The River Yare rises to the south of Dereham, near to Shipdham. It flows in an eastwards direction across Norfolk, where it is joined by the River Tiffey just before Bawburgh. The river continues its journey across the southern fringes of Norwich before it is joined by the River Wensum at Whitlingham in Trowse. At this point, it turns into a very big and wide tidal river flowing eastwards into the Broads National Park, where it passes various villages including Bramerton and Cantley.
From here, the Yare passes the isolated marshland settlement of Berney Arms before entering the tidal lake of Breydon Water, where it is joined by the Bure and Waveney before it reaches the North Sea at Gorleston.