Babinda, Queensland: Travel guide and things to do

The traveller rushing north towards Cairns would be forgiven for thinking that Babinda was hardly worth a visit. 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.

Things to see

Babinda Hotel
Babinda's most unusual building is undoubtedly the Babinda Hotel (once known as the State Hotel) located in the main street. It may look like just another north Queensland pub but its claim to fame is that it is the only hotel in Queensland (and probably in Australia) which was built by a state government. This unusual landlord bore the brunt of many subsequent jokes.

The government justified the construction of the hotel on the grounds of encouraging controlled drinking and stamping out sly grog shops. They also claimed that the hotel would offer reasonably priced lodgings for the hundreds of itinerant workers who came to Babinda during the cane-cutting season.

The hotel was opened on 29 May 1917 by the Home Secretary, Mr. Huxham, who, after delivering an opening address which attacked the sly grog industry, invited his audience into the pub for a free drink. For more information check out: http://www.babindastatehotel.com.au/

The Boulders
The Boulders, 7 km to the west of town, are a series of large boulders in the river which have been worn smooth by tropical rains. They are a dramatic sight, but one which is given much greater significance by the Aboriginal legend and the modern tragedies which have surrounded them. Since 1959 over 15 people (mostly young men) have drowned in this deceptive stretch of water, held under by powerful currents.

At the beginning of the path to 'The Boulders' is a simple monument which reads: 'Pray for the soul of Patrick McGann. He came for a visit and stayed forever'. The easy walking path then moves through tropical rainforest. There is the constant chatter of birds, tree roots twisted into fantastic shapes, and the canopy from the tall trees offering a cool covering, even on the hottest days.

According to legend, a very beautiful girl from the Yidinji people named Oolana married an old and respected elder from her tribe named Waroonoo. Some time after their marriage another tribe arrived in the area. In this group was a handsome young man named Dyga. The moment Oolana and Dyga saw each other they fell in love. Realising the crime they were committing, the young lovers fled into the valleys, pursued by both tribes. When they were finally captured, Oolana broke free from her captors and threw herself into the still waters of the nearby creek, calling for Dyga to follow her. As she hit the waters, her cries for her lost lover turned to rushing water and the land shook with sorrow. Huge boulders were thrown up and the crying Oolana disappeared amongst them. It is said that her spirit still guards the boulders and that her cries can be heard, calling for her lost lover, and luring young men into the dangerous waters.