Australia
Brisbane
A Day in Fassifern Valley
Feb. 19, 2008
Description & Accessibility
He was an excellent tour guide, if I had found his services sooner I likely would have used him for all the tours in and around Brisbane including the city tour, but I had already booked a couple of tours through the travel agency I used for the 2008 trip by the time I found him. On the other day of touring with John we went to the gold coast and took in Sea World including a helicopter tour and Outback Spectacular, for further information on those locations click on the links to the right.
He will provide a wealth of information about the area and if you remember a 1/3 of what he tells you then you are doing good.
There is even a facility at one place during this tour that had glider rides, now we did not go on one because I did not book it as I had concerns on how easy it would be for me to get in and out of one, but after looking at the gliders (which on that day was having some maintenance being done on them). I may have been ok with a step and some help. They had an prop engine in them that was used to get them up and then it could be shut down and recessed into the glider for full glider flying.
We came across a farmer moving his cattle which we got stuck behind at one point. If we had not previously booked the city tour through the travel agency, we could have booked all the tours through ‘Personally Yours Tours’ and been able to also take in the winery as we could have still taken everything in and not had the conflict as stated above.
Accessibility:
The vehicle we used was not roll on accessible but if your mobility device was foldable or quickly came apart it could be carried with you. John has many contacts and may be able to obtain a roll on accessible vehicle but you have to ask him first of that possibility as he would need to know that before providing a tour price, things like accessible restrooms may also play in if you cannot walk even a couple of steps as long as you can manage a few steps using a wall as a balance guide then that should not be any concern.
I would always recommend that unless your mobility issues require a wheelchair with only roll on capabilities that you use a wheelchair or scooter that is designed with ease of travel and touring in mind. That choice is often depended on rather you still have some standing & walking ability even if only a few short steps (even with assistance) because that will allow you to get in and out of most vehicles without roll on capabilities or being lifted / carried.
There was one place we where at a look out spot that I had dropped my cane over the edge and John went and got it back for me, lucky it was not too steep an incline or I would have told him not to bother and just buy another one as soon as we got somewhere that sold them.
He can fine tune the tour to meet your needs, although Australia caters fairly well to people with disabilities but like anywhere else there will always be some spots that are challenging / difficult or not accessible.
He also mentioned to me that most places will allow free admission for the tour guide if he calls ahead particularly if the guest need his assistance. He will also push you if you have a manual wheelchair.
There was one stop however at Queen Mary falls that the terrain was not suitable, so only my wife went to see them and I waited behind.
By: Donald Kerr