Vote now for Qld’s cutest baby from Gold Coast to Mackay to Cairns

They light up our lives and fill our hearts with joy – now we want to know the cutest of the cutest when it comes to Queensland’s babies. VOTE NOW

Rhys O’Neill and Jordyn Dwyer

5 min read

January 10, 2024 - 4:03PM

Sunshine Coast

Don't miss out on the headlines from Sunshine Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.

They light up our lives and fill our hearts with joy – now we want to know the cutest of the cutest when it comes to Queensland’s babies.

After finding a winner from each of the regions across the state we’re now asking you to help us find the cutest baby in all of Queensland.

Good luck to all the nominees.

See the top five nominations from each region below and cast you vote >>>

BUNDABERG

Following a tie-break-splitting extension to the competition, Bundaberg’s Cutest Baby for 2023 was voted to be Reef Day.

After voting was extended by one day in November to break the tie between Reef Day and Saint Koa Esse, Reef claimed the title by just two votes.

Reef’s mother Coral Guest was overjoyed to learn Reef had won out of more than 80 tiny tots.

“It’s really great to know he’s one of the cutest babies in Bundaberg, it’s pretty crazy,” Coral said of her baby born in May.

Queensland's cutest baby 2023 – Bundaberg nominations.

Bundaberg’s nominations

■ Reef Day: Born 30/05/2023

■ Saint Koa Esse: Born 23/06/2023

■ Thea Hall: Born 27/12/2022

■ Klara Lee Murphy: Born 22/06/2023

■ Hunter William Lea: Born 17/03/2023

See the full gallery

BURNETT

Wondai mum Sara Barnes, 21, describes her daughter Leilani as “the cutest thing ever” and it’s clear how much love she has for her.

“She’s just always smiling and laughing with anyone that she meets. It can be a complete stranger that she’s never seen before and she will still give them a smile,” she said.

“She has everyone wrapped around her little finger,” Ms Barnes said.

Leilani was voted Burnett’s cutest baby in November.

Queensland's cutest baby 2023 – Burnett nominations.

Burnett’s nominations

■ Leilani Barnes

■ Dustin Rebbeck

■ Payton Joyce and Alice Maree Newman

■ Sadie Grace

■ Laylah Grace O’Neill

See the full gallery

CQ/ROCKHAMPTON

Receiving an overwhelming response from readers, the region’s cutest babies competition unfolded as an epic week-long event.

Despite a tie-breaking extension, two bubs remained on top, with baby boy Leo James Mallet and baby girl Alora Sirris sharing the title of Rockhampton and Central Queensland’s cutest baby for 2023.

Stealing hearts across the region, more than 90 gorgeous bubs were nominated for the cutest baby, with five bubs standing out among the rest, as voted by the readers.

Queensland's cutest baby 2023 – Rockhampton nominations.

CQ/Rockhampton’s nominations

■ Alora Sirris

■ Leo James Mallet

■ Violet Stephenson

■ McKenzee Burger

■ Ky-marli Fauid

See the full gallery

GLADSTONE

With 20 per cent of the votes, Lockiah Gale claimed the title of Gladstone’s cutest baby for 2023, after a head on battle with runner up, Rosaleigh Law.

His mum, Alyssa-Jane Gale was thrilled to hear the news that her beautiful boy had received the title.

“Super happy to hear the news, winner or not!” she said.

“He still lights up my life with that cheeky smile.”

Queensland's cutest baby 2023 – Gladstone nominations.

Gladstone’s nominations

■ Lockiah Gale

■ Rosaleigh Law

■ Zion Simbiken

■ Tanna Elizabeth Eggmolesse

■ Marshall Oliver Leeke

See the full gallery

SUNSHINE COAST

As a pediatrician did the final checks on a newborn before her discharge from the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, the baby stopped breathing.

First-time mum Abbey Lindley Harris said a lot of people rushed into her hospital room to work on her daughter, Maggie Lindley Harris.

“I knew she would be fine, it was just something random, she was in the best place she could be,” Ms Lindley Harris said.

Six months on, Maggie is a thriving, smiling, healthy baby who has won the final Sunshine Coast cutest baby vote for the year.

Queensland's cutest baby 2023 – Sunshine Coast nominations.

Sunshine Coast’s nominations

■ Maggie Jane Lindley Harris, 09/06/23, Little Mountain

■ Manaia Shontia Harlan, 26/05/23, Landsborough

■ Willow Laila Doof, 09/02/2023, Sunshine Coast

■ Miller Clarke, 09/02/2023, Marcoola

■ Theodore Hoppo, 11/06/2023, Mountain Creek

CAIRNS

Queensland's cutest baby 2023 – Cairns nominations.

