Big Golden Gumboot

The concept of the Golden Gumboot originated in the mid-1970s when ABC rural reporter David Howard coined the phrase to describe the annual rainfall competition between North Queensland towns Tully, Innisfail, and Babinda. Since 1970, a rubber boot trophy was awarded to the winner. Despite Babinda recording higher rainfall over 40 years, Tully's local Lions and Rotary Clubs spearheaded the construction of the permanent monument in 2003. Local councillor Ron Hunt led the effort, supported by over 30 local businesses. Community approval was granted in January 2002, and sculptor Bryan Newell created the gumboot in nearby Millaa Millaa, modelling it after his own boot. The project cost $30,000 (with some sources citing $90,000 including in-kind contributions), including a Queensland Government grant and $3,000 from Bata Shoe Company for branding. The gumboot was trucked to Tully under police escort, with completion delayed by over a month due to heavy rain. On May 10, 2003, it was unveiled during torrential downpours that drenched visiting politicians. Cyclone Yasi damaged the structure in 2011, but it reopened in early 2012 when Acting Premier Andrew Fraser officiated the ceremony.

More Fun Facts

• •The 7.9-metre height represents the record 311 inches (7.9 metres) of rainfall Tully received in 1950 - nearly an inch every day
• •The sculptor Bryan Newell modelled the gumboot after his own boot in the town of Millaa Millaa (which means 'rain, rain' in Aboriginal language)
• •The unveiling ceremony on May 10, 2003, was appropriately drenched by torrential rain, and locals deemed it '$30,000 well spent'
• •The completion date was delayed more than a month by - what else? - heavy rain
• •A white-lipped green tree frog sculpture climbs up the side of the boot
• •The gumboot features a mechanical rain gauge running from heel to lip
• •Bata Shoe Company contributed $3,000 to the project in exchange for branding on the boot
• •The strip between Tully, Innisfail, and Babinda is recognized as one of the wettest zones in the entire Southern Hemisphere
• •The gumboot was transported to its location under police escort
• •Cyclone Yasi closed the attraction in 2011, but it was reopened in 2012 by Queensland's Acting Premier

Visiting Tips

• 💡Climb the internal spiral staircase to the viewing platform for panoramic views over Tully and the surrounding cane fields
• 💡The new gumboot plaza (opened September 2024) at Banyan Park offers enhanced facilities for visitors
• 💡Combine your visit with the nearby Great Barrier Reef - Tully is between Townsville and Cairns on the Bruce Highway
• 💡Public toilets, car parking, coach parking, and picnic areas are available at the site
• 💡The attraction is just off the Bruce Highway, making it an easy stop on coastal road trips
• 💡Look for the climbing tree frog detail on the side of the boot
• 💡Visit during wet season to truly appreciate why Tully celebrates rainfall with such pride
• 💡Contact the Tully Visitor Information Centre at (07) 4068 4888 for current conditions and events