The headwaters of the river rise in the Elizabeth and Catherine Range.

The river flows in a north-westerly direction past the Whately Range and discharges into Maitland Bay then through George Water, into Doubtful Bay and finally the Indian Ocean.

The first recorded exploration of the river was made in 1838, by a party led by George Grey, but they were poorly prepared and ill-equipped.

[2][3] On 31 March 1929, en route from Sydney to England, the Southern Cross with Charles Kingsford Smith at the helm made an emergency landing on a mudflat near the mouth of the river.

The Southern Cross was found and rescued after a fortnight's searching, with George Innes Beard, Albert Barunga and Wally from Kunmunya Mission the first overland party to reach the downed aircraft.