Where do we drop you off at Austin Hospital?
- Drop-off point
- We drop you at the main entrance set-down area or as close as possible to your clinic. The name of your tower or service on your letter helps.
- Accessible entrance
- The Austin has a main entrance and several other entries for different towers and services. Tell us your department and we will aim for the closest step-free door.
- Parking & waiting
- Car parks on the campus are busy and walking distances can be long. A taxi drop-off spares patients the walk.
- Accessibility
- Entrances are step-free with lifts. As the home of a major spinal service, the hospital is very used to wheelchair users arriving.
- Address
- 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg VIC 3084
Tips from our drivers for Austin Hospital
- The Austin is on the far side of Melbourne from the Peninsula, so ask for a fixed quote.
- Add your tower or clinic name to the booking notes.
- Power chair users should book the Maxi WAT for its hydraulic hoist.
- Use “pick up when ready” for long specialist appointments.
Going home from Austin Hospital
- Pick-up point
- Patients usually meet the taxi at the main entrance. Tell us your ward and we will confirm the meeting point.
Discharge tips
- Book a “pick up when ready” trip ahead: choose the day, then tap “I’m ready” on your booking page (or call us) when the ward lets you go.
- Discharge often takes longer than planned — waiting for medicines, a doctor’s sign-off or transport letters is normal. We only send the car when you are ready.
- Have your discharge letter, medicines and any walking aids with you, and tell us if you need help from the ward to the car.
- Travelling with a wheelchair or a carer? Say so when you book so we send the right vehicle.
Book the trip home — pick up when ready Ready now? Call 0468 323 211
Austin Hospital in Heidelberg is a major public teaching hospital run by Austin Health. It provides a wide range of specialist services and is home to the Victorian Spinal Cord Service, as well as cancer care and other statewide specialties.
Peninsula residents may be referred to the Austin for specialist treatment that is only available there, including spinal cord injury care and rehabilitation. It is a long trip across Melbourne, and people with spinal injuries or complex conditions usually need a vehicle that can carry them in their own wheelchair. Families also visit for long periods while a loved one goes through rehabilitation after a spinal injury, and patients often return for regular reviews after going home. Having the right vehicle, booked in advance and driven by someone who understands how to secure a chair properly, makes those many trips across the city much less stressful.
Taxi Peninsula’s wheelchair accessible vans and Maxi WAT are built for this. The Maxi WAT’s hydraulic hoist handles heavier power chairs, and every wheelchair vehicle has four-point restraints and lap-sash seatbelts. Carers travel with the passenger, and we offer fixed quotes for the long trip from the Peninsula. NDIS and aged-care accounts are accepted.
How long does it take to get to Austin Hospital?
- Melbourne CBDabout 15 min
- Melbourne Airportabout 30 min
- Dandenongabout 40 min
- Seafordabout 50 min
- Carrum Downsabout 50 min
- Frankstonabout 55 min
A rough guide without traffic. We allow extra time for loading your wheelchair.
Questions about taxis to Austin Hospital
Can you transport someone with a spinal injury in their power chair?
Yes. Book the Maxi WAT, which has a hydraulic hoist suitable for heavier power chairs and carries two wheelchairs plus six seated passengers. The chair is secured with four-point restraints and the passenger wears a lap-sash seatbelt. Let us know the chair type and any special requirements in your booking notes.
Is it practical to take a taxi from the Peninsula to Heidelberg?
Yes. It is a long trip across Melbourne, but door-to-door travel is much easier than several train and bus connections. We show a fare estimate before you book and offer fixed quotes on request. NDIS and aged-care accounts can be used where your plan or package covers transport.
Where will you drop me off at Austin Hospital?
We drop you at the main entrance set-down area or as close as possible to your clinic. The name of your tower or service on your letter helps.
Can you wait or pick me up after my appointment at Austin Hospital?
Yes. Book a return trip with an approximate time, then call or text us when you are ready. Appointments often run late, so we keep return pick-ups flexible.
Is there step-free access at Austin Hospital?
The Austin has a main entrance and several other entries for different towers and services. Tell us your department and we will aim for the closest step-free door.
Can I travel in my power wheelchair or scooter?
Yes. Most manual and power wheelchairs fit, and you stay seated in your chair. Tell us the make, width and weight when you book so we send the right vehicle. Mobility scooters can travel when they can be safely restrained — please check with us first.
Can a carer or family member come too?
Yes. Carers, family and assistance animals are welcome. Include everyone in the passenger count so we send a vehicle with enough seats.
How do I pay?
Pay the driver by card or cash, use your Multi Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP) card, or choose "Account / invoice" for NDIS plan managers, aged-care providers and businesses.
Visiting hours, maps and contacts for Austin Hospital (official website)