A garden designed to thrive in the northern Sydney beach town of Clareville

Landscape design by Fifth Season Landscapes.

Located along the shores of Clareville Beach in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, this coastal property has been transformed into a garden retreat by the team at Fifth Season Landscapes. Originally a holiday home, the property sat on a generous 700m² block but featured a one-dimensional garden that struggled due to poor plant selection, inconsistent light and harsh coastal conditions.

Having relocated from the Upper North Shore, the homeowners wanted to create a relaxed outdoor environment. As garden enthusiasts, they were particularly focused on the planting design, and ensuring it suited both the style of their newly renovated home and the site specific requirements.

The Brief

The landscape design was shaped by two key inspirations: the natural setting of Clareville Beach and the homeowners’ appreciation for intriguing and eclectic planting.

The property’s beachfront location provided the opportunity to incorporate the concept of “borrowed landscapes”. The uninterrupted backdrop of Clareville Beach influenced the design approach, encouraging a sense of connection between the garden and the wider coastal surroundings, as well as the relaxed feeling that comes with beachfront living.

Practical elements focused on maximising outdoor spaces, with the backyard seamlessly extending from the indoor living area, featuring a built-in cooking station, water sports storage, informal seating and outdoor showers. The front garden prioritised accessibility, offering easy movement while maintaining privacy and structure.

Aesthetically, the planting design was curated to create a layered, inviting landscape. A contemporary coastal style was adopted, blending clean lines with raw materials to complement both the home and the surrounding environment.

Additionally, two large existing Norfolk Island Pines framed the rear garden beautifully, but their presence required careful planning. A considered planting palette was selected to thrive beneath the trees, accounting for heavy leaf drop and the mature root system. In the front yard, the southern aspect posed another challenge, but it also allowed for the creation of a private, welcoming space that balanced impact and function.

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The Transformation

The redesign of this garden focused on creating a flow between indoor and outdoor living while maintaining an open, coastal feel. Low-profile fencing and resilient plantings subtly defined the rear garden’s boundary without obstructing beach views, while the front garden’s layered design provided privacy and softened the home’s architecture.

The garden was designed to be both relaxed and resilient, reflecting the homeowners’ lifestyle while addressing the unique challenges of the coastal site.

Banksia integrifolia was used as a feature tree in the front yard, providing vertical scale while allowing natural light to reach the understory planting beneath its sparse canopy.

Zoysia tenuifolia (‘no mow grass’) played a key role in connecting the space, used within the formed concrete panels and in mass plantings throughout the front garden to add softness, texture and contrast. Pre-grown ’tiles’ of it were cut to size and placed between paved areas to create an immediate impact.

These were paired with Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice plant), whose grey-green foliage provides striking contrast against the lush ground cover and muted tones of the landscape. It also serves as a backdrop to the garden’s concrete and timber elements.

Formed concrete was used throughout to shape the space, from large-format walkways and integrated seating to a custom-built cooking station. The entry pathway, softened by Zoysia tenuifolia weaving between burnished concrete stepping stones, adds texture and visual interest. Durable and versatile, the raw concrete elements bring a contemporary touch that complements the natural timber and planting palette.

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The Result

The success of this landscape scheme is found in the planting design. A curated selection of predominantly native species demonstrates how a resilient and visually striking garden can thrive in challenging coastal conditions. Each plant was hand-picked for its ability to withstand the elements, and to contribute to the overall aesthetic.

Alongside the planting, bespoke structural elements bring both definition and functionality to the property. The design subtly merges the coastal and bushland settings, reinforcing the relaxed, natural character of the space.

This is a garden designed to be experienced — whether gathering around the fire pit, strolling across the open lawn, or simply sinking into the softness of the beachside landscape.

It’s a setting best enjoyed barefoot, where the blend of beach and bush invites you to slow down, take a breath and embrace the essence of coastal living.