NB: In the episodes I record, I use a script, and sometimes I either add or omit things while I do so. Although it may seem a little different, the information is the same.
Sources
Transcript
Most of us love a good dip in the water, especially during the warmer weather. Though sometimes, we have to be careful where we decide to dive in. There’s always a possibility we may never resurface… alive that is. This yarn is about the aptly named Devil’s Pool.
(Intro)
Pack your sunscreen and swimmers, ‘cause today, we’re going to Far North Queensland!
Specifically, we’re going to a nice little getaway, just outside of a small humble town called Babinda. Here, we have a popular destination called the Babinda Boulders. It’s a winding creek that’s surrounded by tropical rainforest and is named because of the many large boulders that are found in the area. In the many publicity shots of the area (refer to my specific Insta post), you most often see clear, serene waters reflecting the lush greenery around it. However, that’s only showing the safe part of the Boulders. Let’s move further up from the main swimming area.
On a path within the forest, you’ll be able to see warning signs not to go into a particular part of the waters. They tell you not to swim in the area, and that the place is a lookout only. This particular pathway we’re on is named the Devil’s Pool Walk, on the way to see the aforementioned Devil’s Pool. And I’ll tell you why it’s named that right now.
Devil’s Pool is ominously named that way because it’s not a heavenly place, despite appearing otherwise. If you haven’t figured it out already, people have died here. And I’m not talking one or two. 21 lives have been lost here since 1959, as of the recording of this episode. Sadly, with the way things are going, the number will most likely increase. Despite all the multiple warning signs pleading for visitors not to swim in that part of the Boulders, many thrill seekers do so anyway. Tragically, a handful of those paid the ultimate price for a mere adrenaline rush.
Parts of the Devil’s Pool are made up of bodies of water called the Chute and the Washing Machine. You can just imagine how the water behaves if they are named that way. The currents in the area are strong and move very fast, and according to an emergency service worker, the water has abundant oxygen bubbles, and therefore offers no buoyancy. So you can’t exactly control where you swim. Even if you try and go against the current using all the strength you have, you’ll still get pulled under and trapped. Victims are often found days or even weeks later, pinned between or under rocks. or in the case of The Chute, people get trapped within a small underwater cave, with not a chance of swimming out because of the strong torrent pouring into it, making it impossible to escape. And honestly, that’s one terrifying way to die.
And you can’t talk about Devil’s Pool without mentioning the First Nations legend about it. The Yidinji people, specifically the Bindaburra, are the traditional owners of the land in Babinda, and have passed down a story about the turbulent waters and how it came to be.
Many, many aeons ago, the Yindinji people lived in Babinda Valley. One of them was a young woman named Oolana. she was described to be very beautiful. Oolana was betrothed to an elder named Waroonoo. In Indigenous Australian culture, an elder is a highly respected individual; known for their wisdom, cultural knowledge, and dedication to the community. The community most often look them for advice, leadership, and support. And no, you don’t have to be an actual old person. It’s a title.
Oolana’s life changed when one day, a wandering tribe entered Yidinji country. As a way of welcoming and respecting them, the Yidinji people allowed them to stay on the land for the time being. Oolana noticed a handsome young man from the visiting tribe…and he noticed her. His name was Dyga, and from the get go, the two fell in love. Though, They knew that their relationship could never happen because Oolana was by then already married to Waroonoo, and Dyga was from an entirely different tribe.
But it was getting more and more difficult to resist one another, and Oolana and Dyga would begin to rendezvous in secret, eventually running away together. Oolana knew she could never return back to her people because she betrayed the trust of one of the most respected members of the tribe: her husband. They decided they’d go into hiding for good, and they went to Chooreechillum, a place by a creek, and set up camp there…making the place their new home.
While they lived out their lives happy together, both the Yidinji and foreign tribe were on a frantic search for the two runaways. After journeying up the valley and reaching Chooreechillum, they finally found the couple. Outraged, both tribes forcibly took their rogue member. The visitors dragged away Dyga while Waroonoo and the Yidinji people grabbed Oolana to go back with them, most likely to punish her for her betrayal.
Oolana struggled and eventually freed herself from the tribesmen that detained her. She ran toward the direction of the creek and hurled herself into the water. The impact of her body hitting the water was enough to shake the land. As she drifted, Oolana yearned and begged for Dyga to come back to her. However, there was no chance of him running back and jumping into the creek to get her. Dyga and his tribe were already far gone. Still, she cried and desperately called out her lover’s name in vain. As her tears streamed down her face, the once calm waters of the had suddenly moved rapidly and became turbulent.
Eventually, Oolana pined away. It is said her spirit still dwells in the area of Devil’s Pool, and that she is still searching for her long lost lover, calling out his name in despair, hoping he’ll return one day.
Well, here’s a strange anecdote about Devil’s Pool. The majority of the victims who lost their lives there were men: young men in particular. In conjunction to the tale I just told you, some locals reckon that the spirit of Oolana sees the man in the water and believes him to be Dyga. She grabs him and takes him away with her, but realises it’s a case of mistaken identity. And then she takes the next man she sees swimming in Devil’s Pool, and vice versa.
However, we already know why lives have been lost there…because of the fast moving, highly oxygenated water that doesn’t offer buoyancy. And a few women had perished in the waters too. Though, some can argue that this is caused by the curse of Oolana’s spirit.
Still, that legend does give Devil’s Pool a creepy factor nonetheless. And you never know, there may be a kernel of truth to it. Like most legends.
But as for the people that swim there… warning signs are left unheeded. The waters in Devil’s Pool may be alluring to them. This is just me speculating but maybe they’re being coerced and lured in by some unseen force, hence the legend of why the place is cursed. Or maybe it’s merely human nature. Sometimes people like to go against what they’re told and would rather take the plunge. Regarding the young men being majority of victims, I think that they are more likely to be adventurous and risk takers, but don’t quote me on that. If you think about it, out of the countless visits to Devil’s Pool since 1959, or even well before that, 21 had perished, which seems like a small amount. They probably think to themselves, well, that’s a slim chance of me dying. But the unforgiving waters don’t discriminate. And 21 deaths is 21 deaths too many. Hopefully, these individuals are at peace.
So to summarise, we have a deadly tourist destination with an ominous legend attached to it.
I actually went to the Babinda Boulders with friends back in 2016 I think it was. I didn’t swim… I only took my thongs off and dipped my feet in. And we also did the Devil’s Pool walk. When you reach the end, you get to this lookout which shows the Devil’s Pool below. And yes, we did see some people swimming in there that day, but thankfully nobody drowned or hurt themselves at the time.
If you’re ever visiting Far North Queensland, I recommend you do come see the Boulders. It is a unique and beautiful place to see. But I’d think twice before deciding to frolic in the Devil’s Pool though.
And that concludes my yarn.
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As always, Take care of yourselves, and don’t forget to lock your doors and ignore the strange noises outside.
See ya!
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