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.  

Opportunity to purchase Babinda Quarters

Babinda Quarters – Historic Guesthouse & Creative Haven

Set beneath the misty slopes of Mount Bartle Frere, Babinda Quarters is a rare Art Deco landmark with a rich history and an inspiring future.

Built in 1953 to house trainee nurses at Babinda Hospital, this grand triple-brick building has been lovingly restored over the past five years into a vibrant boutique guesthouse.

Today, Babinda Quarters spans over 800m² under roof and sits on a generous 2,924m² freehold block.

The property features 19 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, multiple kitchens, lounge and dining areas, and a private manager’s quarters, complemented by expansive tropical gardens and mountain views.

Every detail pays homage to its heritage—terrazzo floors, French doors, Queenslander casement windows, and wide hardwood hallways—blended with colour, creativity, and modern comforts.

At the heart of the house is a welcoming art and music room, complete with a vintage Bernstein Baby Grand piano and a stunning tropical garden. It features Babinda Quarters-inspired artworks throughout, lovingly painted by the owner, alongside a collection of special works in all mediums—art on canvas, ceramics, and textiles—created by a diverse array of talented local artists.

Since its transformation, Babinda Quarters has welcomed guests from across Australia and the world - all drawn by its warmth, quirk, and unique sense of place.

As the current owner/restorer Kim Marsden, reflects: “The world comes to Babinda Quarters … it’s a welcoming haven for all who visit.”

The property offers enormous potential: continue as a licensed guesthouse, reimagine as a wellness retreat, eco-lodge or artist’s hub, or create a grand multi-generational residence.

Conveniently located just 50 minutes south of Cairns and moments from the World Heritage-listed Wooroonooran National Park, Babinda Quarters is both a lifestyle change and an investment opportunity.

Key Features:

• 19 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, multiple kitchens and lounge areas
• Triple-brick Art Deco design with heritage detailing
• 2,924m² elevated block with tropical gardens & mountain views
• Licensed guesthouse with strong existing turnover
• Flexible layout for hospitality, retreat, or residential reimagination

Inspection and enquiries:
Contact Diane Bray – Professionals Edge Hill – 0404 654 345