Raft more than 45 grade 3 and 4 rapids through the World Heritage listed Tully Gorge on a full day out of Cairns. You get around 2.5 to 3 hours of paddling with trained river guides and all the safety gear, then a country pub dinner with the crew before the ride home. Mission Beach and self drive options suit anyone staying further south.
Quick read before you book.
- More than 45 grade 3 and 4 rapids through the Tully Gorge
- Hydro released water keeps the river running all year
- Paddle the river that hosted the 2019 World Rafting Championships
- Rainforest waterfalls, giant granite boulders and boulder jumping
- World Heritage listed Wet Tropics rainforest on both banks
What people say about this operator.
What they like?
Guides who keep it safe and hilarious, nonstop grade 3 and 4 rapids, and a rainforest gorge that makes the drive down from Cairns well worth it.
What could be better?
Honestly, not much. It is a long day with a late return to Cairns, so pack dry clothes and snacks for the ride home.
Summarised by AI, verify on Google Business Profile before booking
Included in this tour.
- Return transfers from your Cairns accommodation
- Safety briefing and paddling instruction from a trained river guide
- Helmet, life jacket, paddle and all rafting equipment
- Around 2.5 to 3 hours of rafting on the Tully River
- Country pub dinner with your guide and crew after the river
Commonly asked questions.
Pickups from Cairns accommodation run between 10:00am and 11:00am, and your exact time is emailed after booking. You are usually dropped back in Cairns around 9:15pm, so plan for a big but easy evening.
Meet the crew at the Golden Gumboot, on the corner of Hort and Butler Streets in Tully, by 12:55pm. Mission Beach pickups start from about 11:45am if you would rather leave the car behind.
Tours run in most weather, and rain on the river is all part of the rainforest experience. If extreme weather or unsafe river levels hit, the operator contacts you to reschedule or offer alternatives, with refunds given where Australian Consumer Law requires.
You get a full refund if you cancel more than 48 hours before the tour, 50% between 24 and 48 hours, and no refund inside 24 hours. Date changes are free more than 48 hours out, but any booking changed within 48 hours of the tour becomes non refundable.
No. White water rafting is not suitable during pregnancy, so this one is best saved for another trip.
You need moderate to high fitness and competent swimming ability, as you paddle for around 2.5 to 3 hours and help carry the raft afterwards. You also need to follow safety instructions in English, which guides check at pickup, and anyone who cannot join for these reasons is not refunded.
A country pub dinner with your guide and crew is included after the river. Lunch in Tully is at your own cost, so bring cash or a card, and let the operator know about dietary requirements when you book.
More about this tour.
- Return Transfers from Cairns: pickup from your Cairns accommodation in the morning and drop off back there after dinner
- Return Transfers from Mission Beach: pickup and drop off at your Mission Beach accommodation, a much shorter ride at both ends of the day
- Mission Beach Pickup, Drop Off in Cairns: start the day in Mission Beach and finish it in Cairns, handy if you are heading north anyway
- Self Drive to Tully: meet the crew at the Golden Gumboot in Tully by 12:55pm and drive yourself home after dinner