The river rises in the Calliope Range inland from the industrial port city of Gladstone, flows past the town of Calliope, before emptying into the Pacific Ocean just north of Gladstone. River length is 98 kilometres (61 mi),[1] with a catchment area of 2,241 square kilometres (865 sq mi).[2]
Oaky, Paddock and Larcom Creeks are the main tributaries of the river.[3] The major industry in the river area is the raising of beef cattle.[citation needed] Like most sub tropical and tropical estuaries, the waters of the river may contain box jellyfish for many kilometres upstream.[4] This venomous, marine animal poses a threat to swimmers.
