Pool surrounds, coping and pool paving, pool fencing, planting and entertaining areas that tie a new or existing pool into the rest of the garden.
Request a Quote
A pool is only as good as the space around it. We build the full surround: coping, paving, drainage, garden beds, screening and the areas where you dry off and relax. We work with natural stone such as travertine, granite and bluestone, as well as porcelain pavers. Each one is laid on a compacted crushed rock base with a fall that sends water away from the pool shell. Our paving and natural stone work starts with choosing a finish that stays grippy under wet, bare feet and stays cool enough to walk on in January.
Conditions on the Mornington Peninsula are hard on pool areas. Salt air drifts in from the bay and Bass Strait. Splash from saltwater chlorinated pools soaks into soft stone and grout. Weather can turn from sunny to wet in an afternoon, and the cool, damp winters let moss and algae build up on shaded pavers. We seal stone with a penetrating sealer suited to salt exposure. Where barrier fittings or fixings are needed near the coast, we use marine-grade stainless steel. Our planting plans use salt-tolerant, low-litter species so your skimmer box is not full of leaves every autumn.
Plenty of homes here sit on a slope, from the sandy blocks near the bay to the red volcanic soils in the hinterland. A sloping block often needs retaining walls to create a level pool platform, plus a plan for where stormwater will go after heavy rain. We think about the whole layout before we start. That covers where the pump and filter will sit, where the non-climbable zone around the pool barrier falls, and how people will move from the house to the water without walking grass clippings or sand into the pool.
From site levels and drainage through to coping, paving and planting
We measure the levels around your pool and check the soil type, whether that is sandy coastal ground or heavier hinterland clay. We map where stormwater runs now and where it needs to go. We also mark the pool barrier line and its non-climbable zone so the design does not cause compliance problems later.
We dig out the surround to the right depth, then lay and compact a crushed rock base in layers with a plate compactor. Strip drains and pipework go in at this stage, linked to the stormwater system. Any retaining walls or steps needed to level a sloping block are built now.
We set the coping on a mortar bed with a consistent overhang over the pool edge, then lay the paving with even joints and steady falls. Stone is cut wet to keep edges clean and chips to a minimum. Once the grout has cured, we apply a penetrating sealer to protect against salt, chlorine and staining.
We plant garden beds with salt-tolerant, low-litter species, keeping them clear of the non-climbable zone. We add mulch or gravel that will not wash into the pool, and finish any equipment enclosures and lighting. We then clean the site and walk you through sealing and care for your surfaces.
Safer surfaces, less maintenance and a pool area you will actually use
Slip-resistant paving and coping give wet, bare feet better grip, which matters when kids are running laps of the pool. Good falls and strip drains move splash water away fast, so puddles do not sit and grow algae through the cooler months.
Low-litter plants and sensible bed placement mean fewer leaves and less mulch in the water and skimmer. Sealed stone resists salt marks, sunscreen stains and moss, so your weekend is spent swimming rather than scrubbing.
Paving, decking, shade and screening all work together, so the pool becomes part of the backyard rather than a hole in the lawn. You get somewhere to sit, dry off and entertain, with privacy from neighbours and shelter from the afternoon wind.
Sandy soils near the bay and clay-heavy ground in the hills behave very differently under a paved surround. We prepare the base and drainage to suit your block, which helps prevent pavers sinking or cracking over time.
We choose and seal materials with salt exposure in mind, from sea air to saltwater chlorinator splash. Coping is set with clean cuts and steady falls, so the pool edge looks sharp and sheds water properly.
We plan garden beds, walls and steps around the pool fence's non-climbable zone from day one. That saves you from having to rip out plants or rebuild features before a barrier inspection.
We also build retaining walls, decking, pergolas, outdoor kitchens and driveways. Your pool surround can tie in with the rest of the yard without you managing several separate contractors.
Common questions answered
Dense stones like granite and bluestone, along with good quality porcelain, handle salt well. Travertine is also popular and stays cooler underfoot, but it needs sealing to keep salt and dirt out of its pores. We will talk you through the look, feel and upkeep of each option on site.
We usually start once the shell is finished and the pool builder has completed their work around the edge, including any bond beam and plumbing. It helps to bring us in early so we can coordinate coping heights, equipment placement and drainage with your pool builder. Changeable spring weather can affect concrete and grout work, so we plan around forecasts.
The main factors are the paving area, the stone you choose, the amount of excavation and how much the block slopes. Retaining walls, drainage, decking, pergolas and fencing coordination all add to the scope. We give you an itemised quote after we have seen the site, so you can see where the money goes.
Not anywhere you like. Pool barrier rules require a non-climbable zone around the fence, so plants, pots, retaining walls and furniture that a child could climb need to stay clear of it. We design beds and screening around these zones so your pool barrier can still pass inspection.
Sweep regularly so leaves do not sit and stain the stone, and keep strip drains clear. Shaded areas can grow moss during damp months, so a gentle clean with a suitable outdoor cleaner helps. Resealing as needed keeps salt and moisture from soaking in, and we can advise on timing for your stone.
We provide Pool Landscaping throughout the Mornington Peninsula, VIC and surrounding suburbs.
Don't see your area? Contact us to check if we service your location!
View All AreasExplore our other services
Design-and-construct landscaping managed as one project: complete backyard transformations, new-home landscapes and major renovations, combining paving, walls, turf, planting, drainage and outdoor living in a single scope.
Learn More →
Engineered and feature retaining walls in stone, block and timber for sloping blocks, coastal sites and hinterland properties, usually built as part of a wider landscape project rather than as a standalone wall.
Learn More →
Premium paving and natural stonework: bluestone, sandstone, travertine and porcelain pavers for terraces, courtyards, paths, steps and pool areas.
Learn More →
Exposed aggregate, burnished and honed concrete for driveways, paths, slabs and entertaining areas, finished to suit the house and landscape.
Learn More →