The Cumberland River rises south of Mount Cowley and south-east of the Benwerrin-Mount Sabine Road in the Otway Ranges in southwest Victoria and flows generally east before turning south just above popular short walk destination Jebbs Pool, between the high cliffs of Langdale Pike and Castle Rock, then along the cliff side of Cumberland River Holiday Park between The Brothers and Mount Defiance where the river reaches its mouth, crossing near the edge of a 200 meters sandy surf beach, and empties into Bass Strait, northeast of Wye River, Victoria and to the south of Lorne.