The Cudgegong River flows through New South Wales, approximately 160 kilometres north of Sydney, passing through the Central Tablelands region near Rylstone and Mudgee. The river is impounded by Windamere Dam, located 30 kilometres south-east of Mudgee, creating Lake Windamere. Upstream of the dam, the river runs through Wollemi National Park at the area known as Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp, a section of particular interest to paddlers.

At Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp, roughly 5 kilometres of paddleable water is accessible from the Cudgegong Picnic Area, where a boat ramp provides entry. The access ramps at the campground — near the Kookaburra and Platypus campsites — are described as gradually sloping, well-formed gravel and sandy surfaces. Road access to the area is via Bylong Valley Way and involves unsealed road sections. The surrounding landscape features sandstone escarpments, deep gorges, and pagoda rock formations within the World Heritage-listed Wollemi area. The river winds through reed-lined channels and quieter tributary sections upstream, while the downstream paddle leads to the Kandos weir.

A one-hour paddle is generally sufficient to explore either upstream or downstream from the picnic area launch point, while two hours allows for a more complete exploration of the accessible waterway. Guided tours operate seasonally, running from 4:00pm to 6:00pm during daylight saving time (October to April) and from 3:00pm to 5:00pm outside daylight saving. Morning tours are also available. Wildlife along the river includes long-necked turtles, purple swamp hens, and platypus, with native birds nesting in the reeds.

At Lake Windamere, Cudgegong Waters Park on the lake's southern foreshore, 13 kilometres south of the dam wall, provides a boat ramp and day access for kayaking and other water sports at a fee of $10 per vehicle. The lake is also used for water skiing and jet skis, which paddlers should be aware of when planning a trip there. Fishing in the Cudgegong River downstream of Windamere Dam yields rainbow and brown trout, while the lake itself is stocked with golden perch, Murray cod, and silver perch.

The Ganguddy section carries cultural significance as traditional country of the Wiradjuri Aboriginal people, and guided tours incorporate this history alongside the area's European settlement story.