• The highly entertaining and personable river guides will make the afternoon. It’s great fun and provides a truly unique way to experience the rainforest
• Learn fascinating facts about the wildlife and nature unique to the area. Your guides know the river intimately and are sure to reveal something even a hardened local wouldn’t know

Only a 20-minute drive from Cairns, you’ll spend the afternoon white water rafting on the Barron River under the expert supervision of your river guide. As a half-day adventure, this tour is perfect for those wanting to fit more into their day.

What To Expect

Come on a half day white water rafting tour on the Barron River located just 20 minutes outside of Cairns city. You’ll experience the exhilaration of white water rafting as you take in the magnificence of the surrounding national park rainforest. Under the tutelage of your expert white water rafting river guide, you’ll easily navigate the tricky waters of the Barron River while having plenty of thrills and possible spills along the way.

This session, whilst still great fun and filled with thrills and adventure, is ideal for those without previous white water rafting experience. The Barron River white water rapids are a fun Grade 2 and 3 which promise excitement but are a bit easier to manoeuvre. Filled to the brim with laughs, this is a great adventure for the whole family with plenty of opportunities for a swim in the pristine river waters.

Courtesy coach transfers to and from the Barron River are included in the total white water rafting price. And if this afternoon excursion leaves you thirsty for more, there’s always the full-day Tully River session!

The Beautiful Barron River. The best place to enjoy white water rafting for the first time, with the family or just for a few hours of fun times. This half day eco adventure usually operates in the afternoons, from 2pm to 6pm, but sometimes it can be run in the mornings due to weather or capacity.

So we’ve got two Barron River itineraries, check them out below, which are exactly the same except for departure times. The tour and times we’re running for the date of your intended travel will display during the booking process. Get ready for white water rapids and some calm water paddling in the spectacular Barron Gorge National Park.

Features & Highlights

BARRON LATE ITINERARY

Rafting Season (subject to change, based on water levels) - Jan to Dec

Prepare for plenty of thrills and excitement as we paddle through some grade 2 & 3 rapids, surf the rafts into the free standing waves and go over the huge drop at Rooster Tail. We’ve got you covered at Raging Thunder. We’re all about the fun factor during your time with us and the half day Barron River tour, is the perfect way to get amongst the amazing natural paradise, we call home. No experience necessary, all equipment and instruction is included, just bring your smile and get ready for a good time.

If self-driving, the meeting point is at Lake Placid.

14.00 – 14.30: Pick-ups around Cairns and Northern Beaches. Drive to Lake Placid and rendezvous with other (self-drive) rafters.
14.30 – 14.45: Travel further into the Barron River Gorge to our start point and get fitted with rafting gear.
14.45 – 17.00: Meet your River Guide who will give you a safety briefing and paddling instructions before it’s time to hit the water!
15.00 – 17.00: Raft down the Barron River conquering awesome grade 2 & 3 rapids!
17.00 – 17.30: Arrive at the take-out point and change into dry clothes before heading over to the Lake Placid Tourist Park for some tea and coffee, view photos of your trip and compare river stories.
17.30 – 18.00: Kick back and relax as we transfer you back to your accommodation.

Cairns 2.00pm to 6.00pm

Self Drive 2.30pm to 5.30pm

BARRON EARLY ITINERARY

• Rafting Season (subject to change, based on water levels) - Dec to Apr
• Same awesome rafting eco adventure – just running at a different time.

Why? The Barron River is an integral part of clean, green energy production, thanks to the operations of the 66 MW Barron Gorge Hydro. They vary the water release time pending capacity, production and volume which means we vary our Barron rafting itinerary in line with them. This ensures you’ll have the very best rafting experience possible on the Barron River, with Raging Thunder.

If self-driving, the meeting point is at Lake Placid and please stay with your vehicle.

08.00 – 08.30: Pick-ups around Cairns and Northern Beaches. Drive to Lake Placid and rendezvous with other (self-drive) rafters.
08.30 – 08.45: Travel further into the Barron River Gorge to our start point and get fitted with rafting gear.
08.45 – 09.00: Meet your River Guide who will give you a safety briefing and paddling instructions before it’s time to hit the water!
09.00 – 11.00: Raft down the Barron River conquering awesome grade 2 & 3 rapids!
11.00 – 11.30: Arrive at the take-out point and change into dry clothes before heading over to the Lake Placid Tourist Park for some tea and coffee, view photos of your trip and compare river stories.
11.30 – 12.00: Kick back and relax as we transfer you back to your accommodation.

Cairns 8.00am to 12.00pm

Self Drive 8.30am to 11.30am

See all Cairns white water rafting tours.

Read The Tour Specialists Blog for all the things you need to know before you go.  

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

• Cairns 2:00pm - 6:00pm
• Self-drive 2:30pm-5:30pm

Pickup Locations

• Cairns
• Cairns Northern Beaches

Destinations

Cairns Barron River

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Departure subject to water levels and weather conditions

Duration

3 to 4 hours

Available for Purchase / Hire

Action Photos (Digital store link provided)

Fitness Level Required

Medium, Active

Eco Certifications

Swimwear, towel, change of dry clothes, secure footwear such as sandshoes or adventure sandals (no thongs), waterproof sunscreen, cap to wear under helmet (optional). Hire shoes available for $5 if you don’t want your shoes getting wet. Also bring your voucher and money for additional refreshments and purchase of any digital photos you may like as an awesome reminder of your epic adventure. Please leave jewellery and valuables at your accommodation.

• Minimum age for participation is 12 years
• Children age 12 + pay the same rate as the adult's rate