The Tully River is located in Far North Queensland, flowing through tropical rainforest terrain roughly two hours south of Cairns by road. To reach the put-in, paddlers leave the Bruce Highway (A1) at the town of Tully, drive south through town to Jarra Creek Road, and continue approximately 30 minutes further into the Tully River valley. The rapids begin directly below the dam outlet, adjacent to the road, and a spacious parking area with shaded sections makes for a comfortable launch preparation.

Water flow on the Tully is regulated by the 88 MW Kareeya Hydro power station, which means release times vary depending on production capacity and volume. During the dry season, daily releases typically occur from around midday through to sunset. Paddlers on the upper section report that it takes roughly an hour after releases begin for pools to fill adequately, and suggest starting no earlier than 2:30–3:00 pm to ensure sufficient water throughout the 11 km run. Scheduled hydro maintenance can close the river entirely for extended periods — for example, rafting is unavailable from 4 August to 5 September 2026 — so checking ahead before planning a trip is essential.

The river runs year-round, aided by the tropical climate. Average temperatures range from around 25°C in winter to 32°C in summer, and paddling continues even during rain. The upper section features more than 40 distinct rapid zones concentrated around large boulders and rocks, with difficulty ratings ranging from Grade 3+ to Grade 5. The standard commercial rafting run covers Grade 3 and 4 rapids over approximately five hours on the water. Named rapids include the Alarm Clock near the top of the run. One hazard reported on the upper section is a log jam on a tight left-hand channel below Nichiga Creek, and the first rapid features two large boulders in the chute that are submerged once flow is adequate.

The river corridor passes through rainforest, and wildlife including platypus has been observed along the upper section. The Tully River hosted the 2019 World Rafting Championships, reflecting the technical quality of its whitewater. Commercial operators including Raging Thunder Adventures, established in 1984, run guided full-day trips from Cairns and Mission Beach.