The river rises on the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range, north of Glen Innes and flows generally northwest, joined by eleven tributaries, including Beardy Waters, and impounded by Lake Pindari, near Ashford.

A rare plant, the Severn River heath-myrtle is restricted to the Severn River Nature Reserve and an adjacent property, about 60 kilometres (37 mi) north-west of Glen Innes.

[4] Excellent fishing can be found along the river and is regularly stocked with native fingerlings, Murray Cod and Golden Perch.

The Severn River Rail Bridge on the now disused Main North Railway Line, 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) west-south-west of Dundee has been placed on the Register of the National Estate.

This bridge consists of a series of timber trusses completed in 1886 and is long, with fifteen spans totalling 159 metres (522 ft).