Pool landscaping ideas for Australian climates, staged by budget
The landscape that works around a pool is one that keeps the fence unclimbable, gives you a stable, comfortable surface underfoot, and uses plants suited to your city that need little water and little fuss. Get those three right and the rest (screening, shade, lighting, somewhere to sit) can be added in stages as the budget allows. This guide starts with the fence rules because they decide where everything else can go, then gives planting lists drawn from council, state and water utility guides for Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth.
Start with the fence: keep the non-climbable zone clear
The pool fence sets the rules for every garden bed, pot and bench nearby, so plan the landscape around it first. In Queensland, the QBCC says that for fences under 1800 mm, climbable objects must be removed or moved at least 900 mm from the outside of the fence and 300 mm from the inside. Its list of climbable objects includes trees, shrubs, overhanging branches, pot plants, rockeries, raised garden beds, garden edging, BBQs, outdoor furniture and umbrellas. Western Australia's Rules for Pools and Spas guide says there must be no objects, plants, handholds or footholds in a non-climbable zone that help a child climb. WA's guide references the Australian Standard AS 1926.1. Check the barrier rules with your state regulator or council before you plant.
| Landscape item | Risk near the fence | Safer approach |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubs and trees | Branches act as handholds | Plant clear of the zone; QBCC suggests trimming anything within 900 mm or removing the plant |
| Raised garden beds | Reduce the fence height | QBCC: the fence must be at least 1200 mm above finished ground level |
| Loose mulch or sand | Children can dig a gap under the fence | Keep a solid surface along the fence line |
| Furniture, pots, BBQ | Footholds | Store or position them outside the zones |
Landscaping in stages: barrier and surfaces first, planting later
Staging pool landscaping works well when the order is safety first, comfort second and decoration last. The barrier has to be right from day one: WA's Rules for Pools and Spas says a compliant barrier must be in place once the pool is complete and holds water more than 30 cm deep. Surfaces under and around the fence come next, because the same guide says the ground beneath a barrier must be stable and not easily removed, with pavers, concrete and decking given as suitable materials. Planting, screening and lighting can follow once you know how the space is used.
| Stage | What to do | Why now |
|---|---|---|
| At install | Compliant fence and gate, stable surface along the fence line, paving around the pool edge, drainage and any conduit for future lighting | Safety and access for machinery; hard to retrofit |
| Year one | Low planting clear of the zones, mulch beds, shade cloth or an umbrella | Lower cost; you learn where sun and foot traffic fall |
| Later | Screening shrubs, pergola, outdoor kitchen, feature lighting | Spread the spend; design around real use |
Ask for an itemised quote that separates the pool, the barrier, paving and landscaping, so you can see which parts can wait.
Planting lists for Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth
Low, tough, local plants placed outside the non-climbable zones are the safest planting choice around a pool. The lists below come from council, state and water utility guides for each city. Brisbane City Council notes that many native plants have lower water requirements than non-native species. Keep anything that grows into a shrub well back from the fence, and check mature height on the label.
| City | Low edging and groundcovers | Low shrubs | Screening (plant well clear of the fence) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane | Flax lilies (Dianella), native violet, forest daisies | Coastal rosemary (Westringia fruticosa), midyim berry, 'Claret Tops' melaleuca | Bottlebrush, candlestick banksia | Brisbane City Council |
| Adelaide | Flax-lilies, mat-rushes (Lomandra), creeping boobialla | Ruby saltbush (to 1 m), rock correa (to 1.2 m) | Seaberry saltbush as an informal hedge | Green Adelaide |
| Melbourne | Spreading flax-lily (Dianella admixta), spiny-headed mat-rush (Lomandra longifolia) | Common correa (Correa reflexa) | Burgan (Kunzea ericoides), 2 to 5 m | City of Monash |
| Perth | Dwarf kangaroo paw, Dianella 'Little Rev' | Native rosemary (Westringia dampieri), coastal correa, cushion bush, bottlebrush 'Little John' | Dwarf agonis, chenille honey myrtle (from a design with a privacy screening zone) | Water Corporation |
Water Corporation recommends hydrozoning, which means grouping plants with similar water needs so each irrigation station delivers the right amount. That habit suits any city. For colour ideas that tie the planting to the water, see our guide to swimming pool colours.
