Visiting accessible beaches

On this page

1. Where to hire beach wheelchairs
2. Beaches with access mats

Going to the beach is an important part of summer for many people in Aotearoa, but it can be a challenge for our disabled community who use mobility aids. We know regular wheelchairs aren’t designed to be used on sand, and people who use walking sticks or frames for balance can find the terrain challenging. Accessibility equipment like beach wheelchairs and mats make all the difference!

Beach are wheelchairs designed to be used on sand. You can hire them at various surf life saving clubs and other locations around the county.

Some beaches even have special beach mats so people with mobility aids can get to the water more easily. Beach mats are long, non-slip pathways that are laid over the sand to create a more stable surface. They are made out of durable material like plastic or polyester. Many beaches will only have beach mats out for the summer period.

Read Kimberly Graham's blog about visiting Hot Water Beach with a beach wheelchair.

Where to hire beach wheelchairs

You can hire beach wheelchairs at different beaches around the country thanks to organisations like the Halberg Foundation, the Flight Centre Foundation, surf life saving clubs, and local councils. Here are locations you can hire them:

Whangarei

Located at: Tutukaka Surf Experience Shop, Marina Road, Tutukaka, Whangarei

Contact details Simon Eggington on 021 227 0072 or email simon@tutukakasurf.co.nz

Auckland

If you’re in Auckland and want to hire a beach wheelchair, you can contact Beachwheels to hire one for $50.00 per half day.

Hire beach wheelchairs in Auckland from Beachwheels.

Location: Red Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Ngapara Street, Whangaparaoa

Red Beach Surf Life Saving Club has a beach wheelchair for hire. Contact 09 426 5283, or email info@redbeachslsc.com for more information.

Whitianga

Located at: Mercury Bay Boating Club junior sailing storage containers

Toes in the Water Whitianga have beach a wheelchair and walker you can borrow. Call 020 434 1647 or email titwwhiti@gmail.com to book.

Whangamata

Toes in the Water Whangamata offer adult and child beach wheelchairs and rollators for hire.

Visit the Toes in the Water website and call 021 0885 8939 to book.

Waihi

Located at: Tasman Holiday Park, Waihi.

Visit the Waihi beach website or phone the team on 0800 924 448.

Mount Maunganui

Tauranga City Council has two beach wheelchairs available for hire.

Visit the Tauranga City Council website to book. Alternatively, you can book a wheelchair in person at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park reception, 1 Adamas Avenue.

Hibiscus Surf School has a beach wheelchair for hire.

Book the beach wheelchair on the Hibiscus Surf School website, call them on 027 279 9687, or visit them on Main beach (opposite Moturiki Island).

Pāpāmoa

Located at: Pāpāmoa Surf Life Saving Club, 561 Papamoa Beach Road

Pāpāmoa Surf Life Saving Club has two beach wheelchairs for free hire.

Visit the Pāpāmoa Surf Life Saving Club website and contact them on 07 547 2122 or info@papamoalifeguards.co.nz to book.

Whakatāne

Located at: Disabilities Resource Centre Trust, 141-143 King St, Whakatane

Disabilities Resource Centre Trust (DRC) have a beach wheelchair available to hire for free.

Visit the DRC website, phone the team 07 307 1447, or email information@drct.co.nz.

Ōhope

Located at: Ohopē Surf Club

You can borrow a beach wheelchair from the surf club. Phone 07 312 4676 to enquire.

Taranaki

Located at: Oakura Board Riders Club, Oakura Beach

Visit the Oakura Boarders Club website and contact them at oakuraboardriders@gmail.com.

Located at: Fitzroy Surf Life Saving Club, Beach Street, Fitzroy

You can talk to one of the lifeguards about using the beach wheelchair or email admin@fitzroyslsc.co.nz.

Napier

Located at: Napier Aquatic Centre

Napier City Council has an all-terrain wheelchair you can borrow to explore Hawke’s Bay’s beaches. You can hire it for a refundable bond of $50.00.

Visit the Napier City Council website to find our more and make a booking.

Wellington

Located at: Freyberg Pool, 139 Oriental Parade, Wellington at Oriental Bay.

Visit the Wellington City Council website for more information and call 04 801 4530 to book.

Located at: Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club, 101 Lyall Bay, Wellington

You can borrow a beach wheelchair from Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club for free. Pop in and chat to one of the lifeguards.

Christchurch

Located at: North Beach, New Brighton down Marine Parade

North Beach Surf Life Saving Club has two beach wheelchairs you can hire.

Visit the North Beach Surf Life Saving website for more information. To book a wheelchair, fill in the online form, call 03 388 1045, or email northbeachslsc@gmail.com.

Beaches with access mats

Many beaches across the country offer beach access mats during the summer, making it easier to enjoy the sand and surf! Perfect for a sunny day at the beach. Check it the beaches out below.

Auckland

Takapuna Beach has matting by the Takapuna Reserve playground on The Strand.

Mission Bay has matting close to the access to the beach near the public toilets

Waiheke Island

You can find a beach matting at Palm Beach Reserve.

Whangamata

Toes in the Water Whangamata put out beach matting near the Whangamata Beach boardwalk in the summer.

Waihi

Waihi Beach has beach matting available all summer by the surf life saving club.

If you have any queries about the mats, contact hello@waihibeachinfo.co.nz.

Mount Maunganui

The Tauranga City Council provides beach access mats at three locations at Mount Maunganui: Pilot Bay, the Cenotaph, and Cutter’s Cove.

Find out more about Tauranga City Council's beach access mats

Wellington

The Hutt City Council provides beach access mats at Days Bay Beach over the summer period. Outside of this period, the Council will make the mat available for groups to hire out if needed to improve access to programmes, activities or events.

Find out more about the Hutt City Council's beach access mats

Nelson

Tahuanui Beach has matting near the car park and by the paddle board hire.