Barron Gorge White Water Rafting from Cairns or Port Douglas
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Enjoy an outdoor adventure in Queensland with a 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 rapids up to grade III. 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.
Additional Info
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Safety equipment
Pickup and drop-off from Cairns or Port Douglas with by coach
Rafting Levy
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Just 20 minutes from central Cairns and 50 minutes 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 rapids up to grade III. 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.
Options
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
Self Drive
Self Drive to Lake Placid Car Park
Pickup included
Reviews
1,586 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great rafting experience for a beginner
V4950NXdeanr,
Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00As a novice to white water rafting this was a great experience. Rapids were not to severe, but challenging enough to get the adrenaline flowing. Marco was great clearly knew the river inside out and ensured everyone was safe. Highly recomneded
Excellent!
marinapM6849YT,
Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is my second time going and my first time for my partner. We both had a great time. The guides are all very friendly and funny. Make it very enjoyable for all of us. Will definitely do when we come back again.
Rafting experience
Anand V,
Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The activity is awesome and really good. All the guides were amazing . Shoes should be provided at no cost since paying quite a bit for the rafting.Make sure you have your gear ready for the activity as there are no changing facilities at the venue-also carry your food and drink as no facilities -Did one in Bali and it was much cheaper with food and drink available.
Very enjoyable and...
Joyce S,
Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very enjoyable and beginner friendly experience. Well organised and safety oriented. Great instructions from our guide Tom. Felt safe throughout the entire process!
Awesome white water rafting
mitchellr532,
Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome white water rafting experience in Cairns Fin was a great guide, got us out of some tricky spots Would be awesome if the guides were able to operate a remote controlled croc head to scare us
Wonderful experience for the half day rafting trip
rawdonc2022,
Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I enjoyed the trip very much. Alexia greeted us personally for each guest when we got on the shuttle bus. She is very warm and enthusiastic on the way to the launch zone. Rocky was our guide on the boat and he explained in details what to do. Overall, I had a very good time.
Great experience
368marlindak,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great experience! Very exiting. Well organised. Perfect if it is your first time rafting. Beautifull surroundings.
Amazing trip with...
Puchan Z,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing trip with friendly crew. Really enjoy the view and relaxing swim. Great memories of the whole Cairns trip
It was so much fun!! Very...
Yvonne F,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was so much fun!! Very tranquil. Harry the instructor was amazing, very informative. We would do it again!
We lost $290 due to the weather!
Angie D,
Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00We had 90ml of rain on our booking day and didn’t feel comfortable rafting in this grade of rapids. Although we explained we were leaving town to continue our honeymoon, the company refused to refund and instead gave us a two year ‘voucher’ for when we visit next. They didn’t care we lived in Western NSW and said it is up to us to give it to someone else to use. Very poor and very disappointing.
From A$128.00
Was A$128.00
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