Paving and coping surfaces: stable, slip-checked and not too hot
The surface around a pool should be stable, comfortable for wet bare feet and cool enough to walk on in summer. Pavers, concrete and decking are all listed by WA's Rules for Pools and Spas as suitable stable surfaces beneath a barrier, while loose mulch and sand are a known problem under fences. Heat is the trade-off: for hot humid and hot dry climates, the Australian Government's YourHome guide advises using plantings instead of paving to reduce ground temperature and reflected heat.
| Surface | Under the fence line | Things to check |
|---|---|---|
| Pavers | Listed as suitable | Slip-resistance test result for wet barefoot areas; how hot a sample gets in sun |
| Concrete | Listed as suitable | Finish and texture; joints and drainage falls away from the pool |
| Decking | Listed as suitable | Deck edges or steps must not create a foothold near the fence |
| Lawn | Not under gates | WA guidance says grass can grow quickly and may interfere with a gate self-closing |
Prices vary widely with material, site access and region, so ask each quote to list paving by the square metre with preparation shown separately.
Privacy and screening ideas that stay out of the climbing zone
Screening a pool from neighbours works when the screen sits outside the non-climbable zones or forms part of a compliant barrier. Shrubs planted against the fence soon become handholds, and QBCC warns that branches grow back quickly, so removing a plant may be the better option. Plant screening shrubs far enough back that their mature spread stays clear of the 900 mm zone, and choose species your city's guide suggests for screening or hedging: bottlebrush in Brisbane, seaberry saltbush in Adelaide, burgan in Melbourne, or in Perth, shrubs from the Water Corporation native design that includes a privacy screening zone. On a boundary where you cannot control your neighbour's side, QBCC says the fence can be built at least 1800 mm high with a 900 mm non-climbable zone on the inside, measured from the top. If a fixed object cannot move, QBCC lists flat polycarbonate sheeting, vertical palings or a fillet of 60 degrees or more as ways to make it non-climbable. Have the final layout checked before you plant, and leave barrier compliance sign-off to the people authorised to give it. In Queensland, only a QBCC-licensed pool safety inspector can issue a pool safety certificate, and a building certifier can certify new pools or fences. In WA, the local government must inspect the barrier of a new pool within 30 days of becoming aware it is complete.
Shade, lighting and outdoor living: plan the power with a licensed electrician
Shade, lighting and somewhere to sit turn a pool into a place the family uses, and all three can be staged. YourHome describes shade cloth as a particularly flexible and low-cost option, and notes that deciduous plants let winter sun through while blocking summer sun. Keep umbrellas, tables and BBQs outside the fence zones; WA's guide suggests putting frequently used structures such as sheds, barbeques and clotheslines outside the pool area and siting the pool with clear views from the house. Lighting is where the do-it-yourself line stops. Energy Safe Victoria says unqualified electrical work is dangerous and illegal, and Queensland's Electrical Safety Office says hard-wired items must be connected by a licensed electrician. Any garden or pool lighting on mains power, and any new outdoor power point, is a job for a licensed electrician. Running conduit while the paving is open saves digging it up later.
Landscaping around above-ground pools: keep climbable items away from the walls
An above-ground pool can be landscaped like any other, provided nothing near the walls helps a child climb in. WA's Rules for Pools and Spas says the side walls of an above-ground pool can act as the safety barrier only where they are at least 1.2 m high, nothing within 500 mm reduces that height, and the non-climbable zones comply. Walls with structural braces or other climbable surfaces on the outside may not qualify, and the guide encourages owners to install a proper barrier regardless of wall design. It also says a barrier and gate must be built around permanently fixed steps or ladders. Queensland sets a different test: the QBCC says the sides of an above-ground pool can be used as part of the fence only if they are at least 1200 mm high and non-climbable on the outside, with no bracing or supports within the non-climbable zone. In practice that means no raised beds, steps or pots hugging the pool walls. A deck built up to the pool edge needs to be designed with the barrier in mind, and in WA the pool itself needs a building permit before it is installed. Low planting set back from the walls is the simpler combination. See our above-ground pools range for sizes.
Who should hold off on pool landscaping for now
Some households are better off waiting before spending on landscaping, and that is a sensible choice rather than a setback. If the pool budget is already stretched, a compliant fence and a stable, safe surface are the essentials; plants, pergolas and lighting can come later. Landscaping also brings running costs: water for new plants, pruning to keep shrubs out of the fence zones, and more leaves to clear from the pool. If you rent, or may sell within a year or two, large planting projects may not suit. If you plan to extend the house or add a shed, settle that layout first so new paving is not torn up. And if you are not yet sure a pool fits your yard or finances, start with real numbers: an itemised quote shows what is essential now and what can wait.
Frequently asked questions
What trend is replacing swimming pools in Australian backyards?
