So, this year I went to PAXAUS with a new accessory — and no, not a cute hat or shiny enamel pin. A wheelchair. My first proper con rolling instead of walking, and let me tell you, it was a wild ride. There were moments of absolute accessibility bliss… and moments of pure “what the actual heck did I just experience??”
Werribee Zoo — Wheel-Friendly Heaven
Before the chaos of PAX, I went to Werribee Zoo. And honestly? Absolute perfection. Smooth paths, helpful staff, plenty of space — it felt like they actually thought about accessibility instead of just slapping a ramp somewhere and calling it a day.
Even the food court area was spacious and easy to roll through. The only downside? The bathrooms in that area were not chair-friendly at all, so I had to grab my cane and do the awkward hobble shuffle. Not ideal.
BUT the VIP Safari Tour? Worth every cent. They’ve got a chair lift if you need it, and the whole experience felt welcoming and inclusive.
Oh, and meet David the Giraffe — proud owner of a singular brain cell, licking a metal pole like it was gourmet cuisine. Honestly, he fits right in with the rest of us con-goers. Absolute icon.
10/10, would wheel with giraffes again.
Melbourne CBD — A Boss Fight in Itself
Now, let’s talk Melbourne. Navigating the CBD in a wheelchair is like playing Frogger: Hardcore Edition. Trams, cars running red lights, dodgy curbs, and crosswalks that clearly were not designed with chairs in mind.
As a first-time chair user in the city, it was honestly overwhelming. Some crossings were smooth, others were… nah. Add in the stress of dodging cars and you’ve got yourself a side quest I did not sign up for.
And as you can see from the scuff marks on the bottom of my chair — it was scuff and smack a plenty. Every corner felt like a mini-boss encounter. Honestly, Melbourne, you’re gorgeous… but you fight dirty.
FOOD!! Melbourne Be Still My Beating Arteries
Now let’s talk food. Melbourne, you’re unfairly good at feeding people. My arteries? Screaming. My taste buds? Having a spiritual awakening.
Bars? Plenty, and usually pretty wheelchair-friendly. And I’ll give credit: people were happy to help if you gave them a heads up.
And yes — as per PAX tradition, we hit Mjolnir. (Please refer to my separate food review for the full spicy breakdown on that saga.)
PAXAUS @ MCEC — The Venue vs The People
Credit where credit’s due: the MCEC is actually really solid when it comes to accessibility. Ramps everywhere, automatic doors that actually work, wide hallways, and bathrooms scattered across the venue like loot drops. On paper, it’s fantastic.
But here’s the thing: accessibility isn’t just about the infrastructure. It’s about the people using it too. And some con-goers? Absolute champions. Helpful, respectful, gave space. Others? Let’s just say… yikes.
- Trying to politely say “excuse me” to get through a walkway? Half the time I got blank stares, side-eye, or people acting like I’d just asked them to move a mountain.
- Crowds would stop dead in the middle of the floor to chat or check their phones, blocking everyone behind them. I’d try to roll past, and suddenly I’m the rude one for existing.
- At one point, someone literally stopped in front of me, I tapped them because — hello, momentum is a thing — and they had a go at me like I’d just committed a war crime.
And then came… The Bathroom Incident™.
The accessible toilet door didn’t lock properly, so someone walked in. They stared. Said nothing. And then — plot twist — LEFT THE DOOR WIDE OPEN so now I’m sitting there making direct eye contact with everyone walking past. Honestly, one of the most uncomfortable and humiliating experiences I’ve had at a convention.
And as if that wasn’t enough, there’s the little things people don’t think about:
- People “crop dusting” (yes, I said it) right in front of me as I tried to navigate crowded spaces.
- Folks giving me attitude for daring to exist in their personal bubble when all I wanted was to move forward.
Oh, and PAX Pub? We need to talk. Why are all the chairs and tables up at “giant’s banquet” level? A woman cannot sit, sip, and yap to her friends without snapping her neck backward like an owl. Please, I am begging — bring in some lower tables or accessible seating next time. Not everyone wants to cosplay as a giraffe just to grab a drink.
Being wheelchair-bound at a convention is not my cup of tea. I respect the hell out of people who do this all the time, because it takes a patience stat that I clearly haven’t levelled up yet. I’ll try not to let this one experience ruin future conventions for me, but I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t made me wary.
