Tours operate in almost all weather. The Tully is a hydro-release river so water levels are consistent regardless of rainfall. Operators cancel only in genuinely dangerous conditions.

Tully River Whitewater Rafting from Cairns | Grade 3–4 Rapids

Q: Do I need rafting experience?

No. The Tully River is suitable for beginners. Your guide rides in the raft, controls navigation, and gives clear paddle instructions. You practise in calm water first.

Q: How fit do I need to be?

Moderate fitness is required. You need to paddle for several hours and swim confidently in moving water.

Q: Can children participate?

Minimum age is 13 years for the Tully River. Under-18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The Barron River (min. age 12) is a shorter alternative.

Q: Why does the tour take 12 hours?

The Tully River is about two hours south of Cairns. The day includes transfers, safety briefing, 3-5 hours on the water, and a pub dinner at the Feluga Hotel.

Q: Can I take photos on the river?

Phones and cameras are not recommended on the raft. Professional photographers capture action shots throughout the day, available for purchase after the tour.

Q: Is the Tully River safe?

Operators have 30+ years experience on the Tully with excellent safety records. All guides are trained in whitewater rescue and first aid. Rafting is an adventure activity with inherent risk.

Q: What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation 24-48 hours before departure (varies by operator). Weather cancellations by the operator receive a full refund or reschedule.

The Tully River

The Tully River is widely regarded as Australia's best whitewater rafting destination. It carves through the Tully Gorge in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, about two hours south of Cairns — a deep, narrow gorge lined with towering rainforest, giant granite boulders, and waterfalls dropping from the escarpment above.

What makes the Tully exceptional is the combination of world-class rapids and guaranteed water levels year-round. The Kareeya Hydro power station controls water release into the gorge, so regardless of the season, the river runs at raftable levels. You'll tackle up to 45 rapids ranging from Grade 1 warm-ups to serious Grade 3–4 whitewater — named rapids like "Alarm Clock", "Staircase", "Wet & Moisty", and "Theatre" that have become legendary among rafters.

No prior rafting experience is needed. Your river guide rides in the raft with you, controls navigation, and gives clear paddle instructions throughout. They're trained in river reading, whitewater rescue, and first aid. All you need is a willingness to paddle hard, get wet, and enjoy a genuinely thrilling day.

Tour Snapshot

Duration	Full day — approximately 12 hours including transfers
Departure	Pick-up from Cairns accommodation, approximately 10:00 am
Return	Approximately 9:30 pm to Cairns
Location	Tully Gorge, Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (~2 hrs south of Cairns)
Rapids	Grade 3–4, up to 45 rapids
Experience	No prior rafting experience required
Minimum age	13 years (under-18s must be accompanied by adult)
Fitness	Moderate — must be a competent swimmer

What to Expect

The Rapids

The Tully delivers about five hours on the water, alternating between adrenaline-pumping whitewater and calm stretches where you can float, swim, and take in the scenery. The rapids build through the day: early Grade 2 sections let you warm up and get comfortable with paddle commands before the bigger Grade 3–4 rapids hit in the gorge's narrowest sections. Your guide will brief you on each rapid before you enter it.

The Rainforest

Between rapids, the Tully Gorge is remarkably beautiful. The Wet Tropics rainforest here is one of the oldest in the world — ancient ferns, towering canopy trees, and the sound of cascading side-creeks. You're rafting through a national park that most people never see. Keep an eye out for freshwater turtles, water dragons, and azure kingfishers along the banks.

Your Guides

All river guides are highly trained and experienced. They go through rigorous certification in river navigation, whitewater rescue, and first aid, with regular ongoing assessments. Most have been rafting the Tully for years and know every rock, eddy, and wave. They're also great fun — expect plenty of banter, river games, and entertainment between the serious paddling.

Water guarantee: The Tully is a hydro-release river. The Kareeya Hydro power station releases water into the gorge on a set schedule, meaning water levels are consistent year-round regardless of rainfall. Tour timing is coordinated with the release schedule — confirmed 24 hours before departure.

Sample Day

Exact timings vary based on the hydro release schedule and are confirmed 24 hours before departure.

1

Late Morning — Pick-up & Transfer

Collected from your Cairns accommodation around 10:00 am. Scenic drive south through sugar cane fields and mountain ranges to the town of Tully (~90 min). Quick stop at the Golden Gumboot in Tully for a break and to grab lunch (own expense).

2

Early Afternoon — Gear Up & Safety Briefing

Continue to the Tully Gorge put-in point. Fitted with helmet, life jacket, and spray jacket. Comprehensive safety briefing and paddle instruction from your river guide. Practice basic commands in calm water before entering the gorge.

3

Afternoon — Whitewater Rafting

Approximately 3–5 hours on the water. Tackle up to 45 rapids through the gorge — from playful Grade 2 warm-ups to heart-pounding Grade 3–4 whitewater. Calm stretches between rapids for floating, swimming, and taking in the rainforest. Professional photos taken throughout the day (available for purchase).

4

Late Afternoon — Take-out & Change

Reach the take-out point downstream. Change into dry clothes and pack up gear.

5

Evening — Pub Dinner at the Feluga Hotel

Short drive to the Feluga Hotel, a classic Queensland country pub and the traditional post-rafting venue. Hearty pub dinner included. Watch photo highlights of the day's action on the big screens while swapping river stories. Drinks at own expense.

6

Night — Return to Cairns

Relaxed coach ride back to Cairns. Return to accommodation approximately 9:30 pm.

Note: This itinerary reflects the standard Tully River rafting schedule coordinated with the Kareeya Hydro water release. On some days, the release schedule shifts — your operator will confirm the exact departure time 24 hours before your tour.

