Add some action to your holiday From the harbour to the rivers
Looking for something more active than a sightseeing cruise? Start on the waterfront with a Cairns jetboat ride, or head to the rivers for rafting and tubing with Cairns Adventure Group.
Compare the Barron River and Tully rafting options with river tubing, then check the trip duration and transport arrangements. Each activity has its own participation requirements, so read the age limits, swimming requirements and operator information before booking. The cards below take you straight to the details for the adventures in our catalogue.
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Adventure tour questions
Should I choose Barron River or Tully River rafting?
Barron River rafting is a half-day outing close to Cairns, with around two hours on the river. Tully River rafting is a longer and more demanding full-day outing with substantially more travel from Cairns. Both provide instruction, but the Tully trip requires capable swimmers. Choose around your fitness, confidence and available time, rather than experience alone.
Which adventure tours can children join?
For the Cairns Adventure Group trips listed here, the published minimum ages are five for river tubing, twelve for Barron rafting and thirteen for Tully rafting. Jet boating has a minimum height of 1.1 metres. Age or height is only one requirement: check swimming ability, health restrictions and supervision rules for the chosen activity.
How is river tubing different from rafting?
On rainforest river tubing, each guest uses an individual tube while guides accompany the group through calm sections and small rapids. Rafting uses a shared raft with a river guide and coordinated paddling. Tubing can suit someone looking for a different pace, but it is still a physical outdoor water activity with participation requirements.
Are Cairns transfers included, or do I need to drive?
Check the booking option. Barron and Tully rafting offer self-drive meeting points as well as transfer options, so a self-drive ticket should not be assumed to include a Cairns pickup. River tubing includes selected pickup arrangements, while jet boating departs from the Cairns marina. Compare the meeting location and any separately payable levy when checking the total cost.