Boulders, Devils and Oolana

Wednesday 19th May 2021

We had a horrible night sleep. On arrival at the site we had set up yesterday and heard the crow of a rooster in the distance. Well the rooster came back with a vengeance at 330am. It’s started cockadoddledooing….and stopped at 630am.

It was raining on and off all night. We woke up and dragged our feet getting out of bed around 730am.

After breakfast and a clean up, we got ready to leave for Babinda Boulders.

Babinda Boulders

The Boulders are part of the Wooroonooran National Park. It is a 6km drive from the town centre.

The Boulders, a series of huge granite boulders strewn along Babinda Creek, are shrouded in Aboriginal Legend.

The Aboriginal Legend of The Boulders

The Story as told be Wanyurr Yidinji elder Anne Wonga:

A long time ago, Oolana, the beautiful wife of an elder of the Wanyurr tribe, fell in love with Dyga, a handsome young man from a visiting tribe. The two lovers, knowing that tribe lore forbade their union, run away together. After having been discovered by a creek, Dyga returned to his tribe. Oolana, however, threw herself into the water, which became a swirling torrent. The ground opened up and huge boulders were cast into the air. The Boulders mark the site where Oolana drowned.
Oolana’s spirit is believed to reside there today – she continues to call out for Dyga to return, enticing wandering travellers, especially men.
Up to 17 lives have been lost here, mostly young men.
Annie Wonga – Wanyurr Yidinji elder

Our visit

We walked from the car park to the viewing platform of the creek. This is the only swim designated area.

We then walked 400m to the Devil’s Pool (Oolana’s Pool.)

We then walked another 200m to the Boulders Gorge Lookout.

Josephine Falls

We walked back through the rainforest to the car and drove 20km south to Josephine Falls.

Josephine Creek starts as a trickle of water high on the southeast side of the summit of Mt Bartle Frere and ends up as a substantial creek flowing into the Russel River.