Pool Landscaping & Renovations Across Sydney's Northern Beaches
From complete pool area renovations to retaining walls, decks, paving and full garden makeovers, we design and build outdoor spaces across Sydney's Northern Beaches. Whether you're upgrading an existing pool, planning for a new one, or just want a backyard that works for your family, every project is built by one accountable team to proper structural standards.
Built From the Ground Up
Great outdoor spaces start below the surface. Whether it's a pool surround, a retaining wall, a new deck or a full garden makeover, we get the levels, drainage and structure right first, then bring in the stone, timber, turf and planting that make it liveable. Small upgrade or complete transformation, every job is built to last.
Complete pool area transformations, coping, decking & pavingPool Landscaping & Renovations
A pool area is more than the water's edge. We bring together coping, decking, paving, retaining walls, drainage and planting so the whole space works as one.
We lay natural stone coping in drop face or bullnose profiles to give the pool a clean, finished edge. Around it, decking and paving extend the usable space, with slip resistant finishes for wet areas. Drainage is detailed so water runs away from the pool instead of pooling at the edge. On sloping sites, retaining walls hold back the ground and define the pool zone, and planting softens the hard surfaces to finish it off.
Where it is suitable: New pools needing a complete surround, existing pools with tired or failing coping and paving, sloping sites that need walls and drainage, and connecting the pool to an existing entertaining area.
Key Inclusions
- Natural stone pool coping (drop face & bullnose)
- Poolside decking & paving
- Slip resistant finishes
- Drainage detailing
- Retaining walls around the pool
- Pool area planting
- Glass fence integration
See it in our work
From tired overgrown blocks to architectural sanctuariesComplete Garden Makeovers
Often forms part of a larger pool area or outdoor transformation, reshaping levels and drainage before the finishes are laid.
A full garden makeover reworks the whole space, not just the planting. We sort out the levels, drainage and structure first, so what goes on top lasts.
On sloping or uneven ground, we reshape the site through excavation and levelling to create usable, flat space. Subsurface drainage goes in at the same stage, so water is managed instead of pooling or washing across new surfaces. Once the ground is right, planting and mulching bring the garden to life, and low voltage lighting can be added so you can enjoy the space well into the evening.
Where it is suitable: Sloping or uneven blocks, overgrown or dated yards, and gardens where poor drainage or difficult ground has made the space hard to use.
Materials & Construction
- Excavation & site levelling
- Subsurface drainage
- Planting & mulching
- Low voltage garden lighting
Key Inclusions
- Excavation & site levelling
- Level areas created on difficult slopes
- Subsurface drainage
- Planting & mulching
- Low voltage garden lighting
See it in our work
Engineered concrete sleepers, sandstone & core filled blocksStructural Retaining Walls
Frequently built to define and level pool zones and outdoor entertaining areas on sloping Northern Beaches blocks.
On the sloping blocks common across the Northern Beaches, a good retaining wall is often what makes a yard usable. It holds the ground back, creates level space and gives the property a defined structure.
Every wall is built to suit the load and the look of the site. Options include GorillaWall concrete sleepers on steel H beam posts, natural sandstone, core filled block finished in render or natural stone cladding, and treated timber sleepers. Drainage is built in behind every wall so water pressure does not build up against it. For walls over 1 metre, or wherever certification is required, we work with qualified engineers to provide compliant plans and documentation.
Where it is suitable: Sloping blocks needing level lawn or terraces, boundary level changes, and walls that need to carry load or meet council and engineering requirements.
Materials & Construction
- GorillaWall concrete sleeper systems
- Natural sandstone walls
- Core filled block, rendered or clad in natural stone
- Treated timber sleeper walls
- Drainage behind every wall
- Engineering & certification through qualified engineers
- Council compliance support
Key Inclusions
- GorillaWall concrete sleeper systems
- Natural sandstone walls
- Core filled block, rendered or clad in natural stone
- Treated timber sleeper walls
- Drainage behind every wall
- Engineering & certification through qualified engineers
- Council compliance support
See it in our work
Trex, Millboard composite & premium Australian hardwoodsCustom Decking & Patios
Commonly extends the pool area, connecting indoor living to the pool zone with poolside decking.
