Surrounded by thick, lush rainforest, the Babinda Boulders is a popular swimming hole and tourist attraction south of Cairns. It is a classic example of the fast flowing tropical creeks in the area that are perfect for afternoon dips in the cool water to combat the tropical heat.
The creek is lined with huge boulders and the clear fresh water weaves between the obstacles to fill large pools where people can swim. Visitors to the Babinda Boulders are often amazed that the water is quite cool, even during mid-summer.
Below the tranquil pools of the upper section, the river turns into a torrest as it thunders through Devil's Pool and over a series of massive granite boulders and into the valley below.

A walking track leads from the carpark through dense rainforest to two viewing platforms (at the Devils Pool lookout, a number of letters have been rubbed off the sign, leaving it to read 'Evil Poo Lookout') where the creek cascades down a series of spectacular waterfalls, granite boulders and washpools. Several people have died after ignoring warnings to stay clear of the fast flowing water and slippery boulders in the wet season, especially near Devil's Pool.

How to get there: The Babinda Boulders are located 7 kilometres from Babinda and 58km south of Cairns. From Cairns, drive south along the Bruce Highway for about 1 hour and turn right into the town of Babinda. Road signs then direct the way to the swimming hole. The drive between Cairns and Babinda passes through spectacular mountainous scenery and luscious rainforest as well as sugar and banana farming communities. Queensland's two highest mountains; Mt. Bartle Frere and Mt. Bellenden Ker are both visible along the drive.

The Devil's Pool Legend

The Babinda Boulders is not just a beautiful swimming hole, but the area also holds great significance for local Aboriginal people. According to legend a beautiful girl named Oolana, from the Yidinji people, married a respected elder from her tribe named Waroonoo. Shortly after their union another tribe moved into the area and a handsome young man came into her life. His name was Dyga and the pair soon fell in love. Realising the adulterous crime they were committing, the young lovers escaped their tribes and fled into the valleys. The elders captured them, but Oolana broke free from her captors and threw herself into the still waters of what is now known as Babinda Boulders, calling for Dyga to follow her. As Dyga hit the waters, her anguished cries for her lost lover turned the still waters into a rushing torrent and the land shook with sorrow. Huge boulders were scattered around the creek and the crying Oolana disappeared among them. Aboriginal legend says her spirit still guards the boulders and that her calls for her lost lover can still be heard.

Babinda township: Babinda is a small town in the heart of North Queensland's sugar cane area. It is set off the Bruce Highway and, to the passer-by, it looks like just another town centred around a sugar mill. In fact this small town, located 57 km south of Cairns and over 1700 km north of Brisbane, is more interesting than many of the larger centres in the area.
Babinda's name is probably a corruption of the word 'binda' which meant 'waterfall' in the dialect of the indigenous people. One wonders whether the Aborigines were referring to the waterfalls in the nearby Bellenden Ker National Park, or the annual rainfall which is a massive 4218 mm.
To the south-west of the town, along the Bartle Frere turnoff from the Bruce Highway, are the Josephine Falls, regarded by many as the most beautiful falls in North Queensland. Certainly their beauty was enough to attract the advertising world who have used the locality as the backdrop to a number of television commercials. There is a 700-metre walk from the car park to the falls and the swimming area.
A similar distance to the south-east, taking the turnoff to Bramston Beach, is the Eubenangee Swamp National Park. A 1.5-km walk, with some sections of boardwalk, allows visitors to experience the variety of flora and fauna which can be found in the tropical wetlands of the coast.

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