We were promptly picked up at our hotel in Mission Beach and taken to the Raging Thunder Headquarters in Tully, where we had a chance to rent shoes and wetsuit tops, grab some breakfast, pay our tax and sign our Indemnity forms. It was all very well organised and easy to get the things you needed. We then jumped back onto the bus and headed up the hill to the top of the Tully River. We were briefed on board the bus on what to do once we get off the bus and what to expect in the river. We arrived, grabbed our gear and got ready to raft! Unfortunately the Power Station had released to much water for us to start at the top of the River so we jumped back on the bus and headed to the Lunch time stop. The Guides had to get the rafts to us at the Lunch spot, so they rode them down from the top and met up with us. We boarded the rafts and received another briefing on what to do. Our Guide was Kiwi and our first Rapid was Corkscrew. It was probably the biggest rapid of the day, straight up!! I got a very large nose full of water as we went well under. It was a very big wake up call. The water wasn’t too cold which was great and the sun came out during the day. Was pretty comfortable out there actually, not cold and not hot!

We continued down the river manoeuvring our way around some pretty cool rapids and even getting the chance to jump off a normally pretty high rock, which had become a lot smaller due to the water being up. We also had a few opportunities to jump into the water and have a swim.

Because we had started the tour at the Lunch stop we had to get the bus back there to eat. So we all jumped out of the rafts, brought them up on the bank and then took the bus back to Lunch. A yummy BBQ awaited us, comprising of buns, hamburgers and salad, tea and coffee as well as water. There was also the chance for seconds.

After we had our feed, we got back on the bus to head back to the spot where we had left the rafts. Back into the water we went. There was a heap of Raft rivalry throughout the day. Everyone splashing each other. I seemed to cop most of it on our raft.

We continued on a little further in the afternoon due to starting further down the river. We did some really exciting rapids that continued for some time. Lots of wave rapids instead of the big drop offs. I found them to be a lot more fun.

Unfortunately a young girl got hurt and had to be taken to the Tully Hospital. The Guides were prompt, efficient, caring and they really looked after her. They took her to the side of the bank where a bus was waiting to take her to hospital.

We continued on for quite some time, experiencing both relaxing, tranquil pool and some exciting, hold on type of rapids. We then reached the end of the run. We all helped pulling the rafts out of the water and onto the trailer. Because this wasn’t the usual end, there were no change rooms, so we got dry and changed on the side of the road. Back on the bus and off to the Raging Thunder head quarters for a nice cold beer, something to eat and to check out the photos (All at own expense).

We kicked back and relaxed for a little while, collected our photos and then boarded the bus to head back to the hotel.

Although things didn’t go exactly to plan, the guides were professional, informative and did a great job ensuring a fab day was had by everyone.

ATV Adventure Safari

Once we arrived at the Blazing Saddles property, we were greeted with a smile and offered tea and coffee. Once we signed the indemnity and safety forms we were free to be fitted with our helmets. Recommended attire is long pants, preferably jeans and closed in shoes. The guests should also be aware that they will get dirty and a change of clothes is also recommended. Sunglasses are also an added safety feature to bring along to protect the eyes form dirt and dust, however if the guests do not have any they can be borrowed from Blazing Saddles, although they are not the latest fashion.

The atmosphere is a very relaxed fun vibe. Slim dusty playing in the background while we wait to get started. The bikes themselves are 250cc ATV, semi-automatic, (clutch less manual) foot controlled. The briefing is very informative with both Japanese and Chinese speaking guides available for translation. Blazing saddles cater for all types from first time beginners to seasoned riders. The ride itself was fun and varied. After getting some time to acquaint yourself with the bikes on the obstacle course, the guides split the group up into groups depending on confidence levels. The ride takes you down small slopes and long straights to get some speed up. Then also has more challenging sections with sharp cornering and small hilly terrain. ATV’s are lots of fun, particularly in the wet.

At the end of the 2 hour journey through the property we come back to the compound. There is a hearty BBQ lunch provided and change rooms to get more comfortable. Photos taken throughout course are displayed and available for purchase.

This trip is not for everyone, but if you have a sense of adventure and a will to have a great time, then I highly recommend this as something to do for a kickass fun day.

Skydive Mission Beach

We made our own way to the meeting point, Scotty’s Beach House at Mission Beach and saw the friendly staff from Skydive Australia at 10:00am. We had the option to be picked up from Cairns hotels around 7am by bus but we chose to self drive instead. We arrived just in time to watch two other skydivers. It looked so high and I started to feel a bit scared…As soon as the other jumpers landed, the instructors got us ready for our jump. We filled out the obligatory forms and then we headed off to the airport with the instructors. The airport and Skydive Centre was about 15 minutes away by bus from Mission beach.

At the Skydive Centre we had instruction on the jumping and landing body positions etc.. After that we put on all the necessary gear and jumped in a small aeroplane. The flight took about 15-20minuites to reach the necessary altitude for our 14,000ft Skydive. When it was time to jump we moved down to the open door way and put our feet out (this was the scariest part!) before we jumped out of the plane!

It was about 60seconds of freefalling before the parachute was smoothly opened. I didn’t feel like I was falling, it was more of a floating sensation. I really loved the spectacular views of Dunk Island and Great Barrier Reef whilst parachuting down for about 5 minutes. The instructor let me control the parachute but it was a bit difficult.

We safely landed on the drop zone directly on the beach. Whew…We received our extreme jump certificates and said good bye to instructors at about 1pm.

Sports Rafting on the Russell River

Foaming Fury is the only operator to offer Sports Rating tours down the Russell River.

After a sleep-in we left Cairns at 9.30am after a short stop at the Foaming Fury office to pick-up all the equipment and a chance to rent shoes. The drive down to Russell River took just over an hour and river guide Dean kept us entertained with his stories of the area.

After we arrived everyone grabbed some equipment and we set off on the rainforest walk. It’s a beautiful but fairly strenuous walk down to the river; we took about 40 min to get down, stopping along the way when river guide Lisa spotted spiders and stinging trees. The sight of the river was so rewarding, crystal clear water surrounded by rainforest; everyone couldn’t wait to jump in for a cooling swim. After the swim the guide gave us a safety brief and hints on how to manoeuvre the rafts and we were off.

In 2 man rafts, you go down the rapids one raft at a time. The first and last raft is always a guide raft. It is such an adrenaline rush doing it on your own. Sport Rafting require no previous experience. This was the first time I have ever been rafting. After a few rapids we pulled up on the river bank and Dean and Lisa took us for a short walk up to Rainbow falls, a beautiful waterfall next to the river.

The rafting went on for about 3.5 hours, the biggest rapid was a two metre fall and everyone managed to stay in their rafts. At the end of the river we all went for another swim and were then served lunch before we headed back to Cairns.

This tour is such a great combo of rafting, rainforest and waterfalls.