Landscaping & Garden Design in Seaforth
Many Seaforth blocks fall steeply towards Middle Harbour or bushland, so a good garden here starts with solid structure. We design and build sandstone retaining walls, timber decks, terraced lawns and native planting for Seaforth, Balgowlah, Clontarf and Allambie Heights homes, including our Seaforth Crescent project. $20M insured, 10+ years experience.
Across the Spit Bridge
Based in Neutral Bay
$20M Public Liability
Fully insured
Licensed & Qualified
Landscaping & Horticulture
100% In-House Teams
Never subcontractors
Landscaping Seaforth — Slopes, Sandstone & Harbour Air
Seaforth sits on the eastern side of Middle Harbour, stretching from the Spit Bridge up towards the bushland of Garigal National Park. Many blocks drop away to the water or a bushland reserve, with sandstone close to the surface, so landscaping here usually starts with levels, retaining and drainage before the planting that softens it.
Our Seaforth Crescent project shows the kind of work we do here. We transformed an overgrown, underused backyard into a coastal sanctuary, with multi-level sandstone retaining walls, a lush native plant palette that thrives in coastal salt air, and extensive timber decking to extend the outdoor living space.
See the Seaforth Crescent project →
What Shapes a Seaforth Garden
Sloping blocks, sandstone, salt air and bushland neighbours. These are the conditions we plan for across Seaforth, Balgowlah, Clontarf and Allambie Heights.
Slopes & Sandstone
Many Seaforth and Clontarf blocks fall away from the street towards Middle Harbour, often with sandstone just below the surface. We terrace these sites with sandstone retaining walls, steps and proper drainage to create flat lawn and entertaining space. Seaforth is in the Northern Beaches Council area, where walls over 600mm can need approval, and we'll advise and manage it.
Retaining walls →Bushland Neighbours
Plenty of homes in Seaforth, North Balgowlah and Allambie Heights back onto bushland, whether that's Garigal National Park, the bush around Manly Dam or the Burnt Bridge Creek corridor. We favour local natives that blend with the bush, avoid invasive species that spread into reserves, and manage runoff so stormwater doesn't scour slopes or carry soil into creeks.
Garden beds & planting →Decks on Sloping Blocks
On a steep site, a timber deck is often the simplest way to create flat, usable space and take in the view without major excavation. We build decks with fixings suited to salt air and tie them into the retaining walls and planting around them, as we did at Seaforth Crescent, where extensive timber decking extends the outdoor living space.
Timber decking →Seaforth & Surrounding Suburbs
We provide landscaping throughout Seaforth and its neighbouring suburbs.
📍 Seaforth
2092Retaining walls, timber decks and native gardens for Seaforth's sloping blocks above Middle Harbour.
📍 Balgowlah
2093Garden makeovers, lawn care and regular garden maintenance for Balgowlah's established family homes.
📍 North Balgowlah
2093Landscaping, hedge trimming and ongoing garden maintenance for North Balgowlah's hillside streets.
📍 Clontarf
2093Harbourside gardens for Clontarf's steep waterfront blocks, built for salt air and difficult access.
📍 Allambie Heights
2100Backyards, turf and native planting for Allambie Heights family homes, many backing onto bushland.
📍 Balgowlah Heights
2093Harbour-view landscaping, sandstone walls and coastal planting across Balgowlah Heights.
Serving Seaforth & Surrounds
Landscaping in Seaforth — FAQs
Mostly it comes down to slope and access. A garden makeover on a level block costs far less than a steep site that needs retaining walls, drainage and materials carried down by hand. We provide a free, itemised quote after an on-site visit, and our pricing page shows typical ranges for common work such as retaining walls, decking and turf.
Seaforth is in the Northern Beaches Council area. Retaining walls over 600mm, removing or significantly pruning many trees, and some works near bushland or waterways can need approval, and properties mapped as bushfire prone land may have extra requirements. We'll check what applies to your site and manage the application if it's needed.
Many homes here sit well above or below the street, reached by steep driveways, long stairs or an inclined lift. We plan around it: materials are delivered in manageable loads, moved with compact machinery where it fits and by hand where it doesn't, and sandstone and soil are staged so the site stays safe and the street stays clear.
On sunny, harbour-facing slopes we use hardy coastal natives such as westringia, lomandra, banksias and correas, which cope with salt air and the sandy, free-draining soil over sandstone. In shadier gardens near bushland, ferns, lilly pillies and other shade-tolerant natives do well. We match each bed to its actual sun, wind and soil.
Yes. Our in-house maintenance teams look after gardens in Seaforth, Balgowlah, North Balgowlah and across the Northern Beaches, with regular visits, lawn care, hedge trimming and seasonal pruning. See our Northern Beaches garden maintenance page for details.
Trusted on the Northern Beaches
See what our clients say about our landscaping and garden care.
Janet Tuft
“Ewan and his team turned my scrappy garden into a neat and tidy display in record time. Willing and easy to work with.”
Brad Cooper
“This Team does an outstanding job, tall hedges all around my property and pool! Gardens, lawns , even tidied up the fire pit. Great young guys attend and get in with it! Highly recommend.”
Jennie Finlay
“It is my absolute pleasure to recommend Ewan and his Team at Ethereal Gardens Landscaping. -Communication is very personable and excellent, -communicating openly is very helpful with ideas that might benefit the project and lessen time and sometimes cost if the outcome gives a good result which it has -friendliness, Courteousness and professionalism are very kind, supportive, and understanding and accepting of what is requested - attitude and work ethic are wonderful to experience and a credit to them -doing and through to completion of tasks are higher than expectation -outcomes show the care that is taken when performing the tasks -completion, which includes removal of rubbish and cleaning up, always leaves everything looking beautiful. I am very confident and, with my first hand experience, if you choose to engage Ewan and his team he/they will not disappoint. I have engaged other Landscapers for projects and Ewan at Ethereal Gardens has been by far the best. Thank you Ewan. Jennie”
Let's Create Something Ethereal
Ready to transform your outdoor space? Complete the form and we'll get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your project.