Destination NSW has partnered with one of YouTube's most popular channels and Qantas to highlight Sydney's accessibility for visitors of all ages and abilities.

The Harbour City welcomed 102-year-old San Francisco local Dorothy Smith as she fulfilled her dream to travel to every continent in the world. The visitor experiences she enjoyed in Sydney were shared with Yes Theory's 9.2 million subscribers and attracted extensive media coverage throughout Australia and around the world.

Her visit highlighted the important role accessible tourism plays in growing the NSW visitor economy.

More than a billion people globally are living with a disability, including more than 4.2 million in Australia. Ninety per cent of travellers with a disability take at least one leisure trip per year and 39 per cent travel three or more times per year, with their spend on accommodation, tours and activities being more than the average trip when compared to someone not living with a disability.

Yes Theory producers Ammar Kandil and Staffan Taylor first met Ms Smith in October 2024 when they moved into The Redwoods Retirement Village for 48 hours. Moved by her regret that she had not visited Australia, they decided to help her complete her journey.

Ms Smith said: "Travel is important to me because it’s a big world, and each country is different and has something different to offer; I want to see them all and I don’t want to miss anything!

“I loved visiting Sydney; it’s a beautiful city. The people are charming, the food is good, the scenery is just wonderful, and even the weather is nice!

"We saw the koala bears, of course the Sydney Opera House, we went to the Botanic Gardens, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, good restaurants and the lovely Bondi Beach where we got our feet a little wet and the water was really cold! And the people – they are all so nice, and so friendly!”

Ms Smith flew with Qantas to Sydney and received an invitation to the cockpit to meet the pilot, before she was welcomed at Sydney Airport by Yes Theory fans.

Kandil said: "Dorothy’s story is a powerful reminder that life is meant to be lived to the fullest, and we’re incredibly happy to help her achieve this lifelong dream to visit Sydney and tick of Australia as her seventh and final continent.

“Our mantra is ‘seek discomfort’ and embrace adventure, and Dorothy’s journey truly embodies the spirit of our channel. Her incredible story is set to inspire millions around the world to pursue their own adventures, no matter the obstacles.”

Dorothy’s itinerary included:

  • An afternoon cruising on Sydney Harbour
  • An up-close encounter with Australian wildlife at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo in Darling Harbour, where Dorothy met koalas and a kangaroo named Dorothy
  • A tour of the Sydney Opera House
  • A visit to Bondi Beach.

Follow Dorothy’s journey here.

Enhancing accessible and inclusive experiences in NSW

From 2024–2027, Destination NSW is working with accessibility agency Get Skilled Access to improve accessibility and inclusion in the NSW visitor economy.

This includes:

  • Understanding the accessible visitor experience by conducting regional assessments of a range of destinations and visitor experience across NSW, from the perspective of visitors with accessibility needs.
  • Building business capability by using the insights from regional assessments to deliver tailored to help visitor economy businesses to deliver and promote accessible and inclusive experiences
  • Communicating to visitors with quality information on how visitors can experience accessible and inclusive visitor experiences and destinations
  • Understanding the accessible visitor experience: regional assessments

Learn more about Destination NSW's collaboration with Get Skilled Access here.

View Destination NSW's Quick Tips guide to creating accessible and inclusive experiences here.