Large-scale landscapes for coastal homes and hinterland acreage properties: site preparation, erosion-aware walls and drainage, driveways, entry statements, lawns and garden installations.
Request a Quote
A garden on a clifftop in Sorrento faces very different conditions from a five-acre block in Red Hill. Near the water, salt-laden wind burns soft foliage, sandy soil drains too fast to hold moisture, and fixings rust much sooner than they would inland. We design around this. We use wind-tolerant indigenous species like moonah, coast banksia, westringia and lomandra. We improve sandy soils with organic matter and mulch, and we specify hot-dip galvanised or marine-grade stainless fixings for anything built close to the coast.
Acreage work is mostly about scale and water. Many hinterland properties on the Mornington Peninsula sit on heavy red clay that turns to mud over a wet winter, then cracks open when summer dries it out. We shape the ground with excavators and laser levels, build rock-lined swales and spoon drains to direct runoff, and lay compacted crushed rock tracks that stay usable after rain. Where a slope needs holding back, our team builds retaining walls in rock, sleepers or block to suit the site.
Most clients come to us with a mix of problems. You might have a sandy coastal backyard where nothing survives the first westerly. Or you might have an acreage driveway entry that washes out every winter and a house surrounded by bare paddock. We plan the whole site in stages. That can mean windbreak planting first, then drainage and earthworks, then natural stone paving and garden beds closer to the house where you will actually use the space.
From wind mapping and earthworks through to planting and final detailing
We walk the whole property with you and note which way the prevailing winds come in, where water pools or runs after rain, and what the soil is like in different areas. On acreage we also look at access for machinery, existing trees and any vegetation that may be protected. This tells us what will grow and what needs fixing first.
Excavators and skid steers reshape the ground, cut swales and set falls with a laser level so water moves away from the house and driveway. We lay rock armour in drain lines that carry heavy flow and compact crushed rock for tracks and parking areas. Getting this stage right protects everything that goes on top.
We improve planting zones by working in compost on sandy ground or breaking up compacted clay before planting. Windbreak rows go in first on exposed sites, using hardy coastal species that shield the rest of the garden as they grow. Each plant is mulched and connected to drip irrigation where needed.
Closer to the house we build paths, paving, edging, garden beds and any feature rock work. Edging and fixings near the coast are set with corrosion-resistant hardware. We finish with mulch, a final clean-up and a walk-through so you know how to water and care for the new planting.
Tougher gardens, better access and less work across a large block
Plants chosen for coastal exposure keep their foliage through strong westerlies and salt spray. Windbreak planting also shelters your outdoor areas. That means you can sit outside on more days of the year without getting blasted.
Properly shaped ground and drainage stop runoff from scouring your driveway and paddock tracks after heavy rain. You get fewer potholes, less mud near the house and safer access for cars, trailers and delivery trucks all year.
Indigenous planting, thick mulch and zoned drip irrigation cut down on watering, weeding and replacing dead plants. On a big block that saves you many weekends. Your effort goes into the areas near the house that you actually use.
Soils on the Mornington Peninsula change quickly from the sandy coastal strip to the heavy red clay around the ridge. We prepare ground and choose plants to suit each one. That stops you from losing a whole planting in its first summer.
Our team runs excavators, skid steers and laser levels for shaping ground, cutting swales and building tracks. Keeping this work in-house means drainage and landscaping are planned together. One crew is responsible for how it all fits.
Salt air corrodes standard fixings and fades cheap finishes. We specify galvanised or marine-grade hardware and suitable stone and timber for coastal sites. Your edging, structures and features keep looking right for longer.
Beyond planting and earthworks, we build retaining walls, paving, decking, pergolas and outdoor entertaining areas. You can plan the whole property with one team. You won't need to coordinate several contractors across a big site.
Common questions answered
Indigenous coastal species do best, including moonah, coast banksia, coast tea-tree, westringia, coastal saltbush, lomandra and poa grasses. They handle salt spray and sandy soil far better than most exotic plants. We often plant a hardy outer row first so it shelters softer plants closer to the house.
The main factors are how much earthworks and drainage the site needs, access for machinery, the soil type, and how much of the property you want landscaped. Hardscape items like paving, walls and long driveways add to the scope. We usually suggest staging large blocks so you can spread the work and cost over time, and we provide a detailed quote after a site visit.
Autumn and early spring are usually best, when the soil still holds some warmth and winter rain helps plants settle in. Earthworks on heavy clay sites can be easier outside the wettest months, because saturated ground is hard to compact. We plan the order of works around the season and your site.
Many properties have planning overlays covering vegetation, coastal areas or landscape character. These can affect tree removal, earthworks and some structures. We check what applies to your site early on and tell you if a permit may be needed before work starts.
We work compost and organic matter into the planting zones to help the sand hold moisture and nutrients. Then we apply a thick layer of mulch and run drip irrigation to the root zone so water isn't lost to wind and evaporation. Choosing plants suited to dry, sandy ground matters just as much.
We provide Coastal & Acreage Landscaping throughout the Mornington Peninsula, VIC and surrounding suburbs.
Don't see your area? Contact us to check if we service your location!
View All AreasExplore our other services
Design-and-construct landscaping managed as one project: complete backyard transformations, new-home landscapes and major renovations, combining paving, walls, turf, planting, drainage and outdoor living in a single scope.
Learn More →
Engineered and feature retaining walls in stone, block and timber for sloping blocks, coastal sites and hinterland properties, usually built as part of a wider landscape project rather than as a standalone wall.
Learn More →
Pool surrounds, coping and pool paving, pool fencing, planting and entertaining areas that tie a new or existing pool into the rest of the garden.
Learn More →
Premium paving and natural stonework: bluestone, sandstone, travertine and porcelain pavers for terraces, courtyards, paths, steps and pool areas.
Learn More →