The Prince Regent River rises 50 kilometres from the coast at an elevation of about 800 metres and drops through a rugged gorge. At the head of the River lies a broad plateau averaging over 700 metres above sea level.

The Prince Regent River area contains some of Australia's most spectacular coastal scenery, with sandstone cliff lines falling directly to the sea. The coastline is deeply indented by a number of drowned river valleys. Some of its spectacular sites include King's Cascade, Python Cliffs, Pitta Gorge and the River itself which runs almost entirely straight for most of its length and often between near vertical cliffs.