The Gascoyne River (South Branch) rises near the Doolgunna homestead and flows for approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 mi).

The Gascoyne flows through sparsely vegetated countryside which is used mainly for gold mining, and sheep and cattle grazing.

[2] The extensive catchment of the Gascoyne River means that it flows through the country of a number of Aboriginal peoples, the principal ones being the Baiyungu, Yinggarda, Thudgari, Malgana and Wajarri.

[8] From mid 1909 to early 1913, the area had three dry years, with the Gascoyne River not running for any of that time, and Carnarvon had water supply problems as a result.

The water reached record levels at three stations along the river, cresting at 15.53 metres (51 ft) near Fishy Pool.