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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
- Entry
- Internal Spaces
- Public areas
- Displays, exhibits, commentary and live performances
- External Paths
- Steps
- Ramps
- Public Toilets/Adult change facilities
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TOUR OPERATORS
- Route Planning
- Guides
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ATTRACTIONS
- Attractions Basics
- Amusement Rides
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COMMON AREAS
- Parks and gardens
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FOOD AND DRINK
- Dining Spaces
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EVENTS
- Events
to view the full report.
Overview
General
Tour/Transport
Attractions
Common Areas
Food & Drink
Events
Business Overview
The business has the following products/services available
Tour/Transport
Attraction
Food and Drink
Event
Our business caters for the following disability types:
Blind or low vision
Deaf or low hearing
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 website supports Screen Readers
Our forms have high contract boxes and submit boxes
Emergency Management
Exit signs are clear and easy to see
Exit access is free and clear at all times
We ensure exit access is free and clear at all times by:
Exits are regularly checked by staff and security.
Exits and access to exists are greater than 900mm
Exit doors are able to be opened by all occupants
Exits to the emergency evacuation point does not include stairways
The business identifies guests who need additional assistance should an emergency occur by:
In the event of an emergency our staff will physically check the site and assist anyone to evacuate.
The procedure for assisting guests who need assisted rescue is:
We have vehicles available to assist guests who require assistance with evacuation.
Communications
An accessibility guide is available on the website
https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/melbourne-gardens/accessibility/
Our website meets WCAG 2.0 accessibility standards
Our business offers the following alternative communication methods
Plain English
Specific information regarding accessibility for the Lightscape event can be found here - https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/melbourne-gardens/lightscape-2025-accessibility/
There is easy to read signage and information (e.g. menus and emergency information)
Other Information
For bookings made onsite, the ticket booth/counter/box office is accessible for people using a wheelchair
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:
Not specified
Pre-arrival, arrival and reception
The business has the following in place to support guests during pre-arrival, arrival and reception
Booking information and websites are compatible with screen readers
There is a reception/public entryway.
Seating available at reception
A lower counter at reception/ticket office
A tablet with text to voice or pen and paper at reception to aid in communication
Picture Board at reception to aid in communication
Lighting in the reception area is even and glare free
Tickets and registration form and information are provided online.
Information and maps are available in written form
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:
We offer seating around our site and within the Visitor Centre.
We are able to collect people from selected areas in a buggy and transport them to the exit if they are unable to finish the Lightscape trail.
In addition, the following further information can assist guests
More information about accessibility at Lightscape is available online here - https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/melbourne-gardens/lightscape-2025-accessibility/
Cognitive Impairment Support
Documents are available in plain English for people with cognitive impairment (This may include instructions, guides, menus and general information)
A "social script" guide to your premises or attraction describing the sights, sounds and smells to aid parents/carers prepare visitors in advance
The 'social script' is available in word and other editable formats
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
Kerb ramps are in place where a pavement or walkway needs to be crossed
In addition, the following further information can assist guests
Access guide is available on RBGV website https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/media/q4ihqxmc/rbgv-melbourne-access-key-v2.pdf
Entry
The business has the following amenities/systems in place for entry
A drop off point close to the entrance
A path of access to the building is slip resistance and even
A path of access to the building is clear of obstruction
Self opening entry doors or fitted with a self closer
Glass doors are fitted with a visual sighting strip
Door jams/doors are of a contrasting colour to surrounding walls
Door handles are of a contrasting colour to the door
Signage is written in a contrasting colour
Signage is written in a Sans Serif font and use upper and lower case letters
The entry door is a minimum of 850mm wide
The entry door has self opening or a light opening pressure (for manual operations)
The entrance sill is less than 13mm
There a clear space of at least 1500mm x 1500mm in front of all doors.
The entrance door mats have a thickness less than 13mm and a width of 7500mm or greater
In addition, the following further information can assist guests
https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/media/q4ihqxmc/rbgv-melbourne-access-key-v2.pdf
Internal Spaces
Clear and unobstructed routes through and between buildings
Interior walls are matte or low sheen
Floors, walls, counters and furniture are of contrasting colours
Any protruding or overhanging obstructions are at least 2meters above the floor or are protected
Floor surfaces are hard or short pile carpet
Seating is available for guests unable to stand for long periods
Accessible facilities are clearly signed and visible from all areas
All corridors greater than 900mm
There is a quiet space for parents and children on the Autism Spectrum
In addition, the following further information can assist guests
During the relaxed sessions for Lightscape there is a designated quiet space set up at the start of the trail. There are also additional staff on hand during these sessions to assist with taking people to the quiet staff and / or to parts of the Garden that are off trail and therefore dark and quiet.
