[7] It is fed mainly by the Kaugel, Erave, Lai,[8] Tua and Pio rivers, starting just south of Mount Karimui at the junction of the Tua and Pio rivers, where it flows through a quite spectacular gorge before flowing out into the lowlands and delta country closer to the coast.

The Purari is a heavy muddy brown from silts washed down from the mountains, and rises and falls constantly depending on local rainfall.

Along with the Fly, the Kikori and many other rivers, the Purari drains the western and central highland region of Papua New Guinea.

Upper sections of these rivers are located in highly mountainous terrain reaching 4,510 metres or 14,800 feet at Mt.

The governments of Papua New Guinea and Government of Queensland have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with PNG Energy Developments Ltd (PNG EDL) and Origin Energy (Origin) to support the potential development of a renewable hydro electricity project based on the Purari (Wabo Dam).