Mark Smith • April 18, 2025
Author: Mark Smith
Reading Time: 2 minutes
The Forgotten Craft That Instantly Adds Value, Character, and Soul to Your Landscape
From paddock to perfection – how stonemasonry keeps me grounded
There’s something about stone that just sticks with you. I didn’t set out to become a stonemason—truth be told, I was thrown into the deep end. One of the first landscapers I worked for up here in the Northern Rivers had me building stone walls. No formal training. Just me, a bunch of seasoned old tradies, and a steep learning curve. It was one of those "learn as you go" situations. But the skills stuck—and
I’ve been shaping stone now for over 25 years.
Handpicked, Not Mass Produced
Around Byron, we’re lucky. The volcanic history of the area (cheers, Mount Warning) means there’s basalt everywhere. Not just any stone—this is premium, volcanic, igneous rock with serious character.
Most of the stone I use is handpicked straight from paddocks or quarries. I’m looking for pieces with a flat face—that’s the gold standard when you’re building a wall.
A good flat surface makes all the difference. The less you have to grind or cut it down, the better the flow, the faster the build, and the more natural it looks.
We do use diamond-blade wet saws and grinders to fine-tune things, but the magic’s in the selection. It’s like picking the right players for a team—you need each stone to play its part.
Why Natural Stone Wins Every Time
Look, you could go for brick or rendered block work, but it just doesn’t have the soul. A natural stone wall—especially basalt—feels grounded, timeless, and quietly powerful. It weathers beautifully. Moss and lichen grow over time, and instead of looking tired, it blends right into the landscape like it’s always been there.
We sometimes use sandstone, but up here it tends to blacken and go a bit mouldy with the humidity. Basalt just holds its own. There’s a raw elegance to it that I love.
Not Just Walls—They’re Sculptures
I don’t build stone walls just for the sake of structure. For me, it’s about weaving stone into the broader landscape design. I’m not chasing the perfectly symmetrical architectural look. I’m more interested in flow—curved walls, Rainbow Serpent-inspired forms, organic lines that feel connected to the land.
I guess you could say I’m a landscaper who builds stone walls with a creative twist. I want them to feel like part of the story, not just a backdrop.
The Reality Behind the Craft
People often don’t realise how labour-intensive stonework is. It’s fiddly, it’s physical, and it takes years to master. I can knock out a good wall fairly quickly these days, but it’s not easy finding others who can.
Most experienced stonemasons are working for themselves, and the younger guys need time to develop the eye and the rhythm.
It’s a bit like creating a giant mosaic—every piece matters.
Sharing the Journey
One thing I’ve been trying to get better at is capturing the process—photos, videos, the behind-the-scenes stuff. It’s hard when you’re managing a site and juggling the logistics, but people love seeing the raw side of things. The paddock-to-project story. The creative mess before the magic happens.
So I’ll be sharing more of that soon—some mid-build shots, maybe even a few videos if I can wrangle one of the boys to play cameraman.
Final Thoughts
Building stone walls isn’t just part of my job—it’s part of who I am. It’s physical, creative, and deeply grounding. In a world full of fast fixes and prefab everything, there’s something incredibly rewarding about doing things with intent and integrity. The slow, deliberate way.
Stone has a memory, and every wall tells a story.
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💐 Garden Maintenance
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🪵 Retaining Walls (Timber & Stone)
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Speak to Mark today to get a design consultation!