Public areas
The public areas have the following amenities in place
Even lighting
Seating
Displays, exhibits, commentary and live performances
For displays, exhibits, commentary and live performances the following amenities are in place
Seating
Wheelchair accessible spaces/seating
In addition, the following further information can assist guests
A visual story is also available upon request.
External Paths
External paths of travel
Surfaces are concrete, asphalt, smooth paving or hard packed fine gravel (max aggregate size 13mm)
Pathways are wider than 900mm
There 3 successive steps or less on any path or at any doorway
Any paths having steps are clearly identified as non-wheelchair accessible
Step free routes clearly signed
Steps
Steps
There are steps.
Top and bottom steps are easily distinguished through colour contrast or the use of TGSIs (Tactile Ground Surface Indicators)
All steps or staircases have enclosed risers
The underside of all staircases are enclosed or protected to a height of at least 2 metres
Handrails fitted to all open sets of steps
Handrails extend 300mm beyond the top and bottom step
Ramps
Ramps have the following amenities are in place
There are ramps.
Ramps have a raised edge of at least 100mm
Public Toilets/Adult change facilities
Public Toilets/Adult change facilities have the following amenities are in place
There is an accessible toilet for public use
The door is at least 850mm wide
There is a minimum of 850mm beside the toilet
Handrails are fitted
The toilet seat is 460mm above the floor
There is 2 metres mm of clear space in front of the toilet
The toilet seat of a contrasting colour to the floor
The toilet seat is460mm above the floor
There is a registered changing places facility
Route Planning
Additional Information from the business
In addition, the following further information can assist guests:
Lightscape is a walking trail. The trail is designed so that it can be navigated on paths. There are some paths that have steep gradients , and audience members may benefit from assistance.
Gardens Explorer tours of the gardens are available during the daytime opening hours.
Guides
In addition, the following further information can assist guests
Lightscape is a self-guided walking trail at night. Visitors to Lightscape make their way along a winding trail through Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne’s landscape, awash in artistic lighting design. Along the way, they’ll encounter large lighting sculptures, colourful lighting effects and an accompanying soundscape.The trail begins at Observatory Gate and ends at Oak Lawn Gate (off Birdwood Ave, opposite the Shrine of Remembrance). Ticket times are staggered so groups can comfortably stroll the trail with family and friends.
Amusement Rides
In addition, the following further information can assist guests
https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/media/q4ihqxmc/rbgv-melbourne-access-key-v2.pdf
Parks and gardens
The following parks and gardens amenities are available
Accessible toilets
Accessible toilets are signed at regular intervals
There is a step free map
This map is available online
Seats are provided at regular intervals
Direction signage contains distances
The park or garden contains sensory experiences
Accessible drinking fountains
In addition, the following further information can assist guests
Further information on accessibility at Lightscape including a Visual Story can be found here - https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/melbourne-gardens/lightscape-2025-accessibility/
Handrails and stairs are built as per state/territory building code.
Slip resistance surfaces are used.
A handrail is available and at 865-965mm in height.
The handrail is continuously graspable along entire length at least one side.
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
All glass doors and full height windows have contrast markings
There are areas of full lighting
There are Plain English menus
There is an accessible toilet
Our business caters for the following dietary requirements
Sugar free (diabetic)
Gluten free (celiac)
Lactose free (dairy free)
Low fat and fibre with no gastric content
Low potassium
Low sodium
Nut free
Additive free
Organic
Vegetarian
Vegan
Kosher
Halal
There are procedures in place to avoid cross-contamination of food products
Chefs and kitchen staff are trained in food safety
Events
Events have the following facilities/amenities in place
There is step free access throughout the venue
Reception, registration desks or ticket offices have a lower counter section
Accessible toilets are available at the venue
There is clear signage throughout the venue including accessible routes and accessible facilities
There is good circulation space with the number of people expected to allow people with a disability to move around freely
The event is outdoors
Seating is at regular intervals
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
There is an event map available
The event map shows accessible facilities
The event map shows accessible public transport points
A step free route is shown
The event includes the use of loud noises, fireworks or strobe lighting
There is a warning included in the event information
Quiet rooms, marquees or spaces are available
In addition, the following further information can assist guests
Information on accessibility at Lightscape can be found here - https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/melbourne-gardens/lightscape-2025-accessibility/ Two designated relaxed sessions will be held during the season for people who would benefit from a more relaxed environment. A limited number of wheelchairs are available to hire, free of charge, via the RBGV website.