Accessible Experiences in Coffs Harbour City Centre: A Day Exploring Inclusion, Connection and Local Culture

We started the day at Yarrila Place, and honestly, it set the tone straight away. From the moment I rolled in, it felt open, modern, and genuinely welcoming. There was no hesitation, no second-guessing whether I could access something – it just worked. That kind of ease matters more than people realise.

From there, we moved into the Yarilla Arts and Museum, and that’s where things became a bit more personal for me. The vibe in that business is something special. It’s not just accessible – it’s inviting. As I took in the exhibits, I found myself reconnecting with parts of my childhood. Memories started coming back, and suddenly it wasn’t just about filming anymore – it was about reliving moments and testing my own local knowledge along the way.

Then we hit the Relics exhibit, which honestly blew me away. It was incredibly well done, both in presentation and accessibility. There was even a little figurine of the mayor hidden within the displays, which added this fun, unexpected layer to the experience. I wish I had more time to properly search for it – I reckon I would’ve made a game of it. But that’s the thing about that business – it draws you in. It’s welcoming, interactive, and it shows what’s possible when accessibility and creativity come together.

Another standout for me was the art installation area. What really hit me was the inclusion of miniature versions of the artwork – designed so that people with vision impairments can physically feel the pieces and connect with them more deeply. That’s powerful. It goes beyond access in the physical sense and moves into inclusion in the emotional and creative sense. It allows more people to experience art, not just observe it. That stayed with me.

“It goes beyond access in the physical sense and moves into inclusion in the emotional and creative sense.”

After leaving Yarrila Place, we made our way over to Gowings Coffs Central Shopping Centre, which sits right next door. The shops here have such a welcoming energy; they’re easy to roll into, easy to move through, and everything feels clean and unobstructed. For me, that equals freedom. I don’t have to plan every movement or worry about tight spaces – it just flows. And the fact that I can bring my service dog, Loki, in with me makes a huge difference, too. It means I can fully be myself there.

We first stopped into Kaleidoscope, a local art and craft co-op, and I loved it. I could roll through every part of that business without issue, which isn’t always the case in smaller, more creative businesses. 

The vibe in there is warm and genuine, and it feels like a business where you can take your time, roll around, and find something meaningful. I even picked up a small piece – a memory I could pass on to someone else. That moment stuck with me because it’s something simple that accessibility enables: the ability to fully participate in everyday experiences.

From there, we headed into Pacific Trader and the Alvey shop. These businesses hit a different note for me. Before my chair, I was a massive water person – and honestly, I still am in my own way. Rolling into those businesses brings that part of me back. But what really stands out is the staff. They always bring a warm welcome and real expertise. They meet you where you’re at and help you find what you need, whether it’s for a water adventure or something else entirely. That consistency – that feeling of being seen and helped without hesitation – is a big reason why I keep coming back.

I’m not going to go somewhere where I feel uncomfortable. I’m going to go places where I can see they’ve actually thought about how to get me into the shop, how they’ve laid things out, whether I can move around freely, whether I can see everything, and whether there’s anything restricting me.

That’s what I love about Gowings as a whole. It’s not just the accessibility of the physical layout – it’s the people, the atmosphere, the experience. Great food, great shops, and facilities that actually work for my community and me. So, a genuine thank you to Mr Gowings, his team, and all the business owners that call Gowings home.

“I’m not going to go somewhere where I feel uncomfortable. I’m going to go places where I can see they’ve actually thought about how to get me into the shop, how they’ve laid things out, whether I can move around freely, whether I can see everything, and whether there’s anything restricting me.“

Heading out onto City Square, we rolled over to Stashhouse, and that was the perfect way to shift the energy. Julian and the boys bring so much life to that business – it’s real, grounded, and welcoming in a way that goes beyond just accessibility. Garth, one of the owners, has created a business that feels safe and respectful, especially for young people. It’s somewhere they can be seen, heard, and understood – and that matters just as much as any physical access point.

We then took in the street art at Park Avenue Lane on our way to my mate Luke’s business, My Mates Place, and that was one of those moments that just felt easy. I’ve known Luke for years, and I really love rolling in there, grabbing a great coffee, and just being in that business. His passion for small business and his belief in Coffs Harbour’s growth are genuinely inspiring. It’s people like him who help shape the community into something stronger and more connected.

Before heading to our final stop, we rolled through the Studio Lane precinct, and honestly, that was one of the most unexpected highlights of the day. The street art in Coffs City Centre is incredible. There are so many layers of influence in it – from styles that reminded me of Mambo and Sek, to other pieces that connected directly with my childhood and identity. It felt like the city expressing itself in a raw, honest way, and it tied back into why I was doing this filming in the first place.

From there, we made our way to Pushkar, which has such a calming energy the moment you roll into it. It’s the kind of business where you can find that perfect little trinket or treat that means something on a deeper level. Once again, I could roll freely through the business, and the staff were welcoming and genuinely helpful, taking the time to help me find exactly what I needed. That consistency of experience across different businesses really stood out to me.

We finished the day at King Tide Brewery, where I had a cheeky beer with some mates and took a moment to just reflect. I also had the chance to speak with the owner about his business and how he’s made it accessible – not just in design, but in attitude. That willingness to include people like me and create a business where we feel comfortable and welcome means a lot.

Looking back over today, this was so much more than creating content. It was about telling a story about how far we’ve come. And I hope to keep showing this side of our city – the disabled community, the businesses we can access, and the opportunities ahead – because it all adds up to something meaningful. I’m proud to be part of that.

“Because at the end of the day, we’re not sitting still. We’re always rolling forward.”