The Queanbeyan River flows through the centre of Queanbeyan, a large town in New South Wales situated just outside Canberra. The river is fed upstream by Googong Dam, the largest reservoir in the Canberra region, constructed in 1977. The river's character is a mix of accessible urban paddling near town and more isolated stretches as you move upstream toward the dam.

The primary put-in is from the grassed area beneath the main bridge in Queanbeyan, where a café is also located nearby. From this launch point, paddlers typically head upstream. A recommended loop of approximately 4 kilometres involves paddling upstream until reaching a boat ramp on the right after the golf course, then turning back. The river becomes shallow not far beyond that point, limiting further upstream travel. A separate kayaking section exists near Googong Dam itself, with a documented route of around 3 kilometres taking roughly 35 minutes on the water.

An important restriction applies near Googong Dam: because the dam serves as a drinking water catchment, body contact with the water is not permitted within the dam itself. This includes wading and paddleboarding. Swimming is permitted downstream of the dam wall in the Queanbeyan River below the dam. Canoeing is listed as a permitted activity in the Googong Foreshores area.

The river contains numerous half-submerged logs and overhanging branches, which create both navigational obstacles and fish habitat. Paddlers should carry a life jacket and a personal locator beacon, as the stretch toward Googong Dam can become isolated despite the proximity to town. The river is described as visually appealing, with reeds and overhanging vegetation lining the banks.

Wildlife interest is notable — there is a reasonable chance of spotting a platypus when paddling upstream from the town bridge. The river also supports a diverse fish population including Murray cod, golden perch, brown trout, and redfin perch.

Queanbeyan town provides full amenities for paddlers, including a tackle shop, supermarkets, petrol stations, and cafés, all within easy reach of the main launch point.