Cairns nominations

■ Maino Mene, Mabuiag Island

■ Oliver Willis, Mt Sheridan

■ Miyala Mow, Kewarra Beach

■ Chase, Atherton

■ Abaani Bindra, Redlynch

See the full gallery

WARWICK

The competition to crown Warwick’s cutest bub of 2023 was a fierce one, with more than 50 adorable babies nominated by their parents and guardians across July – with Samuel Ollerton taking the title.

As the first born in his family, mother Angie Ollerton was over the moon to find out that her little boy was named the crowning jewel of the cutest babies in Warwick of 2023.

“It’s very exciting for us, there were lots of adorable bubs nominated in the competition,” Mrs Ollerton said.

Queensland's cutest baby 2023 – Warwick nominations.

Warwick’s nominations

■ Samuel Ollerton

■ Oliver Thompson

■ Grayson Rhodes

■ Sophia Sinclair

■ Callum

TOOWOOMBA

Charley Taylor was in September named Toowoomba’s cutest baby for 2023.

After hundreds of votes, little Charley has topped the poll following submissions.

Queensland's cutest baby 2023 – Toowoomba nominations.

Toowoomba’s nominations

■ Charley Taylor

■ Rivi

■ Maliah and Everly

■ Saige

■ Darcy

GOLD COAST

A Gold Coast mum was excited to be celebrating her first Christmas with her little girl – who has just been named the city’s cutest baby.

Jessica Melling said she believed Gold Coast Bulletin readers voted for her daughter Hazel because of her winning personality.

“She is our first baby and is everything we could have ever dreamt of,” she said.“Hazel is the perfect blend of her dad and I.”

Queensland's cutest baby 2023 – Gold Coast nominations.

Gold Coast’s nominations

■ Hazel Melling

■ Kashani Zimmermann

■ Everleigh Rose Bellchambers

■ Zoey Allen

■ Rafajel

MACKAY

Parker Simpson has been named Mackay’s cutest baby with 66 votes.

His mum, Tah-Leah Bakker was thrilled to hear the news that her beautiful boy had received the title.

“We are all very surprised and excited that Parker has won Mackay’s cutest baby 2023,” Tay-Leah said.

“He is a cheeky 9 month old boy who loves swimming, being outside and playing with his new puppy, Rusty.”

Queensland’s cutest baby 2023 – Mackay’s nominations.

Mackay’s nominations

■ Parker Simpson

■ Walker Brownsey

■ Luka Proctor

■ Amelia Herekiuha

■ Kaspian Moren

■ Samuel Rooney

See the full gallery

WHITSUNDAYS AND BOWEN

With 42 per cent of the votes, Grace McLeod Pitt dominated the poll and claimed the title of Whitsundays and Bowen’s cutest baby for 2023.

Grace’s mum, Shannon Elwin was so happy to hear the news that her daughter had been named the region’s cutest bub.

“Grace is a happy, chilled, beautiful three month old baby girl, who is loved by everyone,” Shannon said.

“ She is full of personality and is the happiest baby ever.”

Queensland's cutest baby 2023 – Whitsundays and Bowen nominations.

Whitsundays and Bowen’s nominations

■ Grace McLeod Pitt

■ Kayleigh Ayles

■ Marley Ashley

■ Micah Gallagher

■ Theodore Bauer

See the full gallery

GYMPIE

Nominated by mum Mika Peacock, Khalani Knight of Gympie, born on May 29, has been named Gympie’s cutest baby with 22 per cent of the vote.

“Thanks to everyone that voted for Khalani, we are just so very thankful to have a happy and healthy baby so the cuteness is just an added bonus, there was quite a lot of competition with so many cute babies that have been born this year so we are thrilled to see she won!” Ms Peacock said.

Queensland's cutest baby 2023 – Gympie nominations.

Gympie’s nominations

■ Khalani Knight

■ Weston and Banjo Morris

■ Brock Waddle

■ Stevie Sander

■ Reef & Kenzlee Mick

See the full gallery

FRASER COAST

Queensland's cutest baby 2023 – Fraser Coast nominations.

Fraser Coast’s nominations

■ Destiny Dilliway

■ Hudson Drew Tidy

■ Rhylan William Gaddes

■ Willow Tarnia-Maria Morrell

■ Willow Lavender Rodgers

See the full gallery

MORETON BAY

Not one but three winners were announced as Moreton Bay’s cutest babies: Ava Herford, Hayden John Wells, and Gia Gracie Rawlings.

With such tight margins, the region’s top babies couldn’t be shortlisted to just five with nine in the running, six of which tied for second place (Kynan, Bentley, Isla, Luca,

Jaxon and Ryker).