The river has a total length of 84 kilometres (52 mi) and rises near Goonac siding then flows in a north-westerly direction until discharging into the Leschenault Estuary.

[4] The headwaters are 80 kilometres (50 mi) inland within the Darling Range and run across the Blackwood Plateau and the Swan Coastal Plain.

The majority of the river catchment has been cleared for agriculture although some remnant forest vegetation exists at the headwaters.

The river basin is monitored routinely as a result of eutrophication problems within the Leschenault Inlet.

The water quality is fresh in many places and generally low in nutrients although some areas are slightly enriched with nitrogen.