White Water Rafting on the Tully River

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.