Busy shopping centres can sometimes be overwhelming, particularly for people with hidden disabilities. Stockland Shellharbour is proud to offer families a range of sensory-friendly activities and tips to make their centre experiences as convenient, calm, and organised as possible.

To help families navigate busy centres, in partnership with Aspect Australia, we have mapped out potential sensory stressors such as noise, light, smell, and touch as well as crowding or busy areas of the centre. The map also indicates calmer quieter places if needed, and assists in preparing a person by increasing the predictability of a new environment.

What is a Sensory Map?

Sensory maps are used to prepare a person and increase the predictability of a new environment and indicate calmer, quieter places if needed. This helps to reduce sensory overwhelm, anxiety and stress. 

Developed in partnership with Aspect

Stockland Shellharbour was assessed by Aspect's Autism Friendly team on a typical, busy day. Autistic people conducted a walkthrough of common areas, giving live feedback about their experience and advising on potential positives, challenges and solutions. Individual retailers and car parks were not assessed. 

Note: While the Sensory Map acts as a guide for a typical day at the centre, sensory experiences are subject to change day-to-day.

> Click here to download our Sensory Map

The Wattle Avenue carpark and entrance on ground level next to Stepz Fitness provides the best low sensory access to the centre. On Level One, the best low sensory access to the centre is the Kmart entrance beside The Bavarian.

Customer Care is located in the Food Court near Soul Origin and is open during centre core trading hours for assistance and queries. If you want to speak with a customer service representative before making your way in centre, please call 02 4296 8266 for more information.

Our state-of-the-art Parents Room feature private feeding rooms, play areas, children’s toilets, bottle warmers, clean change tables and heated baby wipes. They are located behind the Food Court, near The Greater Bank and next to the central travelators on ground level and plaza level. 

Low-sensory Quiet Rooms are available for parents, carers, and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to be used as a retreat away from a busy shopping centre. The rooms feature sensitive play screens, tactile wall panels, sensory wall coverings, bean bag and dimmable lights. Both rooms are located within the Parents Room facilities, one on the ground level near Coles, and the other on the plaza level near Ripcurl. 

An inclusive playground that allows children of all abilities to play together is located on the ground level outside Target. The Pirate Ship themed playground was built in collaboration with Playground Centre and Variety – the Children’s Charity, and features an innovative design to allow all children of all abilities to play together, including those with physical disabilities, vision, hearing and mobility impairments, or spectrum disorders such as autism.

> Click here to view our centre map


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