Babinda Rest Area

Babinda Rest Area is a free short term (donations appreciated) campsite located 550m south east of the Babinda township on Howard Kennedy Drive (just off the Bruce Highway) in the Cairns Region of Far North Queensland.

The rest area is on the banks of Babinda Creek and has a large grassy area as well as sealed section to set up on. It has good shade and excellent facilities with the amenity blocks being clean and spacious. You can have a hot shower but you will need some dollar coins as they are coin operated. Generators are allowed here but only between 7am and 9pm. Although this campsite is technically free donations to help maintain the rest area are appreciated and can be left in the box near the amenities block.

The creek beside the Babinda Rest Area is very clear and a nice place to cool off and at night you may get treated to a lovely light show provided by the resident fireflies.

This is a very popular free camp so it pays to arrive early to ensure you get a good spot.

The rest area is provided by Cairns Regional Council and has the following conditions in place:
No bookings are required for Babinda Rest Area. Maximum length of stay is strictly 72 hours after which a person must not return to the camping area to camp within 14 days of departure, and we regularly patrol the campgrounds to ensure compliance. (source: www.cairns.qld.gov.au

There is some mobile phone service (depending on your carrier) and television reception here.
Dogs are welcome at this campsite but please be responsible!

The maximum time limit for staying here is 48 hours.

Please Note:
Rest areas are there for you to stop and rest, making your trip safer and more enjoyable. Rest areas are not long-term camping sites, however motorists are able to take extended rest breaks at some sites. Rules on the length of stay at rest areas vary between controlling authorities. Check with the authority responsible for the relevant rest area for more information. Heavy vehicle rest areas are only for heavy vehicles. This does not include caravans and motorhomes, they are for truck drivers only. (source: www.tmr.qld.gov.au)