What is the closest white water rafting river to Cairns?
The closest white water rafting river to Cairns, Queensland, is the Barron River. Half day Barron Gorge rafting tours with pickups at city hotels tackle Grade 2 and 3 rapids.
There are several rivers in Far North Queensland that are suitable for white water rafting. The biggest thrills tend to come on the rapids of the Tully River, which visitors can tackle as a day tour from Cairns.
However, for convenience, the closest white water rafting river to Cairns is the Barron River, which comes down from the Atherton Tableland just outside the city. To book a Barron River rafting tour, head this way.
Barron Gorge rafting tours from Cairns
Most Cairns white-water rafting tours concentrate on the Barron Gorge National Park section of the Barron River. Foaming Fury’s half day Barron Gorge rafting tour starts with hotel pickup in either Cairns or Port Douglas, then makes the short drive to Lake Placid by the Barron River.
Once you arrive at Lake Placid, you’ll receive a safety briefing and get geared up with all the necessary equipment, including a life jacket, helmet, and paddle.
Trip-booster! 8 great day trips from Cairns to power-up your holiday
- Kuranda combo package – take the Kuranda Scenic Railway up and the Skyrail cable car down.
- Green Island tours with beach time, glass bottom boat and snorkelling. (Or pick a Fitzroy Island trip instead).
- Moore Reef day tour – with underwater observatory, snorkelling gear, glass bottom boat & semi-submersible cruises.
- Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise – with snorkelling stops at two excellent spots on the Reef.
- Cape Tribulation rainforest day tour – with Mossman Gorge Aboriginal cultural experience and Daintree River crocodile-watching cruise.
- Atherton Tableland waterfalls and rainforest tour – including wildlife-spotting and a swim in a volcanic lake.
- Outback 4WD tour – visiting Chillagoe Caves, Aboriginal rock art and Granite Gorge.
White water rapids on Barron River
Then it’s time to hit the rapids. An experienced guide leads your raft along the river, navigating the twists and turns.
The raft quickly encounters a series of Grade 2 to 3 rapids, which are fairly exciting but relatively tame for experienced rafters. For newcomers, though, they’re a perfect introduction. You can also enjoy the views of the surrounding rainforest and gorge rock formations along the way.
Save time queuing – Book these Cairns attractions in advance
- From the air: Outer Reef helicopter flight | Sunrise hot air balloon ride | Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
- At night: Sunset dinner cruise | Pub and club tour | Aquarium by Twilight experience.
- For wildlife: Birdworld Kuranda | Kuranda Koala Gardens | Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome | Cairns Aquarium | Rainforestation Nature Park
- For culture: Cairns Museum tickets | Street art walking tour | City and surrounds highlights bus tour.
- For thrills: AJ Hackett giant jungle swing | High speed jet boat tour | Barron Gorge white water rafting | Mulgrave River tubing.
Scenic rafting near Cairns
There are also more serene stretches of the river than make for gentle, scenic floating.
These Barron River white water rafting tours include about two hours on the water, and cost $119 at the time of writing.
Bookings with mobile-friendly tickets and instant confirmation should be made online.
Alternatives in this part of Queensland include Mulgrave River tubing tours, a Cairns dinner cruise, jet boat rides and the Cairns Aquarium by Twilight tour.
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