be crossed
Internal Spaces
Tableware/glassware contrast with the table surface or table cloth
Displays, exhibits, commentary and live performances
For displays, exhibits, commentary and live performances the following amenities are in place
Seating
Wheelchair accessible spaces/seating
External Paths
External paths of travel
Surfaces are concrete, asphalt, smooth paving or hard packed fine gravel (max aggregate size 13mm)
Paths or slopes longer than 15 metres have resting places or seats
Pathways are wider than 900mm
Any paths having steps are clearly identified as non-wheelchair accessible
Steps
Steps
In addition, the following further information can assist guests
With guests with accessibility requirements, no steps are used in the tour route (for all guests).
Route Planning
Additional Information from the business
In addition, the following further information can assist guests:
Not specified
Walking Tours
Operated on a step free route
Multi-paced to account for slower walkers
Hearing aid compatible
Guides
Guides have been trained in the following
Use of clear/simple English
Correct pronunciation for lip readers
There is a audio description of surroundings
This tour stops at attractions/accommodation/food and beverage/retail spaces that are not operated by this business. For information relating to these individual properties please follow the weblink provided
Craig's Royal Hotel The Ballaarat Mechanics Institute
Dining Spaces
The dining spaces have the following facilities/amenities in place
The entrance has level access
The doorway is at least 850mm wide
There is level access through the dining area
Chairs are moveable to allow for wheelchairs to be seated at the tables
There are large print menus
There are Plain English menus
There is an accessible toilet
Our business caters for the following dietary requirements
Sugar free (diabetic)
Lactose free (dairy free)
Low potassium
Low sodium
Vegetarian
Vegan
There are procedures in place to avoid cross-contamination of food products
We do not handle food, this is carried out by included venues in our tours including Craig's Royal Hotel
There is a sample menu available online
Sample menu is available here -
https://craigsroyal.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Menu_26.pdf
Events
Events have the following facilities/amenities in place
There is step free access throughout the venue
All ancillary areas are step free e.g. breakout rooms, dining areas, outside areas and exhibition spaces
Accessible toilets are available at the venue
Wheelchair designated seating is provided
We cater for a range of seating and viewing options
We cater for varying group sizes
There is good circulation space with the number of people expected to allow people with a disability to move around freely
Food and water is available for guide and service animals
The event is outdoors
Seating is at regular intervals
Grassed areas are covered with a hard surface
Side shows, activities etc. are accessible
Accessible car parking is available
There are designated drop-off points
There is accessible public transport to the venue
Accessible public transport is detailed in the event information
Quiet rooms, marquees or spaces are available