Grab Your Wheels, Let's Travel

09/09/2026

A proud little Grab Your Wheels moment!

Our latest piece for Travel Without Limits is now live, sharing a snapshot of some of the accessible things to see and do in Rotorua with their international audience.

It’s fantastic to be able to showcase a little more of Aotearoa New Zealand to disabled travellers and their whānau around the world, and hopefully encourage more people to put Rotorua on their travel list!

This is only a snapshot, of course. There is plenty more for us to explore and review!

Have a read 👇
https://travelwithoutlimits.com.au/accessible-things-to-do-in-rotorua/

Rotorua NZ Rotorua Lakes Council

New Zealand's Rotorua is mostly known for the hissing, smokey thermal activity - but there's a lot more to be discovered.

02/09/2026

NEW REVIEW: Charly the Campervan – Our Accessible Northland Road Trip

Finally! After sharing all our reviews from the places we visited around Northland, I’ve written the review I really wanted to do: Charly the Campervan itself.

Charly is New Zealand’s only wheelchair-accessible motorhome for hire, so we packed in Finlay, his powerchair, mobile hoist, shower commode and the usual mountain of assistive equipment and headed north to see how it would work for someone with high and complex support needs.

And we certainly tested it!

We looked at everything from the hydraulic wheelchair lift and clever slide-out access to the lowered kitchen, accessible wet-floor bathroom, electric bed and the fantastic option for a wheelchair user to travel right up front, or even drive Charly using hand controls.

For Finlay, being beside me in the front was quite the novelty… although having his very long arms within grabbing distance of me and the steering wheel made things a little more exciting than I would have liked! 😆

We also tested whether our Molift Transit Hoist could physically work inside, discovered alternative hoisting options available with Charly, stayed at two Northland holiday parks, negotiated mobility parking and campground facilities, and learnt a few lessons along the way.

Including one very important one: video your Charly handover before you leave! Our little recordings saved us more than once when we couldn't remember how something worked.

What I loved most about this trip was being able to test Charly from the perspective of someone whose access needs go beyond simply getting a wheelchair through the door. Because accessibility is also about transfers, equipment, personal care, safety, space, and whether everyday routines can actually come along for the adventure.

And yes... we would absolutely travel in Charly again. ❤️

A big thank you to everyone who made this possible: Milner Mobility The CatWalk Trust NZ Spinal Trust, and all the major sponsors!

29/08/2026

We’ve just published our latest Grab Your Wheels accessibility review, this time of the incredible Hundertwasser Art Centre in Whangārei.

This was the final major stop on our Northland roadie in Charly the Campervan, and I had been wanting to visit for ages. What a building! Colour, curves, mosaics, plants, unusual windows and that glorious golden cupola- it really does feel like one enormous piece of art.

Accessibility-wise, we really liked a lot. The Town Basin was easy to get around, mobility parking worked well for our large accessible campervan, the entrance was step-free, the reception desk had a wheelchair-height section, the main lifts worked well for Finlay’s powerchair and the Afforested Roof was absolutely fabulous. The staff were also excellent and really tuned in to Finlay, which made a big difference to the experience.

We also got to use Finlay’s new Hāpai Access Card for the first time, meaning his essential companion could enter free with him.

The biggest limitation for us was the platform stair lift up to the golden cupola. Although Finlay and his powerchair were well within the reported weight limit, the usable platform wasn’t long enough for his chair and footplate to fit safely. It was a really good reminder that when it comes to wheelchair access, weight capacity is only part of the story; platform dimensions matter too.

We also checked out the accessible toilets, rooftop surfaces, restaurant access, gallery circulation and even Te Kākano “The Seed” along the waterfront.

And yes… next time I’d probably bring Finlay’s manual chair if I was determined to get him right up under that golden cupola.

Hundertwasser Art Centre Hāpai Access Card Whangarei District Council

26/08/2026

REVIEW: Whangārei Town Basin Playground and Accessible Loos

We went to Whangārei’s Town Basin to visit the Hundertwasser Art Centre and grab some lunch… and ended up stumbling across one of those accessibility finds that makes me ridiculously happy.

Town Basin Playground had so much Finlay could actually join in with.

There was an in-ground carousel, which of course was an instant hit because Finlay absolutely loves spinning, even if watching him go round and round makes me feel slightly queasy! There were also in-ground buttons he could roll over in his powerchair to activate chimes, rubber surfacing throughout, accessible picnic tables, interactive play elements, in-ground trampolines, a basket swing and even a communication core board so non-verbal people can indicate what they want to play on and interact with.

