The Tully River
The Tully River is widely regarded as one of Australia's premier whitewater rafting destinations. 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, granite boulders and waterfalls dropping from the escarpment above.
What makes the Tully exceptional is the combination of world-class rapids and consistent water levels year-round. The Kareeya Hydro power station (operated by Stanwell Corporation, near Koombooloomba Dam) releases water into the gorge on a scheduled basis, so regardless of season, the river usually 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 well-known 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 on the water.
🪃 Country: Jirrbal & Gulngay people
The Tully River and Tully Gorge National Park are on the Country of the Jirrbal people (western sections of the park — native title determined by the Federal Court in 2008, represented by the Wabubadda Aboriginal Corporation in Atherton) and the Gulngay people (eastern sections, including the Tully township area and the river itself — native title determined in 2019, represented by the Gulngay Kinjufile Aboriginal Corporation).
The Jirrbal and Gulngay peoples have continuing custodial responsibilities for Country here and are involved in cooperative park management through the Wet Tropics Aboriginal Cultural and Natural Resource Management Plan. Tully Falls is a place of cultural significance in Aboriginal traditional society, and rock art sites within Tully Gorge National Park are protected. The Echo Creek walking trail is also used by the Aboriginal community for walking tours to Echo Falls. As you raft the gorge, you're moving through a living cultural landscape — please treat it with the respect Traditional Owners ask of all visitors.
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) |
| Country | Jirrbal (western gorge) & Gulngay (river, eastern gorge) |
| 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 3–5 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 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 part of one of the oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforest systems on Earth — ancient ferns, towering canopy trees, and the sound of cascading side-creeks. You're rafting through a national park most visitors never see at this level. Keep an eye out for freshwater turtles, water dragons and azure kingfishers along the banks.
This is also cassowary country — the southern cassowary lives throughout the Wet Tropics. You're unlikely to see one from the raft, but they're sometimes spotted near the put-in or take-out areas. Give them plenty of space and never approach; they're large, fast and protected.
Your guides
River guides are trained and experienced. Leading operators put their staff through rigorous certification in river navigation, whitewater rescue and first aid, with regular ongoing assessments. Many guides have been rafting the Tully for years and know every rock, eddy and wave. Expect plenty of banter, river games and entertainment between the serious paddling.
Sample Day
Exact timings vary based on the Kareeya hydro release schedule and are confirmed 24 hours before departure.
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Late morning — pick-up & transfer
Collected from your Cairns accommodation around 10:00 am. Scenic drive south through sugar-cane fields, mountain ranges and the Cassowary Coast to the town of Tully (~90 min). Quick stop at the Golden Gumboot in Tully for a break and to grab lunch (own expense).
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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. Practise basic commands in calm water before entering the gorge.
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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 are taken throughout the day (available for purchase).
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Late afternoon — take-out & change
Reach the take-out point downstream. Change into dry clothes and pack up gear.
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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 screens while swapping river stories. Drinks at own expense.
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Night — return to Cairns
Relaxed coach ride back to Cairns. Return to accommodation approximately 9:30 pm.
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) |
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 on Djabugay Country — 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 |
| Country | Jirrbal & Gulngay | Djabugay |
| 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 |
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.
Recommended
Reef-safe waterproof sunscreen (SPF 50+), insect repellent, a small amount of cash for drinks and photos. Remove all jewellery before rafting — rings and earrings can be lost in rapids and cause injury.
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 are available for purchase after the tour.
Safety & Requirements
Whitewater rafting is an adventure activity with inherent risks. Operators take safety 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 — including heart conditions, recent back/neck/shoulder surgery, epilepsy, and severe asthma — may exclude you. If in doubt, consult your doctor before booking and discuss with the operator. They'd rather know early than turn you away on the day.
Wet season & cyclone considerations
The Wet Tropics has a tropical climate with a distinct wet season (roughly November to April) and dry season (May to October). Most rafting still operates in wet season — the hydro release keeps water levels consistent — but heavy rainfall events and rare cyclones can affect access roads. Cyclone Jasper hit the region in December 2023 and caused significant flood damage across the Cassowary Coast and parts of the Tully catchment; recovery work continued through 2024 and access has since returned to normal. If you're booking during cyclone season (December–April), travel insurance is strongly recommended.
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, Traditional Owners and Wet Tropics WHA.
Destination information
Tourism Tropical North Queensland — official regional tourism site for Cairns and TNQ.
Cassowary Coast Tourism — Tully, Mission Beach and surrounds.
Rafting operators
Raging Thunder Adventures — long-running Tully River operator.
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?
Leading operators have been running the Tully for 30+ years with strong 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 that cannot be fully eliminated.
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 light or moderate rain doesn't affect water levels. Tours operate in almost all weather. If conditions are genuinely dangerous (heavy storms, lightning, cyclonic activity), 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, the 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 typically applies 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 — and consider comprehensive travel insurance during wet season (Nov–Apr) when cancellation risk is higher.
Is the Tully running during the August–September 2026 dewatering?
Queensland Parks has listed scheduled dewatering works at Kareeya Power Station affecting Tully River levels from 4 August to 5 September 2026. Standard Tully rafting tours typically do not run during these works because water releases are paused. If your travel dates fall in this window, confirm operating dates directly with the operator before booking, or shift to before 4 August / after 5 September. The Barron River half-day from Cairns is unaffected.