We could not find national data showing that pools are being replaced by any single trend, so treat that claim with caution. Some households choose a different mix instead: a smaller pool, more planting, and shade and outdoor living areas built around the water. If your yard is tight, a compact pool with low, water-wise planting and a shaded seat can still give the family a place to cool off and gather. Ask a builder for options at different sizes before ruling a pool out.
Which plants should I avoid near a pool?
Avoid anything that grows into a handhold or foothold near the fence: shrubs and trees with low branches, climbers on the fence, and pots or raised beds within the non-climbable zones. In Melbourne, the City of Monash lists agapanthus and pampas grass among common weeds and suggests spreading flax-lily and spiny-headed mat-rush as replacements. Wherever you live, check a plant's mature size and spread before planting it near the pool area.
Can a garden bed or retaining wall be part of the pool barrier?
A retaining wall can form part of a barrier in some cases, but a garden bed generally works against it. QBCC lists built or natural walls, including retaining walls, as possible barrier components, and also says raised garden beds within 900 mm of the fence may need removing. In WA, a retaining wall above the pool must be at least 1.8 m high on the poolside to count. In Queensland only a QBCC-licensed pool safety inspector can issue a pool safety certificate, so have the layout checked.
Should I landscape before or after the pool goes in?
Plan the landscape before the pool goes in, but build most of it after. Decide where the fence, gate, paving and any lighting conduit will go at the design stage, because those are hard to change later. Check when your state requires the barrier: in WA, it must be in place once the pool is complete and holds water more than 30 cm deep. Planting, screening and furniture can follow once you see how sun, shade and foot traffic fall. Staging it also spreads the cost over time.
What grows well around a pool in Perth or Adelaide with water restrictions?
Local natives grouped by water need are the safest bet. Water Corporation's Perth garden designs include native rosemary, coastal correa, cushion bush and dwarf kangaroo paw, and it says most Perth gardens only need 10 millimetres of water twice a week in summer. Green Adelaide's planting guide suggests ruby saltbush, rock correa, flax-lilies and mat-rushes for a climate of long, hot, dry summers. A chunky mulch about 10 cm deep helps, but keep it away from the fence line.
Next steps
If you are still shaping the overall design, browse our backyard swimming pool ideas for layouts and sizes, or compare inground pools. When you are ready to talk through planting, paving and screening for your yard, see our pool landscaping page and ask for an itemised quote. Local pages: Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth.
Sources
- Non-climbable zones, Queensland Building and Construction Commission, https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/home-owner-hub/swimming-pools/pool-safety-standard/non-climbable-zones, accessed 4 November 2026
- Pool fences, Queensland Building and Construction Commission, https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/home-owner-hub/swimming-pools/pool-safety-standard/pool-fences, accessed 4 November 2026
- Inspect and certify a pool, Queensland Building and Construction Commission, https://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/home-owner-hub/swimming-pools/inspect-certify-pool, accessed 4 November 2026
- Rules for Pools and Spas: A guide to the requirements for safety barriers in Western Australia (December 2025), Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety WA, https://www.wa.gov.au/media/60087/download, accessed 4 November 2026
- Best plants for Brisbane gardens, Brisbane City Council, https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/about-council/your-brisbane/environment-and-sustainability/gardening/best-plants-for-brisbane-gardens, accessed 4 November 2026
- Adelaide gardens: A planting guide, Green Adelaide, https://cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/landscape/docs/hf/adelaide-gardens-planting-guide-2021.pdf, accessed 4 November 2026
- Gardens for Wildlife, City of Monash, https://www.monash.vic.gov.au/files/assets/public/v/1/edms/waste-sustainability/projects/monash-gardens-for-wildlife-v1.pdf, accessed 4 November 2026
- Popular garden designs for Perth and the South West, Water Corporation, https://pw-cdn.watercorporation.com.au/-/media/WaterCorp/Documents/Water-Care/Waterwise-Advice/Popular-garden-designs-for-Perth-and-South-West.PDF, accessed 4 November 2026
- Creating a waterwise garden in 5 steps, Water Corporation, https://www.watercorporation.com.au/help-and-advice/waterwise/garden/creating-a-waterwise-garden-in-5-steps, accessed 4 November 2026
- Shading, YourHome (Australian Government), https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/shading, accessed 4 November 2026
- Swimming pool and spa safety barrier requirements, Building and Energy, Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety WA, https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/building-and-energy/swimming-pool-and-spa-safety-barrier-requirements, accessed 4 November 2026
- Electrical DDIY: Don't do it yourself, Energy Safe Victoria, https://www.energysafe.vic.gov.au/DDIY, accessed 4 November 2026
- Don't do your own electrical work, Electrical Safety Office Queensland, https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/ddiy, accessed 4 November 2026