What's Included

Included	Not Included
Return coach transfer from Cairns accommodation	Lunch at Tully on the way down (own expense)
All rafting equipment (helmet, life jacket, spray jacket, paddle)	Professional action photos (available for purchase)
Expert river guide in every raft	Drinks at the Feluga Hotel
Comprehensive safety briefing and paddle instruction	Shoe hire ($5 if you don't want to wet your own)
Hearty pub dinner at the Feluga Hotel	Personal expenses and tips
Rafting levy (environmental management + insurance fees)	Travel insurance (recommended)

Rafting levy: A $30 per person levy covers land management fees, dam water release costs, government charges, and part recovery of public risk insurance. This is typically payable on the day of rafting — check when booking whether it's included in your quoted price or added separately.

Short on Time? Barron River Half-Day

If a full day on the Tully doesn't fit your schedule, the Barron River offers a shorter alternative just 20 minutes from Cairns. It's a gentler introduction to whitewater — Grade 2–3 rapids through Barron Gorge National Park — and takes about four hours including transfers, with two hours on the water.

	Tully River (Full Day)	Barron River (Half Day)
Duration	~12 hours (3–5 hrs on water)	~4 hours (2 hrs on water)
Rapids	Grade 3–4, up to 45 rapids	Grade 2–3, moderate rapids
Distance	~2 hrs south of Cairns	~20 min from Cairns
Min. age	13 years	12 years
Best for	Serious adventure, dedicated day	First-timers, families, limited time
Meal	Pub dinner included	No meal included
Departure	~10:00 am, returns ~9:30 pm	~2:00 pm, returns ~6:00 pm

Want to discuss options? Get in touch and we'll help you choose the right river for your group, fitness level, and schedule.

What to Bring

Your rafting gear (helmet, life jacket, spray jacket) is all provided. You need to arrive wearing your swimwear and bring the following:

Essential

Swimwear (worn under clothes), lace-up shoes or sport sandals with ankle strap (they will get wet), towel, change of dry clothes for the drive home, sunscreen.

Leave Behind

Phones, cameras, and valuables are not recommended on the river. Secure storage is available at the put-in point. Professional photographers capture the action — photos available for purchase after the tour.

Safety & Requirements

Whitewater rafting is an adventure activity with inherent risks. Operators take safety extremely seriously — but you need to meet certain requirements to participate.

Must-Have Requirements

Competent swimmer: The Tully River has Grade 3–4 rapids. You must be a confident swimmer capable of handling yourself in moving water. This is non-negotiable and is assessed by your river guide.

English comprehension: For safety, you must be able to understand and follow your river guide's instructions in English. Comprehension is assessed at pick-up — if there are concerns, participation may be refused with no refund.

Medical declaration: You'll complete a medical questionnaire and sign a liability waiver (online or on paper) before rafting.

Who Cannot Raft

Rafting is not suitable for anyone who is pregnant. You will not be permitted to raft if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs (no refund). Certain medical conditions may exclude you — if in doubt, consult your doctor before booking and discuss with the operator.

Minimum age: 13 years for the Tully River (12 for the Barron River). All participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who co-signs the liability waiver.

Local Services & Useful Links

External resources to help you plan your rafting day and your time in Cairns.

Getting to Cairns

Cairns Airport — Domestic and international flights, 10 minutes from the CBD.

Cairns Accommodation

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Crystalbrook Riley
Pacific Hotel Cairns

Weather Forecast

Bureau of Meteorology — Cairns — Check conditions before your tour day.

Tully Gorge & National Parks

Tully Gorge National Park — Queensland Parks information on the gorge and Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

Destination Information

Tourism Tropical North Queensland — Official regional tourism site for Cairns and TNQ.

Rafting Operators

Raging Thunder Adventures — 30+ years on the Tully River.
Cairns Adventure Group — Tully and Barron River rafting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need rafting experience?

No. The Tully River is suitable for complete beginners. Your guide rides in the raft, controls navigation, and gives clear paddle instructions throughout. You'll practise in calm water before tackling the bigger rapids.

How fit do I need to be?

Moderate fitness is sufficient — you need to be able to paddle for several hours and swim confidently in moving water. You don't need to be an athlete, but this is a physically active day. If you have any concerns, discuss them with the operator before booking.

Is the Tully River safe?

Operators have been running the Tully for over 30 years with excellent safety records. All guides are trained in whitewater rescue and first aid with regular ongoing assessments. You'll receive a thorough safety briefing and be fitted with a helmet and life jacket. That said, whitewater rafting is an adventure activity and carries inherent risk.

Can children participate?

The Tully River requires a minimum age of 13 years. Under-18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For younger children (6+), a lower section of the Tully offers Grade 2 sportsrafting, or the Barron River (min. age 12) is a good half-day alternative.

What if it rains?

You're going to get wet anyway. The Tully runs year-round thanks to controlled hydro releases, so rain doesn't affect water levels. Tours operate in almost all weather. If conditions are genuinely dangerous, the operator will cancel and offer a full refund or reschedule.

Why does the tour take 12 hours?

The Tully River is about two hours south of Cairns, so roughly four hours are spent on transfers. The remainder is rafting (3–5 hours on the water), gear fitting, safety briefing, and the post-rafting pub dinner at the Feluga Hotel. It's a long but very full day.

Can I take photos on the river?

Phones and cameras are not recommended on the raft — they'll get wet and may be lost in rapids. Professional photographers capture action shots throughout the day. Photos are available for purchase after the tour at the Feluga Hotel.

What's the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation up to 24–48 hours before departure (varies by operator). Weather cancellations by the operator receive a full refund or reschedule. Check the specific policy when booking.

Tully River Whitewater Rafting