That said, I did walk (well, roll) away with a pretty cool haul from friends and PAX itself. Stickers, goodies, and little treasures that made me smile. So hey, it’s not all bad, I suppose.
AusTubers: My Heart, My Soul, My Cult 💜
And then there’s the part of the weekend that truly fills me up: the AusTubers community. Did you guys show up this year or what?!
From start to finish, you were everywhere — loud, proud, and just radiating good vibes. Helpful, non-judgemental, always happy to assist, and just overall amazing. Every time I turned around there was another familiar face, a new friend, or someone just happy to be there. That’s the magic of AusTubers: we don’t just show up, we take over.
Pre-Party
We kicked things off at the Amazing Tessie Pearl Hotel, and honestly? What a start. The staff and manager were absolute legends —super accommodating and set the tone for the night.
At some point we all looked around and thought: heck it, let’s throw the doors open and let the public in too. And honestly? Best decision. WHAT A FRIENDLY BUNCH. Complete strangers were coming up to me saying, “You the boss lady? Let me buy you a drink! Thanks for opening to the public.” Like — hello, Melbourne, that’s the energy I want every weekend.
I ended up making friends with someone who had the most majestic Viking beards (plural, because beard power like that deserves its own league), and a sweet brother-and-sister duo who were just vibing with the chaos. It wasn’t just a party — it felt like we’d created this little micro-community on the spot, a mix of AusTubers and random locals all coming together.
We partied hard, we laughed louder, and it was the perfect way to set the tone for PAX week.
Community Meetup
Saturday was next-level. Over 80 attendees rolled through, making it our second-largest community turnout yet. Stickers exchanged like trading cards, prizes handed out, Snag the Bilby spotted lurking like a rare Pokémon. There was so much energy in that room, you could bottle it. That’s the kind of moment where you realise just how far we’ve come.
VIP Karaoke Night
And then… Karaoke Night. Where do I even start? Absolute chaos in the best way possible. We screamed songs until our voices gave out, danced like gremlins set free, and collectively decided pitch is optional when you’re vibing this hard.
The soju? Let’s be real — there was something in that soju. Gahd damn. STRONG doesn’t even cover it. One bottle in, people were singing like they were auditioning for Eurovision; two bottles in, and suddenly the whole room thought they were the Spice Girls.
Chairs were stolen (mine, specifically — multiple times) by “friends” who claimed they were helping. Spoiler: they were not. Watching your mates joyride your wheelchair while you’re tipsy at 2am is… a choice. But if you can’t laugh about it, what even is community?
And of course, the night ended in tragedy: I wound up at a kebab shop, minus a kebab. Empty hands, full heart, broken soul. The kebab that got away.
Absolute highlight of the week. AusTubers, you are unhinged in the best possible way, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Sunday Chill — Roast Pork & Brutal Games
After all that chaos, Sunday was the calm after the storm. A chill night with friends, where I cooked my famous roast pork (yes, it’s as good as it sounds). We played games that were a little brutal and maybe shared way too much TMI, but honestly? It was the perfect ending to a whirlwind week.
I’m thankful for everyone in my life — old friends, new friends, and everyone in between.Big Feelings, Big Respect 💜
Final Thoughts — Dear Melbourne… Do Better.
Accessibility isn’t just ramps and bathrooms. It’s courtesy. It’s giving space, listening when someone says “excuse me,” and not making a wheelchair user feel like an inconvenience for existing.
MCEC nailed the infrastructure. The people? Mixed bag. Melbourne, you’ve got potential, but please… fix your bathroom locks, teach your citizens how to share a walkway, and maybe we’ll get along just fine.
Until then, I’ll keep rolling (literally), I’ll keep showing up, and I’ll keep glaring right back when I need to. Because one bad experience doesn’t erase the love, the chaos, and the joy I found here.
PAXAUS gave me bruises, scuff marks, a kebab tragedy, and a bathroom horror story – but it also gave me memories, new friends, a killer haul, and a community I wouldn’t trade for anything.
And honestly? That’s what keeps me coming back.
Sasi ❤
The Moonlight Cove 
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