Rafting Operation with a River Base

Tourists, school and youth camps, corporate groups, bucks and hens groups, and local families.

A price per person per trip, with group and school rates, packages and add-ons such as meals, accommodation partnerships and photos.

• Senior river guiding and rescue experience
• Hiring and training guides
• Safety management
• Marketing and customer service

• Commercial operator permits and any limits on trip numbers, which differ by state and river, so check with the land manager
• Public liability and workers compensation insurance once you hire guides, as the state schemes differ
• Work health and safety obligations as an operator, including guide training and incident records, so check your state regulator
• Council approval for your base, storage and any food service
• Seasonal and weather-dependent income, with fixed costs like insurance, site rent and gear replacement to cover in quiet months
• Employing or contracting guides, as the rules on casual staff and contractors need checking

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $60,000 to $150,000, depending on your fleet size, vehicles, site and booking system. Treat this as a guide and get your own quotes before committing.

Check commercial operator permits and any trip limits with the land manager, plus public liability and workers compensation insurance. Also check work health and safety obligations, council approval for your base, and the rules on employing or contracting guides.

Estimates put monthly revenue at typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on trip numbers and season. Income is seasonal and weather-dependent, with fixed costs to cover in quiet months. It typically needs at least 35 hours a week.