Duration:
Operated By:
A cool escape from the tropical heat, just 20 minutes north of Port Douglas.
Walk up the Mossman River through the rainforest, towing your lightweight river sled along the sandy riverbed, with time for a swim in the clear water while your guide shares the story of the river and the life it supports. Then it’s onto your sled for the float back down: through a hidden creek, then out onto the main river, gliding through calm, shady pools and steering through faster runs.
About 2 hours on the river (about 3.5 hours return from Port Douglas). Departs 9:00am and 2:00pm.
Who is this for?
To enjoy this active rainforest experience, guests require a reasonable level of fitness & high level of mobility.When the river level is low (most of the year), our activity is generally suitable for all ages (4+) and swimming abilities.When the river level is higher, the faster flowing water is only suitable for strong swimming adults (15+) with good fitness and mobility.
If you have any concerns about your suitability, please contact us before booking.
Refunds are not guaranteed if you are deemed unsuitable to participate on the day of the tour.
Guest requirements:
All participants are required to complete a medical questionnaire and liability release form.Swimming Ability
All adults must be confident swimmers, and comfortable in moving water. Some flexibility may apply when river levels are low; please contact our office to confirm.Not suitable if you have limited mobility or injuries
e.g: difficulty walking, injured or limited movement of knees, ankle, back, shoulder etcNot suitable for anyone who is pregnant
Due to risk of falling on stomach, sudden jarring movements and impacts
Maximum weight limit is 120kg/264lb
Due to limitations of our equipment. A good level of fitness and mobility is required if you are near this weight
While conditions do vary, all participants associated with this booking should be able to:
- Walk without having to stop or sit down to rest for up to 20 minutes
- Lie on your stomach and paddle for extended periods
- Walk up an incline equal to a flight of stairs without stopping
- Swim/dog paddle 15m without stopping
- Climb up tree roots to exit river, equivalent to climbing a 1.5m ladder
- Easily stand up from a sitting position on the ground, without assistance at least 3 times in a row
INCLUSIONS
- Free pick-up and drop-off from Port Douglas and Mossman
- Wetsuit and boots (or a thermal top if you’d rather wear swim shorts)
- River sled and all safety equipment
- Safety-trained river guides
- Free tour photos
- Snacks
WHAT TO BRING
- Swimwear to wear under your wetsuit, or swim shorts if you’d prefer a thermal top
- A towel
- Contact lenses if you need them. Glasses aren’t recommended; if you must wear them, they can be worn for most of the tour
- A waterproof camera if you like (at your own risk; free tour photos are included)
- Any personal medication
PRICES
Prices are in Australian dollars and include GST. Our prices change each year on 1 April, so the price shown is for your tour date. Once you’ve booked, your price is fixed.
CANCELLATION POLICY
- Cancellations outside of 72 hours from departure — no charge
- Cancellations within 48-72 hours before departure — 50% charge
- Cancellations less than 48 hours before departure, or no show — 100% cancellation fee applies
- Date changes are free of charge if received by email or phone more than 72 hours before departure. Within 72 hours, date changes are at our discretion and may be treated as a cancellation
- All changes are subject to availability and made at the discretion of the operator
- Rain can influence the safety and overall enjoyment of this tour. If we cancel a trip any monies will be refunded in full
Prepare for your adventure
To ensure you have the best time on your River Drift Experience, here are some important preparation tips:
Medical Declaration & Liability Waiver
To participate in our tour, all guests must complete their own medical declaration form and sign our liability waiver.
You will receive a separate email from our waiver system Wherewolf with a link to complete these requirements online. It’s crucial that this is done prior to the tour. If you don’t receive this email, please contact us.
If you’re unsure about your suitability for the tour, please contact us immediately. Refunds are not guaranteed if you are deemed unsuitable to participate on the day of the tour.
To ensure you’re fully prepared for your tour, here’s a checklist of items to bring along:
- Swimwear & Towel: Dry clothes and belongings can remain in our tour vehicle.
- Personal Medications: Don’t forget any essential medications you require.
Please note, personal items like cameras are brought at your own risk.
Pickup Information
Please carefully review your pickup details above. Note that the pickup time may differ from the tour time, as departure times vary based on the pickup location. If you’re unsure or need clarification, please contact our office. Keep in mind that all times are approximate and may vary due to the reality of multiple pickups and unforeseen delays. Rest assured, we will do our best to contact you if there are any changes or delays in our schedule.
Complimentary Tour Photos!
We understand that memories are an integral part of any adventure. That’s why we’re excited to offer complimentary photo services during your tour. Our team will capture stunning moments throughout the journey, so you can fully immerse yourself in the experience without worrying about taking pictures.
- Accessing Your Photos: The day following your tour, we’ll upload these photos on our website and send you a link to access them. You can download and share these memories at your leisure!
- Keeping Valuables Safe: While we encourage leaving all valuables, including phones and jewellery, safely behind, we understand if you choose to bring them along. All items not swimming in the river with us; including phones, can be locked up in our vehicle during the tour. Please note that this is done at your own risk.
- iPhone Users: At the end of the tour, we can Air Drop photos directly to guests.
- Android Users: We never want to discriminate against our Android friends! While we can’t AirDrop the photos, we can send a link on the day to download your photos. Please note that they may not be accessible until later that day, as they need to be uploaded first.
Swimwear
Please wear swimwear suitable to wear underneath a wetsuit. We recommend wearing your swimwear at pickup. Please note that there are no change rooms available at the river.
Vision Needs
For your safety, glasses can’t be worn through sections of the tour. We suggest wearing contact lenses if possible. Please bring your glasses case if needed.
Jewellery and Valuables
It’s best to remove loose jewellery and other valuables before the tour. We recommend all valuables are not brought on the tour, however you can store personal belongings in our vehicle, but please be aware that this is at your own risk. We advise against wearing rings or similar items during the tour, as they are worn at your own risk.
Capture the Moment
While our guides are happy to provide complimentary photos of your tour, you’re welcome to bring your own waterproof camera in the river. Please ensure it has a wrist strap, and remember, any personal equipment is brought along at your own risk.
Dietary Needs
If you have any dietary requirements, please inform us before the tour date so we can accommodate your needs.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via email or phone. We’re here to ensure your experience with Back Country Bliss Adventures is nothing short of amazing.
