[2] The "south" descriptor distinguishes it from the North Para River with which it merges.
The South Para River rises in the Mount Lofty Ranges near Mount Crawford and Kersbrook and flows northwest through the Mount Lofty Ranges, passing through the Warren Reservoir and the South Para Reservoir, before reaching its confluence with the North Para River in Gawler to form the Gawler River.
The South Para River descends 411 metres (1,348 ft) over its 47.5-kilometre (29.5 mi) course.
[1] The South Para River catchment is one of the key watersheds in the northern Mount Lofty Ranges.
Its waters are also used for livestock production, cereal cropping and recreation.