The river rises south of the town of Hervey Bay and west of the Maryborough Hervey Bay Road between the towns of Susan River and Walliebum.

At the river mouth, mangrove forests dominate the intertidal areas.

[2] The Susan River Bridge carries the road that links Maryborough and Hervey Bay and was built in 1977.

[3] In 2007, an unusual angler fish was found by a local fisherman.

[4] Large saltwater crocodiles are occasionally seen the river and surrounding area, as well as dugongs, dolphins and sea turtles.