Touch, Taste, Travel: New Famils Boost Accessible Tourism

A new national push to elevate accessible tourism across Australia is underway, with Sensory Tourism Australia partnering with specialist operator Cocky Guides to deliver immersive familiarisation trips for blind and low-vision travellers. The initiative, announced last week at the Australian Tourism Exchange in Brisbane, aims to help regional tourism businesses better understand and cater to travellers with sensory impairments.

Led by Sensory Tourism Australia’s co-founder Kellie Hayes, the initiative harnesses the lived experiences of blind and low-vision participants to promote more inclusive travel experiences and content. “We want to ensure travellers with accessible needs are active in the community and experiencing the improvements being made, whether through infrastructure or staff training,” says Hayes. “Cocky Guides has been delivering these kinds of experiences since 2018.”

The pilot program launched in partnership with Destination Port Stephens in 2024, providing tourism operators with invaluable insights on improving accessibility. “Many of our local members want to be more inclusive but don’t know where to start,” says Destination Port Stephens Industry Engagement Manager, Mel Turner. “This initiative gives them the confidence and real-world feedback they need.”

One highlight of the Port Stephens famil was a visit to Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters, where guests suited up and waded into shallow lagoons to feed and touch rays before experiencing a tactile zebra shark encounter. “It was lovely to realise we were already ahead of the game in accessibility,” says Irukandji Director Lia Pereira. “For operators wanting to learn and grow, I highly recommend getting involved in a famil.”

The initiative is now calling for expressions of interest from Regional Tourism Organisations and local councils keen to host future accessible famil programs with Cocky Guides. Following each visit, participating businesses can receive tailored advice from Sensory Tourism Australia to help package and promote their offerings to the accessible tourism market.

For more information or to get involved, contact Kellie Hayes at kellie@sensorytourism.com or visit www.sensorytourismaustralia.com.