The Acheron River is an 84-kilometre inland perennial river in Victoria, rising on the north-western slopes of the Yarra Ranges below The Knobs at an elevation of around 637 metres, and descending to meet the Goulburn River near Alexandra at approximately 190 metres elevation. It forms part of the Goulburn Broken catchment within the broader Murray-Darling basin, passing through the towns of Buxton and Taggerty along its course through lush farmland in the lower South Eastern Highlands bioregion.

The river alternates between slow and fast-flowing sections, with water that is generally clear. Depths are predominantly very shallow throughout much of its length, with deeper pools reaching up to waist depth in places. This character makes much of the river more suitable for wading than paddling, and prospective paddlers should be aware that low water levels may limit navigability across significant stretches, particularly outside of higher-flow periods.

The surrounding area offers accommodation at the Big 4 Taggerty holiday park along the river, which may serve as a convenient base for those exploring the waterway. The broader region sits on the doorstep of the Yarra Valley and Cathedral Ranges, providing a rural and forested backdrop along much of the river corridor.