🔍

Babinda

QLD 4861 • Rest of QLD

1,287
Population (2021)
$54,496
Median Household Income
39.91 km²
Area
$230/wk
Median Rent
RuralHistoricAffordableRetirees

About Babinda

Babinda is a small rural town in the Cairns Region of Queensland, situated approximately 59 km south of Cairns along the Bruce Highway. It has a population of around 1,287 and is part of the Cairns Regional Council local government area. The town sits in the heart of Queensland's wet tropics, receiving an extraordinary average annual rainfall of over 4,200 mm — making it one of the wettest places in Australia. Babinda is surrounded by lush sugarcane farms and the dramatic mountain backdrop of the Bellenden Ker Range.

Babinda is known for its natural attractions, including the iconic Babinda Boulders — a scenic swimming hole and boulder-strewn gorge within Wooroonooran National Park, popular with tourists and locals alike. The town has a strong connection to its Italian heritage, with many early settlers coming from the Veneto region to work the cane fields. The community has a median age of 48 and a relaxed, close-knit feel, with local shops, a hotel, primary and secondary schools, and easy access to the Cairns urban area for major retail and employment needs. Median weekly rent is just $230, making it one of the more affordable towns in the Cairns hinterland.

Babinda falls under postcode 4861 and is governed by Cairns Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Hill electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4861
Urban Area
Cairns - Southern Hinterlands
LGA / Council
Cairns
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Hill
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-17.33°, 145.92°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
39.91 km²
Elevation
192m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$230
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,108
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
48 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • TransLink Route 120 / coach — Cairns CBD Approx. 60-70 min

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
59 km
By Train
N/A — no train service
By Car (Peak)
55-70 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
50-60 min

🛣️ Access via the Bruce Highway (A1)

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre amenities within walking distance for residents in the core areas; car needed for wider travel

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Cairns Local Government Area, which contains Babinda. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
2,489.3 / 100k
2yr Down 18.8% 10yr Up 19.6%
Motor vehicle theft
602.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 51.9%
Non-FV assault
2,214 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 207.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
53.6 / 100k
2yr Down 36.0% 10yr Up 49.4%
Steal from vehicle
529.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 39.5%
View all offence categories for Cairns →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,253
Census 2021
1,287
▲ 2.7% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$26,936
Personal Income 2021
$28,496
▲ 5.8% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$28,496 / yr
$548/wk
Household
$54,496 / yr
$1048/wk
Family
$75,608 / yr
$1454/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 992
Born Overseas 172

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 35
  • 2. New Zealand 29
  • 3. Philippines 17
  • 4. Papua New Guinea 12
  • 5. Italy 11
  • 6. Scotland 11
  • 7. Germany 9
  • 8. Malaysia 9
  • 9. South Africa 5
  • 10. Malta 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 462
Australian 435
Irish 168
Italian 152
Australian Aboriginal 137
Scottish 125
German 74
Filipino 28
Maltese 17
Dutch 14

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

781
Both parents born in Australia
227
Both parents born overseas
162
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
51.1%
No Religion
36.4%
Buddhism
0.7%
Hinduism
0.5%
Judaism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
53 (4.1%)
5-14 years
163 (12.7%)
15-19 years
73 (5.7%)
20-24 years
50 (3.9%)
25-34 years
121 (9.4%)
35-44 years
146 (11.3%)
45-54 years
142 (11.0%)
55-64 years
199 (15.5%)
65-74 years
195 (15.2%)
75-84 years
111 (8.6%)
85+ years
36 (2.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Babinda known for? +

Babinda is best known for the Babinda Boulders, a stunning natural swimming hole and gorge within Wooroonooran National Park, attracting visitors from across the region.

How far is Babinda from Cairns? +

Babinda is approximately 59 km south of Cairns CBD, about a 55-70 minute drive via the Bruce Highway.

What is the weather like in Babinda? +

Babinda has a wet tropical climate with over 4,200 mm of average annual rainfall, making it one of the wettest towns in Australia. Temperatures are warm year-round.

What is the median rent in Babinda? +

According to the 2021 Census, the median weekly rent in Babinda is approximately $230, making it one of the most affordable towns in the Cairns hinterland.

Are there schools in Babinda? +

Yes, Babinda has both a state primary school (Babinda State School) and a state high school (Babinda State High School) within the town.

What is the average income in Babinda? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Babinda is about $548 per week (around $28,500 per year). The median household income is $1,048 per week and the median family income is $1,454 per week.

What is the age profile of Babinda? +

The median age in Babinda is 48. The largest age group is 55–64 (199 residents, around 15%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 27% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Babinda a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Babinda is part of the Cairns LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

What is the population of Babinda? +

Babinda had a population of 1,287 at the 2021 Census, up 2.7% from 1,253 in 2016.

How much is rent in Babinda? +

In Babinda, the median weekly rent is $230, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,108 (2021 Census).