Cairns Behana Gorge: Canyoning Tour with Waterfalls & Shuttle

Summary

Behana Gorge canyoning adventure near Cairns with jumps, slides, and rainforest

You’ll feel your heart race as you abseil down rocks, leap into crystal pools, and swim beneath waterfalls at Behana Gorge near Cairns. With a local guide leading your small group—and shuttle transport included—you’ll laugh more than you expect and end up soaked, tired, and oddly proud of yourself.

What’s the experience like?

Honestly, I nearly bailed when I saw the first abseil point at Behana Gorge — it looked steeper in person than in all those photos. Our guide, Sam (who grew up around Cairns), just grinned and said, “You’ll be fine. Trust your feet.” There was this earthy smell from the wet rocks and rainforest leaves, kind of sharp but fresh. We’d only left Cairns maybe half an hour earlier but it felt like another world already. The safety briefing was actually pretty chill — not boring at all — and Sam kept cracking jokes about leeches (I checked my shoes twice after that).

The first splash into the pool was colder than I expected. Like, take-your-breath-away cold. But after that? You just stop caring and start laughing. Everyone sort of loosened up after the second jump — even Ben, who’d sworn he wasn’t going to do any jumps at all. The water’s so clear you can see your toes wriggling under the surface. At one point we slid down this natural rock chute; I scraped my elbow a bit but honestly didn’t notice until later because we were all yelling and trying to beat each other’s “splash size.”

I liked how Sam let us go at our own pace — some folks took every challenge head-on while others hung back or watched a bit first (me included). He pointed out these tiny blue butterflies on a mossy log while we waited for everyone to finish an abseil section. It’s funny what sticks with you — not just the adrenaline bits but quiet stuff too. The sun came through the trees in these weird patches and everything smelled green and alive. I still think about that view sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Behana Gorge Canyoning Adventure

• Arrive 30 minutes from Cairns
• Receive warm welcome and safety briefing
• Explore Wooroonooran National Park gorge
• Climb, jump, slide, and abseil
• Swim in crystal-clear pools
• Enjoy natural rock slides and waterfalls
• Follow expert guide at your pace
• Discover hidden nooks and plunging pools
• Complete gorge obstacles safely

Top questions

How far is Behana Gorge from Cairns?

Behana Gorge is about 30 minutes by shuttle from Cairns city center.

Is there hotel pickup for this canyoning tour?

The tour includes return shuttle transport from central Cairns (CBD) to Behana Gorge.

What should I bring for canyoning at Behana Gorge?

Bring swimwear to wear under your wetsuit (provided in winter), a towel, water bottle, sunscreen, and dry clothes for after.

Is lunch included on the Behana Gorge canyoning tour?

No lunch is included; bring snacks if you need them as food is not provided during the activity.

Are wetsuits provided for the canyoning tour?

Yes, wetsuits are provided during winter season for extra warmth.

What’s the minimum age for this canyoning trip?

The minimum age is 8 years old; children must be accompanied by an adult.

Do I need previous experience to join this day trip?

No previous experience is needed—just basic swimming ability and moderate fitness.

How many people are in each group?

The maximum group size per booking is 10 participants.

What’s included

Your day includes return shuttle transport from central Cairns to Behana Gorge, all entry fees and taxes covered, air-conditioned vehicle rides both ways, certified safety equipment plus wetsuits during winter months, and professional abseil instruction from a local guide before you start jumping into those pools.