The headwaters of the Ford River rise in the Otway Ranges in southwest Victoria, near Lavers Hill, and flows generally east by south through the Port Campbell National Park towards the town of Glenaire where the river heads east and reaches its confluence with the Aire River, northwest of Cape Otway. From its highest point, the river descends 386 metres (1,266 ft) over its 15-kilometre (9.3 mi) course.[4][5]