From its headwaters near Fettes Peak below the Hooker Range it flows in a westerly direction to enter the Tasman Sea near Hunts Beach.

The river is of cultural significance to Ngāi Tahu, a South Island iwi (tribe), which holds manawhenua or tribal authority over the land in accordance with the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998.

There are a number of sacred sites and burial places along the river.

[3][4][5] In 2016 GNS Science was awarded funding to investigate the commercial potential of Aotea.

This article about a river in the West Coast Region of New Zealand is a stub.