Babinda is a small country town full of History and natural beauty. Babinda is approximately 55 km South of Cairns on the Bruce Highway. It is a popular tourist destination and one of those special little places seasoned travellers tell each other to include on their travels.
Local attractions include the Babinda Boulders, Bramston Beach, Eubenangee swamp, Golden Hole and Josephine Falls, reputed by some to be the most beautiful falls in Far North Queensland.

Historic buildings include the Babinda State Hotel built in 1917 by the Queensland Government and the Babinda Railway Station. The visitor centre in the little blue building on the corner of the Highway and the main street used to be the local Police Station. For more information on these attractions, visit the Babinda Information Centre Website.

Babinda Creek, which originates from Queensland’s highest mountian, Mt Bartle Frere and the same creek the famous ‘Babinda Boulders’ lie in, has long been a local’s favourite for water sports and other acitvities including swimming, fishing and ‘tubing’ along after a flood. On clear days it makes the perfect setting for canoeing , kayaking & SUP enthusiasts for peering through it’s crystal clear waters to the life below as the current floats you through the picturesque Valley.

Babinda Creek is a permanently flowing mountain stream. Water flow varies in height and current depending on recent rainfall. After good heavy rains, once the creek clears, paddling is almost discouraged! as the water flow provides the perfect pace for travelling downstream. Paddling too much may mean you get to the end faster than you would like. After long periods without rain, you may encounter occassional (but brief) shallow pebbled areas and logs etc which can be negotiated around. If you need to get out, it will only be for afew steps to lift the kayak over some shallow pebbles. It is otherwise a matter of paddling downstream with the creeks gentle current. We call it ‘couch potato paddling’!. If you go in, it will usually be because your kayak has snuggled up against a log sideways and the current slowly tips your kayak over, these areas are usually shallow and you will probably be ready to go in anyhow!

The kayaks & SUPs we provide are ideal for Babinda Creek’s conditions and allow easy gliding over most shallow areas even when the creek is low. They are stable and very easy to manoeuvre. You will encounter the occasional mini rapid or ‘ripple’ where the level of the creek drops slightly. These are easy and fun, your kayak will follow the main water flow and take you for a little ride. There are many deep swimming holes along the way, and plenty of spots you can stop for some lunch or a swim or even explore.

Snorkelling is also becoming popular with many fish to spot. The water temperature is just perfect as the cool mountain water is warmed in the sun over mostly shallow creek bed – you wont want to get out! You will see many fish along the way, some turtles and birdlife and if you are lucky, a platypus. Babinda Creek’s waters are crystal clear and unless the water level is unusually high (after much rain) or you are passing deep holes, you will be able to see through to the bottom the entire way. The relaxing, peaceful sound of nature will follow you most of the way

We are open 6 days a week Thursday to Tuesday (CLOSED WEDNESDAY) from 8.00am to 3.00pm — bookings are essential. We operate most public holidays except Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Kayak & SUP hire is dependant on current creek conditions, which for the most part, are perfect for paddling.

We don’t operate during very heavy rain and flooding and will wait for the creek to subside before running kayaks & SUPs again. This usually happens fairly quickly after flooding, although it may take a day or two for the water to clear completely.

If you wish to paddle down Babinda Creek (bookings are essential), drive to 330 Stager Road, Babinda.

Look for this kayak hanging from the tree. You will enter the Creek at this address. When you arrive at the finish point, either call us or wait for the pre-arranged pick-up time and we will collect the kayaks from there and give you a lift back to your car. This is a popular swimming area.

It’s simple. You can hire kayaks & SUPs for either a half day (up to 4 hours) or a Full day (up to 8 hours). Half day hire’s start from 8am, and then every half hour to 11.00am. Full day hires can leave anytime up until 11am, but must be ready for pick-up before 3pm.

Your kayaks will be waiting for you here at the Creeks edge, we put you in, then you paddle downstream at your own pace to your pick-up point. When you get there, give us a call (or we can arrange a set time) and we will come and pick you up. This is a one way trip only, paddling back to the hire location is not an option (not that you would want to anyway!) In cases where there are more passengers than our cars can accommodate, we will take the drivers only back to their car so they can then collect the other passengers on their way home. This is only a 5 minute drive and necessary until we can fulfil our wish list of a passenger bus! (Kids wont be separated from their parents – we’ll work around it)

A map is provided of the creek illustrating the start point and the pick-up point. After about 2 hours of slow paddling you’ll come to the first two overhead bridges: a railway bridge followed by the Bruce Highway bridge — you’re just over half way. 

