River Drift at Mossman Gorge

    • Places: Port Douglas, Mossman
    • Departs from: Port Douglas
    • Region: Tropical North Queensland, Queensland
    • Duration: 3.5 hours
    • Price: From $155 per person (AUD)
    • Operator: Back Country Bliss Adventures
    • Payment: Book now, pay later available: no payment today, card charged 3 days before the tour. Departures within 5 days are pay now only.
    • Good to know: Family pricing: Family fare available: 2 adults + 2 children from $495, saving $45 on separate tickets. Prices are confirmed live when you book.
    • Rating: 5.0 out of 5 from 9 reviews

    The River Drift at Mossman Gorge tour offers a unique way to explore the Mossman River and its surrounding rainforest. Participants walk upstream through the lush rainforest before floating downstream on a river sled. This small group tour provides insights into the local flora and fauna. The tour includes transfers from Port Douglas and Mossman, ensuring a convenient experience.

    Activities

    • Scenic Walks
    • Wildlife
    • Tubing

    Features

    • Wetsuit or thermal top and boots
    • River sled
    • Light snacks
    • Free tour photos
    • Transfers from Port Douglas and Mossman
    • Experienced river-trained guides

    The Tour

    Arrival and Preparation

    Participants are picked up from their accommodation in Port Douglas or Mossman, or they can choose to drive themselves to the Wildlife Habitat Carpark in Port Douglas. Upon arrival at the Mossman River, guests receive their equipment and a safety briefing from experienced guides.

    Upstream River Walk

    The tour begins with a walk along the shallow or dry riverbed through the rainforest. Guides share information about the unique ecosystem, pointing out various flora and fauna native to the area. This part of the tour offers a chance to appreciate the diverse beauty of the rainforest.

    River Sled Experience

    After the walk, participants transition to a different section of the river for the river sled experience. Floating downstream, they navigate through both calm pools and faster currents, enjoying the clear waters and the surrounding natural scenery. The guides ensure safety and provide insights into the river's ecological history.

    Conclusion

    The tour concludes with a return to the starting point, where guests can enjoy light snacks and review photos taken during the adventure. Transfers back to Port Douglas and Mossman are provided, rounding off a memorable exploration of the Mossman River.

    Tour options

    • River Drift Experience from $155 This small group tour includes a guided walk and river sledding on the Mossman River. Transfers from Port Douglas and Mossman are included. Suitable for those aged 4 and up, with a moderate fitness level required. Snorkelling is available on request.

    What to bring

    • Swimwear
    • Towel
    • Comfortable footwear
    • Waterproof camera (optional)
    • Prescription glasses/contact lenses
    • Personal medication

    Meeting point

    You can join the River Drift Experience with a pickup or by making your own way.

    9:00am tour

    • Port Douglas pickups: 8:35am to 9:00am
    • Mossman pickups: 9:15am to 9:30am
    • Meet at Wildlife Habitat Carpark by 8:45am

    2:00pm tour

    • Pickup time confirmed on booking

    Please be at your pickup or meeting point a few minutes before the stated time.

    Useful information

    Fitness level

    Participants should have a moderate fitness level, be able to swim, tread water, and navigate uneven terrain.

    Age restrictions

    The minimum age for participation is 4 years. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

    Weather considerations

    Tours may be canceled in heavy rain or extreme weather conditions. Water levels and flow rates can vary with weather.

    Equipment provided

    Participants are provided with a wetsuit or thermal top, boots, river sled, and life jackets.

    What to bring

    Guests should bring swimwear, a towel, comfortable footwear, a waterproof camera (optional), prescription glasses/contact lenses, and personal medication.

    Customer reviews

    • Michelle J (5.0/5), 10-07-2026: From the moment we were picked up from our accomodation we knew it was going to be a fabulous adventure. The guides were so friendly, positive and knowledgeable that it was just like spending a day out with friends. The rainforest and the creek were spectacular and although the water was chilly it was refreshing and inviting. We feel lucky that there were so many additional experiences to what we expected from the drift description. Tasting green ants, Quandongs and playing with ochre face paints - so many experiences packed into such a short space of time made it feel like we’d been there for hours - making the trip excellent value. Thankyou for leading us on this fabulous adventure. We can’t wait to return and do it again.
    • Robert M. (5.0/5), 24-01-2025: Enjoyed the trip. Looked after well by the guides with lots of information about the gorge and surroundings. Drifting down the river in beautiful surroundings.
    • Wendy C. (5.0/5), 28-08-2024: We had a great time on our river drift Great fun for my little grandkids they had a ball
    • SHARON M. (5.0/5), 26-11-2023: We had an absolute ball our guides made us feel at ease and were very helpful
    • Rachael M. (5.0/5), 21-04-2023: Fantastic family experience Thanks to Dylan and Kate!!

    Check live availability and book online on this page.