The river leaves the mountains and the Mount Tambo Scenic Reserve forming its headwaters near the locality of Bindi, north of Swifts Creek, and from Bindi flows through the Tambo Valley to Bruthen. The Great Alpine Road picks up the route of the river at Tongio and follows the river for much of the distance through the Tambo Valley south of this point.
The river originates from the mountains near Bindi, north of Swifts Creek, and flows through the Tambo Valley to Bruthen. The Great Alpine Road follows the river's path at Tongio, traversing the valley south of that point.