Auslan interpretation will be available on request for a number of key events during the festival.

If you require either of these services for an event that is not listed, please make a note on the checkout page when you buy your ticket.

Alternatively, contact us via email [email protected] or phone us at 9094 7827.

We will do our best to organise interpreting and or live captioning for the event/s you’d like to attend. We advise making bookings at least a week before the event to allow us to provide notice for the service providers to meet in demand requests. We are excited to work with Auslan Stage Left and Expression Interpreting for this year’s festival!

Companion Card holders receive a complimentary ticket to support people with a disability.

Companion tickets can be requested at checkout. 

Face Masks: We strongly encourage all patrons to wear high quality well-fitted face masks and use hand sanitiser at festival events, to minimise the risk of transmission. Artists are also requested to wear face masks when mingling and in close proximity to others. All EWF staff will be wearing face masks at festival events.

Vaccinations: We strongly encourage all attendees and participating artists to be up to date with their COVID vaccinations.

Health Precautions: If you suspect you have COVID or the flu, test positive for either, or exhibit symptoms, we urge you to stay home to protect the health of others.

Live captioning will be available on request for a number of key events during the festival. 

If you require live captioning for an event, please let us know by indicating this on the checkout page when purchasing your ticket. Alternatively, email us at [email protected]. 

A hearing loop allows individuals wearing a hearing aid to tune in to the venue’s frequency. If you require hearing assistance, please contact us when you book your ticket.

Venues equipped with hearing loops include:

narrm mgarrgu Library (Williams AV hearing augmentation transmitter, and 4 mobile Wavecast hearing app devices for use, or users can install the app on their own device. Receiver kits are available from staff on all levels.

The Wheeler Center, Performance Space

Flemington Library, Workshop Space: Wireless Hearing Augmentation System 

If you want to check whether a venue not listed above has hearing loops, please contact [email protected]

On request, reserved seating will be allocated for attendees with accessibility requirements when attending in-person events. 

Many of our venues welcome service animals. If you have questions about a specific venue, please let us know in the access request when booking your ticket or contact us on our email and phone number above.

The following venues either have designated quiet spaces, or areas that we have noted are quieter than the event space within the venue: 

The Wheeler Centre, Performance Space: using the Writer’s Victoria Library space (Level 3). An EWF staff member will need to show you to this area, if needed. 

Sam Merrifield Library: available in the public Quiet Study Area. 

Northcote Social Club: quietest spaces are located in the front bar. 

The majority of our venues are wheelchair accessible and equipped with accessible toilets.

Any venue that is not listed as Wheelchair Accessible has detailed specifics below for wheelchair users accessing EWF events in that space.

Please head to the listed venue spaces below for more information.

1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford, VIC

Capacity: 200  

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible via the Main Gate, located on St Heliers Street. 

Getting There: More information on transport to and parking at Abbotsford Convent can be found here. 

123 Queen St, Altona, VIC

Capacity: 40 

Accessibility: Accessible Venue. 

Getting there: 

Train: Altona Library is across the road from Logan Reserve (near Altona Beach) and is 260m from Altona Train Station.
Bus: 411/412, 415, 903 Smartbus 

165 Union Road, Ascot Vale, VIC

Capacity: 30
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Transport:
Train: Ascot Vale station is 600m from the venue.
Tram: St Leonards Rd/Union Rd (route 57) is 70m from venue.

Birrarung Marr, Russell St Ext, Melbourne VIC 3000

Wheelchair Accessibility: There’s step-free access and the room is on the ground floor.

If you have any questions about accessibility at Artplay, or want to share anything about your access needs for this venue (including allergies) prior to the event, please email [email protected] or call 03 9658 7880.

The Nicholas Building Room 14, Level 7, 37 Swanston Street, Melbourne, VIC

Capacity: 30 

Wheelchair Accessibility: Elevator doorway is 76.5 cm wide. The glass doorway on level 7 is 108 cm wide. The doorways into the Blindside gallery are 78.5 cm wide. All venues within the Nicholas Building will have doorways that are 78.5 cm wide. There is an accessible toilet on Level 2 of the Nicholson Building. It is accessed using a key that staff will provide guests when needed.  

Getting there: 

Tram: Swanston Street (routes: 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72), Collins Street (routes: 11, 12, 48, 109)

Train: Flinders Street Station is 220m from the venue.

30 Templeton St, Castlemaine, VIC

Capacity: 25 

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, with a ramp at the rear of the building and accessible toilets opposite Classroom 1 

Getting there: 

Train: Castlemaine Railway Station is 400m from venue 

542 Barkly St, West Footscray, VIC

Capacity: 18 

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible 

Getting there: 

Train: West Footscray Station is 950m from venue. 

