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Babinda Boulders
Babinda, Far North Queensland

The boulders has a designated swimming area with a platform at the edge of a wide, crystal clear river in the rainforest. It is a beautiful spot for a swim with easy access, shallow entry, and a coarse sandy bed to stand on.

Swimming at Babinda Boulders

Above: The designated swimming area at Babinda Boulders (Order this image)

The designated swimming area is close to the car park, with only a short walk from the picnic area down the ramp to the edge of the water.

The swimming area is quite large, with a submerged beach extending out into the water by around ten metres in every direction. Deeper water is accessible beyond the edge of the sand when the river is not flowing too fast. The river is bounded by lush rainforest, with a waterbird perched on one of the overhanging branches on the far side for the duration of my swim.

Swimming at Babinda Boulders

Above: The ramp down to the edge of the water at Babinda Boulders (Order this image)

I came here on an unseasonally wet and cool day, when it had been raining heavily on and off for the last few hours. When I hopped into the water, I left my boots at the back of the concrete platform and my bag up on the bench at the rear of the platform.

By the time I had come out from my swim, the river had risen by about 30 cm, so that the platform holding my boots was now covered in water. Fortunately my waterproof boots remained dry inside and had not floated away!

I was not the only one who ventured in. When I was there, the swimming area was also being used by a young woman who arrived in a wheelchair, rolled up to the edge of the water, then raised herself up out of her chair and manouvered herself into the water for a swim. It was pleasing to see wheelchair access for swimmers in action and being actively used at this swimming hole.

Swimming at Babinda Boulders

Above: The boulders at Babinda Boulders (Order this image)

Access to the former swimming holes downstream, including the Devils Pool, is no longer permitted due to several drownings over the years prior to the ban. You can still view these areas by following the walking track to the elevated viewing platforms that overlook the river, but they are closed to swimming.

Other Information Before You Go:

Location:At the end of The Boulders Road (Munro St), Babinda, 65 km (approx. 1 hour drive) south of Cairns.
Latitude:-17.341318 Longitude:145.869928
Getting there: From the Bruce Hwy (A1) at Babinda follow Munro St, which becomes The Boulders Road, for 8 km from the Babinda town centre. The road to Babinda Boulders is well signposted.

Facilities: Public toilets, change rooms, bbqs, car park, sheltered and unsheltered picnic tables, lawn areas, play equipment, rubbish bins.
Entrance fee: None
Water temperature: Mild
Water clarity: Clear
Under foot: Coarse sand
Maximum water depth: Greater than 2 metres
Minimum swimming proficiency required: Beginners, under supervision, in the shallow beach area. Elsewhere experienced swimmers only due to the current and variable depth.
Prohibitions including whether you can bring your dog: No camping, no littering, no vehicles (beyond the car park), no alcohol, no dogs. Swimming is prohibited in the Boulders Gorge and at the Devils Pool.
Sun shade: Shade available out of the water, with some small shade-covered areas in the water.
Opening times: Always open
Wheelchair access: Wheelchair accessible paths down to the edge of the water. Wheelchair accessible toilets. The path to the Devils Pool is not wheelchair accessible due to the steep slopes.
Accommodation: See accommodation options close to Babinda Boulders, including where I stayed when visiting the Boulders.
Managing authority: Cairns Regional Council
Nearby attractions: Josephine Falls, 23 km to the south by road.

Before you head out, make sure to read the swimming safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions. Specific to this site, the managing authority warns that there are strong currents, submerged objects, and steep dropoffs in the water, and that children must be supervised in the water. On the walking track to the Devils Pool the area can be slippery.

Locality Map:

The marker indicates the approximate location of the swimming area at Babinda Boulders. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can sometimes occur when loading, simply click or tap on "View Larger Map" below.
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Frequently Asked Questions:

Can kids swim at Babinda Boulders? Yes, but only under close supervision in the designated swimming area due to the river currents.

How deep is the water at Babinda Boulders? The depth depends on river conditions, but is shallow in the beach area, and can get deep quickly beyond the beach.

Can my dog swim at Babinda Boulders? No, dogs are not permitted here.

Are there crocodiles at Babinda Boulders? Crocodiles travel far and wide in far north Queensland. None had been reported here to my knowledge at the time of my swim, but always keep a lookout and heed any warning signs on site.

Can I see fish in the water at Babinda Boulders? Yes, due to the clear water, it is usually possible to see some fish.

Can I go fishing at Babinda Boulders? I did not see any signs indicating that fishing was not permitted, but you are probably more likely to land a tourist before you land a fish here.

Can I have a picnic at Babinda Boulders? Yes, with free public barbecue facilities and lots of lawn areas nearby, it is a great spot for a picnic.

If you have any other questions not answered above, leave a comment for me using the comment box below.

Comments:

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