Cannington's name derives from the Canning River, which forms part of the southwestern boundary of the suburb.

Cannington is bounded by Nicholson Road to the southeast, the Armadale railway line to the northeast, Mills and Burton Streets to the northwest, and Fleming Avenue and the Canning River to the southwest.

Albany Highway contains a range of shops and small warehouses, as well as the City of Canning council offices.

Various sports and leisure facilities, including soccer fields, ten-pin bowling and an indoor athletics centre.

[5] The greyhound racing now takes place across the road on the north side on a new track which opened on 23 March 2016.

Manning Road (State Route 26) provides access to Curtin University of Technology and Kwinana Freeway.