Babinda Harvest Festival – Annual Event in Cairns
Babinda Harvest Festival is the town's family event, celebrated annually. It is a combined celebration of the beauty of Babinda’s woman and a Thanksgiving from the bountiful harvest. It started on the 27th October 1962 and it was formerly named as “Babinda Sugar Harvest Festival” by Bellenden Kerr Junior Farmers. The festival underwent a lot of changes and that includes the name. Finally in 1987, they’ve decided to name it “Babinda Harvest Festival” until the present time.
Babinda Harvest Festival will have a street procession of the participants and artful motorcades. It will start from Bill Wakeham Park, formerly named Babinda Show Grounds, and ends at ANZAC Park Hall. A dance will follow after the coronation accompanied mostly by the local renowned musicians. For those who joined the beauty contest, they all get the chance to win the second and third runner up, and most especially be crowned as the town’s “Queen” of beauty. The very first Babinda Queen was Joan Dickson Arnold in October of 1962.
The festival is also covered by the local television company to be shown in FNQ channel 10, as well as broadcasted by local radio station by 4KZ – formerly known as 4CA.
If you require a group transportation, Coach Hire Bus Hire can provide you a low–cost bus hire with a driver suited for your group transport needs. Book with Travel Safe so that your group will have a relaxing and comfortable travel to and from Cairns.
You may also want to consider treating your family or friends for fine dining experience in Cairns after an adventure and exploration in the amazing nature trip.
About – Babinda Harvest Festival
Babinda is a sugar town directly located on the Bruce Highway about 60 kms in the southside of Cairns. It is behind the two highest mountains which are Mt. Bellenden Kerr and Mt. Bartle Frere that form parts of the Wooroonooran National Park. It has crystal clear mountain streams, breathtaking waterfalls and pristine rainforests that portray a hidden paradise waiting to be discovered by travellers.
Some of the famous attractions that Babinda has to offer are Babinda Boulders or Devil’s Pool, a natural pool formed by the union of three streams with a scattered group of boulders seen outside the water surface, and Josephine Falls, a multi–layered cascade waterfall that flows in the Josephine Creek.
Babinda also has lots of heritage buildings, Aboriginal legends, beautiful beaches, great for fishing, and free camping areas with available facilities. It is near to the famous Great Barrier Reef and the Frankland Island group. It is great for a family adventure and exploration during the weekends or the holidays. And all the more reason why Babina is a must place to visit.
You can also take up a wine tour north of Balbina and sample the finest wines that Cairns can offer.
Facts – Babinda Harvest Festival
Interesting facts that you should know about Babinda Harvest Festival:
- In 1984, the street procession starting time was moved from 7:30 pm to a mid-afternoon.
- In 2002, it’s the 40th–anniversary celebration and all 40 Babinda Queens returned to the stage.
- In 2013, it’s the 50th–anniversary celebration and 90% of the Babina Queens returned to be part of the street procession once again.
- In all of the years the festival has been celebrated, only two of the years were missed:
1. The year 1988, Cobb and Co. Coach visited the town.
2. The year 2006, Tropical Cyclone Larry disrupted the festival plans, so they decided to celebrate a survival party instead.
While you're in Balbina, you may want to see your favorite teams playing live in the major rugby league at the stadiums of Cairns.
It is an annual event intended for families, why not come and join the celebration with your family and friends for a unique experience of the town’s festival.
Coach Hire can also provide you with a low–cost coach hire with a driver, if you require it. We are experts in organising your group transportation, so contact us today to book your preferred group transport or for a FREE quotation.
