The upper reaches meander in a series of convoluted loops across a floodplain above Paerau, close to the aptly named locality of Serpentine; the river has created many small oxbow lakes in this area, some of which have been converted into water meadows.

The Taieri then arcs through almost 180 degrees, entering a broad glacial valley (the Strath-Taieri) surrounded by rugged hill ranges.

Taieri Island lies in the Pacific Ocean several hundred metres from the mouth of the river.

Despite its length the Taieri has a minimal amount of water volume compared to other New Zealand rivers with its average discharge being around 35 cubic metres per second (1,200 cu ft/s).

[4] Towns along the river include Middlemarch, Outram, Allanton, Mosgiel, Henley, and Taieri Mouth.