The 10 Best White Water Rafting Trips in Australia

1.Ocean Rafting: Whitehaven Beach, Snorkelling & Hill Inlet Lookout

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,777 reviews · from $149Our pick

Ocean Rafting takes you from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, and secluded fringing reefs aboard a fast inflatable boat. Choose Northern Exposure for more snorkeling or Southern Lights for extra beach time. Guides such as Bernie, Hailey, Georgie, and Max combine safety advice, reef talks, and plenty of boat-ride fun.

“Superb! Everything is so satisfied. All members of Wipeout are so friendly and enthusiastic to us! Totally recommend!”

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2.Barron Gorge White Water Rafting from Cairns or Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,596 reviews · from $91

Join Foaming Fury for up to two hours on the Barron River, tackling Grade II and III rapids with a trained guide in each raft. Guides such as Lily, Jess, Jacob, and Dorothy lead clear safety briefings and keep the mood light. Choose Cairns or Port Douglas pickup, or meet at Lake Placid. Bring water, a towel, dry clothes, and secure footwear.

“Great afternoon on the rapids! Our guide was funny and controlled our raft well. Rapids were moderate, nothing too dangerous but enough for a fun adventure. Safe to take beginners and older kids.”

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3.Tully River Full-Day White Water Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 669 reviews · from $142

Spend about 12 hours rafting the Tully River from Cairns, with roughly five hours on the water and more than 40 rapids, including Grade 4 sections. Guides such as Daz, Max, Tom, Johnny, and Paul have led trips here. Bring lace-up shoes, swimwear, a towel, dry clothes, and sunscreen. A pub meal is included.

“Simply outstanding. From the pick up at Cairns to constantly checking on us at every stage, the crew are just amazing. They are witty, engaging and despite the high adrenaline experience - always makes us feel safe during the rapids. A must-do on your trip to Australia.”

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4.Rainforest River Tubing from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 668 reviews · from $68

Float through Cairns rainforest on the Mulgrave River, Little Mulgrave River, or Behana Gorge with a certified guide team. Expect gentle rapids, calm stretches, about 90 minutes to 2 hours on the water, and hotel pickup. Guides such as Jackie, Lura, Tom, Andrew, Nate, and Dhalia have helped make the trip friendly and safe.

“Nate and the crew were absolutely amazing. The experience was fun, stunning and refreshing. Definitely recommended for families and friends”

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5.Barron Gorge: Half-Day Barron River White-Water Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 492 reviews · 150 minutes - 6 hours · from $81

You’ll tackle up to two hours of Grade Two and Three rapids in Barron Gorge National Park with an English-speaking guide such as Tom, Olivia, or Zac. Expect safety training, calm stretches, rainforest views, and playful raft tricks. Pickup is available from Cairns or selected Port Douglas locations, or meet at Lake Placid.

“excellent trip, seamless pickup from the selected location, great time spent on the water, Joe was an excellent guide”

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6.Cairns or Northern Beaches: Rainforest River Tubing

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 372 reviews · 5 hours · from $53Best value

Spend up to 90 minutes floating the Mulgrave River beneath Tropical North Queensland rainforest. Guides such as Tom, Harry, Tina, and Dorothy have helped keep groups safe and smiling through calm stretches and mild rapids. Hotel pickup, equipment, instruction, snacks, and drinks after the trip make this an easy half-day outing for ages 5 and up.

“Shout out to our guides Tom and Harry!!! They were amazing!! Great rapport and communication the whole trip. Tubing was equal parts fun and relaxing, cruising gently down the river in the clear water. We had such a great time and felt very safe- even when we hit some mild rapids. Both guides were very knowledgable of the area and made sure everyone was having a great time. Highly recommend - Not as adrenaline filled as some activities available but we will definitely be going again !”

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7.Full Day White Water Rafting From Cairns or Mission Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 182 reviews · 390 minutes - 11 hours · from $126

Spend up to three hours rafting Grade 3 and 4 rapids on the Tully River with certified guides such as Jake, Sean, Liv, or Dazza. You’ll receive full safety training, paddle through World Heritage rainforest, and finish with a country-style pub dinner. Choose pickup from Cairns or Mission Beach, or drive to the meeting point near the Golden Gumboot.

“Both Johnny and Damian are a absolute credit to the organisation, professional, caring and have a passion for the Tully River and white water rafting. What a wonderful place the Tully is and such a well organised event, faultless all day and a nice touch stopping at such a Aussie Pub for a well earned drink and meal to finish off the day.”

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8.Barron River Half-Day White Water Rafting Cairns or Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 166 reviews · from $91

Join a 3.5-hour Barron River rafting trip from Cairns, the Northern Beaches, or Port Douglas. Guides such as Addison, Tina, Jack, and Fin provide safety instruction and all gear except shoes. Expect wet rides through grade-three rapids, rainforest scenery, and the option to add hotel transfers.

“Jake our guide was excellent. First time rafting and it was alot of fun. Lots laughter and getting wet. Very safe, wish it went longer.”

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9.Raging Thunder Barron Gorge River Rafting Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 104 reviews · 150 - 330 minutes · from $82

Join a half-day rafting trip on the Barron River, about 20 minutes from Cairns. Your English-speaking guide provides the raft, helmet, life jacket, safety briefing, and paddle practice before you tackle Grade 2 and 3 rapids, including Rooster Tail. Allow 150 to 330 minutes, and bring swimwear, a towel, secure water shoes, and dry clothes.

“The guide is really helpful. It is a great water experience.”

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10.Mission Beach: Tully River Half Day White Water Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 40 reviews · 4 hours · from $106

Meet your English-speaking wild guides at Tully Gorge Camping and Day Use Area for a four-hour rafting run through World Heritage rainforest. After a 45-minute scenic drive, you’ll learn the basics in calm water, steer your own sports raft through grade 2 and 3 rapids, then toast the run with a beer or soft drink.

“Det var sjovt og udfordrende. Guiderne kom 20 min for sent og de måtte godt have fortalt mere om dyrelivet”

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