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 or Mossman
All ages (4+)
Free cancellation (3 days 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’s included

  • 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.

Pickup and drop off from Port Douglas or Mossman, a wetsuit and river boots, your own river sled, a safety trained river guide, all safety equipment, free tour photos, and light snacks after the tour.

Complimentary pickup is available from most Port Douglas and Mossman accommodation. If you're driving yourself, the self drive meeting point is Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas, arrive 15 minutes before your pickup time.

Yes, the minimum age is 4, and anyone under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. It's a genuinely physical activity though, involving swimming, treading water, paddling and walking over uneven ground, so it suits active, water confident kids rather than very young or nervous swimmers.

Yes. At low river levels, which covers most of the year, it runs from age 4. When the river is higher in the wetter months it's strong swimmers only, typically 14 and up, since faster water is harder for smaller bodies to manage. Under 16s need an adult over 18 with them either way, and under 7s wear a life jacket.

Wetsuits and boots are provided, so swimwear underneath is enough. Bring a towel and comfortable footwear for before and after. A waterproof camera is optional since free tour photos are included.

The tour usually still runs, since light rain barely registers in the rainforest. The team monitors river height and conditions in real time, and if levels rise too high for safety, they'll reschedule or provide a full refund.

Reasonable question this far north. Back Country Bliss run the tour on cool, clear, shaded, fast moving freshwater sections upstream, and their guides are on this river every day reading conditions. If you want the detail, ask them directly when you book.

Two hours in the rainforest, and around three and a half hours door to door once transfers from Port Douglas or Mossman are counted. Departures are 9am and 2pm, so it fits either side of a day rather than taking the whole thing.

Read more? Here’s the full description.

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 by the operator.

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.