Pool landscaping ideas Australia

Transform your pool area with 10 stunning landscaping ideas: native plants, tropical vibes, simple styling, modern designs, and much more. Each option blends style with practicality, creating a backyard you’ll love. Ecovolve brings these ideas to life with expert, lasting designs.

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Merely adding a pool to your space isn’t enough to achieve a sense of luxury. It’s the space around it that truly makes it shine. 

Without the right landscaping, your pool can look a bit bare and not all that inviting. With some expert advice from the leading landscaping team in Brisbane, your pool area can feel like that dream retreat you’ve always wanted.

So, what’s the ultimate hack to achieving this? It’s about finding the sweet spot between looking aesthetic, being comfortable, and not turning into a maintenance nightmare. Here are 10 backyard pool landscaping ideas in Australia to get you started.

1. Use Native Plants

Plants that are used to our conditions are always the best bet. Kangaroo paw, bottlebrush, and lomandra all look great and don’t need much attention. The Australian climate doesn’t faze them at all. They can handle heat, save water, and attract birds and butterflies. 

Less fuss, more colour, and no endless fertilising or spraying. That’s the beauty of inviting native plants into your pool space. 

2. Create a Tropical Vibe

If you want your backyard to feel like a holiday spot, go tropical. Think palms, banana trees, and plenty of greenery. They give you shade and privacy while embodying those endless summer vacation vibes. 

Add a bit of bamboo fencing or even a thatched umbrella to complete that Pinterest-worthy look. These tropical pool landscaping ideas in Australia work best with natural stone pavers or timber decking to keep the look warm and relaxed.

3. Simple Pool Landscaping

Sometimes the best choice is the one that *whispers* classiness instead of screaming it out loud. Simple pool landscaping ideas in Australia usually mean neat paving, a few hardy plants, and some comfy seating. Nothing over the top, nothing hard to look after. Simple aesthetics also tends to age well. Instead of something that looks trendy one year and dated the next, you get a space that always feels right.

4.  Mediterranean Escape

Create a Mediterranean-inspired poolside by blending natural stone, terracotta tiles, and whitewashed walls with lush, fragrant plants like lavender, rosemary, and bougainvillea. Add olive or cypress trees for structure and shade with a pergola draped in vines. 

Wrought-iron or teak furniture with striped cushions pairs beautifully with mosaic accents and clay urns, while warm lantern lighting sets the mood at night. A tiled fountain or water spout adds charm, and touches like an herb garden or outdoor dining area complete the feeling of a sun-soaked villa retreat.

5. Go Modern

If you’re into sharp lines and a polished look, modern pool landscaping is calling your name. Large tiles, a glass pool fence, and a few sculptural plants keep the area clean and ultra-sleek. Add subtle lighting for evenings, and you’re set for those serene moments by the pool. This style also works well if your backyard is on the smaller side, because it keeps things uncluttered.

6. Add Some Shade

Adding shade around your pool not only makes the space more comfortable but also creates a stylish focal point. Consider a pergola draped with climbing vines, a modern shade sail stretched across one corner, or a cabana with flowing curtains for a resort feel. 

Large umbrellas or a row of strategically planted trees, like palms or cypresses, can also provide natural shade while enhancing the overall design.

7. Make It Family Friendly

If kids are part of the picture, practicality comes first. Go for non-slip surfaces and grassy edges. It makes the space safer and saves you worrying while they run around. A family setup also means leaving space for games, outdoor meals, or even a sandpit close by. At the end of the day, the best pool areas are the ones everyone can enjoy together.

8. Use Stone and Gravel Finishes

Stone and gravel work brilliantly around pools. They add texture, stop muddy feet from wrecking your tiles, and look super neat. These finishes are especially handy for in-ground pool landscaping ideas in Australia, since they help the pool blend naturally into the garden. Choose a stone that suits your home and watch it all come together nicely. 

Bonus tip: stone and gravel actually age very well and end up picking up character over the years.

9. Add Privacy

To create a more secluded and relaxing pool area, add natural or structural privacy elements. Tall hedges, bamboo, or ornamental grasses form living green walls that soften the space while blocking views. For a more architectural approach, use lattice panels, stone walls, or pergolas with climbing vines to create intimate nooks. 

You can also mix both, planting greenery alongside decorative screens, for a layered, stylish look that feels private without being closed off.

10. Make It Feel Like a Resort

Who says you need to book a flight just to get that resort feeling? A couple of loungers, some umbrellas, and a few tall pots with greenery can change the whole space. Pair it with good lighting, and you have a pool that works by day and night. Add a fire pit or some outdoor speakers, and watch it transform into the ultimate resort-style retreat. 

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Dive into your pool landscaping project with Ecovolve

Landscaping can turn a pool from looking plain into something you actually want to spend time around. Whether you like it tropical, simple, or sharp and modern, the right setup can enhance your entire space. 

Since 2005, Ecovolve has been blending unparalleled style with sustainable landscaping for Aussie homes and businesses. Brisbane-based and family-owned, we focus on practical designs that actually last. Fully licensed by the QBCC, we handle everything from design to construction. If you need pool landscaping ideas done right, Ecovolve is the team to call.

Our services:

• Landscape architecture and design
• Landscape construction
• Garden maintenance
• Horticulture consultation
• Living walls and vertical gardens 

Why settle for less and go with the flow when you can swim toward your dream pool setup? Contact us today to get started with your landscaping project.