North Richmond sits between the rolling and rugged foothills of the Blue Mountains (Colomatta) and the majestic Hawkesbury River (Dyarubbin). The Redbank community itself is bounded to the north by one of the Hawkesbury tributaries, Redbank Creek, and comprises a gently undulating topography.
Birdlife, reptiles, insects, amphibians, fish, and mammals thrived in great numbers. The eucalypt forests are home to dozens of bird species including the pardalote, rosella, cockatoo, flycatcher, honey eater, scrubwren and fantail. Mammals like the long-nosed bandicoot and the black wallaby are regionally significant and still evident in the area.
In the early 19th century the land was significantly cleared of vegetation and used for cattle grazing. On acquisition of the Redbank site, plant species evident were limited to improved pasture grasses and sporadic mature eucalypts.
Some tree belts existed along the ridge, contour lines and water courses, these including planted Tallowwood, Spotted Gum, Candlebark and Red-flowered Ironbark. The site also incorporated areas of regenerating River Flat Eucalypt Forest along the Redbank Creek, and two small groups of Cumberland Plain Woodland near Dams 4 and 2 with remnant Forest Red Gum, Rough-barked Apple and Narrow leafed Ironbark.
The Redbank masterplan retains and protects the habitat pockets that remained onsite and bolsters this with additional planting around dams and throughout the estates green open spaces.