Harbourside slopes, terraces, apartments

Landscaping North Sydney

Gardens for steep harbour blocks and heritage streets

Landscaping North Sydney means working with the harbour and the slopes that run down to it. Around Kirribilli, McMahons Point, Waverton and Cremorne there are steep sandstone blocks, heritage terraces and semis, and a busy CBD full of apartments, so gardens range from cliffside terraces to planted balconies.

We build for all of it, from a harbour-view terrace to a courtyard on a tight lower North Shore block. It is part of our full landscaping service across the harbourside.

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CALL 0433 176 547

20+ yrs

Local experience

5.0 ★

From 88 reviews

467914C

Renovation licence

7 days

Open all week

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Harbourside and high-rise

Landscaping North Sydney’s harbour blocks

We build for all of it, from a harbour-view terrace to a courtyard on a tight lower North Shore block. It is part of our full landscaping service across the harbourside.

Landscaping North Sydney garden with a terraced deck, sandstone wall and harbour outlook on a steep block

Harbour-block trades

The services we run in North Sydney

Ten trades for steep sandstone harbour blocks, heritage terraces and apartment courtyards.

Landscaped garden design and build project in North Sydney

Landscape Design & Build North Sydney

North Sydney blocks are often steep, harbourside and tightly built, so we design to the slope and the view. Sandstone, heritage character and apartment courtyards each get a plan to suit. It is landscaping North Sydney owners can enjoy with a harbour outlook.

Freshly mulched garden bed in North Sydney

Mulching North Sydney

Terraced harbour beds and balcony planters both need mulch here, for different reasons. On the ground it holds moisture on free-draining sandstone soil, and in planters it stops fast drying in the harbour wind. We match it to the setting.

Stone courtyard paving at a North Sydney heritage terrace

Paving North Sydney

Steep, tight harbour blocks need paving laid with care, often by hand. We lay stone courtyards, terraces and steps on bases built for sandstone, and on balconies we work on pedestals over the membrane. Materials suit the heritage streets.

Weeded and tidied garden bed in North Sydney

Weeding North Sydney

Terraced gardens, heritage courtyards and planters all grow weeds, and we keep them clean. We clear beds, steps and paving on steep blocks and tidy balcony planters. Gardens stay sharp whether on the ground or up high.

Trimmed privacy hedge on a close North Sydney block

Hedge Trimming North Sydney

Screening buys privacy on close North Sydney blocks and softens harbour terraces. We shape dense hedges that hold privacy between tightly built homes and take the harbour breeze. Trimming keeps them neat against close boundaries.

Pebble drainage line on a terraced North Sydney block

Pebbles North Sydney

Pebbles finish terraced beds and carry run-off down steep harbour blocks. We use them in courtyards, along boundaries and as dry drainage lines on the fall to the water. The look is clean and suits the sandstone setting.

Cantilevered deck framing the harbour on a steep North Sydney block

Decking North Sydney

A deck wins level, usable space and frames the harbour on a steep North Sydney block. We build hardwood and composite decks that cantilever over a fall, and pedestal decks on apartment balconies. Each is set out for the slope and the view.

Sandstone retaining wall terracing a steep North Sydney harbour block

Retaining Walls North Sydney

Steep sandstone harbour blocks need serious retaining to make flat space. We build sandstone and block retaining walls that terrace the fall with proper drainage. Structural walls are engineered and lodged with North Sydney Council.

Green waste and garden rubbish cleared in North Sydney

Rubbish Removal North Sydney

Steep, tight harbour blocks and apartments both make waste hard to shift. We hand-clear green waste, old structures and debris and cart it out, even up and down stairs and lifts. One visit leaves it clean.

Artificial turf on a North Sydney apartment balcony

Turf Laying North Sydney

A small lawn softens a terraced harbour garden, but the ground needs prep first. We improve the sandstone soil, level the space and lay a hardy lawn, or set up quality artificial turf on a balcony where soil is not an option.

Harbour, sandstone, terraces

The harbour conditions we plan for

Steep harbour blocks and sandstone set the plan. Watering follows Sydney Water restrictions, and structural work on the harbour slopes is checked with North Sydney Council.

Steep sandstone block falling toward the harbour in North Sydney

Steep blocks falling to the harbour

Many North Sydney blocks drop sharply toward the water, so terracing, retaining and decking create the usable space.

Sandstone bedrock near the surface

Sandstone sits close under harbourside blocks, which shapes what can be dug and how walls are founded.

Heritage terraces and semis

Kirribilli, Waverton and McMahons Point hold heritage homes that call for a sympathetic, considered approach.

Tight blocks and apartment courtyards

The CBD and close streets bring small courtyards and balconies, with tight access and often no soil at all.

Trusted region-wide

The North Shore’s trusted garden team

20+ years

Landscaping Sydney since the early 2000s

5.0 stars

Averaged across 88 customer reviews

Licence 467914C

Held under the Home Renovation Licence scheme

Open 7 days

Quotes and work any day of the week

Free quotes

On-site, no-obligation pricing

On a harbour block

How a North Sydney job runs on a harbour block

Step 1

On-site slope check

We read the fall, the sandstone and the outlook, and plan access on a tight block.

