Two people in wetsuits smiling and riding red boards on a shallow, clear jungle river surrounded by green, lush plants and trees. Bright sunlight filters through the foliage, creating the perfect setting for an unforgettable River Drift Experience. | Aussie Loop
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River Drift Experience from Port Douglas

from A$155
2 hours
Port Douglas
All Ages (4+)
Free Cancellation (72 hours prior)
This is a physically demanding tour, please review requirements before booking.

Walk upstream through the rainforest towing your own river sled, then float back down the clear Mossman River. Wetsuit, boots and sled are provided, with pickups from Port Douglas and Mossman, free tour photos and light snacks to finish. The whole experience runs for about two hours.

  • Two people in wetsuits smiling and riding red boards on a shallow, clear jungle river surrounded by green, lush plants and trees. Bright sunlight filters through the foliage, creating the perfect setting for an unforgettable River Drift Experience. | Aussie Loop
  • Three people sit on red inflatable rafts in shallow water surrounded by dense green rainforest, talking and smiling whilst wearing dark outdoor clothing, fully immersed in the River Drift Experience.
  • Two people in outdoor clothing float on red inflatable rafts in a shallow, tree-lined river, smiling at the camera during an unforgettable River Drift Experience.
  • Seven people pose and smile in a shallow, flowing river surrounded by lush green trees, wearing swim shirts and hats, enjoying an unforgettable River Drift Experience.
  • Five people walk through a shallow, flooded forest area, each pulling a red stretcher along the water’s surface. Surrounded by tall green trees and dense foliage, they move carefully as if undertaking a unique River Drift Experience.
  • Two people in wetsuits smiling and riding red boards on a shallow, clear jungle river surrounded by green, lush plants and trees. Bright sunlight filters through the foliage, creating the perfect setting for an unforgettable River Drift Experience. | Aussie Loop
  • Three people sit on red inflatable rafts in shallow water surrounded by dense green rainforest, talking and smiling whilst wearing dark outdoor clothing, fully immersed in the River Drift Experience.
  • Two people in outdoor clothing float on red inflatable rafts in a shallow, tree-lined river, smiling at the camera during an unforgettable River Drift Experience.
  • Seven people pose and smile in a shallow, flowing river surrounded by lush green trees, wearing swim shirts and hats, enjoying an unforgettable River Drift Experience.
  • Five people walk through a shallow, flooded forest area, each pulling a red stretcher along the water’s surface. Surrounded by tall green trees and dense foliage, they move carefully as if undertaking a unique River Drift Experience.

Quick read before you book.

  • Float the Mossman River on your own river sled
  • Walk up through the rainforest, then drift all the way back
  • Keep an eye out for turtles and platypus
  • A hands on way to see the rainforest from the water
  • Two departures a day, just north of Port Douglas

What people say about this operator.

Google Reviews
5.0 Stars|1,469 reviews

What could be better?

Honestly, not much. It's as much about rainforest stories as float time, so soak up the walk and talks along the way.

Summarised by AI, verify on Google Business Profile before booking

Included in this tour.

  • Complimentary pickup and drop off from Port Douglas and Mossman
  • Your own river sled
  • Wetsuit and river boots
  • Safety trained river guide
  • All safety equipment
  • Complimentary tour photos
  • Light snacks after the tour

Commonly asked questions.

Departures run at 9am and 2pm, with complimentary pickup from Port Douglas and Mossman. Pickup times are approximate, and self drivers meet at Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas 15 minutes before the scheduled pickup time. Coming from Cairns or Palm Cove? You'll need to make your own way up, which makes a night or two in Port Douglas an easy win.

The minimum age is 4 when the river is low, which covers most of the year. When the river runs higher it's strong swimmers only, typically 14 and up. Child pricing covers ages 4 to 15, under 16s need a parent or guardian aged 18 or over with them, and under 7s wear a life jacket, which is provided.

