The Haughton River is a significant waterway in North Queensland, Australia, flowing approximately 110 kilometers (68 miles) from its origins in the Leichhardt Range through diverse landscapes before emptying into the Coral Sea near Bowling Green Bay. Located roughly 50 minutes from Townsville, this large river system drains a floodplain recognized as containing one of the greatest concentrations of wetland habitat in the entire catchment area. The Haughton system holds a listing in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia and forms part of Bowling Green Bay National Park, with portions of the surrounding floodplain designated as a Ramsar site of international importance. The river attracts a wide variety of anglers drawn by its diverse fish species, productive estuarine habitat, and accessible boat ramps. Despite the often-heavy angler pressure, the river consistently produces results, with anglers regularly achieving bag limits. The surrounding landscape is a mix of cattle grazing country, sugarcane farming, and protected wetland, with approximately 328 square kilometers of the area under conservation protection.