Step 2

Itemised quote

You get a clear, no-obligation price with every part spelt out.

Step 3

Retain, then build

We terrace and retain to make level space before decking and planting.

Step 04

Plant and clear away

We plant for the harbour aspect, finish the surfaces and cart all waste out.

North Sydney basics

North Sydney questions we hear

Steep harbour blocks, heritage terraces and balconies are very different jobs, so we work out the cost after a free site visit. Quotes are itemised with no obligation.

Yes, steep sandstone blocks falling to the harbour are much of our North Sydney work. We terrace, retain and deck to make level, usable space with a view.

Yes. Around Kirribilli and Waverton we take a considered approach that suits the era, keeping good existing structure where we can.

Yes, balcony and courtyard gardens are part of our work here. We design within weight limits, protect the waterproofing and use planters and pedestals.

We hold Home Renovation Licence 467914C and bring over 20 years of work. We do not currently advertise insurance, so please confirm any building or strata cover requirements with us directly.

Yes, difficult harbourside access is normal for us. We hand-carry materials and use compact gear where machines will not fit. Call 0433 176 547 or use the form for a free quote.

Recent harbourside work

Recent North Sydney harbourside work

A snapshot of harbour terraces, heritage courtyards and balcony gardens.

Terraced harbour-view garden on a North Sydney block

Heritage courtyard garden at a North Sydney terrace

Planted apartment balcony garden in North Sydney

Local coverage throughout North Sydney

Professional landscaping across North Sydney

Landscaping Cremorne
Landscaping Cremorne Point
Landscaping Crows Nest

Landscaping Kirribilli
Landscaping Neutral Bay
Landscaping Waverton

Landscaping Cammeray
Landscaping Kurraba Point
Landscaping Lavender Bay

Landscaping McMahons Point
Landscaping Milsons Point
Landscaping Wollstonecraft

Gardener Lavender Bay
Gardener Wollstonecraft
Gardener Cammeray
Gardener Cremorne

Gardener Cremorne Point
Gardener Crows Nest
Gardener Kirribilli

Gardener Kurraba Point
Gardener McMahons Point
Gardener Milsons Point

Gardener Neutral Bay
Gardener St Leonards
Gardener Waverton

Paving Cammeray
Paving Cremorne
Paving Cremorne Point
Paving Crows Nest

Paving Kirribilli
Paving Kurraba Point
Paving Lavender Bay

Paving McMahons Point
Paving Milsons Point
Paving Neutral Bay

Paving St Leonards
Paving Waverton
Paving Wollstonecraft

OUR CLIENTS

What Our Clients Say

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   JOHN DUKE 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We were very pleased with the work done, it has made a safe and tidy garden.Barry and his crew were very friendly and very obliging with any changes to our first planning conversations, I thoroughly recommend A Bargain Gardener. The before and after photos show the amazing transformation.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Bridie Vaughan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Barry and his team did a fantastic job on our landscaping project. The quality of the work was excellent, and we've had so many compliments on the finished result. He was friendly, flexible with changes along the way, and a pleasure to work with. Highly recommend!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Sun Andrew 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great service, reasonable price
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Antony Wright 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great professional job will definately call again for future work.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ray Adel 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Barry did an excellent job on the concrete and gardening work at my property. He was professional, reliable, and paid close attention to detail throughout the project. The concrete work came out great, and the landscaping improvements really enhanced the appearance of the property. Barry communicated clearly, showed up when he said he would, and left everything clean and tidy when the work was completed. It’s obvious that he takes pride in his work and cares about delivering quality results at an affordable price. I would highly recommend Barry to anyone looking for concrete, landscaping, or general property improvement work. I’ll definitely be reaching out to him again for future projects.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jenny Heasman 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Friendly, efficient service.  Extremely good quality work.  Very happy customers
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Gary Avery 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great job, prompt & efficient. Recommend!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Wendy Mcintosh 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Barry came out and went above and beyond doing paving for us. So happy with result. Would not hesitate in recommending him and his team. Fantastc
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Rosemary Monin 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recommend Barry and his team at A Bargain Gardener. What set him apart from others is that he promptly answered our inquiry, came to quote and set a start date within a matter of days. He relaid our old pavers in herringbone style, paying attention to detail as well as giving advice on the type of grass to put down. The whole job came together very well and we are pleased with his work and the outcome. What was a messy area is now a tidy, functional courtyard. Thank you Barry!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Prakash Wilson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We were extremely happy with the garden service provided. The team did an excellent job clearing our side pathways and installing pebbles and stepping stones, as well as creating shaded areas to protect our plants. They also installed a new sprinkler system and planted lily pilly plants to create a natural privacy screen from our neighbours. Their focus on quality really stood out and they were friendly, hardworking and completed everything on time. The end result is great quality work and has completely transformed our garden. Highly recommended!!

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Ask for a quote

Request your North Sydney quote

Harbour terrace, heritage courtyard or apartment balcony, we build for the slope and the view. Tell us about your North Sydney block for a free, no-obligation quote.

Get Your Free Quote

CALL 0433 176 547

See every area we cover on the suburbs page.