Welcome to TLF! We have several members from Oz who may be able to help out. I moved your thread to the warm season forum for better visibility.

 

Bumpin' this for one of our newest members.

 

Welcome to TLF Hayden!! Glad to have another member from OZ here!

Can we get some more close up pics of the lawn so maybe we can see what type of grass you have. It looks like you might have bermuda(Santa Ana Couch is what it's called there). I know it's Winter there right now so you have some time to devise a plan. Let us know more of what you want out of your lawn and what equipment you already have as it will make suggesting things a little easier. Hopefully someone from your neck of the woods will be on here shortly to help out as we don't know what is available specifically there.

 

Hi there! Congrats on your new home — 4,200 sqm gives you so much potential to create a fantastic outdoor space. It looks like you’ve got a bit of a challenge with the yard, but with some time and effort, you can transform it.

For the backyard, your idea of a fire pit and cookout area with gravel sounds like a great, low-maintenance option. A retaining wall would help manage any slope and provide some structural support. You could also consider incorporating some native plants around the edges to add greenery and reduce the heat that gravel can sometimes retain.

For the areas with poor soil or the sandstone mound, raised garden beds or native plant gardens could be a practical choice. Natives like Grevilleas or Kangaroo Paw are drought-tolerant and thrive in tougher soils. If you’re dealing with drainage issues, a dry creek bed with decorative rocks can help direct water while adding visual interest.

If you’re keen on having some grass, you might want to try a hardy variety like Couch or Buffalo grass, which are more tolerant of poor soil and dry conditions. Aerating the soil, adding a top dressing of sandy loam, and seeding with the right grass mix can help rejuvenate patchy areas.

Lastly, consider consulting a local landscaper or soil specialist to get a better understanding of what’s under the surface. They may suggest additional solutions like soil conditioning or introducing gypsum if there’s significant clay.

Best of luck with your project! It’s going to be a rewarding experience turning it into a beautiful space. Would love to see how it comes along!

 

Does the yard have irrigation

 

Good question! I was wondering the same because proper irrigation can make a huge difference with major lawn repairs. If the yard doesn’t already have a system, it might be worth considering installing one (even a basic drip or sprinkler setup) before starting repairs. It’ll help keep the new turf or seed consistently moist, especially with Australia’s hot, dry spells. Do you know if there’s any existing setup, or would it need to be done from scratch?