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Cairns rafting is an adventure for those seeking connection to rainforest rivers, adrenaline and excitement, paired with professional guides and safe practice. Rushing down the rapids of the Barron River is an awesome adventure and something people of all ages will enjoy. Each raft has its own River Guide, who provides instruction and guides you down through the lower reaches of the Barron Gorge. It’s 2 hours of rafting combining rapids, with some calm water floating and a paddle at the end, there’s even the option to jump in the river and go for a float next to the raft. Don’t be alarmed by the term ‘white water’, while this tour is adventurous, the rapids aren’t crazy making it perfect for those wanting to try rafting for the first time or those wanting a different experience in Cairns’ Rainforests.
This half-day tour runs all year round and fits easily into most itineraries. There’s the option to self-drive to Lake Placid or book return transfers from Port Douglas or Cairns. It includes rafting instruction from experienced River Guides, helmets, life jackets and everything needed for rafting. The minimum age to participate is 12 years old.
What We Love About This Cairns Rafting Tour. Rafting is a completely different way to experience the rainforest. Entering the Barrron River you are surrounded by granite walls and tropical rainforest. As you push away from the rocky banks, River Guides provide instruction and assistance, keeping you safe and on course throughout the trip. The rapids are so much fun, more exciting than scary and leaving everyone with smiles for miles. With a maximum of 6 people per raft it’s small group touring big on experience and laughs. Love the professional photos you can get at the end too, read our Cairns Rafting Tour Review.
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This Cairns Rafting tour is run by the Cairns Adventure Group, a locally owned and operated family company providing a range of half and full day tours. Their owner used to be a River Guide on the Barron River, so you know this tour is full of experience and passion. If you are self-driving, this tour takes around 3 hours, but if you book transfers it’s a half day experience. If you’ve always wanted to try rafting, this is the place to do it. Cairns Rafting tours run all year round, with guaranteed water levels thanks to the release by the Barron Gorge hydroelectric station each afternoon. Minimum age to participate is 12 years old and there’s no prior experience necessary. Suitable for solo travellers, friends travelling together and family groups.
The Barron Gorge National Park is renowned for its towering granite walls and thick tropical rainforest. When you are seeing it from the water, you get a completely different perspective on its size and scale, with plenty of time to admire your scenic surroundings. The granite boulders are massive and the trees make their way to the waterline. At the end of the rapids, the river widens out to a section called Lake Placid which is the lower reaches of the gorge and here you paddle to the banks and conclude your tour. Keep your eyes peeled for birds and butterflies.
Rafting through the rainforest in the Barron Gorge National Park offers a completely different perspective of this impressive country. You’re moving down the river, carried by the flow of the river responsible for carving out the gorge, over thousands of years. Today the Barron River has been ‘tamed’ by the hydroelectric station, but daily releases of water create grade 3 rapids, which are more mild than wild and just so much fun. You may have heard of the floods that happened in Cairns a few years back, you can still see the evidence of the power of the river from that event, with large boulders and tree trunks high on the gorge walls.
The timing for the Cairns rafting tours is dictated by the water release schedule of the hydroelectrical station in the Barron Gorge National Park, which is usually in the afternoon. So, this itinerary is based around an afternoon Cairns rafting tour, where you self-drive to Lake Placid. If you don’t have your own vehicle, CAG provide return transfers from Cairns and Port Douglas. The tour is fully guided and the price includes all safety equipment (helmet and life jacket), safety and rafting briefings and a River Guide for every raft. You should take additional funds to purchase souvenir photos.
All guests meet at Lake Placid. There is plenty of parking for those self-driving. Once everyone is assembled any outstanding waivers and safety forms are completed and you are directed to air-conditioned coaches, which take you into the Barron Gorge National Park.
On arrival into the Barron Gorge National Park, you will be allocated your River Guide and provided with all safety equipment and rafting instructions. Then it’s a short walk down to the river, where the rafts are waiting.
Your Cairns rafting adventure begins. The River Guides go over some safety terminology and positions in the raft, showing how to safely hold your paddle in the rapids. The first rapids are nice and easy, to give you a feel for the water and the paddling requirements. Then the journey continues with paddling, rapids, some photos and the opportunity to jump in the water and float next to the raft. The final part of this Cairns rafting tour is to paddle through the calm waters of Lake Placid, taking you back to where the tour started.
Arrive at Lake Placid and help your River Guide carry the raft to the coach. There’s a small changing area, so you can get into dry clothes and you can view the professional photos. These make a great souvenir of your time on the river. Self-drive guests are free to leave and return transfers depart Lake Placid at around 5.45pm.
This Cairns rafting tour is an afternoon of fun! It takes you to and from Lake Placid in the Barron Gorge National Park, rafting down the Barron River. The rafts take a maximum of 6 guests each and each raft has its own River Guide, to provide instructions and keep you safe. The rapids will put a big smile on your face and rafting is a completely unique and engaging way to experience the rainforest from a different aspect.
It takes you to and from Lake Placid. You can self-drive, or book return transfers from Cairns or Port Douglas. It’s in the Barron Gorge National Park, which is known for its granite gorge walls, rainforest and spectacular beauty.
This is a half day tour. It commences at Lake Placid at 2.30pm and ends at 5.45pm.
Drinks, snacks and the professional photos, which you have the option to purchase at the end.
Lake Placid, in the lower reaches of the Barron Gorge National Park, around a 20 minute drive from Cairns city. You can book return transfers from Cairns or Port Douglas as an optional extra.
Yes, the tour is suitable for children aged over 12 years of age. There were lots of families when we did the Cairns rafting tour.
Yes. The entire tour is guided by Cairns Adventure Group’s River Guides.
Yes, pre-booking is recommended, especially during peak holiday periods. Tours often fill quickly due to limited tour times and rafts.
There are no toilets on the coach, there are toilet facilities at Lake Placid.
This Cairns rafting tour does operate in the rain. You can’t have a rainforest river without rain. However, in the event of heavy monsoonal rainfall, there may changes made to the tour. This usually happens in February or March and you will be contacted if you are affected.
You should bring a small day pack including a towel, sun sunscreen and insect repellent. Change of clothes, river shoes (crocs are fine) a hat and additional funds to purchase the professional photos.
If you have any question regarding this tour, please do not hesitate to contact us, we can help you find the perfect tour for you, we understand it can be overwhelming trying to decide. Our advice and booking service is free.
So Much Fun! Barron River Rafting is an epic way to spend a few hours in Cairns. You’ll head deep into the Barron Gorge National Park, where you’ll raft your way down the Barron River over bouncy rapids, surrounded by beautiful rainforest. Seriously – Smiles For Miles!
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