Yarra Valley: Self-Guided River Sledding Adventure

Jump on a sled and get up close to nature as you take on the Yarra River's gentle rapids on this 2 hour self-guided adventure experience.
Enjoy a leisurely float down the Upper Yarra River on your very own river sled.
This relaxing 2 hour adventure will have you meandering down a stunning 3 km stretch of the river around bends and over gentle rapids, some sections are nice and cruisy and others may get your heart pumping (just a little). Your adventure will begin with a briefing and demonstration followed by a shuttle upstream, leaving you with 1 1/2 hours to enjoy the river at your own pace. If you like a particular rapid you can hop out and walk back upstream along the walking track (it runs parallel to the river) and attempt the rapid again.

Our sleds are the ultimate in comfort and durability. They are 2m long and made from high grade PVC rafting material, making them almost indestructible. They are super easy to manoeuvre, with a little active paddling using your hands. Their size and dimensions are spot on for an average sized adult and suitable for kids aged 8 and above. They will easily hold up in the shallower sections of the river where many of the cheaper river craft options pop leaving you with a useless deflated devise that’ll end up in landfill.

It’s important to note that depending on rain and other factors the river can run differently almost daily. You will encounter rocks, branches and even logs if a tree has fallen and not yet been removed by land management authorities. To dodge river obstacles and navigate the gentle rapids you will need to help yourself along with active paddling, but that’s all part of the fun of getting outdoors and experiencing a natural river environment. Once you’ve got the hang of it, try kneeling down a section of moving water or test out your balance skills by standing up in a deep pool of water. This really is a great outdoor activity that almost anyone can enjoy!

While the river generally stays a stable (but cool) 14 C, the water will feel colder when the outside temperature drops. Over the winter months we provide complimentary wetsuit hire and have a range of sizes on offer.

Please remember to participate in this activity you must be able to swim, you must be aged 8 or above, you must be 130cm in height or above and have the arm width to control and manoeuvre your sled effectively. If you are not a confident swimmer or require assistance in a moving water environment we strongly recommend talking to us about hiring a river guide or booking our guided river sledding adventure. We also recommend hiring a personal flotation device (PFD), which you can do at checkout.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.