Barron Gorge White Water Rafting from Cairns or Port Douglas
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Enjoy an outdoor adventure in Queensland with up to 2-hour white-water rafting tour in Barron Gorge National Park. This experience is a suitable introduction to river rafting for first-timers, providing an exhilarating time with a rafting guide. Take in rainforest views along the Barron River as you navigate grade 2 and 3 rapids. When booking, you have the option to include pickup in Cairns and the Northern Beaches or Port Douglas, or drive yourself to the starting point at Lake Placid.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Minimum age is 12 years
Children between 12 and 17 years require a parent or guardian to sign a waiver form
Not suitable for pregnant travelers
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Just 20 minutes from central Cairns and an hour from Port Douglas, Barron Gorge National Park is convenient for whichever option you select when booking—either hotel pickup by coach or self-driving to Lake Placid. The park is known for its rugged rainforest mountains, steep ravines, Barron Falls, and, of course, Barron Gorge, carved out over thousands of years by the Barron River. When you arrive at Lake Placid, meet your guide to get ready for your white-water rafting tour on the river, which snakes its way down from the mountains toward the Coral Sea. During this scenic experience, enjoy a combination of calm water and a series of white-water rapids, providing you with both peaceful floating and more exciting action. You’ll raft for up to two hours on grade 2 and 3 rapids. No experience is necessary, making this a good choice for beginner rafters. Rafts hold up to 7 people plus your river guide, who keeps you safe and entertained. When your tour is over, return to your pickup point.
What‘s Included
Safety equipment
Pickup and drop-off from Cairns or Port Douglas with by coach
Rafting Levy
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Self Drive
Self Drive to Lake Placid Car Park
Pickup included
Departs Port Douglas
Port Douglas Pick Up: Pick up from Port Douglas
Pickup included
Departs Cairns & Beaches
Cairns & Beaches Pick Up: Pick up from Cairns and the Northern Beaches
Pickup included
Reviews
1,596 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
All round super fun
jikaral,,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The whole experience was terrific and we picked a good day where the water wasn't too high so we had a good 90 mins on the water. Our guide Danny was super experienced and made us all feel capable as well as safe along with having fun! The admission fee was pretty good with the locals discount. The pre-safety talk with Jade was reassuring as well being reinforced by Danny at the start when being in the raft. All round super fun and would do it again.
My favorite and I did a bunch
MontanaCole,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Canadian chick was awesome. Rapids were epic. People fell off. Rafts got stuck. I hope you want an adventure!?
So fun!
sharon w,,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Awesome! Lily is a rockstar! We had so much fun! Getting started was kinda chaotic but once everyone was in the boats it was amazing and fun!
Unforgettable experience
Z7892UAdeanw,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a fantastic afternoon. Rowan our instructor was exceptional and made for an unforgettable experience! Can highly recommended this tour to anyone.
This is awesome! All the...
Emma G,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is awesome! All the guides were amazing and I would %100 go again. Highly recommend if you want a fun day out.
Excellent first time experience!!
JazzNBluesSinger,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I just did the Barron Gorge White Water Rafting tour and it was a blast!! I had never done this before and always wanted to...Definitely recommend! It's just the right amount of scary and fun! The crew was super informative and skilled at handling the river!! *Special shout out to Lily, our crew captain, and Rowan, another captain who gave us all instructions on the bus before arriving to the river. Thanks guys for keeping us safe!
A great tour
KUEIFENG W,,Dec 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The guide/coach is very nice and hork very hard ro help us during the whole trip It is fun even under raining.
Our guide Felix was...
Jennifer Z,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Our guide Felix was awesome! I wish the instructions were a little more clear before arriving on what to wear (like a shirt and shorts) and that we had to leave everything in the car, there are no lockers or bathrooms. Also the rapids are a little underwhelming if this is not your first time. But the.overall company and experience was good.
Rafting
hai l,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The experience of rafting is very fun, and enjoyable. The staff there are really professional and make everything very safe.
Great fun rafting
JudeAdelaide60,,Dec 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Easy to find by car, friendly helpful guides who explained everything before taking off. As a first-time 25yo solo found it was a really fun adventure. Would recommend to all.
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