Accessibility

AUSLAN Interpretation

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We will have an AUSLAN interpreter available across sessions at the festival, these sessions will be announced soon.

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Patrons can also bring their own interpreters on a free carer’s pass to the festival and request a seat in the front row of sessions as required.

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Wheelchair accessibility at the festival

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‍There are multiple venues within the festival precinct, each with different accessibility plans. Please see the accessibility plans for:

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Byron Bay Surf Life Saving Club: Please enter via the front of the venue.

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Byron Theatre and Wategos Room (at Byron Community Centre): Please enter via the front of the venue. There are two dedicated wheelchair tickets available for each event. Byron Writers Festival volunteer ushers will support you to find these seats at the venue.

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The Beach Hotel: Please enter via the paved entrance on the beach side of the venue. This has a slight incline, but is a flat and wide entrance into the The Beach Hotel main venue. 

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Haven: There is an accessible entrance at the side of the venue, via the private carpark that will bring you into the courtyard. There are no steps within Haven itself. Please ask for the support of Byron Writers Festival volunteers at the main entrance at the front of the venue. 

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Bay St Stage and Jonson St Stage: The terrain at the marquees is largely flat, including the road into each venue. Bay St Stage and Byron Foreshore is a grassed area and may become harder to navigate in the event of rain.

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We advise you to use a wheelchair with large wheels if possible on any of the grassed areas – specifically Bay St Stage and Byron Foreshore. Wheelchair accessible toilets are available at the festival site.

Please ask for the support of the Byron Writers Festival volunteers at each marquee for accessible seating areas.

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Seating

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‍Festival marquees have allocated seating for wheelchairs. Please make yourself known to the marquee supervisor and you will be ushered to an accessible seat.

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‍Festival feature events and satellite events take place in various venues and marquees within the festival precinct. If you require a wheelchair accessible seat at any of our events at the above listed venues, please reach out to Byron Writers Festival in advance at info@byronwritersfestival.com or make yourself known to the Byron Writers Festival team at each venue for support to these seats.

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‍Please call the office on (02) 6685 5115 or email info@byronwritersfestival.com to make the necessary arrangements for feature events, and events held in our festival marquees.

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Parking

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In Byron Bay, drivers displaying a valid Mobility Parking Scheme (MPS) permit are exempt from paying at Council pay parking meters and can park for double the time displayed on standard parking signs. 

Parking at Cavanbah Centre is $10 per day. You will need to purchase a parking pass along with your ticket to the festival. The car park opens at 7.30am each day.

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‍There is dedicated accessible parking onsite, our parking volunteers will direct you to the nearest available space. Please note that due to demand, these are strictly limited to those with Australian Disability Parking Permits, which need to be clearly displayed. A festival parking pass is required and may be purchased with your festival pass. There is a drop-off / pick-up zone close to the festival entrance.

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Companion Cards

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‍Byron Writers Festival is a participant of the National Companion Card scheme, offering patrons with disability who hold a current companion card a second ticket for their accompanying companion at no charge.

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When you arrive, please make your way to the festival box office and present your National Companion Card, along with your festival ticket, to our friendly staff. You will be allocated a corresponding complimentary pass for your companion. There is a limit of one companion pass per person per day.

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For further information please visit the NSW government companion card webpage.

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Assistance animals

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Assistance animals are welcome at the festival site. If you are blind or have low vision and want to attend an event at Byron Writers Festival, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT can provide you with free training on how to travel safely from any location to your event at the festival. Call 1800 804 805 to discuss your travel needs.

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Accessibility Amenities (including disability access)

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Accessible toilets available across the precinct:

Bay St Stage: Dening Park, Bay St, Byron Bay 

Byron Bay Surf Club: Bay St, Byron Bay 

Haven Gallery: Jonson St, Byron Bay 

Bay St Stage: Dening Park, Bay St, Byron Bay 

Byron Theatre and Wategos Room: Jonson St, Byron Bay 

Festival Hub: Jonson St, Byron Bay