Phillip Island Nature Parks is working to transform the entire island into Australia’s first sensory-inclusive tourist town.
Phillip Island Nature Parks is a conservation organisation that operates eco-tourism experiences on Phillip Island, which can be found off Australia’s southern coast.
In 2022, the organisation became the first nature experience operator in the country to be officially certified as sensory inclusive.
To achieve this, it partnered with the KultureCity nonprofit, which trains employees at venues and certifies them.
Now, Phillip Island Nature Parks and KultureCity are expanding the initiative to operators and businesses across Phillip Island.
Staff are being trained to identify sensory overload, while attractions, restaurants and shops are becoming safe spaces for neurodivergent visitors.
Nature Parks’ general manager of tourism operations Peta Wittig said: “For people who have sensory issues, simply knowing there are people nearby who understand and can help them if they become overwhelmed has a significant impact on their wellbeing and confidence.
“This might mean dimming the lights in a shop, turning down music or interactive displays, or avoiding loud noises like grinding coffee machines at certain times of the day. It can be as simple as providing paper towel in bathrooms so they can avoid the noise of a hand dryer.”
Nature Parks accessibility
Additionally, a range of sensory features are available on the Nature Parks website and KultureCity app to provide a preview of what visitors can expect at all locations.
Nature Parks’ Penguin Parade visitor centre is holding a sensory night on 30 April, offering quiet areas, headphone zones, and sensory bags. These contain items such as noise-cancelling headphones and fidget tools.
“This is as much about educating people in our community that not all accessibility needs are visible, and inclusion can have many forms,” Wittig added.
“Everyone is different, and their needs are too.”
Images: Phillip Island Nature Parks