A well built deck takes your living space outdoors. Where the levels allow, it can run straight off your indoor floor with a flush transition, so inside and out feel like one space.
We build in both composite and natural hardwood. Composite boards such as Trex, ModWood and Millboard hold up well around pools and in coastal conditions, without the regular sanding and oiling timber needs. Australian hardwoods like Spotted Gum and Blackbutt bring natural warmth and character, with periodic maintenance to keep them looking their best. Concealed fixings give every deck a clean, screw free finish.
Where it is suitable: Poolside entertaining decks, decks connecting indoor and outdoor living, and patios extending an existing outdoor area.
Key Inclusions
- Composite decking (Trex, ModWood, Millboard)
- Australian hardwoods (Spotted Gum, Blackbutt, Merbau and more)
- Concealed fixings
- Flush indoor to outdoor transitions
- Poolside & entertaining decks
See it in our work
Premium natural lawn and Australian-made synthetic grassNatural & Synthetic Turf
A finishing surface within wider pool and garden transformations, with natural turf or Australian-made synthetic grass chosen to suit the sun, shade and use of the space.
The right lawn depends on how you use your yard. We lay both premium natural turf and Australian-made synthetic grass, and we'll help you choose what suits your space, sun and lifestyle.
For natural lawns, we use proven varieties suited to Sydney conditions, including Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo, TifTuf Bermuda and Eureka Kikuyu. They're tough, soft underfoot and hold up to kids, pets and coastal weather. For synthetic, we use only Australian-made brands such as Urban Turf and FieldTurf Australia, built to handle the harsh Australian sun. Whichever you choose, the result depends on what's underneath. We prepare every lawn properly, with levelled ground, quality soil or a compacted base, and drainage that copes with heavy Sydney downpours.
Where it is suitable: Family lawns, pool surrounds, shaded or high-traffic areas, and yards where an existing lawn has struggled.
Key Inclusions
- Premium natural turf (Sir Walter DNA Certified, TifTuf, Eureka Kikuyu)
- Australian-made synthetic grass (Urban Turf, FieldTurf Australia)
- Site levelling & ground preparation
- Soil preparation or compacted crushed-rock base
- Drainage for heavy rain
- Advice on the right lawn for your sun, shade and use
See it in our work
Paved entertaining areas, fire pits, outdoor kitchens & feature stoneworkOutdoor Living & Paving
Paving and built features that complete the pool and outdoor living area.
The best outdoor spaces are the ones you actually use. We create paved areas and built features designed around how you live, whether that's entertaining, relaxing or just getting from one part of the garden to another.
We lay natural stone paving, including sandstone and bluestone, as entertaining areas or as steppers through the garden. Beyond paving, we build the features that bring a space together: fire pits, outdoor kitchens and BBQ areas, built in seating, rendered walls, privacy screens, planter boxes and feature stonework. Every element is designed around how you'll use the space, from a fire pit corner for winter nights to a stone path linking the garden.
Where it is suitable: Entertaining areas, fire pit zones, outdoor kitchens and BBQ setups, and gardens needing defined paths or built features.
Materials & Construction
- Natural stone paving (limestone, granite, travertine & more)
- Stone steppers & pathways
- Fire pits
- Outdoor kitchens & BBQ areas
- Built in seating
- Rendered walls & privacy screens
- Planter boxes
- Feature stonework
Key Inclusions
- Natural stone paving (limestone, granite, travertine & more)
- Stone steppers & pathways
- Fire pits
- Outdoor kitchens & BBQ areas
- Built in seating
- Rendered walls & privacy screens
- Planter boxes
- Feature stonework
See it in our work
Timeframes, Engineering & Council
Realistic Timeframes
Targeted upgrades such as a pool surround, deck or single retaining wall typically take a couple of weeks. Full garden makeovers with multiple levels and custom paving take longer. Every project is priced and programmed on its own scope.
