How much does decking cost in Byron Bay?
Decking in Byron Bay costs $190–$370/sqm for treated pine, $315–$580/sqm for merbau hardwood, and $295–$580/sqm for composite decking (all supply and installation). A medium 25 sqm deck costs $8,400–$16,800 depending on the material and complexity.
Five deep-dives on Byron Bay decking cost
Detailed Pricing — Decking Cost in Byron Bay 2026
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treated pine deck (per sqm) | $190/sqm | $275 | $370 |
| Hardwood deck — merbau (per sqm) | $315/sqm | $440 | $580 |
| Hardwood deck — spotted gum (per sqm) | $370/sqm | $505 | $630 |
| Composite deck (per sqm) | $295/sqm | $470 | $580 |
| Small deck (15 sqm, hardwood) | $5,250total | $7,900 | $10,500 |
| Medium deck (25 sqm, hardwood) | $8,400total | $12,600 | $16,800 |
| Large deck (40 sqm, hardwood) | $13,650total | $19,950 | $27,300 |
| Deck steps (per step) | $190/step | $315 | $420 |
| Deck balustrade / railing (per lm) | $160/lm | $295 | $470 |
| Deck sanding + oiling (per sqm) | $26/sqm | $42 | $63 |
| Old deck demolition + removal | $21/sqm | $37 | $58 |
| Pergola over deck (basic) | $5,250total | $8,400 | $15,750 |
| Deck stairs (per flight, installed) | $1,050installed | $2,100 | $4,725 |
| Elevated / high-set deck surcharge (per sqm) | $52/sqm | $105 | $190 |
| Deck re-oil only (clean + 2 coats, no sanding, per sqm) | $16/sqm | $32 | $47 |
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Prices include GST. Based on Byron Bay metro area, October 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
Byron Bay’s Decking Market in 2026
Byron Bay’s outdoor living culture drives one of the busiest decking markets in Australia. From alfresco entertaining areas in the Byron hinterland to pool surrounds across the Byron coast and hinterland, timber and composite decking is a staple of Byron Bay home improvement. The city’s humid subtropical climate, strong UV, and termite pressure all influence material choice — and Byron Bay homeowners pay a premium compared to most other Australian cities.
The biggest shift in Byron Bay’s decking market over the past few years is the move toward local hardwoods — particularly spotted gum and blackbutt. These NSW-native species are naturally durable (Class 1 above ground), termite-resistant and sourced from local mills; our Byron Bay table prices spotted gum at $370–$630 per sqm, against $315–$580 for merbau. Spotted gum in particular has become Byron Bay’s most popular premium decking timber, with its distinctive grain and warm colour that weathers to a silver-grey if left unoiled.
Composite decking (brands like NewTechWood, Modwood, and CleverDeck) continues to gain market share in Byron Bay, now accounting for roughly 30–40% of new deck builds. The higher upfront cost ($295–$580/sqm vs $190–$370 for treated pine) is offset by zero maintenance — no annual oiling, no sanding, no staining. For busy Byron Bay households, the lifetime cost calculation increasingly favours composite.
Council regulations for Byron Bay are set by one council, Byron Shire Council. A deck needs a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) or Development Application (DA) if its floor is more than 1m above existing ground level, and works in Byron Shire’s heritage conservation areas generally need consent under Byron LEP 2014. Always check with your local council before building.
We’ve compiled pricing from Byron Bay deck builders, timber suppliers, and trade databases to give you the most accurate picture of decking costs in Byron Bay for 2026.
How Decking Costs Vary Across Byron Bay
Byron Bay coast & beaches
Beachside decks around Byron Bay, Suffolk Park, Belongil and Wategos face the harshest salt and UV exposure, so durable hardwoods and capped composites are popular. Premium tourist-town labour rates, tight site access and stair or sub-frame work on sloping coastal blocks push costs up, and pool and entertaining decks are common.
