 Ric Nattrass Creek rises in the south of Richlands and flows north and exits the suburb to the north-west into Wacol where it becomes a tributary of Bullock Head Creek, then Wolston Creek, ultimately into the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay.It was named in 2013 after wildlife expert and conservationist Ric Nattrass (1949-2009).The name Richlands comes from the "Richland" "Estate," which was a subdivision of small farms sold in 1928–1829.