The pick-up point, Rotary Park, Babinda Creek, is about one and half hours paddling further downstream (approx. 4kms of slow paddling). It’s very easily found — it’s a free caravan/camping after the fourth overhead bridge you pass, You cant miss it and do NOT go past it. 

That’s all you need to remember! Pull your kayaks up to the picnic tables and give us a call us on your mobile when ready and we will come and collect you – no fuss =)

Generally speaking no, sorry! Logistically it adds unnecessary complications and hinders our operations.

Due to restrictions no fishing allowed.

Babinda Kayaking do not provide a pick-up service other than Babinda Rotary Park (free camping area) if requested.

• A hat, sunscreen and/or protective clothing against the sun – ABSOLUTE NECESSITY.
• Water bottle / Water
• A waterproof bag (dry bag) to protect food and your possessions.
• Sunglasses, and if possible a lanyard to prevent you from losing them.
• A mobile phone (at least one in your party) that way you can phone us to come and pick you up when you reach the end.
• Change of clothes — just in case you or somebody else decides you are going for a dip!
• Something to eat for a lovely picnic on a beach along the way.

We cannot provide public access elsewhere to the creek other than for the operation of our hire business.

This is a perfect recreational activity for the whole family.

• Children under 5 are free if they with carer in a single kayak or double kayak
• Children from 7 up can manage their own kayak This is the perfect introduction for kids to learn basic kayaking skills and build confidence on the water.

Kids love it for the adventure, fish life and swimming. Adults love it for the serenity and the relaxing scenic paddle.

Very small rapids (better described as ‘ripples’) add that element of fun and excitement along the way.

There’s no paddling back home against the current either, just let the current take you through the valley to the finish point where we will come and pick you up.

Our views on children’s level of participation are flexible as we trust the parents to be the best judges of their capabilities. Please note; parents/guardians will need to sign a liability waiver on behalf of their children in order for them to participate.

We are pet friendly. Dogs are welcome. We only stipulate that dogs will need to stay with one of the owners at the pick-up point and remain on a lead.

Please keep in mind: large dogs can cause problems or damage our kayaks.

Both kayaks work fine on this creek.

We have found single kayaks are easier for most to learn, they are much easier to manoeuvre.

Some families with children prefer doubles if they are unsure of their child’s capabilities. A double kayak is not really recommended for two beginners as they are much longer and heavier which means they are harder to manoeuvre around logs and obstacles.

If creek levels are low, the double kayaks will also bottom out before the single kayaks as they sit deeper in the water. Availability of double kayaks will determined by management based on creek water levels.

SUPs (Stand-up Paddle Boards) are a new addition to Babinda creek and are a little more challenging than the kayaks.

When the creek level is low, you will see what’s ahead of you far easier than in a kayak, so you can navigate around obstacles or choose deeper areas to avoid bottoming out on the creek bed.  It’s a great core workout and will do wonders for your balance.

Babinda Creek is full of life, mostly harmless.  Although as with any nature based outdoor activity, inherent dangers may exist.

Babinda Creek is a natural habitat for: turtles, platypus, fresh water fish, kookaburras, kingfisher, egrets, herons, bush turkey, water dragons, eels and more.

Crocodiles: There are no crocodiles known in this section of Babinda Creek. We take crocodile sightings very seriously and will not operate unless we’re confident they are not present. The advantage of Babinda Creek is its clarity and mostly shallow depth, making it very difficult for crocodiles to inhabit and hide.

To access the kayaks, you will need to climb down stairs and walk about 300 metres along the grassed creek bank. Climbing into the kayaks is done either directly from concrete stairs leading into the water or from a shallow sand bank if the water level is normal.

If you fall in whilst kayaking, you will need to be fit enough to be able to climb back on, usually by finding a shallow area, beach or creek bank.

On arrival at the end of your journey at the pick-up point, you will need to pull the kayaks up to the end picnic table on the bank.

The Babinda area is rich in natural beauty and unique experiences. It is well worth a stay. Natural (and free) attractions include:

• The beautiful Babinda Boulders just a few kilometres through Babinda town centre. It hosts beautifully maintained picnic & recreational areas with BBQ facilities and amenities with easy access to swimming holes and rainforest walks.
• Head towards the coast and visit Bramston Beach and the Eubenangee swamp off Bramston Beach Road.
• If you want to experience the Reef, operating from Deeral Boat Ramp is the Frankland Island Cruises, who are the only operators permitted to provide tours to these amazing islands.
• Heading further South and just west of Innisfail, you will discover the Mamu rainforest canopy walk and of course, Paronella Park — a mystical and fascinating world awaits you.
• Further South again and back on the coast takes you to the beautiful Etty Bay and Mission Beach.