Engineering & Compliance
Retaining walls over 1 metre, or walls requiring structural certification, are designed with qualified engineers to provide compliant plans and documentation. Requirements depend on the project and the relevant regulations.
Free Site Inspection
Blake Landscapes offers free, no obligation on site consultations across the Northern Beaches and surrounding areas, assessing access, levels and drainage before recommending materials for your budget.
Most Projects Involve More Than One Service
You do not need to know exactly which service you need before reaching out. Many landscaping projects combine several services rather than a single isolated one.
A pool project
May involve pool coping, paving, drainage and decking, not just the surround on its own.
A sloping backyard
May involve excavation, retaining walls, drainage, turf and planting to turn the slope into usable levels.
An entertaining area
May involve decking, paving, retaining and garden improvements working together as one space.
Tell us what you are planning, and we can help determine the right approach for your property.
Discuss Your ProjectHow Your Project Comes Together
Initial Consultation
We discuss the property, your project requirements, how you intend to use the space, and your overall goals for the outdoor area.
Site Assessment
We consider access, levels, drainage, existing conditions and the practical requirements of the work before any scope is set.
Planning & Construction
The agreed scope, materials and construction requirements are established before the landscaping works are carried out on site.
Project Completion
The agreed works are completed and the finished project is reviewed with you so the space is ready to use and enjoy.
Not every project follows exactly the same path, these stages are a guide to how a typical project is approached rather than a fixed process.
Materials Selected for the Project
Material selection depends on the project, the site conditions, the design requirements and your preferences. These are the materials Blake Landscapes works with across Northern Beaches projects.
Travertine
Imported natural stone used for pool coping, wall cappings and pathway steppers; its pale tone suits coastal gardens.
Natural Sandstone
Warm, irregular stone laid as paving or used for retaining walls and steppers through a garden.
Ella Stone Splitface
Natural splitface cladding for retaining walls, giving a hand laid, textured finish that catches light across the face.
Trex Composite
A composite decking board that holds its surface in coastal and pool side conditions with lower upkeep than timber.
ModWood Composite
Composite decking board used as a lower maintenance alternative to natural timber decking.
Millboard Composite
Composite decking board selected for its timber look without the regular maintenance a natural deck requires.
Spotted Gum Hardwood
Australian hardwood decking timber, valued for its warmth and character as a natural finish.
Blackbutt Hardwood
Australian hardwood decking timber with a lighter tone, used where a natural timber deck is wanted.
GorillaWall Concrete Sleepers
Concrete sleepers on steel H beam posts used for structural retaining walls on sloping blocks.
Treated Timber Sleepers
Treated pine sleepers used to terrace sloping blocks and retain garden levels.
Completed Projects Across the Northern Beaches
Genuine completed work showing the breadth of pool landscaping and structural work Blake Landscapes undertakes, pool surrounds, retaining walls, paving, decking and synthetic turf.
Beacon Hill Coastal Pool & Deck
Natural style composite decking contrasting with imported travertine pool edging and seamless glass surrounds.
View project
Narraweena Natural Stone Clad Wall
Concrete block retaining structure clad in Ella Stone natural splitface stonework with bullnose travertine coping.
View project
Dee Why Modern Sandstone & Render
Natural sandstone paving with crisp white rendered boundary retaining walls and lush architectural foliage.
View project
Frenchs Forest Terraced Steps & Turf
Treated pine sleeper terraces, premium synthetic grass, travertine pathway steppers, and rich woodland mulch.
View projectServing Sydney's Northern Beaches
Blake Landscapes operates from Frenchs Forest and services the Northern Beaches and confirmed surrounding areas. These are some of the suburbs where work has been completed:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Blake Landscapes' services, materials and how projects are approached.
Planning Your Next Outdoor Project?
If you are planning swimming pool landscaping, pool surrounds, a pool area renovation, or the retaining walls, decking and paving that complete it, talk to Blake Landscapes about what is possible on your site.