Most of the locality is low flat land 5 to 20 metres (16 to 66 ft) above sea level, but the south-east of the locality where the Gregory River rises is mountainous terrain rising to 806 metres (2,644 ft) above sea level.[5]
The North Coast railway line follows the western boundary of the locality, entering the locality from the south (Foxdale / Myrtlevale) and exiting to the north-west (Bowen). There are a number of railway stations within the locality, from north to south:[8]
The mountainous terrain in the south-east of the locality is within the Dryander National Park and the Dryander State Forest. Apart from these protected areas, the predominant land use is grazing on native vegetation. The land in the south of the locality near the Gregory River is mostly used to grow sugarcane. In the north of the locality near the bay, there is coastal marshland and aquaculture (mostly prawn farming). There is also rural residential housing in the south-east of the locality.[13]
There are no schools in Gregory River. The nearest government primary and secondary schools are Proserpine State School and Proserpine State High School, both in Proserpine to the south, There is also a Catholic primary-and-secondary school in Proserpine.[17]
