Babinda
Postcode: 4861
Babinda is a small town located 60km south of Cairns and 1645km north of Brisbane in the Australian state of Queensland. At the 2001 census, Babinda had a population of 1,176. The town was formerly part of Mulgrave Shire but was incorporated into the City of Cairns local government area by a merger in 1995. Situated on the Bruce Highway, the town is noted for its proximity to two of Queensland’s highest mountains Mount Bartle Frere and Mount Bellenden Ker. Babinda and Tully annually compete for the Golden Gumboot, an award for Australia’s wettest town. Babinda is usually the winner, recording an annual rainfall of over 4200 millimetres each year.
Babinda has a number of primary schools, a high school, and a number of childcare services. Active formal community leadership in the area is provided by the local councillor, Paul Gregory, and state and federal government members. Yidinji traditional owners provide Indigenous community leadership.
As well as this formal leadership, local residents are strongly organised with the Babinda District Community Association being strong advocates for re-vitilising their local economy and local community.