Tully River Rafting | 10am - 10pm
The Tully River Rafting tour takes guests on a full-day white water rafting trip in Far North Queensland. The day starts with pick-up from Cairns or Mission Beach, followed by a scenic drive to Tully. After meeting at the Golden Gumboot, guests travel into Tully Gorge, get fitted with rafting gear, and join a safety briefing with their river guide. The rafting section covers more than 27 rapids on the Grade 3 to 4 Tully River and runs for about three hours through the World Heritage rainforest. Each raft carries up to seven passengers and one river guide. The day finishes with a pub dinner at El Arish Hotel and return transfers to accommodation.
Features
- Hotel transfers from Cairns and Mission Beach
- Meeting point for self-drive guests at the Golden Gumboot, Tully
- Rafting gear
- Safety briefing and paddling instruction
- Guided rafting experience
- Over 27 rapids
- Grade 3 to 4 rafting
- Hearty pub dinner
- Digital action photos available for purchase
Itinerary
Cairns and Mission Beach Pick-Up
Guests are picked up from accommodation in Cairns from around 10:00am, or from Mission Beach from around 11:45am. The transfer heads south toward Tully, with the Tully Gorge located about 2.5 hours from Cairns and about 1 hour from Mission Beach.
Golden Gumboot Meeting Point and Lunch Stop
Self-driving guests meet the group at the Golden Gumboot in Tully from 12:55pm. The group then stops in Tully for a quick lunch break before rafting. Lunch is optional and at the guest’s own cost.
Travel into Tully Gorge and Gear Fitting
After lunch, guests travel to the top of the Tully River Gorge. Here they are fitted with rafting gear and prepared for the afternoon on the river. This part of the day takes place in the rainforest area surrounding the Tully River.
Safety Briefing with River Guide
Before entering the water, guests meet their River Guide for a full safety briefing and paddling instruction. Each raft holds a maximum of seven passengers and one guide, and no previous rafting experience is needed.
Rafting on the Tully River
Guests spend about three hours rafting the Tully River, which is rated Grade 3 to 4 and is known for consistent water levels through the year. The river includes more than 27 rapids, making this one of the longest rafting trips available. The route passes through World Heritage rainforest, with a mix of fast-moving rapids and calmer stretches between sections.
Change into Dry Clothes
At the take-out point, guests finish the river section and change into dry clothes before continuing by road to El Arish Hotel.
Dinner at El Arish Hotel
At El Arish Hotel, guests enjoy a hearty pub dinner with their guide and group. This is also the time to view photos from the day and talk through the rafting experience before the return trip.
Return to Accommodation
After dinner, guests relax on the transfer back to their accommodation in Cairns or Mission Beach. The full-day tour runs from about 10:00am to 10:00pm.
Meeting Point & Times
Check-In Location
Golden Gumboot, Tully
Hotel Pick-Up
Available from Cairns and Mission Beach
Cairns Pick-Up
From 10:00am
Mission Beach Pick-Up
From 11:45am
Tully Meeting Time (Self Drive)
Golden Gumboot from 12:55pm
Total duration including transfers from Cairns
10:00am to 10:00pm
Sample Timing
10:00 - 11:00: Pick-ups from Cairns accommodation
11:00 - 13:00: Scenic drive to Tully
13:00 - 13:45: Meet self-drive rafters at the Golden Gumboot and stop for optional lunch
13:45 - 14:30: Travel to the top of Tully Gorge and get fitted with rafting gear
14:30 - 15:00: Meet your River Guide and receive instructions
15:00 - 18:00: Raft the Tully River
18:00 - 19:15: Change into dry clothes and travel to El Arish Hotel
19:15 - 20:15: Pub dinner
20:15 - 22:00: Return transfer to accommodation
What To Bring
- Lace-up shoes or sandals that will not fall off your feet
- Swimming costume
- Change of clothes
- Sweater for the bus ride home
- Towel
- Sunscreen
- Money for snacks, souvenirs and photos
- Please do not wear jewellery
- Leave valuables in your hotel safe
Additional Information
Minimum age is 13 years.
Guests under 18 years must travel with a parent or guardian.
This tour is not suitable for anyone who is pregnant.
Guests with a medical condition, or anyone unsure about their physical ability to take part, should consult a medical practitioner before booking.
No previous rafting experience is necessary.
Raging Thunder has over 30 years of experience on the Tully River.
Instant Booking & Mobile-Friendly Tickets
Check availability & book here to secure the Tully River Rafting tour
Pre-booking is essential. Please do not turn up on the day without a booking.
If you require hotel transfers, please have your hotel name ready when booking so we can send you a pick-up time with your confirmation.
Reviews
Great time with a great guide. John (our guide) quickly assessed our ability and adapted our run to the team dynamics. Lots of fun going through rapids, challenging ourselves, voluntary flipping of the raft, high jumps into the river, and plenty of refreshing swims were all possible due to his professionalism. Give it a go, you won't be sorry. We will be back if we are in the neighborhood.
I had an amazing day thanks to the awesome team organising and leading the day! I highly recommend!
Keanu was excellent making the day and experience memorable
Rafting down the Tully river was an amazing experience with the family. Very experienced river guides, made it a fun and memorable experience. Highly recommend.
A great day out. Our tour guide Andy went above and beyond to make the experience fun and enjoyable for us.
I went by myself and was put in with a group of other young women, and felt at home right away.
The rafting was both very scenic and fun.
Thanks from all of us for this great experience
10am to 10pm Tully River Rafting
This itinerary includes a hearty pub dinner. If self-driving, the meeting point is the Golden Gumboot
Cairns : From 10am
Mission Beach Pick up from 11:45am
Tully Golden Gumboot From 12.55pm
The Tully Gorge is 2.5 hours from Cairns and 1 hour from Mission Beach.
10am to 10pm Times
10.00 - 11.00 Pick-ups from Cairns accommodation.
11.00 - 13.00 Depart for the scenic drive to Tully.
13.00 - 13.45 Rendezvous with other (self-drive) rafters at the Golden Gumboot (Tully), before we stop in Tully to grab a quick bite of lunch (optional, own cost).
13.45 - 14.30 Travel to the top of the Tully River Gorge and get fitted with rafting gear.
14.30 - 15.00 Meet your River Guide who will give you instructions before it's time to hit the water!
15.00 - 18.00 Raft the world-renowned Tully River conquering awesome grade 3 & 4 rapids!
18.00 - 19.15 Arrive at the take-out point and change into dry clothes before the short journey to the Feluga Hotel, a traditional Queensland country pub and the Tully home of Raging Thunder.
19.15 - 20.15 Indulge in a hearty pub dinner with your guide and crew, view photos of your trip and compare river stories surrounded by a living history of epic rafting on the Tully River!
20.15 - 22.00 Kick back and relax as we transfer you back to your accommodation.
