Barron River Half Day White Water Rafting

Customer Reviews of Barron Rafting with Raging Thunder

Fun Ride Down the Barron River
"My wife and I wanted to try some white water rafting, so we opted to try the folks at Raging Thunder based on previous Trip Advisor reviews. Since we both had no experience rafting, we chose the tame half-day Barron River trip to "get our feet wet".

Once we drove up to our starting point, we were provided safety gear (life vests and helmets) and a paddle. Items that we wanted to keep dry were simply left on the bus, which meets you at the end of the trip. Upon entry in our raft, we were given some basic instructions and down the river we went.

The Barron River scenery was stunning and our rafting guide (Sam) was very experienced as well as friendly and informative. There were also a couple opportunities to exit the raft and simply swim or float down the river. One other point of note, do not bring anything into the raft that you do not want to get wet...

Overall, we had a very good time and would recommend Raging Thunder. If you're looking for a sample of rafting, or are nervous about trying it, the Barron River is a good option for you. But if you are looking for a bit more excitement, you should probably opt for one of their Tully River trips." - Chrisb  from Redondo Beach, California

Fantastic experience for a beginner
"Picked up from accommodation, 20 minutes later arrived at river. They say it is grade 2-3 which is a nice level to start at. After go to a caravan park with showers etc, coffee and look/buy photos." - Rob from Derby

Common Questions

What should I wear rafting?
Wear the same clothes you would wear to the beach as you will definitely get wet, board shorts are recommended for both guys and girls. Make sure you bring a towel and a set of dry clothes to change into after your rafting adventure.

It is recommended you apply sunscreen before you go rafting, but don't apply this to the back of your legs (as rubber and sunscreen make for a slippery combination) or above your eyes.

You will need to wear secure footwear which will not come off your foot while rafting such as running shoes or sandals with an ankle strap. If you don't have suitable footwear (or don't want yours to get wet) we have sandals for hire at the top of the river, where we stop before we go rafting.

Will it be cold?
Cairns is located in the tropics with average day time temperatures ranging from 25°C (77°F) in winter to 33°C (95°F) degrees in summer. This allows us to raft all year round, even when its raining.

What can I bring aboard the raft?
Just yourself, all of your bags, towels and clothing will be locked aboard the bus which will meet you at the bottom of the river. If you need to take medication during the day, give this to your guide who will arrange for it to be carried on the trip. If you wear prescription glasses these should have a strap on them, but normal sunglasses are not necessary or recommended.

Cameras are not recommended as there is a high chance of you loosing them if you fall out of the raft, and you should leave any jewelry or watches in the safe of your hotel room (as the river has already claimed several wedding rings).

How safe is White Water Rafting?
Like any adventure activity, rafting carries with it inherent risks and you will be required to sign an indemnity form to this effect on the day. On each trip our senior guides examine the health questionnaires completed by our rafters, and are able to address concerns in relation to rafting such as medication, diabetes, and prior injuries.

What safety gear will I wear?
All of our rafters are fitted with life jackets and helmets as a safety precaution at the top of the river, you will need to wear these while in the raft.

What medical conditions will prevent me from rafting?
Pregnancy and rafting do not mix, and you must have minimal swimming abilities. Our senior guides will discuss with you any other medical conditions you may have, and how best to manage these during your adventure.

Where is the Barron River?
The Barron River is located 30 minutes north east of Cairns, you can see the Barron River here on Google Maps.

Can I drive my car to the Barron River?
You won't be able to drive to the top of the river yourself on the day of your rafting trip, as we don't return to the top of the river after the trip. You can however choose to meet us at the Lake Placid Tourist Park (see on Google Maps) no later than 2:30pm in the afternoon, and we will then transfer you to the top of the river aboard our coach. The end of the trip finishes just metres from the tourist park and you'll be able to collect your car.

Where can i go for more information?
If you have any further information you can chat to our staff for free by clicking on the Live Help button at the bottom of this page, which is accessible from 5am - 9pm, send us and email or give us a call directly.

We also recommend visiting the Cairns & Great Barrier Reef – Official Tourism Website where you will find information about our fantastic region, and a wide range of other exciting adventures.