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Five private expeditions through the landscapes of South East Queensland and Northern NSW

Nymboida Pack Rafting Expedition

4 Days · From $4,499 per person 2–8 Guests

A four-day immersive expedition based at a private wilderness retreat on the banks of the Nymboida River, with a guided pack rafting journey through ancient granite gorges at its heart. Designed for small groups — intimate, expert-led, and deeply immersive.

Wake to the sound of the river each morning, spend a full day navigating Grade II rapids through remote gorge country, and return each evening to your private riverside retreat with a home-cooked meal waiting.

At a Glance

  • 4 Days · 3 Nights — exclusive use of a private riverside wilderness retreat

  • Gold Coast or Byron Bay to Nymboida & back

  • Up to 8 guests

  • 1 full day guided pack rafting

  • All transfers, meals, gear, guides & accommodation included

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival & River Briefing Gold Coast or Byron Bay → Nymboida

Private transfer inland to your riverside wilderness retreat — 100 acres of private rainforest on the banks of the Nymboida River, your exclusive base for the next three nights. Settle in, meet your guides, safety briefing and pack raft fitting. Evening home-cooked dinner as the sun sets over the river.

Day 2 — Into the Gorge The Junction → take-out near retreat

4WD shuttle upstream to The Junction. A full day pack rafting through ancient granite gorges, navigating Grade II rapids with a couple of Grade II+/III highlights along the way. Take out close to the retreat and return for hot showers, sundowners on the deck, and a home-cooked dinner.

Day 3 — Free Day in the Wilderness Retreat & surrounds

A relaxed day to recover and explore — swim in the river, walk the property's trails through old-growth forest, spot platypus and water dragons, or simply relax on the deck. For those wanting more, guides can run an optional second pack rafting session. Evening home-cooked dinner.

Day 4 — Homeward Nymboida → Gold Coast or Byron Bay

After breakfast, private transfer home — Gold Coast or Byron Bay. The expedition ends where it began — with the river still running behind you.

Pricing

2 Guests (Intimate private pair) — $5,699 per person.

3–8 Guests (Small group expedition) — $4,499 per person.

All prices are per person, fully inclusive as outlined above. Minimum 2 guests. Seasonal departures September–April. Private dates on request.

    • Door-to-door private transfers — Gold Coast or Byron Bay, return

    • 3 nights exclusive use of a private riverside wilderness retreat

    • 2 full days guided Grade II pack rafting on the Nymboida River

    • 4WD shuttle to put-in point

    • All pack rafts, wetsuits and safety equipment provided

    • Professional expert guide team — all logistics managed

    • All meals freshly prepared on-site — breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks

    • Tea, coffee and soft drinks throughout

  • Flights · Travel insurance · Alcohol purchases

  • The Nymboida Pack Rafting Expedition is designed for:

    • Couples wanting a genuine wilderness experience with a sense of adventure — remote, personal and unlike anything they've done before

    • Families with older children or teenagers ready for two days on a real river in a real gorge — this is the trip they'll never stop talking about

    • Small corporate groups looking for a team experience that strips away distraction and builds genuine connection — no phone signal, just the river and the people you're with

    • Friends or small groups after something that feels earned — a proper adventure with great food and a comfortable base to come back to each evening

    • Anyone who has always wanted to try whitewater but didn't know where to start — Grade II is accessible, exhilarating and guided every step of the way

    • Want genuine adventure without the hardship — remote river gorges by day, home-cooked meals and a comfortable retreat by night

    • Are curious about pack rafting and want to try it in one of NSW's most spectacular river settings

    • Love being in nature with no phone signal, no agenda and nowhere else to be

    • Appreciate small group experiences where every detail is taken care of

    • Want to feel genuinely far from ordinary life — because on the Nymboida, you will be

    • You're not comfortable getting wet — pack rafting involves regular splashing and occasional swims

    • You have significant upper body injuries or mobility limitations that would make paddling uncomfortable

    • You need hotel-style amenities every night — the retreat is comfortable and private but it's a wilderness setting

    • You're looking for a purely relaxing trip with no physical challenge

    • You need to stay connected to work — mobile signal is extremely limited in the Nymboida gorge and that's part of what makes it special

