Rising in the Mitchell Ranges the river initially flows north then turns east across the uninhabited plains eventually discharging into the Saint Nicholas Inlet and the Blue Mud Bay then into the Gulf of Carpentaria.

[2] The river has a mean annual outflow of 800 gigalitres (1.046×109 cu yd).

[3] The estuary formed at the river mouth is in near pristine condition.

[4] The estuary occupies an area of 23.7 hectares (59 acres) of open water.

[5] The traditional owners of the area are the Murngin, also known as the Yolngu peoples.