Babinda Museum

14/03/2026

🏊‍♂️ FLASHBACK: The Babinda Swimming Marathon! 🏊‍♂️

Take a dive into the past with this gem from the Babinda Museum archives.

This clipping tells the story of an incredible "swimathon" held at Babinda Swimming Pool. It perfectly captures a moment when the whole town rallied together:
- Over 270 sponsors and local businesses got behind the effort
- 31 local swimmers completed a massive 1,058 laps!
- Beven Standen led the pack with an impressive 82 laps.
- The event raised $420 to buy equipment—a huge community effort for the time!

🔍 Can you help us fill in the blanks?
While we know the club started in '71, this clipping doesn't have a date!
- Do you remember this day at the pool?
- Were you one of the swimmers or sponsors mentioned?
- Can you help us identify the exact year this took place?

🌊 Built by the Community, For the Community
Looking at this article reminds us that the Babinda Pool wasn't just handed to us—it was built by the community, for the community. For over 50 years, it has been more than just a place to cool off; it’s where we’ve raised our kids, learned life-saving skills, and built our town's unique spirit.

As our town grows and changes, these stories remind us how vital it is to have local places where we can gather and support one another. We want to ensure that the dedication shown by the "crew" in this article continues to serve Babinda for the next 50 years and beyond.

📷 Image Credit: Shared by Wayne Tuttle.
Do you have old clippings or photos of Babinda? Send us a message!

07/02/2026

🌊 Before the Pool: The Mill Dam Carnivals

Did you know? In the early 1920s, long before our current community pool was built in 1971, Babinda residents held their Swimming Carnivals in the Mill Dam.

During the "slack season," the district would gather at the dam for a day of racing and fun. It’s a classic example of our town's resourceful spirit! 🏊‍♂️

Have you heard stories about these early carnivals or remember the pool opening in '71? Share with us in the comments!

📸 Photos courtesy of the George Jago Collection.

17/12/2025

🎄✨ Merry Christmas from the Babinda Museum team! ✨🎄

Thank you to our amazing community for supporting the Museum and helping us keep Babinda’s stories alive 💛 We hope your Christmas is filled with joy, laughter and a little bit of history!

📌 Christmas Hours
🕛 Christmas Eve: Closing at 12:00pm
🎉 Reopening: 10:00am, Tuesday 5 January

We’ll be back in the new year, refreshed and ready to welcome you—can’t wait to see you then! 🎁🏛️

12/12/2025

✨ Babinda Antique Road Show – Pick Your Treasure! ✨

Check out some of our quirky, charming, and one-of-a-kind treasures to the Babinda Markets tomorrow! 🕰️🔍

Swing by 49 Munro Street, have a rummage, pick your favourite find, and make a donation – every dollar goes straight back to supporting the Babinda Museum. ❤️🏛️

Come for the markets, stay for the treasures… you never know what you’ll discover! 👀🪙

08/12/2025

Good morning!
Today’s museum volunteer is Dr. Rod Catton. Pop in, say hello, and enjoy a chat — Dr. Catton has a wonderful and broad understanding of our district’s history.

We’d love to see you at the museum!

10/10/2025

Congratulations to the amazing team of volunteers — past and present — celebrating 30 years of commitment and community spirit! 💚👏

🎉 Congratulations to the Babinda Visitor Information Centre on celebrating 30 amazing years! 🎈

What an incredible milestone — three decades of welcoming visitors, sharing local stories, and showcasing the beauty of our little paradise. 🌴☀️

Here’s to the wonderful volunteers past and present who make it all happen — what an achievement! 👏

05/09/2025

⛹ The Babinda Museum 2025 Pop-Up Event is here! ⛹

🏀 Celebrating the vibrant history of Country Basketball in Babinda - come and explore the rich legacy, local legends, and community spirit that made Babinda Basketball such a big part of our town’s story. 🏀

🗓 This Friday 5th – Sunday 7th September 2025
🕘 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM daily
📍 Babinda Museum, 49 Munro Street, Babinda

02/09/2025

📣 IT’S HAPPENING THIS FRIDAY! 🏀✨

The Babinda Museum 2025 Pop-Up Event is about to tip off, celebrating the vibrant history of Country Basketball in Babinda!

Come and explore the rich legacy, local legends, and community spirit that made Babinda Basketball such a big part of our town’s story.

🗓 This Friday 5th – Sunday 7th September 2025
🕘 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM daily
📍 Babinda Museum, 49 Munro Street, Babinda

Held across the Babinda Harvest Festival weekend, this special exhibition will showcase historical photographs and stories that capture our basketball roots.

Don’t miss your chance to relive the golden moments of local sport and community connection!

03/08/2025

🌟 TREASURE HUNTERS WANTED! 🌟
Babinda Museum is popping up at the Babinda Markets this Saturday morning from 9am with our Preloved Treasures Fundraiser! 🧥📚🕰️

Think vintage finds, quirky gems, and second-hand delights — all looking for a new home 💛

100% of proceeds will go directly to support your local museum — preserving Babinda’s stories, one treasure at a time!

🛍️ Find us at 49–51 Munro Street – just look for the stall full of bargains and history buffs!

Come say hi, score a bargain, and support a good cause 🙌

22/07/2025

🙌

These days, thousands of Australians are swapping four walls for four wheels and taking to life on the road. Myf Warhurst hits the bitumen in Far North Queensland to meet some of the people who've chosen van life.

17/07/2025

As the Babinda Museum is in the Cairns region, we are closed today for the Cairns Show Public Holiday.
Back open tomorrow from 10am-3pm 😃