Bus: Buxton St/Barkly St Stop (route 220) is 160m from venue. 

176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria 

Capacity: 30 

Accessibility: For more information on accessibility at The Wheeler Centre, see here. 

Getting there: For more information on getting to The Wheeler Centre, see here. 

Visitor’s Centre, Fitzroy Gardens, Wellington Parade, East Melbourne, Victoria.  

Capacity: 70 

Wheelchair Accessibility: For more information on accessibility at Fitzroy Gardens, see here.  

Getting there:  

Train: Jolimont Station is 450m from Visitor’s Centre.

Tram: The nearest tram stop is Jolimont Rd/Wellington Parade with routes 48 and 75. The tram stop is approximately 100m from the Fitzroy Gardens Visitor Centre entry. These routes offer low-floor tram options. Check Public Transport Victoria for the times of the Low-floor options. This stop is outside of the free tram zone. A step-free route is available from the tram stops.

On street parking: There is limited time-restricted street parking on Wellington Parade. Once you are on the footpath, there is a continuous accessible path of travel to the entry. Access to the footpath is via the nearby driveway where there is a kerb ramp. Visit Parking for people with disability to find and navigate to parking spaces reserved for people with disability.

Off street parking: The nearest off-street parking is on-site at the visitor centre where there is limited parking. One accessible parking bay is available. Please visit the City of Melbourne’s Off-Street Parking for more information on car park locations and council-operated car parks. The path approaching the entrance is concrete. There is step-free access from the frontage to the entrance.

313 Racecourse Road, Flemington, VIC

Capacity: 30 

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Humidifier and Wireless Hearing Augmentation System in Workshop space. 

Getting there: 

Train: Newmarket Station is 160m from venue.
Tram: Racecourse Road (route 57). 

30B Perry St, Collingwood, Victoria 

Capacity: 25 

Wheelchair Accessibility: There is a small bump over doorway entrance, caused by strip of plastic. Accessible toilets located in Collingwood Yards, which is accessible via a lift from the Ground level that venue is on. For more information on wheelchair accessibility at Collingwood Yards, see here. 

Getting there: Tram: Smith Street (route 86). 

56 Paisley Street, Footscray, VIC

Capacity: 80 

Accessibility: Accessible Toilets on Ground Floor. Wheelchair ramp up to entrance. 

Getting there:  

Train: Closest stations are Footscray station (650m) and Middle Footscray station (600m).
Bus: Bus routes leaving from Footscray station 

35 Johnston St, Collingwood, VIC

Capacity: 60 

Accessibility: Small bump over doorway entrance, caused by strip of plastic. Accessible toilets located in Collingwood Yards, which is accessible via a lift up from the Ground level that venue is on. For more information on Accessibility at Collingwood Yards, see here . 

Getting there: Tram: Smith Street (route 86). 

7-11 Dawson Street, Brunswick, Victoria  

Capacity: 70 

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible; doors wide enough to cater to people in wheelchairs (1100mm+). 

Getting there: 

Train: Jewell and Brunswick Stations are both 500m from venue. 

78-80 Curzon St, North Melbourne, VIC

Capacity: 40 

Accessibility: Please note that there have been some changes to the venue’s accessibility. Unfortunately it is no longer wheelchair accessible. To enter the building there are three steps up, without a handrail. There are two steps down to access the toilet. Corridors are wide enough for two people to walk side-by-side.

Getting there: 

Train: North Melbourne Station is 1.1km from venue, with the 216 Bus route running between the station and venue.
Tram: routes 57 and 58 nearby. 

342 High St, Northcote, VIC

Capacity: 60 

Accessibility: Accessible entrance at back via a wooden ramp. Accessible parking at back of venue. Inside the building, there is a ramp down into main theatre space. 

Getting there: 

Train: Northcote Station is 450m from venue.
Tram: High Street (route 96). 

251 Faraday Street, Carlton, Victoria  

Capacities: 

Multipurpose Room 1: 56 

Multipurpose Room 2: 30 

Meeting Room 3: 20 

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Access to the library is via a ramp and steps. 

Getting there: Tram: All tram routes to Melbourne University (72, 67, 5, 6, 64, 3/3a, 16, 1 and 8), Stop 1. 

Elliott Avenue, Parkville, VIC.

EWF attendees will meet staff at the Corporate Entrance (Gate 5) and walk through the Zoo to the Butterfly House. Here is the location pin on Google Maps. 