That communication board really stood out to me. Accessibility is not only about physically getting into a space. It is also about being able to make choices, communicate and participate once you are there.

We also found good mobility parking nearby, which matters even more when travelling in Charly because we need enough width beside the campervan to push the wall out slightly so Finlay can safely enter and exit in his powerchair. The waterfront itself was lovely, with plenty of accessible cafés to choose from.

Then, as always, I went to inspect the accessible toilet.

What I found was a huge room with a toilet, grab rails, shower area and full-sized change table. At first glance it looked like it had the bones of a Changing Places-style facility.

Unfortunately, it fell short where it really mattered for us.

There was no hoist, the change table wasn’t height-adjustable, the shower was too far away from the table, there was no obvious heater and the table itself didn’t look clean enough that I would have been comfortable putting Finlay on it.

It was actually quite frustrating because the space is there. With some investment and better maintenance, it could become a genuinely useful facility for people with high and complex support needs.

Still, the playground itself was such a wonderful surprise.

We went to Whangārei for Hundertwasser and lunch and came away having found a place where Finlay could genuinely join in, explore and have fun.

That is always worth sharing.

21/08/2026

I’ve finally published our review of the "Van Raam VeloPlus wheelchair bike"

Cycling with Finlay is something I’ve always loved. Years ago, when he was much smaller, we used our manual Duet wheelchair bike. But Finlay is now a much bigger young man, and I’m a middle-aged rider who doesn’t quite have the strength I once had!

That’s where the electric assist on the VeloPlus made such a difference.

Finlay stays in his own manual wheelchair, which rolls straight onto the front platform and is secured in place. No hoisting. No transferring onto a separate bike seat. And when you reach your destination, you simply lower the platform and wheel off again.

We trialled it around Devonport, heading towards Narrow Neck and down around Stanley Bay and the Navy Base.

And we learnt plenty.

The electric assist was brilliant, but Devonport’s hills, changing footpath widths, dropped kerbs, gutters and narrow cycling infrastructure were a reminder that having accessible equipment is only one part of the picture.

"You also need an accessible environment in which to use it."

We also discovered what happens when you have to stop unexpectedly halfway up a gradient and suddenly lose all your momentum, involving one very fit stranger, his dog and a bit of extra pushing!

But the best part?

Once I relaxed into the bike and we reached the flatter sections, Finlay absolutely loved it. The wind in his face, the movement, the speed, and I loved being able to cycle with him again.

Sometimes good adaptive equipment gives you back something you thought you had lost.

For us, the VeloPlus did exactly that.

Huge thanks to Milner Mobility for giving us the opportunity to get out there and give the VeloPlus a proper real-world trial.

16/08/2026

Fabulous! Another Auckland swimming pool has included a fully accessible changing room! We now have TWO pools we can visit in Auckland.

Auckland Council Glen Innes Pool and Leisure Centre ♿️🙏💚❤️

23/07/2026

NEW ACCESSIBILITY REVIEW | The Kauri Museum, Northland

What a way to begin our Northland adventure aboard Charly, New Zealand's only wheelchair-accessible campervan for hire!

Our first stop was The Kauri Museum in Matakohe, and we were genuinely impressed. From wide pathways and platform lifts to thoughtfully designed exhibits, this is one of those places where history and accessibility come together beautifully.

One of the highlights for us was seeing Finlay's reaction as we stepped into the magnificent Volunteers Hall, home to the incredible 22.5-metre-long Balderstone Kauri. After a few moments taking in the dramatic change of space, his excitement took over... and then something completely unexpected happened. A lovely lady recognised Finlay from our page and came over to say hello. Those are the moments that make these adventures so special.

As always, we've reviewed everything through the lens of accessibility, including:

♿ Parking and entry
♿ Reception and customer service
♿ Accessible toilet
♿ Platform lifts
♿ Exhibition spaces
♿ The Gum Room
♿ Gift shop
♿ Gumdiggers Café across the road

If you're planning a Northland road trip or simply love discovering accessible places around Aotearoa, we hope this review helps you plan with confidence.

Our journey doesn't stop there! From The Kauri Museum we continued to the mighty Tāne Mahuta, before heading across to the beautiful Whangārei Falls. If you've missed those reviews, you'll find links at the end of the blog.