You need to swim or dog paddle without help, tread water, paddle for stretches, carry a 3kg sled, walk up to 20 minutes over uneven ground and climb out of the river using tree root steps. Life jackets aren't a substitute for swimming ability, and the maximum recommended weight is 110kg.

Pregnancy isn't permitted because of the risk of falls and impacts, and the experience isn't suitable for limited mobility or chronic injuries that affect movement. Everyone completes a medical questionnaire and liability release, so let the team know about any condition or medication before your tour.

The operator doesn't swim with crocodiles. The drift runs on a cool, clear, shaded and fast moving freshwater section that isn't known crocodile habitat, and the guides check conditions constantly and won't enter the water if the risk changes.

Rain usually isn't a problem, the rainforest loves it. Heavy rainfall can change river conditions, and if it isn't safe the tour is cancelled and you get a full refund.

You get a full refund with at least 72 hours' notice. Cancelling 48 to 72 hours before departure incurs a 50% charge, and there's no refund within 48 hours or for no shows. You can also ask to move to another date up to 48 hours before, subject to availability.

Bring swimmers, a towel, comfortable footwear, any prescription glasses or contacts and personal medication. Wetsuit, river boots and sled are provided, with an extra thermal layer in the cooler months since the water sits between 16 and 22 degrees. Our Daintree packing checklist covers the rest.
You walk upstream along a granite sand bed under rainforest canopy, then float a side creek out onto the Mossman River, with turtles about and platypus turning up more often than you'd expect. Snorkelling is paused while fish numbers recover after Cyclone Jasper. Want more of the rainforest? The premium Daintree and Cape Tribulation day tour takes you further north.

More about this tour.

River sledding isn't rafting and it isn't tubing. You get your own small sled, walk upstream through the rainforest towing it, then lie on it and let the Mossman River carry you back down. It's a short drive north of Port Douglas and one of the most fun ways to get into the water in this corner of the tropics.After pickup from Port Douglas or Mossman, you'll pull on a wetsuit and river boots and set off along a granite sand bed under the canopy while your guide explains what this river does for the country around it. Then you're on the sled, drifting through a side creek and out onto the main Mossman River. You'll spend about two hours in the rainforest, or around three and a half hours door to door.Turtles are still around and platypus turn up more often than you'd expect. Snorkelling is paused for now while fish numbers recover after Cyclone Jasper, but masks are available on request. Tour photos are included, so you can leave the camera behind unless you have a waterproof one with a wrist strap.It's a genuinely physical outing. You'll need to swim confidently, tread water, paddle for stretches and climb out of the river on tree root steps. Kids from age 4 can join when the river is low, which is most of the year.Make a full day of it with the Mossman Gorge and Daintree experience, or start another morning with a hot air balloon flight from Port Douglas. Explore the details below, then check availability for your date.

Additional info.

Departures: 9am and 2pm, returning around 12:30pm and 5:30pm.Pickup: Included from Port Douglas and Mossman. Self drivers meet at Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas, 15 minutes before the scheduled pickup time. Guests staying in Cairns or Palm Cove need to arrange their own way to Port Douglas.Ages: Minimum age is 4 when the river is low. When the river runs higher, it's typically strong swimmers aged 14 and over only. Under 16s must be with an adult over 18, and under 7s wear a life jacket.Physical requirements: You'll need to swim confidently and tread water, paddle for stretches as you would on a surfboard, carry a 3kg sled, walk up to 20 minutes over uneven ground and loose rocks, and climb out of the river using tree root steps. Maximum recommended weight is 110kg.Not suitable for: Pregnant guests, or anyone with limited mobility or a current injury. All participants complete a medical questionnaire and liability release before starting.What to bring: Swimwear, a towel, footwear for before and after, any personal medication, and contact lenses or glasses if you need them (glasses are stored in a waterproof bag on the water).Weather: Tours run in light rain. The river is monitored continuously and tours are only cancelled when conditions are unsafe.Cancellation policy: Free cancellation 3 or more days before departure, a 50% charge between 2 and 3 days before, and no refund within 2 days or for no shows.