Pool landscaping

The area around your pool can cost as much as the pool itself. Compare popular options and typical prices so you can budget for the whole backyard.

Surfaces

Concrete pavers
Affordable, hard-wearing and available in many colours. Choose a non-slip finish.
$90 – $160 per m²
Tip: Light colours stay cooler underfoot in summer.
Natural stone (travertine, sandstone)
Premium look that stays cool and pairs well with matching bullnose coping.
$150 – $300 per m²
Tip: Seal stone around chlorinated or salt pools.
Exposed aggregate concrete
Seamless, grippy and durable. A cost-effective choice for large areas.
$80 – $130 per m²
Tip: Ask for a fine aggregate so it's comfortable on bare feet.
Timber or composite decking
Warm, natural feel. Composite boards need less maintenance than hardwood.
$250 – $500 per m²
Tip: Composite boards with a capped finish resist fading and splinters.

Frameless glass fencing
Clear 12 mm toughened glass panels on spigots for an uninterrupted view of the pool.
$450 – $700 per metre
Tip: Pool fences must be at least 1200 mm high with a self-closing, self-latching gate.
Semi-frameless glass fencing
Glass panels between slim aluminium posts. Most of the look of frameless for less.
$300 – $450 per metre
Tip: Ask for posts powder-coated to match your window frames.
Aluminium pool fencing
Powder-coated flat-top or loop-top panels. The most affordable compliant barrier.
$150 – $300 per metre
Tip: Keep the 900 mm zone outside the fence clear of anything a child could climb.
Glass coating (e.g. EnduroShield)
Easy-clean coating that helps glass shed water spots and salt.
$30 – $60 per metre of fence
Tip: Coat new glass before it gets marked: it's cheaper than restoring stained panels.

Shade structures
Shade sails, pergolas or cabanas for UV protection beside the pool.
$2,500 – $15,000 per structure
Tip: Check council rules; larger pergolas may need approval.
Retaining walls
Often needed on sloping blocks to level the pool area.
$300 – $800 per m² of wall
Tip: Walls over 600 mm usually need engineering.

Garden & feature lighting
Low-voltage LED uplights and path lights make the area usable at night.
$150 – $400 per light installed
Tip: Put lighting on a smart timer or the pool automation system.

Poolside planting
Low-litter, salt-tolerant plants soften the space and add privacy.
$40 – $120 per m² of garden bed
Tip: Keep climbable plants at least 900 mm from the pool fence.
Synthetic turf
Green all year with no mowing or mud tracked into the pool.
$70 – $130 per m²
Tip: Choose a turf with cooling technology for full-sun areas.

Add paving, decking and other landscaping to your cost plan to see the full project cost.