Accessibility
Limited Mobility
Let us take the guesswork and worry out of your travel experience with us.
If you can't make it down to the boat for a look, or if you simply would like to see how accessible the boat is, please watch the video below. Please note: the wheelchair and wheelie walker used in this video are approx. 550mm wide - some of the widest standard aides on the market. There is no weight limit for these aides to embark the boat either.
Low vision/hearing
In partnership with VacayIt, we've developed audio guides (and transcripts) for our hearing and visually impaired guests. Each guide lasts 12-15 minutes and will give you a comprehensive insight into who we are, what we do and more information about our accessibility. We currently have 3 different guides available (which are also available on the relevant product pages).
- Introduction to Whalesong Cruises
- Unique Whale Watching Encounters
- K'gari Fraser Island West Coast Beach + BBQ cruise
If you download the VacayIt app (which is free to use), you can listen/view these guides without an internet connection (rather than just looking on our website).
For our guests with low hearing, who are non-verbal and/or neurodiverse, Whalesong has developed a range of cards to help bridge the communication gap between our team and our guests. We have sets of communication cards for our guests to use to communicate with us. We also have sets of reminder cards for our crew to use to communicate with our guests. There is one set of each in the office and two sets of each on the boat. When you book with us, please let us know if you'd like use of these cards throughout the duration of your experience with us (and then returned back to the crew at the end of the cruise).
Neurodiversity
We understand there are also people living with disabilities that aren't visible. Whether you're travelling on your own or with extended family, we can provide a sensory space that you and your travel companions can retreat to during your cruise with us. We have a small room, which can comfortably sit eight (8) people upstairs behind the wheelhouse. For your convenience, there is a toilet right next door too. Of course, we only have the one (1) room so please let us know when booking, if you'd like this space. First in, first served. We can then ensure you are priority boarded and can head straight up to your safe space for the duration of your cruise with us.
Photo on left shows room looking towards wheelhouse (front/bow) of boat and photo on the right shows room looking towards the stairwell (back/stern) of the boat.

Dietary - Food Allergies and Intolerances
In this day of increasing allergies and intolerances, as well as people just wanting to look after their bodies, we are happy to support them in anyway we reasonably can. In addition, to being asked for these requirements at time of booking, you will receive reminder emails to let us know about these dietary preferences. We will also check with you as they board, in case for some reason these preferences have an already been noted. However, it is ALWAYS best to have these requirements at least 48 hours prior to the cruise so we can be sure to accommodate your needs.
We are very particular about our Food Handling standards, and ensure cross contamination doesn’t occur. And some extreme cases where anaphylaxis could occur, we ensure there is nothing on the boat you can react to, e.g. we had a child who had an extreme allergy to peanuts. Even though we don’t serve peanuts on board, we have chocolate bars for sale, some of which contain peanuts. We completely removed these from the vessel to avoid any risk of contamination. Severe coeliacs also have their food prepped separately and are served first to avoid cross contamination. As well as the more general requirements of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy free, not free, GMO free etc … we are also able to accommodate certain religious dietary requirements too, e.g Halal.
Our Commitment to You
We (the entire Whalesong team: office and crew) commit to adopting the highest accessibility standards in all areas of operation to ensure maximum enjoyment for everyone and respect for everyone on board.
We will not:
- patronise or talk down to you
- never attempt to speak or finish a sentence for you
We will:
- address you in the same way as we talk to everyone else
- speak directly to you, even if you have an interpreter or companion with you
- accommodate your needs as much as we can
- will welcome your carer and assistance animal on board - mostly dogs, but cats and birds welcome also (and respectfully ask our other guests to respect your assistance animal as you wish)
- accept companion cards (companion pays only half fare)
- ensure you receive value for money and will want to come back time and time again!
Transport to the Marina
If you're not arriving with your own vehicle, there are a couple of options to get to the marina (our courtesy bus is not wheelchair accessible):
- private shuttle/taxi - Hervey Bay taxis Ph: 131008
- low floor, accessible public bus - click here to via timetable for Wide Bay Transit or call Ph: 07 41286411. You're looking for bus route 705 or 716 (Buccaneer Dr at Miller St stop). The map below shows where the bus stops and how to get to the boat from there.
Parking: There is disabled parking at the marina. However, as there are only 5 carparks, we strongly recommend you arriving early at the marina. We cannot hold/reserve carparks for you.

Invitation to Find Out More
Please feel free to explore our boat. We also invite you to come familiarise yourself with the boat and access to the boat. You're welcome to contact us to arrange a suitable time. We're also available to discuss any thoughts/ideas/questions you may have about accessibility and being able to enjoy a cruise with Whalesong Cruises: info@whalesong.com.au or (07) 4125 6222


