Sensory Shopping Guide

Busy shopping centres can sometimes be overwhelming, particularly for people with hidden disabilities. Stockland Burleigh Heads 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 he 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 Burleigh Heads 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 rear carpark accessible via Dunlin Drive  and entering the centre on at the rear near Australia Post or Chempro provides the best low sensory access to the centre. 

Customer Care is located in the middle of the centre, opposite Cotton On 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 07 5535 9666  for more information.

Our state-of-the-art Parents Rooms feature private feeding rooms, play areas, children’s toilets, bottle warmers, clean change tables and heated baby wipes. They are located at either end of the centre, on the Ground Level between Burleigh Town Medical Centre and Chempro Chemist, and between Lovisa and Best&Less.. 

We have an inclusive playground that allow children of all abilities to play together including those with physical disabilities, vision, hearing and mobility impairments, or spectrum disorders such as autism. The Funland Playground is located near the Indoor Eats, out the front of dusk and Best&Less.

> Click here to view our centre map

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