The Barron River Gorge is located 20 minutes' drive
north of Cairns and lies along a traditional pathway used by the
original local indigenous people (its indigenous name was
Bibhoora).
The river makes its descent from the Atherton Tablelands to
the Cairns coastal plain at the 230 metre-high Barron Falls,
further upstream. Much of its water is diverted to generate
electricity at the Barron Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station.
As a result, for much of the year little more than a trickle is
evident. Only after substantial rainfall during the wet season
is Barron Falls in full spectacular flow.
The famous Kuranda Railway and Skyrail Cableway also traverse
sections of the gorge. On the Atherton Tablelands the river
itself is dammed to form Lake Tinaroo, the main water supply of
the region and a popular water-skiiing spot.
R’n’R’s heart thumping ride spears through The Barron Gorge
National Park and the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics. In the
calmer sections you will get to enjoy the ethereal beauty of the
worlds oldest rainforest and waterfalls from a unique waterline
perspective. During the day you will also discover why the
Barron’s rapids have names such as "Rooster Tail", "Cheese
Churn" and “Hells Gate.”
Located two hours south of Cairns, Previously known as the
Mackay River, The Tully River was named after Surveyor-General
William Alcock Tully in the 1870s. Some time after, the town of
Tully was then named after the river (previously it had been
known as Banyan).
Tully is arguably the wettest town in Australia, with an
average annual rainfall exceeding 4000mm, and the highest ever
annual rainfall in a populated area of Australia (7900mm in
1950).
The Tully River is famous for its rapids, with names such as
"Staircase", "Pipeline", "Shark's Tooth", and "Double D Cup".
The North Johnstone is a steep, natural flow river that
carves its way through a spectacular volcanic gorge.
