 The undeveloped Nathan Road Wetlands Reserve () occupies the north of the suburb (apart from the Redcliffe Aerodrome).Although Rothwell is a bayside suburb, there are no roads or tracks through the wetlands to provide access to the bay.In 1888 and 1889 (when the area was known as Deception Bay), there was a long-running attempt to sell a subdivision known as the Isle of Man estate (), bounded to the east, south and west by Saltwater Creek (called Fresh Water Creek in the advertising material).