The Gungarlin River rises below the Munyang Range, in the southern part of the Kosciuszko National Park, on the slopes of Happy Jacks Plain.

The river descends 606 metres (1,988 ft) over its 31 kilometres (19 mi) course.

[2] The Snowy Mountains Scheme captures water from the lower Gungarlin River at the Gungarlin Weir and diverts water to the Island Bend Reservoir.

The Snowy Water Inquiry Outcomes Implementation Deed identifies environmental water allocations to the released from the Gungarlin Weir as part of the Snowy Montane Rivers Increased Flows.

[3] The Gungarlin River is a popular summer destination for trout fishing, cycling and hiking.