Acreage Garden Design in Byron Bay 

Designed for Scale, Built for Serenity

Secure your acreage garden design consultation and receive a masterplan drawn from your land's natural topography, view lines and subtropical climate.

Bespoke designs for bush properties, hinterland estates and acreage blocks across the Byron Shire

Creative landscaping with 28+ years garden design experience

Receive a construction-ready masterplan and 3D renders

Founder, Mark Smith, personally attends every site visit

Show Me My Block's Potential

No obligation to build with Gondwana.

28+ Years Experience

5 Star Rated

In-House Landscape Designers

Remote Project Management Available

Denise Ody

"Mark took the landscape design and added his creative flare and vision which truely transformed our one acre property.

Leith Johnston

Mark’s vision and design totally transformed our property from ho-hum to WOW!

Jamie Smallwood

"Mark takes landscape design to the next level, as far as art installations. Which will add that final touch to your property.

Acreage Garden Design Starts With the Land Itself

After 28 years and hundreds of large garden landscaping projects across Byron Bay, Gondwana does one thing before anything else: we read the land.


Your acreage landscape design will be drawn from your block's aspect, natural view lines, prevailing microclimates and existing ecology. The result is a garden that ages with the land rather than against it.


With Gondwana, You'll Receive:

Your Vision Amplified

Many acreage owners arrive with a strong instinct but no clear plan. The Gondwana design process turns that instinct into a documented, buildable vision.

A Landscape Designed for Your Climate

Every design decision reflects local knowledge of endemic planting, rewilding, and biodiversity.

Complete Design Documentation

A masterplan, planting plan, materials palette, levels plan, drainage design and construction documentation you own.

Show Me My Block's Potential

Design for Scale and Serenity

Wandering stone pathways that follow the natural contour, a vegetable garden beds within easy reach of the kitchen, outdoor living spaces that take advantage of the view, and nooks to sit for as long as the afternoon allows.


Endemic species are layered from trees to ground cover, reconstructing the ecology the land remembers. Native birds find their way back. The garden holds its shape with minimal effort through the wet season and the dry.

Show Me My Block's Potential

Every Gondwana acreage design is drawn from the land and built to belong.

Our Design Process

3 Steps to Your Designed Acreage

A transparent, structured consultation process from first site visit to a construction-ready acreage garden design.

Step 1: Site Visit and Site Analysis

Mark attends your property to read the land: drainage lines, aspect, prevailing winds, microclimates, soil type, existing vegetation and view lines.

Step 2: Design Development and Masterplan

The acreage landscape design is drawn. You receive a concept design plan with 3D perspectives, a curated materials palette, a planting plan for review.

Step 3: Landscape Construction

Your approved design becomes reality. We handle the project from earthworks to the final plant. Relax in your completed paradise.

Request A Site Visit

Materials are selected from the local region. Ideas are drawn from the land itself. The result is a landscape that belongs to its place.

Project Feature Coopers Shoot

How We Turned an Unusable Slope Into a Landscape Worth Walking Down To

The Coopers Shoot block had a steep pitch away from the house, a drainage problem the previous owners had worked around rather than solved, and nothing outside worth staying for after dark.


Gondwana developed a levels plan with structural retaining walls, integrated drainage and stormwater design into the grading plan, and built a zoning strategy that gave each part of the site a clear function. Native planting established the ecology of the new levels. At the centre, a fire pit and gathering space that makes the hill the destination rather than the obstacle.


Our acreage garden design process turns a block's constraints into its character.

Before


Steep slope. No usable entertaining space. Drainage issues throughout.

After


Terraced outdoor sanctuary with fire pit, native planting, and engineered stormwater management.

Show Me What's Possible on My Block

WHAT WE DESIGN & BUILD

Complete Acreage Garden Design for Byron Shire Properties

  • Masterplan and Concept Design

    Full concept design with spatial zoning, 3D perspectives and design intent documentation developed before a single stone is moved.

  • Drainage, Grading and Levels

    Site grading, drainage design, runoff management and stormwater solutions resolved in the design phase and fully documented for construction.

  • Retaining Walls and Terracing

    Structural retaining walls in natural stone, terracing and changes of level designed as landscape features. Built to perform through wet seasons and last for decades.

  • Paving, Pathways and Driveway Design

    Natural stone paving, gravel pathways, arrival sequences and driveway design that connect the property and move water responsibly.

  • Planting Plan and Planting Schedule

    A complete planting plan with native, endemic and subtropical species selected for your block's specific soil type, wind exposure and aspect. Full planting schedule formatted for construction.

  • Privacy Screening and View Lines

    Structural tree planting and privacy screening that frames the property's best views, shelters outdoor living areas and manages wind exposure through the seasons.

  • Outdoor Living, Pool Integration and Pergola

    Outdoor living spaces, pool integration, pergola and outdoor amenities designed around how the property is actually used, not how it looks on a plan.



