Babinda Boulders is famous for a reason.
Yes, it is one of the better-known swimming spots south of Cairns.
Yes, plenty of other people know about it….
And yes, we still love going.
For us, Babinda Boulders is a morning trip so we can catch the water while the sun is shinning on it. The water is pretty cold afterall.
We get up, pack a picnic, head south and try to get there before everyone else has the same idea.
Because once the day gets going?
The parking can become a bit of a circus.
Go early and make a morning of it
This is not somewhere I would casually roll into at lunchtime on a gorgeous weekend and assume I am getting the perfect parking spot.
We like arriving early.
It is quieter, the water feels amazing, and you get that lovely part of the morning before the picnic areas really fill up.
Then after we swim, we spread out on the grass and have lunch.
There are picnic tables and BBQ areas, but I love just finding a sunny spot on the grass and relaxing for a while.
Just keep an eye on your food.
The bush turkeys are professionals.
They are not casually wandering around hoping you drop something.
They have a plan.
The swimming area is really easy to get into
One thing I like about Babinda Boulders is that you do not have to clamber over rocks and perform some ridiculous balancing act just to get into the water.
There are steps leading down into the main swimming area, which makes it easy to get in and out. Perfect for families with little ones as the current isn’t strong either.
The pool itself is surrounded by rainforest and massive granite boulders, and it feels completely different from swimming at the beach.
It is fresh.
It is clear.
And on a hot Cairns day, it is exactly what you want.
You are not swimming under the waterfall
This is something I think people picture before they arrive.
You see photos of the rushing water and giant boulders and assume you are going to hike in and swim directly underneath some dramatic waterfall.
That is not really the experience.
There are walking tracks and viewing areas where you can see the cascades and boulders farther downstream, but the main swimming area is separate.
That does not make it any less worth visiting.
It just means you should come here expecting a beautiful rainforest swimming hole rather than your own private waterfall scene from a movie.
Don’t have a car to get there?
We recommend booking a tour. They’ll take you to all our fav waterfall spots, handle lunch, plus a few extra fun spots!
Look around while you are swimming
One of my favourite things about Babinda is the wildlife.
We have watched cormorants fly in and sit with their wings spread out in the sun.
There are freshwater fish everywhere.
You will often spot turtles too.
And then, of course, there are the bush turkeys patrolling the picnic area waiting for somebody to become distracted by a sandwich.
You are still very much in the rainforest here.
Sometimes the best part is just sitting quietly for a little while and watching what turns up.
Then stop at the bakery
Do not immediately drive back to Cairns.
Go into Babinda first.
Our post-swim move is stopping at the bakery for something to eat.
Because apparently having a picnic does not prevent anyone from needing a second snack.
Swimming creates hunger.
I do not make the rules.
How to get there from Cairns
From Cairns, head south on the Bruce Highway toward Babinda.
Once you reach Babinda, turn into town and follow the signs for Babinda Boulders. The swimming area is about 6 kilometres outside the township along Boulders Road. The road dead ends in the car park after a campground.
It is an easy drive, which is another reason we like doing it as a morning trip rather than treating it like some huge day expedition.
My tip
Go early.
Bring a picnic.
Swim first.
Then claim a patch of grass in the sun and do absolutely nothing for a while.
And protect your lunch from the bush turkeys.
They have no respect for personal property.
Indy’s take
Go here for: A rainforest swim, picnic morning, families, wildlife and an easy trip south of Cairns.
Best time for us: Early morning before the parking and swimming area get busy.
What we do: Swim, picnic on the grass, watch the wildlife and stop in Babinda afterward.
Look for: Cormorants, turtles, freshwater fish and lunch-stealing bush turkeys.
Good to know: The main swimming area is easy to access, while the dramatic boulders and cascades are something you view from the walking tracks and platforms.
Would we go back? Constantly. It is famous for a reason.
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