Guided River Sled Adventure

Enjoy a unique and thrilling river sledding experience on the Upper Yarra River that’ll see you take on grade 1 & 2 rapids with the assistance of a professional river guide.

Location

Yarra River, Warburton

Meeting Point

Oscars on the Yarra, 3185 Warburton Hwy, Warburton VIC

Duration

Approx. 3 hours

Difficulty

Moderate

Group Size

Maximum group of 10. Larger groups by enquiry.

River sledding is a unique and thrilling experience which puts you centimetres from the water.

In this guided adventure you’ll travel 5 km of the river all the way through Warburton disembarking at Oscars on the Yarra. Drifting downstream belly first, you’ll get up close to the water and experience grade 1 & 2 rapids along sections of the river that are not easily accessible by the general public.

At the start of your adventure your river guide will run you through a safety briefing and demonstration and provide you with a river sled, personal flotation device (PFD), helmet and wetsuit. We’ll then shuttle you upstream for the start of our journey. Your river guide will be on hand throughout the activity teaching beginner swift water techniques and how to read the white-water environment but most importantly, they are there to ensure you have a wonderful fun filled time.

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. You will need to help yourself along with active paddling, particularly when dodging river obstacles and navigating the rapids, 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.

Our sleds are 2 m long and are made from high grade PVC rafting material, making them almost indestructible. They are the ultimate in comfort and durability and will help protect your shins and elbows from the occasional knocks and bumps as you float down the river. To participate in this activity you must be able to swim, be 12 years old and above and 140cm in height or above, and have the arm width to control and manoeuvre your sled effectively.

Please carefully read our Know before you book section and our FAQs to ensure this is the right activity for you.

If you can’t see the time and date that you’d like please give us a call and we’ll help you out.

 

Pricing options.

Booking & cancellation. All payments and paperwork must be completed & received prior to participation.

Group Tour

AUD
Adult
$129
Child
$119
Family (2 adults / 2 child)
$450

Private Groups

AUD
1 - 2 people
$400
3 - 4 people
$570
5 - 7 people
$940
8 - 10 people
$1,320

Above 10 people? No worries, get in touch to discuss your options.

  • Inclusions

    • Round-trip transfers to and from the meet up location in Warburton
    • River sled
    • All safety equipment
    • PFD
    • Helmet
    • Wetsuit top or Framer’s wetsuit
    • Safety briefing.
  • Exclusions

    • Meals and beverages
    • Other personal expenses
    • Travel or medical insurance.
  • Packing List

    • Come ready to go in your swimmers
    • Closed toe shoes or wetsuit booties
    • Rash vest or personal wetsuit
    • Change of clothes
    • Towel
    • Sunscreen
    • Hand sanitiser
    • A phone or camera for photos.
  • Know before you book

    • Warburton Adventure Company is a Parks Victoria Licensed Tour Operator and is fully insured
    • This activity is not suitable for children under the age of 12
    • Children aged 12 and above must be accompanied by a paying adult
    • You must be 140cm or above as you need the height and arm width to manoeuvre the river sled effectively
    • You must be able to swim
    • You must weigh no more than 110kgs
    • You must have a reasonable level of fitness and balance
    • If you are not confident or comfortable in a moving water environment then carefully consider if this is the right activity for you
    • Replacement cost for a river sled that is lost / stolen or beyond repair is $450.00
    • If you have back, neck, joint or muscular problems, you should carefully consider whether or not to participate
    • You will need to complete our pre-arrival waiver, medical consent and Covid-19 declaration form prior to your adventure
    • This activity begins in Warburton, which is approximately 75 minutes from Melbourne. You must make your own way to the designated meeting point.

"What an amazing experience we had - Sam was a fantastic guide for our children on the river sled adventure. Great service run by a beautiful family. They went out of their way to answer our questions and help make sure we had a fun and safe adventure."

— Carly C | Facebook

Specials & add-on options.

Enhance your adventure experience with a little added luxury, or add-on Warburton Adventure Co. branded essential items to help make the most of your time in nature. Plus, you’ll have a useful, quality momento of your wild adventure! Choose your add-ons at checkout when booking.

Frequently asked questions.

  • What’s the difference between guided and self-guided adventures?

    In our guided adventures you’ll have the safety and assurance of a professional adventure guide with you every step of the way. All our guides are trained and accredited outdoor adventure specialists with current Working with Children Check and First Aid Training. On a self-guided adventure we’ll provide transfers and adventure equipment, but you’ll have the freedom to enjoy the activity at your own pace.

  • Are your adventures suitable for children?

    Yes, most of our adventure activities are suitable for children aged 6 and above. However, please check our age guide listed on our individual adventure products. If you’re unsure which activity is suitable for your child please contact us to discuss your options.

  • Is river sledding similar to rafting?

    No, river sledding is a totally unique experience and is more similar to hardcore liloing than rafting. Our river sleds are purpose designed and built in New Zealand for low level moving water environments. They are 2 m long, weigh 4.4 kgs, have a handle for easy carrying, and are made from high grade PVC rafting material making them almost indestructible. Each person has their own personal river sled and is responsible for navigating it through moving water, which is a totally different experience to being guided in a multi-person raft.

  • Is there an age limit for river sledding?

    Yes, we only offer self-guided river sledding to children aged 6 and above and guided river sledding to children aged 12 and above. It is not advisable for anyone under 130cm to participate in river sledding as you need to have the height and arm width to manoeuvre the sleds safely and effectively.

  • Can I go river sledding on my own?

    Never use a river sled on your own, always have a friend with you.

  • Do I need to be able to swim to go river sledding?

    Yes, you must be able to swim. Water levels are variable along the river with some shallow sections and some very deep pockets. It is also a moving river with some grade 1 & 2 rapids. If you can not swim do not use the river sled. If you are not confident or a weak swimmer you can hire a personal flotation device (PFD) from us.

  • Do I need to wear shoes in the river?

    We highly recommend wearing river booties or sneakers to avoid glass and other obstacles found in the river such as fish hooks and debris.

  • Do you provide wetsuits or wetsuit tops for river sledding?

    Yes, we do. We provide a neoprene wetsuit top and farmers wetsuit option for hire. The Yarra River remains cool all year round and while refreshing it is advisable to wear board shorts with a wetsuit top in summer and a farmer’s wetsuit and wetsuit top in winter.

  • What happens if it is raining on the day of my tour booking?

    If it’s a little light drizzle we’ll continue with the adventure as planned. However, if it turns to torrential rain with high winds then we’ll work with you to reschedule your tour for another date. While some inclement weather is to be expected in nature based adventures, we take your comfort and safety in the outdoors very seriously.

  • What happens if it starts raining while I’m out on tour?

    If it’s a little light drizzle then we’ll continue with the adventure as planned. However, if the weather turns quickly then we’ll make a judgement call based on how quickly the shower will pass, how strong the rain is, if there is lightning, thunder and strong winds. While some inclement weather is to be expected in nature based adventures, we take your comfort and safety in the outdoors very seriously.

  • Do you provide catering on tour?

    We currently provide a unique Silva Coffee Roasters tasting experience available on selected tours. Partnering with Oscars on the Yarra we are now providing a special picnic experience that can be enjoyed at the conclusion of your adventure tour in a lush tranquil setting by the Yarra River. You can choose from a selection of sandwiches, an antipasto platter or 3 cheese picnic boxes. Pair with a bottle of wine or champagne bought separately.