The wetlands are located in the suburb of Kenwick, in the south-east of the city not far from the foot of the Darling Scarp.

The Brixton Street Wetlands occupies 126 hectares (310 acres) adjoining urban residential developments, schools and remnant semi-rural properties in an area which is rapidly urbanising.

Roe Highway, a major transport artery, runs along one boundary of the wetlands, together with a parallel railway line.

Four of the species are classified as Declared Rare Flora, including Purdie's donkey orchid (Diuris purdiei).

Fauna include frogs, snakes and insects, but the wetlands are especially important as a habitat for the rare southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus), often known by its Nyoongar Aboriginal name of quenda.