Babinda Boulders
Day Tour Suggestions - Babinda Area - The Boulders - Josephine Falls
The Boulders - a well known picnic, swimming, bushwalking and camping area. It is 7 kilometers from the Bruce Highway and well sign posted. The Boulders are a series of huge spheroidal outcrops of granite strewn along Babinda Creek, amongst volumes of sparkling, cascading clear mountain water. The area is shrouded in Aboriginal Legend where a beautiful young Aboriginal girl entices young men into the water, and they disappear. This legend has been reinforced in recent times by many deaths of single males visiting the area, so ensure you swim only in the areas designated as ‘safe’, as dangerous undertows may exist through and under the boulders. The area is surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, with large varieties of birds and animals.
Various walks include - Devils Pool walk to Boulders Lookout - 100 m; to Devils Pool Lookout - 470 m; to Boulders Gorge Lookout - 600 m; or Rainforest Circuit Walk - 850m.
Returning towards the Highway, you may like to stop at the Art Deco style Pam Schultz Gallery, on Boulders Road - 2 klm from Babinda. It is open Thursday to Monday from 10.00am to 5.00pm and features representational paintings of this famous artist of the wet tropics, Great Barrier Reef, local flora and fauna and the North Queensland sugar cane industry. Handcrafted woodwork, pottery and jewellery is also on display.
On the Bruce Highway travelling south from Babinda is Miriwinni. Here you can take a turn off for Bramston Beach and discover this sleepy beachside village, or if you are a keen birdwatcher, stop at the Eubenangee Wetlands before Bramston Beach. This area is home to many birds and wildlife including crocodiles. There is a 1 klm walking track; take the short walk to the top of the hill to appreciate the wetlands and great views. (Don’t forget some insect repellent).
If this doesn’t appeal, south of Miriwinni is the turn off for the Josephine Falls, just 8 klm off the Highway. These spectacular cascading falls are a favourite place with the locals to take a rainforest walk, or a swim. Only a ten minute walk to the falls.
If you have the time and the energy, and haven’t investigated Innisfail, it has some old and impressive buildings and an interesting multicultural history. The Historical Society is in Edith Street for more information and maps.
