Updated October 2026· Independently researched·8 min read
Most landscaping jobs in Sunshine Coast cost $4,850–$14,550
for a basic backyard makeover
That covers turf, garden beds, basic paving, and planting for a standard Sunshine Coast backyard. Hourly rates run $53–$105/hr. Full landscape designs for new homes start from $14,550 and can exceed $58,200.
+4.2%Landscaping costs in Sunshine Coast are up around 4.2% over the past year, re-verified against 90+ sources in October 2026.Year on year
Average Landscaping Cost in Sunshine Coast
$78
per hour for standard residential work
Natural turf — supply & lay
$15–$39/sqm
Synthetic turf — supply & install
$48–$115/sqm
Retaining wall
$145–$485/sqm
Budget $53/hrAverage $78/hrPremium $105/hr
A basic backyard makeover on the Sunshine Coast, meaning new turf, fresh garden beds and a little simple paving over an existing yard, costs $4,850–$14,550, with $9,700 a typical figure. Landscaping a newly built home, starting from bare ground, is a much larger undertaking at $14,550–$58,200. For a few days of help rather than a fixed-price job, a landscaper charges $53–$105 an hour. Homes here run large: 39.4% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms, above the 34.8% national share (ABS 2021 Census). Measure your own yard before comparing quotes, because the per-square-metre lines in the table scale with every extra metre of lawn, bed and path. All prices include GST.
Quick answerLandscaping in Sunshine Coast costs $53–$105 /hr, with most averaging $78 /hr. GST included — verified October 2026. Get free Sunshine Coast quotes →
Detailed Pricing — Landscaping Cost in Sunshine Coast 2026
Service
Low
Typical
High
Landscaper (hourly rate)
$53/hr
$78
$105
Garden design / plan
$775per plan
$1,950
$4,850
Natural turf — supply & lay
$15/sqm
$27
$39
Synthetic turf — supply & install
$48/sqm
$73
$115
Retaining wall (timber sleeper)
$145/sqm
$290
$485
Retaining wall (concrete sleeper)
$240/sqm
$435
$680
Garden bed, new (soil prep, edging, plants + mulch)
$48/sqm
$97
$175
Irrigation system (automatic, multi-zone, front & back)
$2,425total
$3,875
$5,800
Paving / pavers
$58/sqm
$97
$155
Decking (hardwood)
$290/sqm
$485
$580
Basic backyard makeover
$4,850total
$9,700
$14,550
Full landscape (new home)
$14,550total
$38,800
$58,200
Irrigation — drip system, single zone for garden beds (incl. tap timer)
$775total
$1,350
$2,125
Bobcat or mini excavator with operator (per hour)
$87/hr
$105
$155
Green waste removal (one trailer or ute load)
$115total
$185
$310
Mulch, supplied and spread (per sqm, about 75 mm)
$8/sqm
$14
$23
Garden soil / topsoil, supplied and delivered (per cubic metre)
$68per cubic metre
$97
$145
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The gap between the two package bands is mostly structure. A makeover dresses up a yard that already has levels and drainage. A new-home landscape often starts from compacted fill and adds walls, paths, irrigation and sometimes a deck, so each hard item moves the total: pavers cost $58–$155 a square metre and hardwood decking $290–$580.
Sleeper walls and the one-metre rule
Timber sleeper walls for levelling a yard cost $145–$485 a square metre of wall face, and concrete sleepers more at $240–$680, but will not rot. Under Queensland rules, no building approval is needed for a wall only if its combined height with the retained soil is 1 m or less, no driveway or building bears on the ground behind, and there is at least 1.5 m clear to the house or another wall.
Protected trees and vegetation
Sunshine Coast Council protects some vegetation on private land, and damaging or removing it without a permit is an offence. A Development.i site report shows whether your property carries protected trees. You may clear within 3 metres of your side of a boundary fence, and Council's fee schedule lists vegetation clearing at $385. Carting the cuttings away costs $115–$310 per trailer or ute load.
February downpours, a dry September
The airport gauge averages 217.5 mm of rain in February, the wettest month, and only 51.1 mm in September (BOM averages). Excavation, walls and paving move fastest in the late-winter dry, when machine hire with an operator, at $87–$155 an hour, is less likely to sit idle. Fresh turf, laid for $15–$39 per square metre, roots quickly once the warm weather returns.
Watering a garden in climate zone 2
The coast sits in NCC climate zone 2, with warm, humid summers; January afternoons average 29.1 °C (BOM averages). Automatic irrigation across several zones, front and back, costs $2,425–$5,800, and a single drip zone on a tap timer for the beds $775–$2,125. Seqwater's tip is to keep watering to the cooler hours, before 8am or after 4pm, which a timer does without reminders.
