The Prince Regent River area contains some of Australia's most spectacular coastal scenery, with sandstone clifflines falling directly to the sea. The Prince Regent River, whose catchment is wholly within the area, rises 50 km 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 coastline is deeply indented by a number of drowned river valleys. Tidal flats occur in many of the inlets. Numerous islands lie out to sea.