    • Fitness level: Easy to moderate. Grade II pack rafting (with two short Grade III sections) suits most active adults — no prior rafting experience required, guides handle all technical aspects

    • Best time to travel: Seasonal departures September–April, when river levels are most suitable. Best around 1–2m on the Nymboida gauge

    • What to bring: Quick-dry clothing, swimwear and a sense of adventure — wetsuits and all gear are provided. Full packing list below

    • Accommodation: Exclusive use of a private riverside wilderness retreat for all 3 nights

    • River conditions: Daily river levels are monitored and trip logistics adjusted accordingly. Safety is always the priority — your guides will brief you fully before launch each day

    • Connectivity: Mobile signal is extremely limited in the Nymboida gorge. Let your contacts know you'll be off-grid for two days — and enjoy it

Enquire about this journey
Two people in kayaks paddling along a calm river surrounded by lush green trees under a bright blue sky.
Sunlit backyard with lush green grass, trees, and landscaped plants overlooking a river, with hills in the background.
Two people in yellow kayaks paddling on a river with forested hills and cloudy sky in the background.
A cozy bedroom with an expansive view of lush green trees, a white bed with various pillows, purple curtains, a wooden floor, and rustic wooden counters.
A flowing river surrounded by dense green trees and plants in a lush forest.
Two people kayaking in a river surrounded by rocks and green trees, with mountain hills in the background on a sunny day.
Aerial view of a lush green forest with a river running through it and a house surrounded by trees near the water.
A flowing river surrounded by lush green trees and plants, with large rocks in the water and tree branches arching over the river.
Map of a hiking area featuring the Nymboida River, with locations including Paringa Wilderness Stay, Yeoman Farm Stay, Cartment Park, and The Junction campground. The map shows terrain elevation with contour lines.

Nymboida Pack Rafting Expedition Map

1 - Paringa Wilderness Retreat — base accommodation (Nights 1, 2 & 3)

2 - The Junction — Day 2 put-in point

3 - Cartmill Park — Day 3 take-out point

Nymboida Pack Rafting - Packing List

    • Lightweight quick-dry shorts and t-shirts (3-4 pairs)

    • Long sleeve quick-dry layer for sun protection and cooler mornings

    • Warm fleece or jacket for evenings at the retreat

    • Light rain jacket or windbreaker

    • Swimwear (2-3 sets) — you'll be in and out of the water on rafting days

    • Casual clothes for evenings at the retreat

    • Underwear and socks for 4 days — synthetic or merino, no cotton

    • Secure water shoes or old runners for rafting — must have closed toes

    • Thongs or sandals for evenings at the retreat

    • All pack rafts, paddles, wetsuits, helmets and safety equipment provided

    • Personal flotation device provided — worn at all times on the river

    • Wetsuit provided — river temperatures can be cool, especially early season

    • Sunscreen SPF 50+

    • Insect repellent for evenings

    • Lip balm with SPF

    • Personal medications in a waterproof container

    • Small personal first aid items — blister patches, pain relief, antiseptic

    • Hand sanitiser

    • Biodegradable soap and shampoo

    • Photo ID

    • Travel insurance details

    • Emergency contact information

    • Any dietary requirement notes for your guide

    • Cash for alcohol purchases if desired

    • Phone and charger — signal is extremely limited in the gorge, use it for photos

    • Waterproof camera or GoPro — the gorge scenery and rapids deserve it

    • Portable battery pack — power available at the retreat each evening

    • Earphones for downtime at the retreat

    • Expensive or irreplaceable items — the river doesn't care what it costs

    • Cotton clothing — it stays wet, gets cold and gets heavy

    • Large hard suitcases — a medium soft duffel is ideal

    • Excessive valuables — you're in a remote gorge, keep it simple

    • Work laptop or work obligations — signal is limited and that's the point

  • All rafting and safety equipment is provided. Your personal gear stays at the retreat while you're on the river each day — pack a small dry bag with just the essentials for rafting days (sunscreen, water, snacks, camera). Everything else stays comfortable and dry back at base.

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