The Blythe River is a perennial river in the north-western region of Tasmania, running approximately 61 kilometres from its source near Rabbit Plain on the slopes of Mount Tor northward to Emu Bay in Bass Strait, where it meets the sea at Heybridge near Burnie. Over that course it descends 685 metres, though the paddleable section is concentrated near the river's tidal lower reaches.

The most commonly described paddle on the Blythe involves launching at Blythe Heads and paddling south upstream to a weir before returning. This out-and-back route is noted as being best undertaken on a high tide, which facilitates upstream travel and makes the experience more manageable. Timing a trip around tidal conditions is therefore an important planning consideration for anyone intending to paddle this stretch.

The river mouth at Blythe Heads also serves as a starting point for sea kayak coastal routes, with at least one recorded trip continuing along the coast toward Ulverstone to the east. The local area's economy is associated with mining and recreational fishing, both of which reflect the working character of this part of north-western Tasmania's coastline.