About The Babinda Quarters

The Quarters is a beautifully restored classic Art Deco guesthouse, located in Babinda, Tropical North Queensland. Just a 40 minute drive south of Cairns.

This historic nurses home is a heritage icon and local landmark. Designed for overseas travelers and interstate guests visiting the coast and southern region of Cairns.

The Babinda Quarters has been thoughtfully renovated to become a fifteen room Art Deco Guest house with a 1930's feel. Its elevated position, expansive tropical surrounds and distinctive art deco architecture, make for a memorable holiday experience.

Features

• Two communal kitchens
• Picturesque lush tropical gardens surrounding the property
• Coin Laundry
• Street Parking

Location
The Babinda Quarters is a convenient 1-minute walk onto main street and a short drive to local attractions including Babinda Boulders, Devils Pool, Josephine Falls, Mt Bartle Frere

Places to eat nearby

• Cool spot café
• Babinda Bakery
• Babinda Hotel

The Babinda Quarters Story

The Babinda Quarters Story. 
By Margaret Nelson

Welcome to Babinda Quarters. This beautiful, architect designed, curved red brick building was lying idle in a jungle setting for almost 10 years until by chance one day Maggie saw it and knew it would make a perfect guest house.  A peaceful haven where people can relax and enjoy the surroundings.  Musicians are encouraged to stay and bring their instruments.  Stay for a day or stay for a year. 

I have been a business woman all my life and have enjoyed being self-employed.  For the last 30 years I have owned and managed the beautiful Floriana Guest House on the Cairns Esplanade. I love to play piano and sing and you will be delighted with the Bernstein baby grand that sits in the main lounge at Babinda Quarters.

Babinda is well established small rainforest town growing mainly sugar cane and bananas.  Regular requirements such as a Bank, Chemist, post office, supermarket, hospital, medical centre, picture theatre, heritage listed pub with Chinese restaurant, tavern with bistro and two very substantial cafes plus a second hand shop.  Because we are Surrounded by the tallest mountains in Queensland sometimes it seems that we live in a cloud.  There are wonderful walks, rock pools, waterfalls, and rainforest.

Babinda Township

Babinda is a tropical Queensland town with a population of just 1,300 people. The main street offers quaint shopfronts and a misty rainforest mountain backdrop.  This proud little gem has all of the facilities one would expect of a town much larger. 

A tourist information centre, hospital, library, restored historic picture theatre showing the latest release films (opens on weekends), a public 50 metre pool (closed Sundays and Saturday afternoon), a rambling huge heritage-listed hotel & the Babinda Bakery famous for cream buns.  

Babinda Attractions

We have always loved visiting this area and have hiked the mountains as a family.  Babinda Quarters is an excellent place to stay if you’re intending to do a big challenging hike or enjoy the relaxed waterfalls.  

Babinda Boulders
Babinda Boulders are a series of swimming holes where the water is cold year round.  Only 6 kms from Babinda township with plenty of parking the swimming hole is a popular swimming hole with easy access into the creek via a platform.  It is safe to swim here in the designated areas.  There is seating, bridges, decks, grassy areas for picnics and viewing platforms.  

Devils Pool 
Devils Pool is also accessed from this carpark.  It is a 1.3 km walk from Babinda Boulders and is for viewing only.  Devils Pool is not a swimming spot but is impressive to view. 
Josephine Falls is a scenic tiered cascade waterfall set within beautiful lush rainforest surrounds.  There is a natural rock slide here, fed by rainfall from Queensland’s highest peak, Mt Bartle Frere.  This is part of the Wooroonooran National Park and is well managed with maintained forest trails, viewing platforms, and stair access.  The walk in from the carpark is about 700 metres.

Mount Bartle Frere  
Mount Bartle Frere looms over Babinda and it is possible to hike to the top of this mountain. The trailhead begins at the Josephine Falls carpark.  It is a challenging hike, involves preparation and should only be undertaken by experienced bushwalkers.  A one-day trip will take approximately 12 hours.  There are two overnight campsites and permits are required before you depart.  This hike is not for the faint hearted. 

Broken Nose Walk
Broken Nose Walk is also accessed from Josephine Falls carpark.  This 8 kilometre mountain rainforest trek is also extremely demanding.  There is a campsite if you wish to camp and a permit is required.  Adequate research and preparations are important for these walks.