  • Irrigation Zones and Garden Lighting

    Irrigation zones designed by plant water need, waterwise planting principles and integrated garden lighting for long-term, low-maintenance performance.

Start With A Consultation

Who We Work With

Gondwana Acreage Garden Design Is for You If...

You want to rewild the land

Bespoke designs that restore local biodiversity, establish wildlife corridors and build plant communities from endemic and local plants.

You bought the acreage. The garden design hasn't happened yet.

Large blocks are often raw land for years after purchase. A Gondwana masterplan gives the property a clear direction, whether you build now or in three years.

You are managing a remote or hinterland project

Every design package includes clear documentation and upfront quoting. Designed to work with your own builder or ours.

You have a drainage or erosion problem

A site analysis and levels plan that integrates drainage design, stormwater management, engineered retaining, runoff management and erosion control into a cohesive acreage landscape design.

I'm Ready To Design My Land

Featured Projects Across the Byron Shire

See These Acreage Garden Designs That Changed the Way Our Clients Live

Our garden design gallery spans large and challenging blocks across the Byron Bay Shire. Each one was designed to make the most of its slope, scale, soil type and existing ecology.

FIXED-SCOPE ACREAGE DESIGN PACKAGE

A Gondwana Masterplan Gives Your Land a Clear Vision Before Construction Begins

A Gondwana masterplan is a professionally documented acreage garden design you can build whenever the time is right, with any builder you choose.



What you walk away with:

Bespoke acreage landscape design grounded in your block's site analysis, aspect, soil type and natural ecology

Concept design with 3D perspectives showing your outdoor living spaces before anything is committed to the ground

Complete masterplan with scope of works, levels plan, drainage design, materials palette, planting plan and planting schedule your builder can quote from directly

Many Gondwana clients use their masterplan for DA submissions, property sales or simply to have a considered acreage garden design in place long before construction conversations begin.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN PACKAGE

A Masterplan for Your Acreage Vision

Phase 01: Concept Design - You See the Vision

You receive a vivid concept plan that brings your acreage garden design to life before a single stone is laid.

On-Site Consultation: Mark walks your property personally to develop an intimate understanding of the site's drainage patterns, aspect, microclimates, view lines, circulation and your lifestyle goals.

Concept Design Plan: A detailed landscape design plan with spatial zoning, design intent notes and reference imagery across hardscape and softscape.

3D Perspective Views: You won't have to "imagine" the result; you’ll see exactly how the light hits your stone walls and how your plants will layer over time.

Curated Materials Palette: Locally sourced natural materials selected for your climate, your land and the character you are building across the property.

Planting Plan for Review: A native and subtropical garden design palette suited to your block's specific soil type, aspect, wind exposure and microclimate conditions.

One Revision Round Included: Your feedback is built into the process, ensuring the concept design reflects your vision before design development moves to full documentation.

Phase 02: Masterplan - You Get the Blueprint

A complete set of design documentation your builder or contractor can quote from directly.

Detailed Design & Masterplan: A full site masterplan with levels plan, drainage design, stormwater management layout, hardscape layout, pathways, driveway design, retaining walls, terracing and outdoor amenities.

Full Construction Documentation: Technical drawings, specifications and grading plans with the accuracy required for landscape construction, contractor quoting and DA submissions.

Planting Plan & Plant Schedule: Full planting design with species names, quantities, spacing, maintenance access notes and guidance on waterwise planting, revegetation, wildlife corridor design and coastal planting where relevant.

Staging Plan: A staged construction sequence that aligns with your budget and timeline without compromising the integrity of the overall design.

Irrigation Zones and Lighting Plan: Integrated irrigation zones designed by plant water need and garden lighting recommendations for long-term, low-maintenance performance.

Construction Quote: A transparent, fixed-scope quote for full landscape construction with Gondwana.

Yes! I Want My Masterplan

HIGHEST QUALITY ACREAGE GARDEN DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION IN BYRON BAY AND THE NORTHERN RIVERS

Landscape Design

Collaborate with our experienced landscape designers to create a personalised concept design and master plan. Tailored landscape plans meet local council requirements in Byron Bay, NSW, and beyond.

Landscape Construction

Structural innovation in stone masonry, retaining walls, and pool construction. Incorporating eco-friendly solutions like irrigation systems and stunning garden lighting.

Garden Maintenance

Keep your outdoor area lush and thriving with expert plant care. Perfect for residential landscape design across the north coast of NSW, including New Brighton and South Golden Beach.

Full scope includes concept design, construction documentation and planting design across Byron Bay and the Northern Rivers.

Book A Design Consultation

In-house landscape construction, decks, hardscape, grading, and earthworks.



Explore Construction Services

Artisan stonework, retaining walls, paving, and structural features using locally sourced natural materials.

