• A half day or full day adrenaline-fuelled whitewater rafting tour down the famous Tully River in Mission Beach that will have your heart racing amillions beats a minute 
• Raft through the pristine rainforest and boulder strewn Tuly River down exciting grade 2 and 3 white water rapids on sports rafts where you are at the controls.
• Our Mission Beach white water rafting tours are suitable for beginners and experienced raftsmen/raftswomen but you must speak English and be able to swim.

White water rafting on the Tully River is a must do activity this year. Visitors with limited time can enjoy a half day adventure or maximise the fun with the full day option. Rafting on grade 2 and 3 rapids along the scenic Tully River.

What to Expect

Visitors to Tropical North Queensland often visit our region to explore the Great Barrier Reef however there is so much more to do!

Discover the thrill of white water rafting on the famous Tully River, one of Australia’s most renowned rafting locations. Set between Cairns and Townsville and only a short drive from Mission Beach, the river delivers the perfect blend of fast-moving rapids and spectacular rainforest scenery.

With expert guides leading the way, you’ll tackle exhilarating Grade 2 and 3 rapids that are ideal for both first-time rafters and those who have tried rafting before.

Choose from a half-day or full-day adventure, with each option designed to give you maximum time on the water surrounded by the beauty of Tropical North Queensland.

Expect plenty of fun, adrenaline-charged action, and a safe experience suitable for families, groups, or solo adventurers seeking one of Queensland’s best outdoor activities.

Features and Highlights

Half Day Rafting – Tully River

• Two start times: 9.00am or 12.00pm at the river
• 6 kilometres of rafting excitement
• Navigate Grade 2 & 3 rapids
• Complimentary beer and soft drinks at the finish
• Free pick-up from Tully or Mission Beach (most days by arrangement)
• Return transfers available from Cairns for $66 (Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
• Minimum age: 6 years

Full Day Rafting – Tully River

• Full day experience with a 9.00am river start
• 12 kilometres of rafting adventure
• Paddle through Grade 2 & 3 rapids
• Includes a riverside lunch break
• Complimentary beer and soft drinks at the finish
• Free pick-up from Tully or Mission Beach (most days by arrangement)
• Minimum age: 6 years

This adventure is the ultimate way to experience the Tully River – combining adrenaline-pumping rafting with stunning rainforest landscapes. Whether you have just a few hours or a full day, it’s one of the most memorable things to do near Mission Beach and Tropical North Queensland.

View all other white water rafting adventures here.

 

About the mighty Tully River

The Tully River is located at the foot of Mount Tyson, one hour, fifty one minutes south of Cairns, where it receives one of the highest annual rainfalls in Australia – a staggering 4200 mm (14 foot).

The Tully River descends from the Cairns Atherton Tablelands through stunning gorges.

This abundance of rain creates swift and exciting rapids, making it one of the best whitewater rafting rivers in Australia.

The Tully River is one of three main rafting rivers in North Queensland (the others are at Barron River and North Johnstone) and have more than 45 individual rapids graded up to grade 4. 

Your Whitewater Sports Rafting Journey Begins

Your day starts with a courtesy pick-up from your hotel accommodation in Mission Beach or Tully.

The scenic, educational 45-minute journey to Tully Gorge Recreational Park takes you through a World Heritage national park and rainforests.

An abundance of rare and amazing wildlife calls the Tropical North rainforest home, including the famed Cassowary bird.

With only 1200 Cassowaries in existence today, and most of them inhabiting the Tropical North rainforest, you might just be lucky enough to see one of these unusual looking birds. 

Arrival at Tully Gorge Recreational Park

On arrival at Tully Gorge Recreational Park, your expert guides will unload the sports rafts and give a safety briefing and instructions on how to navigate the white water rapids and what to look for.

Change rooms and toilets are available at the park. You’ll then be fitted with your safety equipment – helmet and life jacket – before being paired into the sports rafts.

Your sports rafts will be launched on a quiet part of the river so you can practice maneuvering and paddling on some of the more gentle white water rapids first.

