With its headwaters rising west of the Hamersley Range, the river flows in a north-westerly direction through the Cane River Conservation Park and over the Onslow Coastal Plain, and eventually discharges into the Indian Ocean near Yardie Landing approximately 35 kilometres (22 mi) north-east of Onslow.

The river is considered to be dendritic with no major tributaries; numerous wells exist within the catchment area.

The mouth of the river is a largely unmodified estuary that works as a function of tidal energy.

The estuary covers a total area of 18 square kilometres (7 sq mi) that is mostly saltmarsh but with a small colony of mangroves.

The river delta had become degraded as a result overgrazing particularly prior to 1970 when the station was running 100,000 head of sheep.