Have you visited The Kauri Museum? We'd love to hear about your experience in the comments! 👇

The Kauri Museum 💛 Northland NZ

19/07/2026

🌍💜 Happy International Changing Places Awareness Day 2026! 💜♿

Today we're celebrating the life-changing difference that “Changing Places toilets” make for thousands of people with disabilities, their families and carers.

For many people, a standard accessible toilet simply isn't enough. Changing Places facilities provide essential equipment such as a height-adjustable adult-sized change table, a ceiling hoist, extra space and an accessible toilet, making it possible for people with high support needs to get out, travel, visit attractions and enjoy their communities with dignity.

At “Grab Your Wheels”, we know that accessible travel isn't just about getting there, it's about having the facilities you need when you arrive. A destination can have accessible parking, pathways and entrances, but without a Changing Places facility, many people are still excluded.

Every new Changing Places installation opens up another destination. Every well-maintained facility gives families confidence to stay longer, travel further and participate more fully in everyday life.

Let's continue advocating for more Changing Places facilities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand so everyone has the freedom to explore, experience and belong.

Happy International Changing Places Awareness Day! 💜



Auckland Council we have one public changing place to date! Let’s make it more … Waitemata Station, and The Domain for 2027🙏

There are accessible toilets in New Zealand and then there are Chan...

07/07/2026

At Grab Your Wheels our focus is predominantly on accessibility for people who use wheels, but when we talk about access and inclusion, the conversation naturally expands to include other disabilities too. We often hear from people who are blind or have low vision, and those conversations encourage us to widen our lens and think more broadly about what true inclusion looks like.

It's something that comes up regularly on our Including Finlay page as well, where we have ongoing conversations about creating communities that work for everyone.

Recently I've had a couple of questions about tactile ground surface indicators (tactiles). They prompted me to do a bit more research into the standards and how they're intended to be used here in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Most people recognise the yellow tactile paving at pedestrian crossings, but there's much more to the system than that.

There are two main types of tactiles. The raised ‘dots’ are warning tactiles. They tell a person who is blind or has low vision to stop, assess the environment and identify the hazard ahead before continuing. The raised ‘bars’ are directional tactiles, designed to guide people along an accessible route where natural wayfinding cues aren't available.

One thing I found particularly interesting was the use of ‘green tactiles’ around cycleways. They're not there for cyclists, they're there to alert blind and low vision pedestrians that they're approaching a cycleway rather than a roadway.

What really caught my attention, though, was the issue of consistency.

In one area we noticed directional tactiles guiding people towards places like the library and a blood testing laboratory, yet there were none leading to the nearby supermarket or accessible parking. Some side roads had warning tactiles, while other similar crossings had none at all.

That raises an important question. If tactile paving is intended to provide a consistent system of information for people who are blind or have low vision, how consistent is its application across our towns and cities?

Predictability is a key part of accessibility. When features like tactile paving are installed differently from one location to another, does that make independent travel more difficult for the people who rely on them?

I'd love to hear from people in the blind and low vision community, orientation and mobility specialists, guide dog users, councils and others working in this space.

Have you noticed inconsistencies in how tactiles are used? Are there good examples where they're working really well? And where do you think there's room for improvement?

Accessibility is often in the details, and sometimes asking these questions is how we all learn and create more inclusive communities.

Blind Low Vision NZ Auckland Council Bike Auckland Blind Citizens NZ

02/07/2026

Could this kind of vehicle adaptation be funded for everyone who genuinely needs it? I’d be really interested to know whether anyone funded through the Ministry of Health in Aotearoa New Zealand has ever had this type of conversion approved.

Custom-made seating that folds down into a bed might not seem very exciting to some people, but for families like ours it could be an absolute game changer.

Combined with something called a Milford Person Lift, it creates a safe space to care for someone who needs hoisting, repositioning, stretching out, and personal cares while out in the community or travelling.

Because we can’t use standard accessible toilets, having a setup like this inside a vehicle could completely change what participation in everyday life looks like for us. It opens up possibilities instead of limitations.

These kinds of conversions are being fitted into brand-new Mercedes Sprinters made available for ACC clients here in Aotearoa New Zealand. They include the extra modifications many non-ACC families can only dream about accessing. Generally, people funded through the Ministry of Health are offered a one-off vehicle adaptation with wheelchair tie-downs and a rear or side-entry wheelchair ramp.

For some people it’s “just a van conversion.” For others, it’s dignity, comfort, inclusion, freedom, and the ability to stay out in the community longer without everything becoming a logistical nightmare.

Mobility Innovations, Milner Mobility