The river rises below Kellys Lookout within the Mount Careless Forest Reserve, southwest of Beaconsfield and west of Exeter.

From this point, the river enters the Bass Strait.

[1] The river is transversed by the West Tamar Highway.

[2] A water mill was built c. 1825, approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) north of Launceston, upstream of the junction of the Tamar and Supply rivers.

[3][4] A 500-metre (1,600 ft) walking trail leads from the river mouth to the water mill.