Please notify us of all access requirements when booking online – if you require further assistance, contact us on (03) 9094 7855 or [email protected].
Accessibility and getting here
Our offices at The Wheeler Centre are located at 176 Little Lonsdale Street. There is limited on-street parking in Little Lonsdale Street. The nearest commercial carpark is at QV, which has an entrance on Little Lonsdale Street.
The nearest train station is Melbourne Central (170 metres from the Wheeler Centre entrance). Access out of the train station is via a lift.
The nearest tram stops are:
- Swanston Street, stop 8 outside Melbourne Central/State Library Victoria (routes 1-6, 16, 64, 67, 72) (110 metres from the Wheeler Centre entrance)
- La Trobe Street, stop 7, (routes 30, 35) (220 metres from the Wheeler Centre entrance)
For a more detailed description of the venue (including audio), click here.
Accessible parking
There are two metered street-side disability parking spaces available on the left-hand side of Little Lonsdale Street – accessible from the Swanston Street end – roughly 25 metres from the Wheeler Centre’s wheelchair access ramp. These spaces are 2 hours between 7.30am-8.30pm, and unlimited outside of these hours.
There are three additional spaces on LaTrobe Street, outside Mr Tulk.
The footpaths on Little Lonsdale Street are quite narrow, and are on a slight slope, but are flat and well-surfaced. The footpaths are 1.4 metres wide at the narrowest point.
Wheeler Centre entrance
The Wheeler Centre’s foyer is accessible by either stairs or a 23 metre long ramp. At the front of the building, there are nine steep steps with a rail on either side. Each step is 25 centimetres deep. To the side of this, there is a ramp to the right-hand side of the front door as well.
General information
The Wheeler Centre is home to eight different literary organisations (the Wheeler Centre, Melbourne Writers Festival, Writers Victoria, Emerging Writers’ Festival, Express Media, Small Press Network, Australian Poetry and the City of Literature Office). It is also a venue that can be hired by external parties.
Most of the information on this page is specific to the workshop space where most of our workshops are held.
We endeavour to make all our work as accessible to as many people as possible. If you have any access requirements not covered by this page, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us to discuss what we can do to accommodate you. Please get in touch via: [email protected].
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The workshop space is on level 4 of the building,
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We have a gender-neutral and accessible toilet next to the workshop space where our workshops are held. Thre is another gender-neutral and accessible cubicle, which has a change table, off the foyer space. This is accessible via lift from the workshop space.
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Assistance animals are welcome.
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There is drinking water provided in the foyer.
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The space is heated and cooled with air-conditioning.
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Carers and Companion Card holders are welcome at all of the events.
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Our events have unallocated seating. If you would like a reserved seat due to access requirements (or any others), please contact us.
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The Wheeler Centre and Writers Victoria strive to make the Wheeler Centre a safe, welcoming space. If you feel uncomfortable or see ways in which we could improve our practice, please contact us by alerting a staff member on the night, or sending an email to [email protected].
Booking an event
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Tickets can be booked online – each event page has a link, ‘Book tickets’ or ‘Register now’.
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During the online booking process, you will have the option of letting us know your accessibility requirements and needs in a free-text box. If you need to get in touch with us regarding your access requirements, please contact us on (03) 9094 7855 or [email protected].
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If you are unable to book your tickets online, please contact us on (03) 9094 7855 or [email protected].
Meet-up groups or group bookings
If you are attending as part of a group and someone else has made the booking, please feel free to contact us on [email protected] to ensure that your requirements have been communicated as part of that booking.
Information for physically disabled people
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We are located on the second floor of the Wheeler Centre building, accessible via a ramp as well as stairs. The building’s front doors are automatic and are 1.41 metres wide.
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The bathroom is 10.2 metres from the performance space.
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Our floor is flat and suitable for most wheelchairs and other mobility aids. There are no internal stairs in the foyer area or in the performance space.
Information for D/deaf, hard-of-hearing and sound-sensitive people
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Assistance animals are welcome (drinking water provided on request).
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If you would like Auslan-interpretation at an event, we will provide it. Please make a note at the time of booking, or contact us on [email protected]. We require at least two weeks to confirm an interpreter. If you contact us closer to the event we will do our best, but may not be able to organise an interpreter in time.
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Please note, the Wheeler Centre is in the middle of the city. As such, there will be city noises such as traffic, sirens, etc that are audible throughout the building.
Information for blind, partially-sighted people, and photosensitive people
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Assistance animals are welcome (drinking water provided on request).
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Let us know if you require a seat at the front of the event you’re attending.
Information for autistic, anxious and neurodiverse people
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The Wheeler Centre can become busy, noisy and crowded depending on the time of day and if there’s an event occurring in the building. If you need space away from a crowd or distractions before, during or after an event, you are welcome to use our Level 3 library space. It is accessible via a lift and also via stairs. Please ask staff for directions/to be escorted there.
Information for people with severe allergies or who are immunocompromised
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The accessible/gender neutral toilet in the foyer area is designated fragrance-free.
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If you need space away from a crowd or distractions before, during or after an event, you are welcome to use our Level 3 library space. It is accessible via a lift and also via stairs. Please contact Wheeler Centre staff for directions/to be escorted up there.
First aid
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A First Aid kit is available in the building – staff can access this.
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The nearest pharmacy is Priceline Pharmacy across the road at QV. This is open until 9pm Monday-Saturday, and 7pm on Sunday. Their phone number is (03) 9654 4470.
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The nearest hospital is the Royal Melbourne Hospital at 300 Grattan St, Parkville. In an emergency, staff will contact Security at the State Library Victoria, who will call and direct an ambulance to the Wheeler Centre.
Food and dietary information
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Writers Victoria does not generally provide food or drink at its public events.
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Drinking water is available in the foyer of The Wheeler Centre.
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You are welcome to bring your own hot or cold food and non-alcoholic drink.
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Tobacco and unlawful drugs are not permitted to be used at the venue. You cannot bring your own alcohol to the venue
If you have any further questions, or require any further assistance, please contact us at the time of your booking.