Tully River White Water Rafting: Grade 2–3 Rapids Half Day

Navigate Grade 2 and 3 rapids in one of the world's oldest rainforests.

Half-day white water rafting on the Tully River near Mission Beach puts you in a sports raft to paddle through Grade 2 and 3 rapids surrounded by ancient rainforest. A professional guide leads the trip, and national park fees are included. Pickup is available from Mission Beach or Tully. The activity runs about four hours and suits anyone with moderate fitness from age 6 onward.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tully River white water rafting adventure

• Pickup from Mission Beach or Tully
• Drive to Tully River rafting site
• Receive safety briefing and gear
• Raft through grade 2 and 3 rapids
• Enjoy rainforest scenery along river
• Complete rafting and celebrate
• Return to pickup location

The experience

The Tully River cuts through rainforest that has stood for thousands of years, and you navigate it yourself in a sports raft rather than watching from a tour boat. Grade 2 and 3 rapids mean steady current and waves you can read, not a white-knuckle plunge. The kind of water that keeps your attention and your paddle working without requiring expert technique. A professional guide leads from the water, reading the current and calling the strokes, so the day stays safe and the rhythm stays fun.

Pickup runs from either Mission Beach or Tully depending on where you are staying, and the four-hour outing includes everything: the guide, the raft, the paddle, and the national park fees that let you be on the water at all. You will get wet (the operator makes that plain), so wear clothes that can handle it and bring a change for after. If a half day does not fill your appetite, full-day trips are available too, and if you are driving up from Cairns, the operator can arrange a hire car to get you to the meeting point.

The ancient rainforest is the whole backdrop here, not a stop you visit between other things. It frames every rapid and every stretch of flat water, and it is the reason this particular river matters, not just the paddling, but where the paddling happens.

What’s included

• Professional guide leading from the water.
• national park fees.
• pickup and drop-off from Mission Beach or Tully.
• all rafting equipment (raft, paddle, personal flotation gear).

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to14h before

AgesAdult (13 to 70 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Wildside Adventures

Is this one for you?You paddle the raft yourself rather than watch a guide do it, so this suits anyone who wants to be active on the water and does not mind getting soaked. The shared group format keeps the cost down and builds the energy of paddling together. If you prefer privacy or a custom pace, ask the operator whether private trips are available.

Traveler reviews

4.95★★★★★★★★★★

117 verified traveler reviews

5 ★114

4 ★2

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What does "Grade 2 and 3 rapids" mean for someone who has never rafted before?

Grade 2 and 3 rapids on the Tully River are steady, moving water with waves and small drops that keep you engaged without requiring advanced technique. A professional guide calls the strokes and reads the current, so first-time rafters paddle safely and stay in rhythm with the group.

How long is the half-day rafting trip, and when does it start?

The half-day trip runs about four hours from start to finish. Exact start times depend on your pickup location (Mission Beach or Tully), so confirm the schedule when you book.

What is included in the price, and what should I bring?

The rafting trip includes a professional guide, your sports raft and paddle, and national park fees. Bring clothes you do not mind getting soaked and a change of dry clothes for after. The operator will tell you what else to pack when you book.

Is the Tully River rainforest something I see from the raft, or do we stop to walk in it?

The ancient rainforest frames the entire rafting experience. You paddle through it and see it from the water throughout the four hours. The itinerary focuses on the river itself rather than stops on land.

What if I am not sure whether I am fit enough for this trip?

The operator asks for at least a moderate level of physical fitness, and the trip is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy. If you have questions about your fitness or any health concerns, contact the operator before booking to discuss whether this trip suits you.