Landscaping Calculators Australia
Free metric landscaping calculators built for Australian conditions. Calculate paving quantities and wastage, retaining wall block counts, and mulch volumes in cubic metres and bags. All inputs are metric and relevant to materials available at Australian landscape suppliers and hardware stores.
Landscaping calculators
Paving Calculator
Area, tile count with wastage, and sand bed volume for concrete, clay and natural stone pavers. Multiple lay patterns.
Open calculator →Retaining Wall Calculator
Block count, courses, and infill volume for segmental retaining walls. Supports standard and large-format blocks.
Open calculator →Mulch Calculator
Cubic metres and 50 L bag count for garden beds. Choose depth and mulch type — wood chip, sugar cane, pea straw or lucerne.
Open calculator →Australian landscaping standards & guidance
- AS 3727 — Guide to residential pavements. Covers design, base preparation and laying for pedestrian and light vehicular pavements including driveways and paths.
- AS 4678 — Earth-retaining structures. The primary Australian standard for the design and construction of retaining walls, including segmental block walls and timber sleeper walls.
- NCC (National Construction Code) Volume 2 — Sets minimum requirements for site works drainage and retaining structures for Class 1 and 10 buildings. Retaining walls over 1 m typically require council approval.
- Local council DA requirements — Most Australian councils require a Development Approval (DA) for retaining walls over 600 mm–1,000 mm in height (varies by council). Always confirm permit requirements before construction.
Common Landscaping Questions
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Australia?
In most Australian states and territories, a retaining wall over 600 mm–1,000 mm in height (the threshold varies by council) requires a building permit and possibly a Development Approval. Walls over 1 m are generally considered engineered structures and require a structural engineer's design in some states. Always check with your local council before starting — requirements vary significantly between LGAs. Retaining walls that affect a neighbouring property's drainage or stability may require additional consent.
How much mulch does an average Australian garden need?
A standard garden bed mulched at 75 mm depth (the most common recommendation for Australian gardens) needs 0.075 m³ per square metre of bed — or about 1.5 bags of 50 L mulch. A typical suburban garden with 20 m² of garden beds needs approximately 1.5–2.0 m³ of mulch (30–40 bags), depending on depth. Buying in bulk (by the cubic metre) from a landscape supplier becomes cost-effective once you need more than 1–2 m³.
What paving base depth is required in Australia?
For pedestrian paving (paths, courtyards): typically 50–75 mm of compacted road base plus a 25–40 mm sand bed. For driveways and areas that carry vehicle loads: 100–150 mm of compacted road base is the standard. The base depth also depends on the underlying soil — expansive clay soils (common across much of south-eastern Australia) may require deeper bases or a geotextile fabric layer. AS 3727 provides detailed guidance for residential pavement design.