Hays Inlet turns into Saltwater Creek at Rothwell, carrying the city boundary along it.
South of Hays Inlet is Pine River which flows into Bramble Bay.
The Houghton Highway and the Ted Smout bridges span Bramble Bay, just east of Hays Inlet.
The original Hornibrook Bridge has been removed with the sections of each end retained as recreational fishing areas.
Green algae blooms have developed in Hays Inlet due to high nutrient concentrations.