Byron hinterland
Hinterland decks around Bangalow, Federal, Mullumbimby and Coorabell are often larger acreage verandahs on Federation and modern homes, with raised sub-frames for sloping sites and bushfire (BAL) detailing in some areas. Longer access and material delivery to rural blocks can add to labour.
What You’ll Actually Pay — Common Byron Bay Decking Jobs
Decking in Byron Bay, priced per square metre from the rows in our Byron Bay table.
Ground-level entertaining deck — spotted gum, 20 sqm
$7,400–$12,600 for 20 sqm
Twenty square metres of spotted gum at $370–$630 per sqm comes to the figure above; the table’s medium 25 sqm hardwood deck is $8,400–$16,800. In NSW a deck can go up without planning approval only within the exempt limits — among them, a floor no more than one metre above the existing ground and nothing beyond the building line — so check the full list before you build.
Elevated deck with stairs and balustrade — hardwood, 25 sqm
$8,400–$16,800 plus $52–$190 per sqm elevated
Lift a 25 sqm hardwood deck ($8,400–$16,800) off a slope and the table adds $52–$190 per sqm for an elevated or high-set frame, $1,050–$4,725 for a flight of stairs and $160–$470 per lineal metre of balustrade. Once the floor is more than a metre up it falls outside the NSW exemption and needs approval.
Pool surround deck — composite, 30 sqm
$8,850–$17,400 for 30 sqm
Thirty square metres of composite boards around a pool, at $295–$580 per sqm, comes to the figure above. Cape Byron averages 1,735.7 mm of rain a year on Bureau of Meteorology records, so the subframe (aluminium or properly treated) and a slight fall away from the pool and the house matter as much as the boards.
Budget courtyard deck — treated pine, 12 sqm
$2,280–$4,440 for 12 sqm
Treated pine is the cheapest board in our Byron Bay table at $190–$370 per sqm. It needs oiling to stay sound, and Byron Bay is in climate zone 2 on the Australian Building Codes Board's climate zone map (warm humid summer, mild winter), so leave airflow under the deck. Use H3-treated timber above ground and H4 wherever it touches the ground.
Deck restoration — sand, oil, and repair
$520–$1,260 for 20 sqm
Sanding back and oiling a 20 sqm deck is $26–$63 per sqm here, or $16–$47 per sqm when a clean and two fresh coats will do. If the deck is past saving, pulling it up is $21–$58 per sqm before a rebuild.
What Affects Decking Costs in Byron Bay
Timber type
Treated pine ($190–$370/sqm in Byron Bay) is cheapest but needs regular oiling. Merbau ($315–$580/sqm) and spotted gum are premium hardwoods. Composite ($295–$580/sqm) is low-maintenance.
Deck size
A small 15 sqm deck in Byron Bay costs $5,250–$10,500. Medium 25 sqm is $8,400–$16,800. Large 40 sqm decks run $13,650–$27,300. Larger decks get slightly better per-sqm rates.
Height & subframe
Ground-level decks in Byron Bay are simplest. Elevated decks (over 1m) need substantial substructure, posts, and often engineering — increasing costs significantly.
Steps & balustrades
Steps cost $190–$420 per step in Byron Bay. Balustrades/railings add $160–$470/lm. These are required by code for any deck over 1m above ground.
Site access & slope
A flat, accessible Byron Bay backyard is cheapest. Sloping sites, difficult access, or existing structures to build around all increase labour time and cost.
Maintenance requirements
Hardwood decks need oiling 1–2 times per year (professional sanding and oiling $26–$63/sqm in Byron Bay; doing it yourself costs the oil and a weekend). Composite decking needs almost no maintenance — a hose-down is usually sufficient.
How to Save Money on Decking Cost in Byron Bay
Frequently Asked Questions — Decking Cost in Byron Bay
Our Methodology
These are independent estimates from public cost guides, marketplaces and industry rate data, and no tradesperson can influence them, so always get a few quotes. Last reviewed October 2026. Read our full methodology →