Explore Stonemasonry

About Us

The Team Behind Gondwana Landscaping and Stone

Founded by Mark Smith, a skilled landscape designer and stonemason with over 28 years of experience, Gondwana Landscaping and Stone is built on connecting to country.


Mark and his team are recognised across the Byron Shire for bespoke acreage garden designs that reflect a deep knowledge of the region's subtropical conditions, informed by relationships with local ecology.

Book A Design Consultation

What It Is Like To Work with Gondwana

From the initial consultation to the final handover, our clients are extremely satisfied with the results.

 Mark was a pleasure to work with and took my vision and added to it with his experience and knowledge. He was always pleasant, communicative and responsive and the final product is amazing. I would highly recommend him to work on any landscaping dreams you have.

Verified Customer

Mark and his team did an amazing job landscaping an area for my sauna. He was professional, creative and a pleasure to work with. The results were beyond my expectations. And although we ended up using more materials than his quote called for, the time it took was less so overall the invoice was around 10% less than the quote!

I Would totally recommend Mark.

Verified Customer

Janine Crampton

This is the second time Mark has done work for me and I wouldn’t go to anyone else for my landscaping needs. He really knows his stuff,  understanding what I wanted even when I wasn’t quite sure myself, and was respectful of the limitations of my budget. His team is a pleasure to have around and I couldn’t be happier with the end result of their work.

Verified Customer

Jamie Smallwood

Gondwana Landscaping- Hands down, best team in town! Mark takes landscape design to the next level, as far as art installations. Which will add that final touch to your property.
I had Gondwana transform my outdoor living areas; paving, fire pit, and gardens. Highlights being the epic stacked stone walls meandering through the gardens, Mark’s stone masonry skills are exceptional. I highly recommend Mark and the team at Gondwana for the full spectrum of professionalism and execution of any sized project.

Verified Customer

Frequently asked questions

  • What does an acreage garden design process involve?

    The Gondwana process begins with a thorough site analysis: Mark walks your property personally, reading drainage patterns, aspect, microclimates, soil type and existing vegetation. That reading informs the concept design, which is then developed into a complete masterplan with construction documentation, planting schedule and staging plan. The consultation process is transparent, structured and documented from the first site visit through to construction.

  • What makes acreage garden design different from standard residential landscaping?

    Scale changes everything. An acreage block requires a zoning strategy, a considered circulation and arrival sequence, drainage and stormwater design across a larger catchment, and a planting approach built on plant communities rather than individual specimens. Maintenance access, irrigation zones and the relationship between cultivated garden areas and natural bush all demand a more detailed design process. Engaging a landscape architect or landscape designer with genuine acreage experience is the most direct way to avoid the common mistakes made on large blocks.

  • How does Gondwana approach drainage and erosion control on large blocks?

    Drainage is treated as a design condition, not a retrofit. The levels plan and stormwater design are developed as part of the masterplan, integrating grading, runoff management, drainage easements, road reserves, footpath zones, nature strips, retaining walls and erosion control into a cohesive strategy. Where Council requirements apply, Gondwana manages compliance documentation as part of the project scope.

  • Do I need to be ready to build to commission an acreage garden design?

    No. Many Gondwana clients commission a masterplan well before they are ready for construction. The design documentation is useful for DA submissions, builder quoting, property sales or simply having a considered plan in place. There is no obligation to proceed to construction and no pressure to do so on any particular timeline.

  • Can you design for bush properties and hinterland acreages?

    Yes. Gondwana's acreage garden design work covers bush properties, hinterland estates, coastal planting environments and rural blocks across the Northern Rivers, including terrain that requires specific knowledge of erosion-prone slopes, waterwise planting in high-rainfall conditions and native garden design informed by local plant community ecology. Site visits are available across Byron Bay, Brunswick Heads, Ocean Shores, Suffolk Park and surrounding areas.

  • How much does an acreage garden design package cost?

    Gondwana's landscape design package starts from $3,300 for courtyards and smaller areas, $5,500 for residential blocks between 600 and 1,200 square metres, and $6,500 or more for acreage and larger estates. Your exact investment is confirmed following your on-site consultation. What you receive is a complete design documentation package you own outright: concept design, 3D perspectives, detailed masterplan, construction documentation, planting plan and planting schedule.

  • Can the masterplan be used with my own builder?

    Yes. Your masterplan is yours. The construction documentation, materials palette, planting schedule and staging plan are produced to a standard that any qualified contractor can quote from accurately. If you later decide to build with Gondwana, that option is available. The design package is a complete, standalone deliverable either way.

Ready to Give Your Acreage the Design It Deserves?

Start with a consultation to see if Gondwana is the right fit.


  • Full concept design with 3D perspectives
  • Construction-ready masterplan and full documentation
  • Native planting plan, drainage design, and levels plan
  • Packages from $3,300 - Confirmed at consultation
Secure Your Design Consultation

Limited availability as Mark personally attends every site visit.


OR Call Gondwana directly on 0466 227 794