The Laura River rises on the eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range below Mount Murray.

The river flows generally northwest, shadowed by the Peninsular Development Road from nearby Lakeland and then flows north through the town of Laura and then the river forms the western border of the Rinyirru National Park, while the Peninsular Development Road continues north-west through Coen to reach the top of the peninsula at Bamaga.

[2][3] The river is crossed by the Mulligan Highway near Mount Gibson.

A railway bridge was built over this river, but because of a change in finances and plans it was never used, except for a test train.

[citation needed] The river was named as the Hearn River by William Hann on 19 October 1872, after his wife's family name.