Capacity: 80 

Accessibility: The Butterfly House is located in the Forests of Wonder exhibit, within the Melbourne Zoo. It is wheelchair accessible. Melbourne Zoo has accessible toilets, and one is located right next to the venue (see map).  

176 Little Lonsdale Street (Underneath The Wheeler Centre entrance), Melbourne, VIC

Accessibility: The Moat is located below The Wheeler Centre. For more information on accessibility at The Wheeler Centre, see here. 

Getting there: For more information on getting to The Wheeler Centre, see here.  

141 Therry St, Melbourne, VIC

Capacities 

Multipurpose Room 3: 20 

Meeting Room 1: 20 

Bagungga (Reading & Events Space, Level 1): 100 

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. IR Hearing augmentation – receiver kits available from staff on all levels. 

Getting there: 

Tram: Queen Victoria Market stop (routes 19, 57 or 59). 

Parking: Queen Vic Market Undercover Car Park located below library. Enter via Queen Street. 

717 Flinders Street, Melbourne, VIC

Capacity: 100 

Accessibility: Norla Dome is not fully wheelchair accessible, due to the toilet available. This measures 105cm X 230cm, with a doorway width of 80cm. 

Getting there: 

Tram: Flinders Street (routes 70, 75). 

Parking: On-site parking is limited to one vehicle per event, for the duration of the event. It is the client’s responsibility to relay this information to all staff, performers etc. Unauthorised vehicles will be towed. 

34-40 Jane Bell Lane (off Russell St), Level 3, QV Building, Melbourne, VIC

Capacity: 100 

Accessibility: Accessible toilets are available in the QV building. 

Getting there: More information on transport to and parking nearby No Vacancy and the QV building can be found here. Note that the QV building is directly across from The Wheeler Centre on Little Lonsdale Street. 

20 Solly Avenue, Princes Hill, VIC

Capacity: 15 

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. 

Getting there: 

Tram: Lygon Street (routes 1,6). 

301 High St, Northcote, Victoria  

Capacity: 100 

Accessible toilets on ground level. Green Room isn’t accessible, is accessed via two flights of stairs. For more information on accessibility at the venue, as well as transport and parking, see here
 

22 Allenby St, Coburg North, VIC

Capacity: 100 

Accessibility: This is a partnered event with Pink Embers Comic Studios, and unfortunately the venue is not wheelchair accessible. For more information on access at the venue, click on this link, and navigate to ‘access’. 

Getting there: 

Train: Batman Station is 1.1km from venue.
Tram: Sydney Rd (route 19)

762 Mt Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds, VIC

Capacity: 80 

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Public Quiet Space available in the Quiet Study Area. 

Getting there: 

Train: Moonee Ponds Station is 600m from venue.
Tram: Moonee Ponds Junction (route 59); Moonee Ponds Junction X Pascoe Vale Road (route 82).
Bus: Moonee Ponds Bus Interchange is 200m from venue.

Shop 6/119 Hopkins St, Footscray VIC 3011 (located in the Trocadero Arcade “Trocadero Projects”), VIC

Capacity: 40 

Accessibility: The closest accessible toilets are at Footscray train station, accessed off Irving Street on platform 1. They are 230m from the venue, with a flat/accessible route to get there. You don’t need to touch on to enter the platform, just speak to the station staff. 

Getting there: 

Train: Footscray Station is 230m from venue.

1 Pitt Street, Brunswick, VIC

Capacity: 80 

Accessibility: The Big Room at this venue is wheelchair accessible. For more information on accessibility, see here.  

Getting there: For more information on transport and parking, see here  

13/15 Mason St, Newport, Victoria  

Capacity: 50 

Accessibility: Accessible Venue. 

Getting there: Train: Newport Station is 140m from venue.

104 Ferguson St, Williamstown, Victoria  

Capacity: 60 

Accessibility: Accessible Venue. 

Getting there: 

Train: Williamstown line to North Williamstown Station (1.1km from venue)
Bus: 415, 472 

176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria 

Capacity: 230 

Accessibility: For more information on accessibility at The Wheeler Centre, see here. 

Getting there: For more information on getting to The Wheeler Centre, see here. 

A few events will be livestreamed to our YouTube channel with access to Live Caption transcripts. Access links will become available on event listing pages before the event along with live external transcripts. YouTube is compatible with screen readers, offers Dark theme and has keyboard shortcuts.

Zoom will be used for ticketed performances, workshops and Masterclasses. Zoom is compatible with screen readers and also offers high contrast settings and Dark Mode for people with visual impairments.