This is a great way for you to build up your confidence before you hit the foam action. 

Whitewater action down the Tully River

Your highly experienced rafting guides will be with you the whole way down the river on the ride of your life.

They will show you the best way to negotiate the 6km (half day tour) or 12km (full day tour) of foaming frenzy and ensure that all rapids are navigated safely.

As the intensity of the white water rapids build you’ll be watching water currents, dodging rocks and crashing through walls of foaming water – drenched and exhilarated as you master the mighty Tully River.

In between the rapids there are stretches of tranquil, calm waters. Catch your breath and absorb the majesty of this 410-million-year-old rainforest and the array of flora and fauna, some of which are native to this small eco pocket in Far North Queensland.  

Enjoy the chorus of croaking frogs, chirruping insects and tweeting exotic birds – and even the ‘woompoo’ of the aptly named woompoo fruit dove.

You might spot the rare electric blue Ulysses butterfly flitting by and some amazing bird life including, ospreys, honeyeaters, bowerbird, tree creepers, brightly coloured parrots, lorikeets and cockatoos.

The Tully River is also home to saw-shelled turtles and fish with strange names like sooty grunters and rainbowfish.

‘Whitewater Warriors’

You’ll emerge from the water feeling euphoric and accomplished. Enjoy a well-earned cold beer and change into dry clothes before your relaxed trip back to your accommodation. You’ve earned the title of ‘Whitewater Warrior’! 

What about lunch?

Lunch (included in full day tour)

After an action-packed morning navigating the rapids you’ll enjoy munching on a delicious lunch of roast chicken served with salads and wraps. 

Australian whitewater rafting rapid grading

General characteristics of the grades of whitewater. The Tully River is graded rapids up to 4.

Rapid Grade 1:

Rapids are small to regular waves. The passage is clear and easy to recognise and negotiate. Care may be needed with obstacles like fallen trees and bridge piers.

Rapid Grade 2:

Rapids with regular medium sized waves (less than 1 metre); low ledges or drops; easy eddies and gradual bends. The passage is easy to recognise and is generally unobstructed although there may be rocks in the main current, overhanging branches or log jams.

Rapid Grade 3:

Rapids with fairly high waves (1-2 metres); broken water, stoppers and strong eddies; exposed rocks; small falls. The passage may be difficult to recognise from on the river and inspection from the bank may be required. Maneuvering to negotiate the rapids is required.

Rapid Grade 4:

Difficult rapids with high, powerful, irregular waves; broken and confused water; often boiling eddies; strong stoppers; ledges; drops and dangerous exposed rocks. The passage is often difficult to recognise and inspection from the bank is preferable. Precise and sequential maneuvering is required.

See more adrenaline pumping white water rafting tours in Mission Beach and the Tully River and our selection of Cairns white water rafting tours and other exciting combo package deals.

Tour Languages Offered

• English
• Japanese

Departs From

Mission Beach

Departure Time

• Full Day: 9:00am
• Half Day: 9:00am or 12:00pm

Departure Instructions

If you wish to self drive, directions can be provided.

Destinations

Tully River

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day

Duration

Half day tour - 4 hours (approx.)
Full day tour - 8 hours (approx.)

Fitness Level Required

Medium

Restrictions

Weight: Up to 140 Kg / 309 Lb

Additional Information

• All participants will be required to sign a liability waiver form prior to commencing this activity.
• Tour subject to favourable weather conditions.

• Change of clothes (wet set/dry set)
• Plastic bag
• Towel
• Baseball cap that fits under your helmet
• Sunscreen
• Camera (charged)
• Enclosed footwear or sandals
• Your Go pro (we have mounts on some helmets so make sure you have the correct attachment for your go pro – we have the attachment for sale if required) n.b. Taking your Go Pro or any other device is at your own risk, we will endeavor to provide back up ties etc to secure it, but please make sure your device is insured for rafting.

Minimum age is 6 years