Decks, pergolas and shade sails
Council requires a building permit for a deck, pergola, patio or shade sail that exceeds 10 m² in area, runs past 5 m on any side, or goes over a mean height of 2.1 m and a maximum of 2.4 m; a private certifier can confirm which side of the line yours falls. Any Queensland building work worth $3,300 or more needs a QBCC licence holder, so ask for the number before any structural item starts.
Design, soil and the finishing layers
A drawn plan, at $775–$4,850, pays its way on a big block with levels to settle. New beds, from soil preparation through to edging, plants and mulch, run $48–$175 a square metre. Topsoil arrives at $68–$145 a cubic metre, and a 75 mm blanket of mulch costs $8–$23 a square metre.
How to Save Money on Landscaping Cost in Sunshine Coast
1
Get each quote broken down item by item, from turf to green waste, so you can drop or delay one line without paying for a fresh quote.
2
Look up your address in Council's Development.i site report before any tree or shrub comes out.
3
Save the digging, walls and paving for the late-winter lull, when July, August and September bring the least rain at the airport gauge (BOM averages); turf and planting can follow as it warms up.
4
If a skip for the old garden will sit on the verge or road, apply for Council's temporary works permit early and allow at least 28 working days.
5
A sleeper wall holding back no more than a metre of soil, with nothing heavy above it and 1.5 m clear of the house, can be built without building approval.
6
With the BOM cyclone season spanning November to April, stake new trees firmly and plant tall species well away from the roof and power lines.
Sunshine Coast Landscaping Costs by Area
Coastal strip (Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore) — $5,000–$25,000. Salt-tolerant and wind-resistant species are essential. Compact lots favour low-maintenance tropical gardens. Pool landscaping and privacy hedging are the most common jobs.
Noosa / Tewantin / Cooroy — $8,000–$35,000. Premium pricing area. Noosa Council has specific vegetation guidelines in some areas. Native plantings are preferred. Larger blocks allow more ambitious designs.
Hinterland (Maleny, Montville, Mapleton) — $8,000–$40,000. Cooler microclimate supports a wider range of plants including temperate species. Sloping blocks need retaining walls and erosion management. Natural and bush-style gardens are popular.
Growth corridors (Aura, Palmview, Beerwah) — $5,000–$18,000. New estates needing landscaping from scratch. Flat blocks with easy access. Most competitive pricing due to volume.
Before you commit — compare your options
Side-by-side guides covering the decisions that most change your final landscaping cost.
Frequently Asked Questions — Landscaping Cost in Sunshine Coast
What do landscapers charge for commercial maintenance on the Sunshine Coast?
The Sunshine Coast table does not price commercial landscaping or maintenance contracts on its own. It has the hourly rate at $53–$105 an hour and a garden bed with plants and mulch at $48–$175 a square metre.
How much does a backyard makeover cost in Sunshine Coast?
In our Sunshine Coast table, a basic backyard makeover runs $4,850–$14,550, and $9,700 is typical.
What is a landscaper's hourly rate on the Sunshine Coast?
By the hour, our Sunshine Coast table has landscapers at $53–$105, with $78 typical.
What does a full landscape for a new home cost on the Sunshine Coast?
In our Sunshine Coast table, a full landscape for a new home runs $14,550–$58,200, and $38,800 is typical.
What does a garden bed with plants and mulch cost on the Sunshine Coast?
In our Sunshine Coast table, a garden bed with plants and mulch runs $48–$175 a square metre, and $97 is typical.
How much does a retaining wall cost from a landscaper on the Sunshine Coast?
In our Sunshine Coast table: a timber sleeper retaining wall $145–$485 a square metre and a concrete sleeper retaining wall $240–$680 a square metre.
How much does landscaping cost on the Sunshine Coast?
A basic backyard makeover runs $4,850–$14,550 in our Sunshine Coast table and a full landscape for a new home $14,550–$58,200; turf, garden beds, paving and retaining walls are each priced per square metre beside them. The mix of coastal and hinterland properties means landscaping needs vary a lot by location.
How much does turf cost on the Sunshine Coast?
Turf on the Sunshine Coast is $15–$39 per square metre supplied and laid in our table, typically $27, so a typical 100 m² lawn comes to about $1,500 to $3,900. Sir Walter Buffalo is the go-to for most Sunshine Coast gardens due to its shade tolerance and drought resistance. Zoysia is a premium alternative for slower-growing, fine-leaf lawns.
What plants grow best on the Sunshine Coast?
The Sunshine Coast's subtropical climate suits a wide range of plants. Native lilly pilly, lomandra, and dianella are popular for low-maintenance borders. Tropical species like heliconias, frangipani, and bird of paradise thrive in coastal areas. Hinterland gardens suit cooler-climate natives and subtropical rainforest species. Salt-tolerant plants are essential for beachside properties.
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 →
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