It flows northwest from its sources in the Paparoa Range, reaching the Tasman Sea at Punakaiki via Pororari Lagoon.

Further upstream, the Pororari River is followed by the new Paparoa Track, which provides an opportunity for multi-day tramping or mountain biking.

[1] The Pororari River has its source in the Paparoa Range on its western side near Mount Pecksniff, with some tributaries coming from the nearby peak known as White Knight.

This part of the river features large rocks and deep pools, with the vegetation transitioning from sub-tropical to temperate.

[6] The Paparoa Track was built as a memorial to the 2010 Pike River Mine disaster and can be used by both walkers and mountain bikers.