The river flows generally north through the town of Walcha and on to make a dramatic spilling over the Apsley Falls, descending approximately 27 metres (89 ft)[2] into the Apsley Gorge, towards its confluence with the Macleay River, approximately 24 kilometres (15 mi) southwest of the locality of Lower Creek.

The Apsley Macleay Gorges are a converging point for moister eastern coastal and dry western floras, and some 950 native plant species have been identified, of which 36 are rare or threatened.

Dingos, brumbies, carpet pythons, goannas and feral pigs inhabit parts of the warmer, lower reaches of the Apsley River.

[citation needed] Archaeological evidence of Aboriginal camp sites have been found on the upper terraces of the Apsley and Macleay Rivers.

In 1818 explorer, John Oxley, camped beside the Apsley River very near the present townsite en route to the coast.

This landcare group encompasses an area of approximately 300 square kilometres (120 sq mi) between Walcha and the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.

[8] The Apsley River flooded on 28 November 2008, causing major damage to farming properties and livestock losses.