Wollongong, Illawarra & Southern Highlands

Landscape design that
starts with your vision

See your outdoor space brought to life in 3D before a single stone is laid. Our in-house design team works with you from concept to construction-ready plans.

2D Plans, 3D Walkthroughs & Renders
Designed & Built In House
Get Your Free Consultation

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Our Design Services

From sketch to reality

Our landscape design team collaborates with you to develop your outdoor space, then builds it, exactly as planned. One team, concept to completion.

2D Concept Plans

We start with a scaled site plan to define the project scope, covering where the pool sits, how the entertaining area connects, and where the garden beds flow. A clear vision on paper before anything else.

Starting point for every project

3D Design & Walkthroughs

Sometimes a flat plan doesn't cut it. Our 3D models let you walk through your new space virtually, seeing the sightlines, the scale, and the feel of the finished result before you commit.

See it before you build it

Photorealistic Renders

Detailed, photorealistic renders of your space bring the project to life. Perfect for making confident decisions on materials, planting, and layout, and for sharing the vision with your family.

Confidence before construction
3D landscape render 1
3D landscape render 2
3D landscape render 3

3D renders from recent Saltleaf projects

Why Design First

A plan saves you time, money, and regret

Too many outdoor projects start without a clear plan, and the result is compromises, blown budgets, and spaces that don't quite work. At Saltleaf, we believe every great outdoor space starts with great design.

Our in-house design team, led by Matt with over 20 years in landscape construction, and horticultural partner John Gabriele, ensures your design is not just beautiful, but buildable, functional, and suited to the way your family actually lives outdoors.

Because our design and construction team are one and the same, there's no miscommunication, no lost detail, and no gap between what was drawn and what gets built. The design phase is the first step of your build, not a separate service.

Saltleaf landscape design project
What's Included

More than just a pretty picture

Site Assessment

We visit your property, assess the terrain, aspect, soil, and existing features to inform a design that works with your land, not against it.

Planting Plans

Species selection tailored to your local climate, soil, and aspect, guided by John Gabriel's 40 years of horticultural expertise.

Material Selections

Guidance on paving, timber, stone, and finishes, with samples and recommendations that suit your style and budget.

Construction Documentation

Fully detailed plans ready for council approval, quoting, and construction. Everything your project needs to move forward.

Saltleaf Our Build Guide
Every Project Begins With A Plan

Start Building Your Dream Pool Today

Unlock the secrets to successful pool building with our detailed guide. This resource is packed with practical advice, design ideas, and maintenance tips to help you navigate the entire process with ease. Whether you're dreaming of a tranquil retreat or a family fun zone, our guide will assist you in making informed decisions and bringing your vision to life.

Our Work

Get Some Design Inspiration

Explore recent Saltleaf pools and landscapes across the Illawarra and Southern Highlands, and picture what your own space could become.

Does This Sound Familiar?

Designing an outdoor space is a big decision

Whether you're starting from scratch or rethinking an existing space, the right design makes all the difference.

"We have ideas but can't picture how they'd actually work together."

Our 3D design process lets you see the finished space before committing. Sightlines, scale, materials, planting, all of it. No more guessing.

"We don't want to hire a designer who doesn't understand construction."

Saltleaf designs and builds. Matt has over 20 years in landscape construction, so every design is practical, buildable, and accurately costed from day one.

"We're worried about plants that won't survive our conditions."

John Gabriel brings 40 years of horticultural expertise to every planting plan, with species selected for your specific soil, aspect, and local climate.

"We want one team, not three different contractors who don't talk to each other."

Design, pool construction, and landscaping, all handled by the same in-house team. One point of contact, start to finish. No miscommunication.

Design & Build, One Team

Render to Reality

Landscape design concept render
Our Approach

Design and build, together

Unlike standalone designers, we understand what it takes to actually build what we draw. Every design decision is informed by real construction experience, so there are no surprises when it comes time to build.

Completed landscape build matching original design
Seamless Delivery

From plans to finished space

Your design doesn't get handed off to a separate builder. The team that designed it is the team that constructs it. Every detail, material choice, and planting decision carries through to the finished result with nothing lost in translation.

Client Reviews

Here's what our clients have to say

5.0 ★★★★★
Based on Google reviews
S
Sharon
Local Guide
★★★★★

Matt & his team are the best! After inspecting our pool, our Independent Certifier said Matt's pool was the best constructed he'd seen & was the only pool place he would recommend now! He cleverly designed the pool fencing so it didn't block our ocean views. Honest, hard-working & so accommodating.

T
Troy McNeice
Posted on Google
★★★★★

We recently had Matt and his team build a pool for our house and honestly could not be happier. Great ideas, beautiful finish and a pleasure to work with. I have further recommended Saltleaf to friends and clients who have also had similar experience.

L
Lee Elhage
Posted on Google
★★★★★

We have been working with Matt and his team for over 10 years on multiple projects and have never been happier! The team is hard working, reliable, professional and trustworthy. I appreciate their attention to detail and commitment to quality.

Common Questions

Landscape design FAQs

Design fees depend on the size and complexity of your project. We offer an initial free consultation to understand your needs, then provide a clear quote before any design work begins. There are no hidden fees.
No, the design consultation is obligation-free. But our real strength is delivering the full journey from concept to completed build. Because we design and construct in-house, the result is exactly what you signed off on. No surprises, no lost detail.
Typically 3 to 6 weeks from initial consultation to final design documentation, depending on the scope and number of revision rounds. We keep you updated at every stage.
Yes. We prepare all documentation required for council approval, whether it's a CDC through a private certifier or a DA through council. We take the complexity out of it for you.
We service the Illawarra region (Wollongong, Kiama, Shellharbour and surrounds) and the Southern Highlands (Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale and surrounds).
Yes, and this is one of our key strengths. Saltleaf holds current NSW Fair Trading licences for both pool building and structural landscaping, so pool and landscape are designed together from the start.
You'll receive photorealistic 3D renders, a virtual walkthrough of the space, detailed planting plans from our horticultural partner John Gabriel, material specifications, and construction-ready documentation.
Ready to Get Started?

Let's design your outdoor space

Book a free discovery call with our team. We'll visit your site, discuss your ideas, and show you how we take a project from concept through to a finished build.

Aerial view of a Saltleaf pool and landscape project